-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, A4Hd0BEVHHMOpSUdXtwT6oRwA9lvC+YWMjoOquRe4a/Umc1uMtu7hZc3dBBPOslz SSbJ+hVWSW6z44rN6iTiuQ== 0000950144-08-004514.txt : 20080530 0000950144-08-004514.hdr.sgml : 20080530 20080530134334 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950144-08-004514 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080523 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080530 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080530 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AARON RENTS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000706688 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC [7359] IRS NUMBER: 580687630 STATE OF INCORPORATION: GA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13941 FILM NUMBER: 08869719 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 309 E. PACES FERRY ROAD, N.E. STREET 2: (NONE) CITY: ATLANTA STATE: GA ZIP: 30305-2377 BUSINESS PHONE: 404-231-0011 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 309 E. PACES FERRY ROAD, N.E. STREET 2: (NONE) CITY: ATLANTA STATE: GA ZIP: 30305-2377 8-K 1 g13676e8vk.htm AARON RENTS, INC. AARON RENTS, INC.
 
 
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): May 23, 2008
 
AARON RENTS, INC.
 
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
         
Georgia   1-13941   58-0687630
         
(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (Commission File
Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
309 E. Paces Ferry Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia
  30305-2377
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 231-0011
Not Applicable
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   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.
Revolving Credit Agreement
     On May 23, 2008, Aaron Rents, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into the Revolving Credit Agreement by and among the Company as borrower, several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto (“Lenders”) and SunTrust Bank, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (“2008 Revolving Credit Agreement”), attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, which provides, subject to certain terms and conditions, for unsecured borrowings by the Company and the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of the Company up to an aggregate credit facility amount of $140.0 million. The 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement replaces the prior revolving credit facility (also for $140.0 million) made available pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004, by and among the Company as borrower, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and SunTrust Bank as administrative agent, as previously amended (“Prior Revolving Facility”). The Prior Revolving Facility was terminated on May 23, 2008 concurrently with the entry into the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement.
     The 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement expires on May 23, 2013, unless terminated earlier. The 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement provides for (i) the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of the Company pursuant to a letter of credit subfacility in an aggregate amount of $10.0 million, (ii) a swingline loan subfacility in an aggregate amount of up to $15.0 million in swingline loans (each a “Swingline Loan”) made available to the Company, and (iii) a revolving credit facility made available at the Company’s option, with loans thereunder bearing interest at the option of the Company (in the absence of a default) at either a base rate per annum (“Base Rate Loans”), or a Eurodollar rate per annum (“Eurodollar Loans”), in each case plus an applicable margin as set forth in the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement.
     Interest. Base Rate Loans bear interest at the higher of (i) the per annum rate which the administrative agent publicly announces from time to time to be its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus 0.50%. Eurodollar Loans bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate, which is the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) LIBOR for such interest period by (ii) a percentage equal to 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage (which is the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages in effect on any day to which the administrative agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate), in each case, plus the applicable margin, which varies between 0.875% and 1.50% per annum based on the Company’s ratio of total debt to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as determined in accordance with the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement. Swingline Loans bear interest at the rate offered for any interest period by the administrative agent and accepted by the Company. At May 29, 2008, an aggregate of $118 million (bearing interest at a weighted-average rate of 3.96%) was outstanding under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement. The Company pays a commitment fee on unused balances. The amount of the commitment fee varies between 0.15% and 0.30% per year based on the Company’s ratio of total debt to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as determined in accordance with the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement.

 


 

     Prepayments. The Company may prepay any borrowing under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty after giving prior notice as described in the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement; provided that prepayments of loans under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement (other than Swingline loans) must be in an amount of at least $1 million and in multiples of $500,000.
     Covenants. The 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement contains financial covenants which, among other things, forbid the Company from exceeding certain debt to equity levels and require the maintenance of a minimum net worth ratio, a minimum ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants, the Company will be in default under these agreements, and all amounts would become due immediately.
     In connection with the entry into the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement, Aaron Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Company, agreed to enter into the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement (“Subsidiary Guaranty”), attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2, dated as of May 23, 2008, among the Company, Aaron Investment Company and SunTrust Bank as administrative agent for the Lenders under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement. Under the Subsidiary Guaranty, Aaron Investment Company unconditionally guarantees as a primary obligor the due and punctual (a) payment of certain obligations under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement and (b) performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement.
Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty
     On May 23, 2008, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty with SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and the other participants listed therein, dated as of May 23, 2008, (the “New Franchisee Loan Facility”), attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3, which amends and restates in its entirety the Loan Facility Agreement dated as of May 28, 2004, as previously amended (the “Existing Franchisee Loan Facility”). The New Franchisee Loan Facility provides for the guarantee by the Company of all loans and other obligations owing from time to time under the New Franchisee Loan Facility, compared to the Existing Franchisee Loan Facility which provided for the guarantee of 50% of losses from loans to franchisees on any given day, and also provides for the establishment of a franchisee loan facility with a maximum commitment amount of $125.0 million, under which certain independent franchisees may, subject to certain terms and conditions, obtain loans. The New Franchisee Loan Facility amended and restated the Existing Franchisee Loan Facility to, among other things, (a) extend the maturity date of the New Franchisee Loan Facility until May 23, 2009, (b) eliminate the distinction in interest rates applicable to loans made to start-up franchisees and loans made to established franchisees, (c) modify certain of the representations and warranties applicable to the Company by, among other things, increasing the dollar thresholds applicable under such representations and warranties, (d) modify the minimum consolidated net worth financial covenant applicable to the Company, (e) modify certain negative covenants applicable to the Company by, among other things, increasing the amount of certain dollar limitations in such covenants, including but not limited to, increasing the dollar limits

2


 

relating to (i) permitted acquisitions by the Company, (ii) the incurrence of indebtedness by the Company and its subsidiaries, (iii) sales of assets by the Company and its subsidiaries, and (iv) investments by the Company and its subsidiaries, and (f) modify certain of the events of defaults by, among other things, increasing the dollar thresholds applicable under such events.
     Under the New Franchisee Loan Facility, the Company is subject to the same financial covenants as it is under the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement, which forbid the Company from exceeding certain debt to equity levels and require the maintenance of a minimum net worth ratio, a minimum ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants, the Company will be in default under these agreements.
     In connection with the entry into the New Franchisee Loan Facility, Aaron Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Company, agreed to enter into the Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement (“Amended Guaranty”), attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4, dated as of May 23, 2008, in favor of the participants under the New Franchise Loan Facility and SunTrust Bank, as servicer under the New Franchisee Loan Facility, which Amended Guaranty amends and restates in its entirety the Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004, in favor of SunTrust Bank. Under the Amended Guaranty, Aaron Investment Company unconditionally guarantees as a primary obligor the due and punctual (a) payment of all obligations owing by the Company under the New Franchisee Loan Facility to SunTrust Bank and the participants listed in the New Franchisee Loan Facility and (b) performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Company under the New Franchisee Loan Facility.
     The foregoing descriptions of the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the New Franchisee Loan Facility and the Amended Guaranty, are qualified in their entirety by reference to the 2008 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the New Franchisee Loan Facility and the Amended Guaranty, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.02   Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
     See Item 1.01 above, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion of the termination of the Prior Revolving Facility in connection with its replacement by the 2008 Revolving Credit Facility.
Item 2.03.   Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
     The relevant disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference in response to this Item 2.03.

3


 

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
     
Exhibit No.   Description
10.1
  Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2008, among Aaron Rents, Inc., as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
10.2
  Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2008, between Aaron Investment Company and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
10.3
  Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty by and among Aaron Rents, Inc. as sponsor, SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other financial institutions party thereto as participants, dated as of May 23, 2008.
10.4
  Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2008, among Aaron Investment Company and SunTrust Bank, as servicer.

4


 

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.
         
  AARON RENTS, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson    
    Gilbert L. Danielson   
Date: May 30, 2008    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer   
 

5

EX-10.1 2 g13676exv10w1.htm EX-10.1 REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT EX-10.1 REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
Execution Version
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of May 23, 2008
among
AARON RENTS, INC.
as Borrower,
THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO
SUNTRUST BANK
as Administrative Agent,
 
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
as Arranger and Book Manager

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
    1  
 
       
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
    1  
 
       
Section 1.1. Definitions
    1  
Section 1.2. Classifications of Loans and Borrowings
    20  
Section 1.3. Accounting Terms and Determination
    20  
Section 1.4. Terms Generally
    21  
 
       
ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS
    21  
 
       
ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS
    21  
 
       
Section 2.1. General Description of Facilities
    21  
Section 2.2. Revolving Loans
    21  
Section 2.3. Procedure for Revolving Borrowings
    22  
Section 2.4. Swingline Commitment
    22  
Section 2.5. Procedure for Swingline Borrowing; Etc
    22  
Section 2.6. Funding of Borrowings
    24  
Section 2.7. Interest Elections
    25  
Section 2.8. Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments
    26  
Section 2.9. Repayment of Loans
    26  
Section 2.10. Evidence of Indebtedness
    26  
Section 2.11. Prepayments
    27  
Section 2.12. Interest on Loans
    28  
Section 2.13. Fees
    29  
Section 2.14. Computation of Interest and Fees
    29  
Section 2.15. Inability to Determine Interest Rates
    30  
Section 2.16. Illegality
    30  
Section 2.17. Increased Costs
    31  
Section 2.18. Funding Indemnity
    32  
Section 2.19. Taxes
    32  
Section 2.20. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
    34  
Section 2.21. Mitigation of Obligations
    35  
Section 2.22. Letters of Credit
    36  
Section 2.23. Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders
    41  
 
       
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
    42  
 
       
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
    42  
 
       
Section 3.1. Conditions To Effectiveness
    42  
Section 3.2. Each Credit Event
    43  
Section 3.3. Delivery of Documents
    44  
Section 3.4. Termination of Existing Credit Agreement
    44  
 
       
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    44  
 
       
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    44  
 
       
Section 4.1. Existence; Power
    44  
Section 4.2. Organizational Power; Authorization
    45  
Section 4.3. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts
    45  
Section 4.4. Financial Statements
    45  

 


 

         
    Page
Section 4.5. Litigation and Environmental Matters
    45  
Section 4.6. Compliance with Laws and Agreements
    46  
Section 4.7. Investment Company Act, Etc.
    46  
Section 4.8. Taxes
    46  
Section 4.9. Margin Regulations
    46  
Section 4.10. ERISA
    47  
Section 4.11. Ownership of Property
    47  
Section 4.12. Disclosure
    47  
Section 4.13. Labor Relations
    47  
Section 4.14. Subsidiaries
    48  
Section 4.15. Solvency
    48  
Section 4.16. OFAC
    48  
Section 4.17. Patriot Act
    48  
 
       
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
    48  
 
       
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
    48  
 
       
Section 5.1. Financial Statements and Other Information
    49  
Section 5.2. Notices of Material Events
    50  
Section 5.3. Existence; Conduct of Business
    51  
Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws, Etc.
    51  
Section 5.5. Payment of Obligations
    51  
Section 5.6. Books and Records
    51  
Section 5.7. Visitation, Inspection, Etc.
    51  
Section 5.8. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance
    52  
Section 5.9. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit
    52  
Section 5.10. Additional Subsidiaries
    52  
Section 5.11. Post-Closing Covenant
    53  
 
       
ARTICLE VI FINANCIAL COVENANTS
    53  
 
       
ARTICLE VI FINANCIAL COVENANTS
    53  
 
       
Section 6.1. Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio
    53  
Section 6.2. Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio
    53  
Section 6.3. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
    53  
Section 6.4. Minimum Consolidated Net Worth
    53  
 
       
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS
    54  
 
       
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS
    54  
 
       
Section 7.1. Indebtedness
    54  
Section 7.2. Negative Pledge
    55  
Section 7.3. Fundamental Changes
    56  
Section 7.4. Investments, Loans, Etc.
    57  
Section 7.5. Restricted Payments
    58  
Section 7.6. Sale of Assets
    58  
Section 7.7. Transactions with Affiliates
    58  
Section 7.8. Restrictive Agreements
    59  
Section 7.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions
    59  
Section 7.10. Amendment to Material Documents
    59  
Section 7.11. Accounting Changes
    59  
Section 7.12. Hedging Transactions
    59  
Section 7.13. Activities of Aaron Rents Puerto Rico
    60  
 
       
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT
    60  

ii


 

         
    Page
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT
    60  
 
       
Section 8.1. Events of Default
    60  
 
       
ARTICLE IX THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
    62  
 
       
ARTICLE IX THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
    62  
 
       
Section 9.1. Appointment of Administrative Agent
    63  
Section 9.2. Nature of Duties of Administrative Agent
    63  
Section 9.3. Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent
    64  
Section 9.4. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent
    64  
Section 9.5. Reliance by Administrative Agent
    64  
Section 9.6. The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity
    64  
Section 9.7. Successor Administrative Agent
    65  
Section 9.8. Authorization to Execute other Loan Documents
    65  
Section 9.9. Withholding Tax
    65  
Section 9.10. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim
    66  
 
       
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
    67  
 
       
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
    67  
 
       
Section 10.1. Notices
    67  
Section 10.2. Waiver; Amendments
    69  
Section 10.3. Expenses; Indemnification
    70  
Section 10.4. Successors and Assigns
    72  
Section 10.5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
    75  
Section 10.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
    76  
Section 10.7. Right of Setoff
    77  
Section 10.8. Counterparts; Integration
    77  
Section 10.9. Survival
    77  
Section 10.10. Severability
    78  
Section 10.11. Confidentiality
    78  
Section 10.12. Interest Rate Limitation
    78  
Schedules
             
 
  Schedule 1.1(a)   -   Applicable Margin and Applicable Percentage
 
  Schedule 1.1(b)   -   Lender Commitments
 
  Schedule 4.5(a)   -   Litigation
 
  Schedule 4.5(b)   -   Environmental Matters
 
  Schedule 4.14   -   Subsidiaries
 
  Schedule 7.1   -   Outstanding Indebtedness
 
  Schedule 7.2   -   Existing Liens
 
  Schedule 7.4   -   Existing Investments
Exhibits
             
 
  Exhibit A   -   Form of Assignment and Acceptance
 
  Exhibit B   -   Form of Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement
 
 
  Exhibit 2.3   -   Notice of Revolving Borrowing

iii


 

             
 
  Exhibit 2.5   -   Notice of Swingline Borrowing
 
  Exhibit 2.7   -   Form of Continuation/Conversion
 
  Exhibit 3.1(b) (iii)   -   Form of Secretary’s Certificate
 
  Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi)   -   Form of Officer’s Certificate
 
  Exhibit 5.1(c)   -   Form of Compliance Certificate

iv


 

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
          THIS REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 23, 2008, by and among AARON RENTS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party hereto (the “Lenders”) and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
          WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders establish a $140,000,000 revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrower with a $15,000,000 swingline subfacility and a $10,000,000 letter of credit subfacility in favor of the Borrower;
          WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders severally, to the extent of their respective Commitments as defined herein, are willing to severally establish the requested revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrower;
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
          Section 1.1. Definitions. In addition to the other terms defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the meanings herein specified (to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
          “2002 Note Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2002, by and among Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the other purchasers signatory thereto, as such Note Purchase Agreement may be amended, supplemented, restated, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
          “2005 Note Agreement” shall mean that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2005, by an among Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the other purchasers signatory thereto, as such Note Purchase Agreement may be amended, supplemented, restated, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
          “Aaron Rents Puerto Rico” shall mean Aaron Rents, Inc. Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rico corporation.

 


 

          “Acquisition” means any transaction in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly (i) acquires any ongoing business, (ii) acquires all or substantially all of the assets of any Person or division thereof, whether through a purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, (iii) acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) control of at least a majority of the voting stock of a corporation, other than the acquisition of voting stock of a wholly-owned Subsidiary solely in connection with the organization and capitalization of that Subsidiary by the Borrower or another Subsidiary Loan Party, or (iv) acquires control of more than 50% ownership interest in any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company.
          Additional Commitment Amountshall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.23.
          Additional Lendershall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.23.
          “Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) LIBOR for such Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
          “Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph hereof.
          “Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent duly completed by such Lender.
          “Affiliate” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition “Control” shall mean the power, directly or indirectly, either to (i) vote 10% or more of securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of a Person or (ii) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. The terms “Controlling”, “Controlled by”, and “under common Control with” have meanings correlative thereto.
          “Aggregate Revolving Commitments” shall mean, collectively, all Revolving Commitments of all Lenders at any time outstanding.
          Applicable Lending Office” shall mean, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the “Lending Office” of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan in the Administrative Questionnaire submitted by such Lender or such other office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.

2


 

          “Applicable Margin” shall mean with respect to all Eurodollar Revolving Loans outstanding on any date and all letter of credit fees, as the case may be, a percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) attached hereto; provided, that a change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be effective on the second day after which the Borrower has delivered the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a) or (b) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1 (c); provided further, that if at any time the Borrower shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such certificate, the Applicable Margin shall be at Level IV until such time as such financial statements and certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Margin shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the financial statement and Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 2008 are delivered shall be at Level II.
          “Applicable Percentage” shall mean, with respect to the commitment fee, as of any date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) attached hereto; provided, that a change in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be effective on the second day after which the Borrower has delivered the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a) or (b) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1 (c); provided, further, that if at any time the Borrower shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such certificate, the Applicable Percentage shall be at Level IV until such time as such financial statements and certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Percentage shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Percentage for the commitment fee from the Closing Date until the financial statement and Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 2008 are delivered shall be at Level II.
          “Approved Fund” shall mean 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 business and that is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
          “Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.4(b)) and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
          “Availability Period” shall mean the period from the Closing Date to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
          “Base Rate” shall mean the higher of (i) the per annum rate which the Administrative Agent publicly announces from time to time to be its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-

3


 

half of one percent (0.50%). The Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate charged to customers. The Administrative Agent may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate. Each change in the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
          “Borrower” shall have the meaning in the introductory paragraph hereof.
          Borrowing” shall mean a borrowing consisting of (i) Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and in case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, or (ii) a Swingline Loan.
          “Business Day” shall mean (i) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) if such day relates to a Borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal or interest on, a conversion of or into, or an Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice with respect to any of the foregoing, any day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.
          “Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person shall mean all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
          “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (a) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower to any Person or “group” (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder in effect on the date hereof), (b) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or “group” (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than the Loudermilk Family of 33⅓ or more of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Borrower; or (c) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the current board of directors or (ii) appointed by directors so nominated.
          “Change in Law” shall mean (i) the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (ii) any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or application thereof, by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (iii) compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the Issuing Bank (or for purposes of Section 2.17(b), by such Lender’s or the

4


 

Issuing Bank’s holding company, if applicable) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement.
          “Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans and when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment or a Swingline Commitment.
          “Closing Date” shall mean the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.2.
          “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
          “Commitment” shall mean a Revolving Commitment or a Swingline Commitment or any combination thereof (as the context shall permit or require).
          “Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate from the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer of the Borrower in the form of, and containing the certifications set forth in, the certificate attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1(c).
          “Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation (excluding depreciation of rental merchandise) and amortization and (iv) all other non-cash charges, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP in each case for such period.
          “Consolidated EBITDAR” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (a) Consolidated EBITDA and (b) Consolidated Lease Expense.
          “Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense paid or payable for such period and (b) Consolidated Lease Expense paid or payable for such period.
          “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, total cash interest expense, including without limitation the interest component of any payments in respect of Capital Leases Obligations capitalized or expensed during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period).
          “Consolidated Lease Expense” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent rentals payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to

5


 

leases of real and personal property (excluding Capital Lease Obligations) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period.
          “Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (i) any extraordinary gains or losses, (ii) any gains attributable to write-ups of assets and (iii) any equity interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the unremitted earnings of any Person that is not a Subsidiary and (iv) any income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary on the date that such Person’s assets are acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
          “Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the Borrower’s total shareholders’ equity, determined in accordance with GAAP.
          “Consolidated Total Adjusted Capital” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Adjusted Debt as of such date and (ii) Consolidated Net Worth as of such date.
          “Consolidated Total Adjusted Debt” shall mean, as of any date of determination, (i) Consolidated Total Debt, plus (ii) to the extent not included in clause (i), all operating lease obligations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries measured at the present value of such obligations (using a 10% discount rate).
          “Consolidated Total Debt” shall mean, at any time, all then currently outstanding obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the types described in the definition of Indebtedness.
          “Default” shall mean any condition or event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
          “Default Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(c).
          “Dollar(s)” and the sign “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.
          “Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is incorporated or organized under the laws of any State of the United States, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
          “Environmental Laws” shall mean all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

6


 

          “Environmental Liability” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental investigation and remediation, costs of administrative oversight, fines, natural resource damages, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any actual or alleged exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
          “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
          “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated), which, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for the purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
          “ERISA Eventshall mean (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator appointed by the PBGC of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
          “Eurodollar” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
          “Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental, special or other marginal reserves) expressed as a decimal (rounded upwards to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on any day to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate pursuant to regulations issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions) with respect to

7


 

eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “eurocurrency liabilities” under Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
          “Event of Default” shall have the meaning provided in Article VIII.
          Excluded Taxes” shall mean with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which any Lender is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender, any withholding tax that (i) is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, (ii) is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at any time that such Foreign Lender designates a new lending office, other than taxes that have accrued prior to the designation of such lending office that are otherwise not Excluded Taxes, and (iii) is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.19(e).
          “Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004 and as heretofore amended, among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent.
          “Fee Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement dated as of May 5, 2008, by and between Borrower and Administrative Agent, setting forth certain fees applicable to the revolving credit facility described herein, either as originally executed or as hereafter amended or modified.
          “Federal Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1% of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
          “Fiscal Year” shall mean a fiscal year of the Borrower; references to a Fiscal Year with a number corresponding to any calendar year (e.g., the “Fiscal Year 2008”) refers to the Fiscal Year ending during such calendar year.

8


 

          “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDAR for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on such date to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on such date.
          “Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is not a United States person under Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code.
          “Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
          “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.3.
          “Governmental Authority” shall mean the government of the United States of America, any other nation or 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.
          “Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly and including any obligation, direct or indirect, of the guarantor (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued in support of such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposits in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which Guarantee is made or, if not so stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
          “Hazardous Materialsmeans all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

9


 

          “Hedging Obligations” of any Person shall mean any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired under (i) any and all Hedging Transactions, (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Hedging Transactions and (iii) any and all renewals, extensions and modifications of any Hedging Transactions and any and all substitutions for any Hedging Transactions.
          “Hedging Transaction” of any Person shall mean (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect to any such transaction) now existing or hereafter entered into by such Person that is a rate swap transaction, swap option, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option, spot transaction, credit protection transaction, credit swap, credit default swap, credit default option, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reverse repurchase transaction, buy/sell-back transaction, securities lending transaction, or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, 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.
          “Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean, without duplication (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business; provided, that for purposes of Section 8.1(g), trade payables overdue by more than 120 days shall be included in this definition except to the extent that any of such trade payables are being disputed in good faith and by appropriate measures), (iv) all obligations of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement(s) relating to property acquired by such Person, (v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of letters of credit, acceptances or similar extensions of credit, (vii) all Guarantees of such Person of the type of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, (viii) all Indebtedness of a third party secured by any Lien on property owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (ix) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any common stock of such Person, and (x) Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
          “Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

10


 

          “Interest Period” shall mean with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, a period of one, two, three or six months; provided, that:
     (i) the initial Interest Period for such Borrowing shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of another Type), and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;
     (ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period would end on the next preceding Business Day;
     (iii) any Interest Period which 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 such calendar month; and
     (iv) no Interest Period may extend beyond the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
          “Issuing Bank” shall mean SunTrust Bank or any other Lender, each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.22.
          “LC Commitment” shall mean that portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments that may be used by the Borrower for the issuance of Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount not to exceed $10,000,000.
          “LC Disbursement” shall mean a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
          “LC Documents” shall mean the Letters of Credit and all applications, agreements and instruments relating to the Letters of Credit.
          “LC Exposure” shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender shall be its Pro Rata Share of the total LC Exposure at such time.
          “Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph of this Agreement and shall include, where appropriate, the Swingline Lender and each Additional Lender that joins this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.23.
          “Letter of Credit” shall mean any stand-by letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.22 by the Issuing Bank for the account of the Borrower pursuant to the LC Commitment.

11


 

          “LIBOR” shall mean, for any applicable Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such Interest Period appearing on the display designated on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period; provided, that if the Administrative Agent determines that the relevant foregoing sources are unavailable for the relevant Interest Period, LIBOR shall mean the rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of the rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered to the Administrative Agent two (2) Business Days preceding the first day of such Interest Period by leading banks in the London interbank market as of 10:00 a.m. for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period, for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount comparable to the amount of the Eurodollar Loan of the Administrative Agent.
          “Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, encumbrance, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, or other arrangement having the practical effect of the foregoing or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having the same economic effect as any of the foregoing). A covenant not to grant a Lien or a “negative pledge” shall not be determined a Lien for purposes of this Agreement.
          “Loan Documents” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, the LC Documents, the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement and any and all other instruments, agreements, documents and writings executed in connection with any of the foregoing.
          “Loan Parties” shall mean the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.
          “Loan Facility Agreement” shall mean that certain Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, SunTrust Bank, as Servicer and the financial institutions from time to time a party thereto, as Participants, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
          “Loan Facility Documents” shall mean, collectively, the Loan Facility Agreement and any and all other instruments, agreements, documents and writings executed in connection with the foregoing.
          “Loans” shall mean all Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans in the aggregate or any of them, as the context shall require.
          “Loudermilk Family” shall mean, collectively, Robert Charles Loudermilk, Sr., his spouse, his children, his grandchildren and any trust which may now be or hereafter established for the sole benefit of any of the foregoing persons.

12


 

          “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding), whether singularly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts, condition or conditions, occurrence or occurrences whether or not related, a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, (i) the business, results of operations, financial condition, assets, liabilities or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or the Loan Parties taken as a whole to perform any of their respective obligations under the Loan Documents (iii) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents or (iv) the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.
          “Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000.
          “Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
          “Multiemployer Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
          “Notes” shall mean any promissory notes issued hereunder at the request of any Lender.
          “Notices of Borrowing” shall mean, collectively, the Notices of Revolving Borrowing and the Notices of Swingline Borrowing.
          “Notice of Conversion/Continuation” shall mean the notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in respect of the conversion or continuation of an outstanding Borrowing as provided in Section 2.7(b) hereof.
          “Notice of Revolving Borrowing” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.3.
          “Notice of Swingline Borrowing” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.5.
          “Obligations” shall mean (a) all amounts owing by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender (including the Swingline Lender) or SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as the Lead Arranger pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit including without limitation, all principal, interest (including any interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), all reimbursement obligations, fees, expenses, indemnification and reimbursement payments, costs and expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and any Lender (including the

13


 

Swingline Lender) incurred pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, now existing or hereafter arising hereunder or thereunder, and all obligations and liabilities incurred in connection with collecting and enforcing the foregoing, (b) all Hedging Obligations owed by any Loan Party to any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender, and (c) all Treasury Management Obligations between any Loan Party and any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications or refinancings of any of the foregoing.
          Off-Balance Sheet Liabilitiesof any Person shall mean (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, other than indemnity obligations for any breach of any representation or warranty which are customary in nonrecourse sales of such assets, (ii) any liability of such Person under any sale and leaseback transactions which do not create a liability on the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) any liability of such Person under any so-called “synthetic” lease transaction or (iv) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person.
          “OSHA” shall mean the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
          “Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
          “Participant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(c).
          “Payment Office” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, or such other location as to which the Administrative Agent shall have given written notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders.
          “PBGCshall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA, and any successor entity performing similar functions.
          “Permitted Acquisition” shall mean any Acquisition so long as (a) immediately before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default is in existence, (b) such Acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of the Person being acquired prior to any public announcement thereof, (c) the total consideration (including all cash, debt, stock and other property, and assumption of obligations for borrowed money) of any single Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions does not exceed $75,000,000, (d) the total consideration (including all cash, debt, stock and other property, and assumption of obligations for borrowed money) of all Acquisitions during any fiscal year does not exceed $150,000,000 and (e) immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition, the Borrower and Subsidiaries will not be engaged in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and

14


 

its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and businesses reasonably related thereto. As used herein, Acquisitions will be considered related Acquisitions if the sellers under such Acquisitions are the same Person or any Affiliate thereof.
          “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean
          (i) Liens imposed by law for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
          (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other Liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
          (iii) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;
          (iv) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
          (v) judgment and attachment liens not giving rise to an Event of Default or Liens created by or existing from any litigation or legal proceeding that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP; and
          (vi) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
          (vii) other Liens incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its property and assets which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business; and
          (viii) Liens on insurance policies owned by the Borrower on the lives of its officers securing policy loans obtained from the insurers under such policies, provided that (A) the aggregate amount borrowed on each policy shall not exceed the loan value thereof, and (B) the Borrower shall not incur any liability to repay any such loan;

15


 

provided, that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
          Permitted Investmentsshall mean:
          (i) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
          (ii) commercial paper having an A or better rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or Moody’s and in either case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
          (iii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;
          (iv) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (i) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (iii) above; and
          (v) mutual funds investing solely in any one or more of the Permitted Investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
          “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or any Governmental Authority.
          “Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
          “Pro Rata Share” shall mean with respect to any Commitment of any Lender at any time, a percentage, the numerator of which shall be such Lender’s Commitment (or if such Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lender’s Loan funded under such Commitment), and the denominator of which shall be the sum of such Commitments of all Lenders (or if such Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, all Loans of all Lenders funded under such Commitments).

16


 

          “RBC Loan Facility Agreement” shall mean the credit facility agreement among the Borrower, Royal Bank of Canada and any other parties thereto dated on or about the date hereof, whereby the Borrower and any Subsidiary may, among other things, guarantee loans made to Canadian franchise operators and owners of the Borrower pursuant to the terms thereof as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time.
          “Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.
          “Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.
          “Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.
          “Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and any successor regulations.
          “Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
          “Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within any building, structure, facility or fixture.
          “Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders holding at least 51% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time or if the Lenders have no Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding at least 51% of the Loans.
          “Responsible Officer” shall mean any of the president, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, the controller or a vice president of the Borrower or such other representative of the Borrower as may be designated in writing by any one of the foregoing with the consent of the Administrative Agent; and, with respect to the financial covenants only, the chief financial officer, the controller or the treasurer of the Borrower.
          Restricted Paymentshall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.5.

17


 

          “Revolving Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower and to participate in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule 1.1(b), or in the case of a Person becoming a Lender after the Closing Date through an assignment of an existing Revolving Commitment, the amount of the assigned “Revolving Commitment” as provided in the Assignment and Acceptance executed by such Person as an assignee, as the same may be increased or deceased pursuant to terms hereof.
          “Revolving Commitment Termination Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) May 23, 2013, (ii) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 2.8(b) or Section 8.1 and (iii) the date on which all amounts outstanding under this Agreement have been declared or have automatically become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).
          “Revolving Credit Availability Period” shall mean the period from the Closing Date to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
          “Revolving Credit Exposure” shall mean, for any Lender, the sum of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure.
          “Revolving Loan” shall mean a loan made by a Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) to the Borrower, which may either be a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.
          “RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement” shall mean that certain Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty dated as of May 29, 2007 by and among the Borrower, SunTrust Bank, as Servicer and the financial institutions from time to time a party thereto, as Participants, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
          “RIMCO Loan Facility Documents” shall mean, collectively, the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement and any and all other instruments, agreements, documents and writings executed in connection with the foregoing.
          “Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreement” shall mean the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May 5, 2004, by and among Rosey Rentals, L.P. and Wachovia Bank, N.A. (as successor to SouthTrust Bank) as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time.
          “S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s.
          “Solvent” shall mean, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including subordinated and 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 and liabilities, including subordinated and contingent liabilities 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 Person’s ability to pay as

18


 

such debts and liabilities mature; and (d) such Person is not engaged in a business or transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of contingent liabilities (such as litigation, guaranties and pension plan liabilities) at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represents the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
          “Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person (the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power, or in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Subsidiary” hereunder shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
          “Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, made by the Subsidiary Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
          “Subsidiary Loan Party” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.
          “Swingline Commitment” shall mean the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $15,000,000.
          “Swingline Exposure” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the principal amount of the Swingline Loans in which such Lender is legally obligated either to make a Base Rate Loan or to purchase a participation in accordance with Section 2.5, which shall equal such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all outstanding Swingline Loans.
          “Swingline Lender” shall mean SunTrust Bank, or any other Lender that may agree to make Swingline Loans hereunder.
          “Swingline Loan” shall mean a loan made to the Borrower by the Swingline Lender under the Swingline Commitment.
          “Swingline Rate” shall mean, for any Interest Period, the rate as offered by the Administrative Agent and accepted by the Borrower. The Borrower is under no obligation to accept this rate and the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to provide it.

19


 

          “Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
          “Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Adjusted Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated Total Adjusted Capital as of such date.
          “Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on such date.
          “Transaction Documents” shall mean, collectively, the Loan Documents and the Loan Facility Documents.
          “Treasury Management Obligations” shall mean, collectively, all obligations and other liabilities of any Loan Parties pursuant to any agreements governing the provision to such Loan Parties of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, funds transfer, automated clearing house, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services.
          “Type”, when used in reference to a Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Base Rate.
          “Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Georgia.
          “Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
          Section 1.2. Classifications of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g. a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g. a “Eurodollar Loan” or “Base Rate Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g. “Revolving Eurodollar Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g. “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g. “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g. “ Revolving Eurodollar Borrowing”).
          Section 1.3. Accounting Terms and Determination. Unless otherwise defined or specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statement of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a); provided, that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article VI to eliminate the effect of

20


 

any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Article VI for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders.
          Section 1.4. Terms Generally. 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”. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to but excluding”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as it was originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (iii) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement and (v) all references to a specific time shall be construed to refer to the time in the city and state of the Administrative Agent’s principal office, unless otherwise indicated.
ARTICLE II
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS
          Section 2.1. General Description of Facilities. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, (i) the Lenders hereby establish in favor of the Borrower a revolving credit facility pursuant to which the Lenders severally agree (to the extent of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment) to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.2(a), (ii) the Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.22, (iii) the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.4, and (iv) each Lender agrees to purchase a participation interest in the Letters of Credit and the Swingline Loans pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof; provided, that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and outstanding LC Obligations exceed at any time the Aggregate Revolving Commitments from time to time in effect.
          Section 2.2. Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time

21


 

that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, or (ii) the sum of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders exceeding the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. During the Availability Period, the Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, that the Borrower may not borrow or reborrow should there exist a Default or Event of Default.
          Section 2.3. Procedure for Revolving Borrowings. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Revolving Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3 attached hereto (a “Notice of Revolving Borrowing”) (x) prior to 11:00 a.m. on the requested date of each Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of each Eurodollar Borrowing. Each Notice of Revolving Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the Type of such Revolving Loan comprising such Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto (subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period). Each Revolving Borrowing shall consist entirely of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, as the Borrower may request. The aggregate principal amount of each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be not less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $500,000, and the aggregate principal amount of each Base Rate Borrowing shall not be less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000; provided, that Base Rate Loans made pursuant to Section 2.5 or Section 2.22(c) may be made in lesser amounts as provided therein. At no time shall the total number of Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding at any time exceed six. Promptly following the receipt of a Notice of Revolving Borrowing in accordance herewith, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loan to be made as part of the requested Revolving Borrowing.
          Section 2.4. Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower, from time to time from the Closing Date to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the lesser of (i) the Swingline Commitment then in effect and (ii) the difference between the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders; provided, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
          Section 2.5. Procedure for Swingline Borrowing; Etc.
          (a) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Swingline Borrowing (“Notice of Swingline Borrowing”) prior to 10:00 a.m. on the requested date of each Swingline Borrowing. Each Notice of Swingline Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (i) the principal amount of such Swingline Loan, (ii) the date of such Swingline Loan (which shall be a Business

22


 

Day) and (iii) the account of the Borrower to which the proceeds of such Swingline Loan should be credited. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of each Notice of Swingline Borrowing. Each Swingline Loan shall accrue interest at the Swingline Rate or any other interest rate as agreed between the Borrower and the Swingline Lender and shall have an Interest Period (subject to the definition thereof) as agreed between the Borrower and the Swingline Lender. The aggregate principal amount of each Swingline Loan shall be not less than $100,000 or a larger multiple of $50,000, or such other minimum amounts agreed to by the Swingline Lender and the Borrower. The Swingline Lender will make the proceeds of each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower in Dollars in immediately available funds at the account specified by the Borrower in the applicable Notice of Swingline Borrowing not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested date of such Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will notify the Lenders on a quarterly basis if any Swingline Loans occurred during such quarter.
          (b) The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion, may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), give a Notice of Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Base Rate Loans in an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of any Swingline Loan. Each Lender will make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender in accordance with Section 2.6, which will be used solely for the repayment of such Swingline Loan.
          (c) If for any reason a Base Rate Borrowing may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) shall purchase an undivided participating interest in such Swingline Loan in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share thereof on the date that such Base Rate Borrowing should have occurred. On the date of such required purchase, each Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participating interest to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender. If such Swingline Loan bears interest at a rate other than the Base Rate, such Swingline Loan shall automatically become a Base Rate Loan on the effective date of any such participation and interest shall become payable on demand.
          (d) Each Lender’s obligation to make a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.5(b) or to purchase the participating interests pursuant to Section 2.5(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including without limitation (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have or claim against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of any Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (iii) the existence (or alleged existence) of any event or condition which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If such amount is not in fact made available to the Swingline Lender by any Lender, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to

23


 

recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon for each day from the date of demand thereof at the Federal Funds Rate. Until such time as such Lender makes its required payment, the Swingline Lender shall be deemed to continue to have outstanding Swingline Loans in the amount of the unpaid participation for all purposes of the Loan Documents. In addition, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans and any other amounts due to it hereunder, to the Swingline Lender to fund the amount of such Lender’s participation interest in such Swingline Loans that such Lender failed to fund pursuant to this Section, until such amount has been purchased in full.
          Section 2.6. Funding of Borrowings.
          (a) Each Lender will make available each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer in immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m. to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office; provided, that the Swingline Loans will be made as set forth in Section 2.5. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower, as the case may be, by promptly crediting the amounts that it receives, in like funds by the close of business on such proposed date, to an account maintained by the Borrower, as the case may be, with the Administrative Agent or at the Borrower’s option, by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an account designated by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.
          (b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to 5 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the date of a Borrowing in which such Lender is participating that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance on such assumption, may make available to the Borrower, as the case may be, on such date a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate for up to two (2) days and thereafter at the rate specified for such Borrowing. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent together with interest at the rate specified for such Borrowing. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.
          (c) All Revolving Borrowings shall be made by the Lenders on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares. No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligations hereunder, and each Lender shall be obligated to make its Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans hereunder.

24


 

          Section 2.7. Interest Elections.
          (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, and in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing into a different Type or to continue such Borrowing, and in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
          (b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) that is to be converted or continued, as the case may be, (x) prior to 11:00 a.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of a conversion into a Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days prior to a continuation of or conversion into a Eurodollar Borrowing. Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the Borrowing to which such Notice of Continuation/Conversion applies and if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof that are to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing); (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Notice of Continuation/Conversion, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be a Base Rate Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of “Interest Period”. If any such Notice of Continuation/Conversion requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. The principal amount of any resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the minimum borrowing amount for Eurodollar Borrowings and Base Rate Borrowings set forth in Section 2.3.
          (c) If, on the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of any Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrower shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing to a Base Rate Borrowing. No Borrowing may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Borrowing if a Default or an Event of Default exists, unless the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall have otherwise consented in writing. No conversion of any Eurodollar Loans shall be permitted except on the last day of the Interest Period in respect thereof.

25


 

          (d) Upon receipt of any Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
          Section 2.8. Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments.
          (a) Unless previously terminated, all Revolving Commitments and the Swingline Commitment shall terminate on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
          (b) Upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable), the Borrower may reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in part or terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in whole; provided, that (i) any partial reduction shall apply to reduce proportionately and permanently the Revolving Commitment of each Lender, (ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be in an amount of at least $5,000,000 and any larger multiple of $1,000,000, and (iii) no such reduction shall be permitted which would reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments to an amount less than the outstanding Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders. Any such reduction in the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall result in a proportionate reduction (rounded to the next lowest integral multiple of $100,000) in the Swingline Commitment and the LC Commitment.
          Section 2.9. Repayment of Loans.
          (a) The outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2(a) shall be due and payable by Borrower (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
          (b) The principal amount of each Swingline Borrowing shall be due and payable (together with accrued interest thereon) on the earlier of (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing and (ii) the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
          Section 2.10. Evidence of Indebtedness.
          (a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice appropriate records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall maintain appropriate records in which shall be recorded (i) the Revolving Commitment of each Lender, (ii) the amount of each Loan made hereunder by each Lender, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the date of each continuation thereof pursuant to Section 2.7, (iv) the date of each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type pursuant to Section 2.7, (v) the date and amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder in respect of such Loans and (vi) both the date and amount of any sum received by

26


 

the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower in respect of the Loans and each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof. The entries made in such records shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, that the failure or delay of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in maintaining or making entries into any such record or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans (both principal and unpaid accrued interest) of such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
          (b) This Agreement evidences the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and is being executed as a “noteless” credit agreement. However, at the request of any Lender (including the Swingline Lender) at any time, the Borrower agrees that it will prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment permitted hereunder) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).
          Section 2.11. Prepayments.
          (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, by giving irrevocable written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent no later than (i) in the case of prepayment of any Eurodollar Borrowing, 11:00 a.m. not less than three (3) Business Days prior to any such prepayment, (ii) in the case of any prepayment of any Base Rate Borrowing, not less than one Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment, and (iii) in the case of Swingline Borrowings, prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the proposed date of such prepayment and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any such prepayment. If such notice is given, the aggregate amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date designated in such notice, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount so prepaid in accordance with Section 2.12(d); provided, that if a Eurodollar Borrowing is prepaid on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay all amounts required pursuant to Section 2.18. Each partial prepayment of any Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be in an amount not less than $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $500,000. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.
          (b) If at any time the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments at such time, the Borrower shall immediately repay Swingline Loans and Revolving Loans in an amount equal to such excess, together with all accrued and unpaid interest on such excess amount and any amounts

27


 

due under Section 2.17. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably first to the Swingline Loans to the full extent thereof, then to the Revolving Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof, and finally to Revolving Eurodollar Loans to the full extent thereof. If after giving effect to prepayment of all Swingline Loans and Revolving Loans, the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments at such time, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to such excess plus any accrued and unpaid fees thereon to be held as collateral for the LC Exposure. Such account shall be administered in accordance with Section 2.22(g) hereof.
          Section 2.12. Interest on Loans.
          (a) The Borrower shall pay interest with respect to the Revolving Loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2(i) on each Base Rate Loan at the Base Rate in effect from time to time and (ii) on each Eurodollar Loan at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the applicable Interest Period in effect for such Loan plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.
          (b) The Borrower shall pay interest on each Swingline Loan at the Swingline Rate in effect from time to time.
          (c) While an Event of Default exists or after acceleration, at the option of the Required Lenders, the Borrower shall pay interest (“Default Interest”) with respect to all Eurodollar Loans at the rate otherwise applicable for the then-current Interest Period plus an additional 2% per annum until the last day of such Interest Period, and thereafter, and with respect to all Base Rate Loans (including all Swingline Loans) and all other Obligations hereunder (other than Loans), at an all-in rate in effect for Base Rate Loans, plus an additional 2% per annum.
          (d) Interest on the principal amount of all Loans shall accrue from and including the date such Loans are made to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof. Interest on all outstanding Base Rate Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. Interest on all outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and, in the case of any Eurodollar Loans having an Interest Period in excess of three months or 90 days, respectively, on each day which occurs every three months or 90 days, as the case may be, after the initial date of such Interest Period, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. Interest on each Swingline Loan shall be payable on the maturity date of such Loan, which shall be the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. Interest on any Loan which is converted into a Loan of another Type or which is repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such conversion or on the date of any such repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid) thereof. All Default Interest shall be payable on demand.

28


 

          (e) The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such rate in writing (or by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing). Any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
          Section 2.13. Fees.
          (a) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in the Fee Letter.
          (b) Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Percentage (determined daily in accordance with Schedule 1.1(a) on the daily amount of the unused Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the Availability Period. For purposes of computing commitment fees with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender.
          (c) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a letter of credit fee with respect to its participation in each Letter of Credit, which shall accrue at the Applicable Margin then in effect on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to such Letter of Credit during the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to but excluding the date on which such Letter expires or is drawn in full (including without limitation any LC Exposure that remains outstanding after the Revolving Commitment Termination Date) and (ii) to the Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the Availability Period (or until the date that such Letter of Credit is irrevocably cancelled, whichever is later), as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.
          (d) Payments. The fees described in clause (b) and (c) above shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on June 30, 2008 and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date (and if later, the date the Loans and LC Exposure shall be repaid in their entirety).
          Section 2.14. Computation of Interest and Fees.
          All computations of interest and fees hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable (to the extent computed on the basis of days elapsed). Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest amount or

29


 

fee hereunder shall be made in good faith and, except for manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
          Section 2.15. Inability to Determine Interest Rates. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing,
     (i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower, absent manifest error) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for such Interest Period, or
     (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender, as the case may be) of making, funding or maintaining their (or its, as the case may be) Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period,
the Administrative Agent shall give written notice (or telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. In the case of Eurodollar Loans, until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Revolving Loans or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended and (ii) all such affected Loans shall be converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower prepays such Loans in accordance with this Agreement. Unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day before the date of any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing for which a Notice of Revolving Borrowing has previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, then such Revolving Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.
          Section 2.16. Illegality. If any Change in Law shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Lender to make, maintain or fund any Eurodollar Loan and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower and the other Lenders, whereupon until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Revolving Loans, or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans, shall be suspended. In the case of the making of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Lender’s Revolving Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan as part of the same Revolving Borrowing for the same Interest Period and if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, such Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan either (i) on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loan to such date or (ii) immediately if such Lender shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loan to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the affected Lender shall, prior to giving such notice to the Administrative Agent, designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation

30


 

would avoid the need for giving such notice and if such designation would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
          Section 2.17. Increased Costs.
          (a) If any Change in Law shall:
     (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted LIBO Rate hereunder against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank; or
     (ii) impose on any Lender or on the Issuing Bank or the eurodollar interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or any participation therein;
and the result of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining a Eurodollar Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of participating in or issuing any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then the Borrower shall promptly pay, upon written notice from and demand by such Lender on the Borrower (with a copy of such notice and demand to the Administrative Agent), to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, within five Business Days after the date of such notice and demand, additional amount or amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
          (b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank shall have determined that on or after the date of this Agreement any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital (or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s parent corporation) as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s parent corporation could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies or the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s parent corporation with respect to capital adequacy) then, from time to time, within five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of written demand by such Lender (with a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s parent corporation for any such reduction suffered.
          (c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s parent corporation, as the case may be, specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this

31


 

Section shall be delivered to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay any such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such amount or amounts within 10 days after receipt thereof.
          (d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation;
          Section 2.18. Funding Indemnity. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion or continuation of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure by the Borrower to borrow, prepay, convert or continue any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any applicable notice (regardless of whether such notice is withdrawn or revoked), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand from such Lender, for any loss, cost or expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (A) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan if such event had not occurred at the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to such Eurodollar Loan for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan) over (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan for the same period if the Adjusted LIBO Rate were set on the date such Eurodollar Loan was prepaid or converted or the date on which the Borrower failed to borrow, convert or continue such Eurodollar Loan. A certificate as to any additional amount payable under this Section 2.18 submitted to the Borrower or by any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
          Section 2.19. Taxes.
          (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided, that if the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank (as the case may be) shall receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
          (b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

32


 

          (c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within five (5) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other 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 Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
          (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
          (e) Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the Code or any treaty to which the United States is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Foreign Lender agrees that it will deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (or in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased), as appropriate, two (2) duly completed copies of (i) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 ECI, or any successor form thereto, certifying that the payments received from the Borrower hereunder are effectively connected with such Foreign Lender’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States; or (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN, or any successor form thereto, certifying that such Foreign Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which reduces the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest; or (iii) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, together with a certificate (A) establishing that the payment to the foreign lender qualifies as “portfolio interest” exempt from U.S. withholding tax under Code section 871(h) or 881(c), and (B) stating that (1) the Foreign Lender is not a bank for purposes of Code section 881(c)(3)(A), or the obligation of the Borrower hereunder is not, with respect to such Foreign Lender, a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, within the meaning of that section; (2) the Foreign Lender is not a 10% shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Code section 871(h)(3) or 881(c)(3)(B); and (3) the Foreign Lender is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to the Borrower within the meaning of Code section 881(c)(3)(C); or (iv) such other Internal Revenue Service forms as may be applicable to the Foreign Lender, including Forms W-8 IMY or W-8 EXP. Each such Foreign Lender shall deliver to the

33


 

Borrower and the Administrative Agent such forms on or before the date that it becomes a party to this Agreement (or in the case of a Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation). In addition, each such Foreign Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Foreign Lender. Each such Foreign Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time that it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by the Internal Revenue Service for such purpose).
          Section 2.20. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
          (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.17, 2.18 or 2.19, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.17, 2.18 and 2.19 and 10.3 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be made payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.
          (b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
          (c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans that would result in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in

34


 

accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower 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 the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
          (d) 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 Issuing Bank 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 Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount or amounts due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank 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 Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
          (e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.5(b), 2.20(c) or (d) or 10.3(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
          Section 2.21. Mitigation of Obligations. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.17, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.19, then such Lender shall 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 sole judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable under Section 2.17 or Section 2.19, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The

35


 

Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with such designation or assignment.
          (b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.17, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority of the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.19, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, 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 set forth in Section 10.4(b) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender); provided, that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of all Loans owed to it, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (in the case of such outstanding principal and accrued interest) and from the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 2.17 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.19, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and 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.
          (c) The Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank under Section 2.17, 2.18 or 2.19 for any taxes, increased costs or reductions incurred more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank notifies the Borrower of such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further, that if any Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then such six-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect.
          Section 2.22. Letters of Credit.
          (a) During the Availability Period, the Issuing Bank, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders pursuant to Section 2.22(d), agrees to issue, at the request of the Borrower, Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; provided, that (i) each Letter of Credit shall expire on the earlier of (A) the date one year after the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date; (ii) each Letter of Credit shall be in a stated amount of at least $250,000; and (iii) the Borrower may not request any Letter of Credit, if, after giving effect to such issuance (A) the aggregate LC Exposure would exceed the LC Commitment or (B) the aggregate LC Exposure, plus the aggregate outstanding Revolving Loans of all Lenders, would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. Upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Bank without recourse a participation

36


 

in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Each issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to utilize the Revolving Commitment of each Lender by an amount equal to the amount of such participation.
          (b) To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or any amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall give the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent irrevocable written notice at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of such issuance specifying the date (which shall be a Business Day) such Letter of Credit is to be issued (or amended, extended or renewed, as the case may be), the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. In addition to the satisfaction of the conditions in Article III, the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or any amendment which increases the amount of such Letter of Credit) will be subject to the further conditions that such Letter of Credit shall be in such form and contain such terms as the Issuing Bank shall approve and that the Borrower shall have executed and delivered any additional applications, agreements and instruments relating to such Letter of Credit as the Issuing Bank shall reasonably require; provided, that in the event of any conflict between such applications, agreements or instruments and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
          (c) At least two Business Days prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received such notice and if not, the Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Issuing Bank has received notice from the Administrative Agent on or before the Business Day immediately preceding the date the Issuing Bank is to issue the requested Letter of Credit (1) directing the Issuing Bank not to issue the Letter of Credit because such issuance is not then permitted hereunder because of the limitations set forth in Section 2.22(a) or that one or more conditions specified in Article III are not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank shall, on the requested date, issue such Letter of Credit in accordance with the Issuing Bank’s usual and customary business practices.
          (d) The Issuing Bank shall examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit promptly following its receipt thereof. The Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make a LC Disbursement thereunder; provided, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to such LC Disbursement. The Borrower shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursements paid by the Issuing Bank in respect of such drawing, without presentment, demand or other formalities of any kind. Unless the Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day immediately prior to the date on which such drawing is honored that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing in funds other

37


 

than from the proceeds of Revolving Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders to make a Base Rate Borrowing on the date on which such drawing is honored in an exact amount due to the Issuing Bank; provided, that for purposes solely of such Borrowing, the conditions precedents set forth in Section 3.2 hereof and the minimum borrowing limitations set forth in Section 2.3 hereof shall not be applicable. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.3, and each Lender shall make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.6. The proceeds of such Borrowing shall be applied directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement.
          (e) If for any reason a Base Rate Borrowing may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Lender (other than the Issuing Bank) shall be obligated to fund the participation that such Lender purchased pursuant to subsection (a) in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such LC Disbursement on and as of the date which such Base Rate Borrowing should have occurred. Each Lender’s obligation to fund its participation shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including without limitation (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have against the Issuing Bank or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower or any other Lender, (v) any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or (vi) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. On the date that such participation is required to be funded, each Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank. Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Bank has received from any such Lender the funds for its participation in a LC Disbursement, the Issuing Bank (or the Administrative Agent on its behalf) receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, will distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share of such payment; provided, that if such payment is required to be returned for any reason to the Borrower or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or similar official in any bankruptcy proceeding, such Lender will return to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank any portion thereof previously distributed by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank to it.
          (f) To the extent that any Lender shall fail to pay any amount required to be paid pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section 2.22 on the due date therefor, such Lender shall pay interest to the Issuing Bank (through the Administrative Agent) on such amount from such due date to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate; provided, that if such Lender shall fail to make such payment to the Issuing Bank within three (3) Business Days of such due date, then, retroactively to the due date, such Lender shall be obligated to pay interest on such amount at the Base Rate plus an additional 2% per annum.

38


 

          (g) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to 105% of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided, that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, with demand or notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 8.1. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest and profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it had not been reimbursed and to the extent so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, with the consent of the Required Lenders, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not so applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower with three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
          (h) Promptly following the end of each fiscal quarter, the Issuing Bank shall deliver (through the Administrative Agent) to each Lender and the Borrower a report describing the aggregate Letters of Credit outstanding at the end of such fiscal quarter. Upon the request of any Lender from time to time, the Issuing Bank shall deliver to such Lender any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit then outstanding.
          (i) The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of any of the following circumstances:
     (i) Any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement;
     (ii) The existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), any Lender (including the Issuing

39


 

Bank) or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or the Letter of Credit or any document related hereto or thereto or any unrelated transaction;
     (iii) Any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
     (iv) Payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document to the Issuing Bank that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;
     (v) Any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; or
     (vi) The existence of a Default or an Event of Default.
Neither the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders nor any Related Party of any of the foregoing shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to above), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts or other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree, that in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
          (j) Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 500, as the same may be amended from time to time, and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the governing law of this Agreement set forth in Section 10.5.

40


 

          Section 2.23. Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders.
          (a) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, from time to time after the Closing Date, Borrower may, upon at least 30 days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Lender), propose to increase the Aggregate Revolving Commitments by an amount not to exceed $70,000,000 (the amount of any such increase, the “Additional Commitment Amount”). Each Lender shall have the right for a period of 15 days following receipt of such notice, to elect by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to increase its Revolving Commitment by a principal amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Additional Commitment Amount. No Lender (or any successor thereto) shall have any obligation to increase its Revolving Commitment or its other obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any decision by a Lender to increase its Revolving Commitment shall be made in its sole discretion independently from any other Lender.
          (b) If any Lender shall not elect to increase its Revolving Commitment pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.23, the Borrower may designate another bank or other financial institution (which may be, but need not be, one or more of the existing Lenders) which at the time agrees to, in the case of any such Person that is an existing Lender, increase its Revolving Commitment and in the case of any other such Person (an “Additional Lender”), become a party to this Agreement; provided, however, that any new bank or financial institution must be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The sum of the increases in the Revolving Commitments of the existing Lenders pursuant to this subsection (b) plus the Revolving Commitments of the Additional Lenders shall not in the aggregate exceed the unsubscribed amount of the Additional Commitment Amount.
          (c) An increase in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.23 shall become effective upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a supplement or joinder in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent executed by the Borrower, by each Additional Lender and by each other Lender whose Revolving Commitment is to be increased, setting forth the new Revolving Commitments of such Lenders and setting forth the agreement of each Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and to be bound by all the terms and provisions hereof, together with such evidence of appropriate corporate authorization on the part of the Borrower with respect to the increase in the Revolving Commitments and such opinions of counsel for the Borrower with respect to the increase in the Revolving Commitments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
          (d) Upon the acceptance of any such supplement or joinder by the Administrative Agent, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amount shall automatically be increased by the amount of the Revolving Commitments added through such supplement or joinder and Schedule II shall automatically be deemed amended to reflect the Revolving Commitments of all Lenders after giving effect to the addition of such Revolving Commitments.

41


 

          (e) Upon any increase in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.23 that is not pro rata among all Lenders, (x) within five Business Days, in the case of any Base Rate Loans then outstanding, and at the end of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, in the case of any Eurodollar Loans then outstanding, the Borrower shall prepay such Loans in their entirety and, to the extent the Borrower elects to do so and subject to the conditions specified in Article III, the Borrower shall reborrow Loans from the Lenders in proportion to their respective Revolving Commitments after giving effect to such increase, until such time as all outstanding Loans are held by the Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments after giving effect to such increase and (y) effective upon such increase, the amount of the participations held by each Lender in each Letter of Credit then outstanding shall be adjusted automatically such that, after giving effect to such adjustments, the Lenders shall hold participations in each such Letter of Credit in proportion to their respective Revolving Commitments.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
          Section 3.1. Conditions To Effectiveness. The obligations of the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Loans and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.2).
          (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder, under any other Loan Document and under any agreement with the Administrative Agent or SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Arranger.
          (b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received the following:
     (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed by or on behalf of each party thereto or written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement;
     (ii) a duly executed Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement;
     (iii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1(b)(iii), attaching and certifying copies of its bylaws and of the resolutions of its boards of directors, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and

42


 

certifying the name, title and true signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party;
     (iv) certified copies of the articles of incorporation or other charter documents of each Loan Party, together with certificates of good standing or existence, as may be available from the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of incorporation of such Loan Party and with respect to the Borrower the States of Texas, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia where the Borrower is required to be qualified to do business as a foreign corporation;
     (v) a favorable written opinion of Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, and covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall reasonably request;
     (vi) a certificate, dated the Closing Date substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi) and signed by a Responsible Officer, confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Section 3.2;
     (vii) a duly executed Notice of Borrowing;
     (viii) a duly executed funds disbursement agreement, together with a report setting forth the sources and uses of the proceeds hereof;
     (ix) certified copies of all consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations and filings and orders required or advisable to be made or obtained under any Requirement of Law, or by any Contractual Obligation of each Loan Party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of the Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, filings and orders shall be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired; and
     (x) such other documents, certificates, information or legal opinions as the Administrative Agent or the Lenders may reasonably request, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
          Section 3.2. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
          (a) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall exist; and

43


 

          (b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects, provided, that, to the extent such representation or warranty relates to a specific prior date, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specific prior date; and
          (c) since the date of the financial statements of the Borrower described in Section 4.4, there shall have been no change which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 3.2.
          Section 3.3. Delivery of Documents. All of the Loan Documents, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in this Article III, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of the Lenders and shall be in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Administrative Agent.
          Section 3.4. Termination of Existing Credit Agreement. Upon this Agreement becoming effective, the Existing Credit Agreement shall automatically terminate (other than those provisions that by their terms survive termination of the Existing Credit Agreement), all commitments of the lenders thereunder to fund additional advances shall terminate automatically, and all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other amounts shall be automatically paid in full by the initial Borrowing hereunder. Upon termination of the Existing Credit Agreement, each Lender agrees to promptly return all Notes in favor of such Lender executed by Borrower in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement. Each lender party to the Existing Credit Agreement hereby waives any obligation of the Borrower to pay any LIBOR breakage fees or costs that may be due and payable as a result of the prepayment in full of all Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement on the date hereof.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
     The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender as follows:
     Section 4.1. Existence; Power. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business

44


 

as now conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where a failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.2. Organizational Power; Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party are within such Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational, and if required, stockholder, action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document to which any Loan Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party (as the case may be), enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
          Section 4.3. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, and by each Loan Party of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any action by, any Governmental Authority, except those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any judgment or order of any Governmental Authority binding on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its assets or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except Liens (if any) created under the Loan Documents.
          Section 4.4. Financial Statements. The Borrower has furnished to each Lender (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended prepared by Ernst & Young and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter and year-to-date period then ending, certified by a Responsible Officer. Such financial statements fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and the consolidated results of operations for such periods in conformity with GAAP consistently applied, subject to year end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii). Since December 31, 2007, there have been no changes with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which have had or could reasonably be expected to have, singly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

45


 

          Section 4.5. Litigation and Environmental Matters.
          (a) No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(a), as of the Closing Date, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000.
          (b) Except for the matters set forth on Schedule 4.5(b), neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply in any material respect with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000 or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000.
          Section 4.6. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. The Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority, and (b) all indentures, agreements or other instruments binding upon it or its properties, except where non-compliance, either singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.7. Investment Company Act, Etc. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an “investment company” or is “controlled” by an “investment company”, as such terms are defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (b) otherwise subject to any other regulatory scheme limiting its ability to incur debt.
          Section 4.8. Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries and each other Person for whose taxes the Borrower or any Subsidiary could become liable have timely filed or caused to be filed all Federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns that are required to be filed by them, and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments made against it or its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority, except (i) to the extent the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) where the same are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of such taxes are adequate, and no tax liabilities that could be materially in excess of the amount so provided are anticipated.
          Section 4.9. Margin Regulations. None of the proceeds of any of the Loans or Letters of Credit will be used, directly or indirectly, for “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin

46


 

stock” with the respective meanings of each of such terms under Regulation U or for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulation T, U or X. Neither the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying “margin stock.”
          Section 4.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.
          Section 4.11. Ownership of Property.
          (a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property material to the operation of its business.
          (b) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed, or otherwise has the right, to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.12. Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments, and corporate or other restrictions to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to any of them, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports (including without limitation all reports that the Borrower is required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission), financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation or syndication of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by any other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
          Section 4.13. Labor Relations. There are no strikes, lockouts or other material labor disputes or grievances against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Borrower’s

47


 

knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and no significant unfair labor practice, charges or grievances are pending against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against any of them before any Governmental Authority. All payments due from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 4.14. Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.14 sets forth the name of, the ownership interest of the Borrower in, the jurisdiction of incorporation of, and the type of, each Subsidiary and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Loan Party, in each case as of the Closing Date.
          Section 4.15. Solvency. After giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents (including the provisions of Sections 8, 9 and 23 of the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement) and the making of the Loans under this Agreement, (i) each Loan Party is Solvent on the Closing Date and (ii) the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis are Solvent.
          Section 4.16. OFAC. No Loan Party (i) is a person whose property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), (ii) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of such executive order, or is otherwise associated with any such person in any manner violative of Section 2, or (iii) is a person on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions under any other U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regulation or executive order.
          Section 4.17. Patriot Act. Each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001). No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

48


 

ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
          The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or the principal of and interest on any Loan or any fee or any LC Disbursement remains unpaid or any Letter of Credit remains outstanding:
          Section 5.1. Financial Statements and Other Information. The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
          (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, a copy of the annual audited report for such fiscal year for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, containing a consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated and unaudited consolidating statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows (together with all footnotes thereto) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and reported on by Ernst & Young or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or explanation and without any qualification or exception as to scope of such audit) to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and the results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
          (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Borrower (other than the last fiscal quarter), an unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter and the related unaudited consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of Borrower’s previous fiscal year, all certified by the chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
          (c) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, (i) certifying as to whether there exists a Default or Event of Default on the date of such certificate, and if a Default or an Event of Default then exists, specifying the details thereof and the action which the Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail calculations demonstrating compliance with Article VI and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or the application thereof has occurred since the date of the Borrower’s audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.4 and, if any change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

49


 

          (d) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clause (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained any knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default or Event of Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);
          (e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and
          (f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the results of operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; and
          (g) as soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a forecasted income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows for the following fiscal year.
          Section 5.2. Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:
          (a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
          (b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
          (c) the occurrence of any event or any other development by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) fails to comply in any material respect with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) becomes subject to any Environmental Liability in excess of $2,500,000, (iii) receives notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability in excess of $2,500,000, or (iv) becomes aware of any basis for any Environmental Liability in excess of $2,500,000 and in each of the preceding clauses, which individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
          (d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that alone, or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000; and
          (e) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

50


 

          (f) Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
          Section 5.3. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and its respective rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business and will continue to engage in the same business as presently conducted or such other businesses that are reasonably related thereto; provided, that nothing in this Section shall prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 7.3.
          Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws, Etc. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any Governmental Authority applicable to its business and properties, including without limitation, all Environmental Laws, ERISA and OSHA, except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.5. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge at or before maturity, all of its obligations and liabilities (including without limitation all tax liabilities and claims that could result in a statutory Lien) before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.6. Books and Records. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities to the extent necessary to prepare the consolidated financial statements of Borrower in conformity with GAAP.
          Section 5.7. Visitation, Inspection, Etc. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representative of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine its books and records and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers and with its independent certified public accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request after reasonable prior notice to the Borrower; provided, however, if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no prior notice shall be required. All reasonable expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, any Lenders in connection with any such visit, inspection, audit, examination and discussions shall be borne by the Borrower.

51


 

          Section 5.8. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so, either individually or it the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its properties and business, and the properties and business of its Subsidiaries, against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. In addition, and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Borrower shall maintain and keep in force insurance coverage on its inventory, as is consistent with best industry practices. The Borrower shall at all times cause the Administrative Agent to be named as additional insured on all of its casualty and liability policies.
          Section 5.9. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The Borrower will use the proceeds of all Loans to finance working capital needs, to refinance existing debt, to finance Permitted Acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would violate any rule or regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including Regulations T, U or X. All Letters of Credit will be used for general corporate purposes.
          Section 5.10. Additional Subsidiaries.
          (a) The Borrower may, after the Closing Date, acquire or form additional Domestic Subsidiaries so long as the Borrower, within ten (10) business days after any such Domestic Subsidiary is acquired or formed, (i) notifies the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and (ii) causes such Domestic Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Loan Party by executing agreements in the form of Annex I to the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement and (iii) causes such Domestic Subsidiary to deliver simultaneously therewith similar documents applicable to such Domestic Subsidiary described in Section 3.1 as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.
          (b) The Borrower shall not acquire or form any additional Foreign Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Borrower may acquire or form additional Subsidiaries incorporated under the laws of Canada so long as the Borrower, within ten (10) business days after any such Foreign Subsidiary is acquired or formed, (i) notifies the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof, (ii) delivers stock certificates and related pledge agreements, in form satisfactory to a collateral agent acceptable to the Required Lenders, evidencing the pledge of 66% (or such greater percentage which would not result in material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each such Subsidiary directly owned by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary to secure the Obligations, (iii) causes such Subsidiary to deliver simultaneously therewith similar documents applicable to such Foreign Subsidiary described in Section 3.1 as reasonably requested by the

52


 

Administrative Agent, and (iv) the Administrative Agent enters into an intercreditor agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Lenders, with all other creditors of the Borrower having a similar covenant with the Borrower.
          Section 5.11. Post-Closing Covenant. Within 45 days after the Closing Date or such later date to which the Administrative Agent shall agree in writing, Borrower will deliver a certificate of good standing or existence, as may be available, with respect to the Borrower from the Secretary of State of Florida.
ARTICLE VI
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
          The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or the principal of or interest on or any Loan remains unpaid or any fee or any LC Disbursement remains unpaid or any Letter of Credit remains outstanding:
          Section 6.1. Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, a Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio of not greater than 3.00:1.00.
          Section 6.2. Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, a Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio of not greater than 0.60:1.00.
          Section 6.3. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 2:00 to 1:00.
          Section 6.4. Minimum Consolidated Net Worth. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall maintain a Consolidated Net Worth of an amount equal to the sum of (i) $631,391,000, plus (ii) 50% of cumulative positive Consolidated Net Income accrued during each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, since the end of such fiscal quarter of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, plus (iii) 100% of the net proceeds from any public or private offering of common stock of the Borrower after the Closing Date, calculated quarterly on the last day of each fiscal quarter; provided, that if Consolidated Net Income is negative in any fiscal quarter the amount added for such fiscal quarter shall be zero and such negative Consolidated Net Income shall not reduce the amount of Consolidated Net Income added from any previous fiscal quarter. Promptly upon the consummation of any offering of common stock of the Borrower, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of the amount of the proceeds thereof.

53


 

ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
          The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or the principal of or interest on any Loan remains unpaid or any fee or any LC Disbursement remains unpaid or any Letter of Credit remains outstanding:
          Section 7.1. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
          (a) Indebtedness created pursuant to the Loan Documents;
          (b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.1 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof;
          (c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred after the Closing Date to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof; provided, that such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvements or extensions, renewals, and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof; provided further, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time outstanding;
          (d) Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to any Loan Party and of any Loan Party owing to the Borrower or any other Loan Party;
          (e) Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Loan Party and by any Loan Party of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Loan Party;
          (f) [Reserved];
          (g) Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of certain franchise operators of the Borrower, provided such guarantees are given by the Borrower in connection with (1) loans made pursuant to the terms of the Loan Facility Agreement, (2) loans made pursuant to the terms of the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000), (3) loans made by SunTrust Bank to finance the purchase of equity interests in certain franchises of the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000), (4) loans made pursuant to terms of the Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to

54


 

exceed Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000), and (5) loans made pursuant to the terms of the RBC Loan Facility Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Fifty Million Canadian Dollars (Cdn. $50,000,000);
          (h) endorsed negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;
          (i) Guarantees by Borrower of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that the amount of such Guaranteed Indebtedness, together with the principal amount any loans to Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be made under clause (l) below, does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time;
          (j) Loans by Borrower to its Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that the amount of such loans, together with the amount of Guaranteed Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under clause (i) above, does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time; and
          (k) Indebtedness as evidenced by (i) the 6.88% Senior Notes of Borrower in the amount of $50,000,000 issued pursuant to the 2002 Note Agreement and (ii) the 5.03% Senior Notes of Borrower in the amount of $60,000,000 issued pursuant to the 2005 Note Agreement, together with (x) extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof above $110,000,000 or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof and (y) Guarantees of such Indebtedness by any Subsidiaries of Borrower; and
          (l) other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000 at any time outstanding.
          Section 7.2. Negative Pledge. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets or property now owned or hereafter acquired (other than any shares of stock of the Borrower that are repurchased by the Borrower and retired or held by the Borrower), except:
          (a) Permitted Encumbrances;
          (b) any Liens on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date set forth on Schedule 7.2; provided, that such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
          (c) purchase money Liens upon or in any fixed or capital assets to secure the purchase price or the cost of construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets (including Liens securing any Capital Lease Obligations); provided, that (i) such Lien secures Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(c), (ii) such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently or within 90 days after the acquisition, improvement or completion of the construction thereof; (iii) such Lien does not extend to any other asset; and (iv) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring,

55


 

constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets together with all interest, fees and costs incurred in connection therewith;
          (d) any Lien (i) existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, (ii) existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person is merged with or into the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or (iii) existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided, that any such Lien was not created in the contemplation of any of the foregoing and any such Lien secures only those obligations which it secures on the date that such Person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such merger or the date of such acquisition; and
          (e) extensions, renewals, or replacements of any Lien referred to in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this Section; provided, that the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and that any such extension, renewal or replacement is limited to the assets originally encumbered thereby;
          (f) [Reserved];
          (g) Liens securing the Obligations; and
          (h) Liens on shares of stock of any Foreign Subsidiary to the extent that the Obligations are secured pari passu with any other Indebtedness or obligations secured thereby.
          Section 7.3. Fundamental Changes.
          (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate into any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of (in a single transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or liquidate or dissolve; provided, that if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may merge with a Person if the Borrower (or such Subsidiary if the Borrower is not a party to such merger) is the surviving Person, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into another Subsidiary or the Borrower; provided, however, that if the Borrower is a party to such merger, the Borrower shall be the surviving Person, provided, further, that if any Subsidiary to such merger is a Subsidiary Loan Party, the Subsidiary Loan Party shall be the surviving Person, (iii) any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to the Borrower or to a Subsidiary Loan Party, (iv) any other Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower, is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, and such Subsidiary dissolves into another Subsidiary Loan Party or the Borrower; provided, that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 7.4.

56


 

          (b) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto.
          Section 7.4. Investments, Loans, Etc. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary prior to such merger), any common stock, evidence of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant, or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person (all of the foregoing being collectively called “Investments”), or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person that constitute a business unit, or create or form any Subsidiary, except:
          (a) Investments (other than Permitted Investments) existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 7.4 (including Investments in Subsidiaries);
          (b) Permitted Investments;
          (c) Permitted Acquisitions;
          (d) Investments made by the Borrower in or to any other Loan Party and by any other Loan Party to the Borrower or in or to another Loan Party;
          (e) loans or advances to employees, officers, stockholders or directors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such loans and advances does not exceed $1,000,000 at any time;
          (f) (i) loans to franchise operators and owners of franchises acquired or funded pursuant to the Loan Facility Agreement, the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement, the Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreement and the RBC Loan Facility Agreement and (ii) other adequately secured and properly monitored loans to franchise operators and owners of franchises in an aggregate principal amount outstanding, together with loans outstanding under clause (i) of this Section 7.4(f), not to exceed the aggregate facility amounts available for borrowing by franchise operators that the Company is permitted to guarantee pursuant to Section 7.1;
          (g) acquire and own stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts (created in the ordinary course of business) owing to any Subsidiary Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries;
          (h) loans to Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent permitted under Section 7.1;
          (i) loans to franchise operators to extent permitted under Section 7.1; and
          (j) other Investments not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time;

57


 

          Section 7.5. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any dividend on any class of its stock, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of, any shares of common stock or Indebtedness subordinated to the Obligations of the Borrower or any options, warrants, or other rights to purchase such common stock or such subordinated Indebtedness, whether now or hereafter outstanding (each, a “Restricted Payment”), except for (i) dividends payable by the Borrower solely in shares of any class of its common stock, (ii) Restricted Payments made by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary Loan Party and (iii) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time such dividend is paid or redemption or stock repurchase is made, dividends, distributions, redemptions and stock repurchases paid in cash which do not exceed fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income of Borrower (if greater that $0) for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year; provided, that if the aggregate amount of all such dividends and distributions paid in cash in any Fiscal Year are less than the amount permitted by clause (iii) above, the excess permitted amount for such year may be carried forward once to the next succeeding Fiscal Year.
          Section 7.6. Sale of Assets. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets, business or property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s common stock to any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Loan Party (or to qualify directors if required by applicable law), except (a) the sale or other disposition for fair market value of obsolete or worn out property or other property not necessary for operations disposed of in the ordinary course of business; (b) the sale of inventory and Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business, (c) sales and dispositions permitted under Section 7.3(a) and sale leaseback transactions permitted under Section 7.9, (d) sales of assets, business or property identified in writing to Administrative Agent and approved by Lenders in writing prior to the Closing Date, (e) sales of assets in connection with the sale of a store owned by Borrower to a franchisee of Borrower and (f) other sales of assets made on or after the Closing Date not to exceed $30,000,000 in book value in the aggregate; provided that with respect to sales permitted under clauses (d) and (e), (x) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or result from such sale and (y) the net cash proceeds from such sale shall be used to pay down the outstanding Loans without a permanent reduction in the Revolving Commitments.
          Section 7.7. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Borrower and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliates, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.5 and (d) transactions permitted under Section 7.4(e).

58


 

          Section 7.8. Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit any Lien upon any of its assets or properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to its common stock, to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided, that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement, any other Transaction Document, the Loan Facility Agreement, the Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreement, the 2002 Note Agreement, or the 2005 Note Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) clause (a) shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions and conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, and (iv) clause (a) shall not apply to customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof.
          Section 7.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereinafter 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 sold or transferred; provided, however, the Borrower may engage in such sale and leaseback transactions so long as the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold and leased back does not exceed $300,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.
          Section 7.10. Amendment to Material Documents. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights in a manner materially adverse to the Lenders under its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents.
          Section 7.11. Accounting Changes. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of the Borrower or of any Subsidiary, except to change the fiscal year of a Subsidiary to conform its fiscal year to that of the Borrower.
          Section 7.12. Hedging Transactions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedging Transaction, other than Hedging Transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities. Solely for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower acknowledges that a Hedging Transaction entered into for speculative purposes or of a speculative nature is not a Hedging Transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks.

59


 

          Section 7.13. Activities of Aaron Rents Puerto Rico. Unless Aaron Rents Puerto Rico has become a Subsidiary Loan Party in accordance with the terms of Section 5.10 of this Agreement, the Borrower will not permit Aaron Rents Puerto Rico to engage in any business or activity other than (a) maintaining its existence and/or winding up its affairs and (b) activities related to the completion of the tax audit ongoing on the Closing Date, and no Loan Party shall make any additional Investment in Aaron Rents Puerto Rico other than in connection with the business and activities set forth in clause (a) and (b) above.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
          Section 8.1. Events of Default. If any of the following events (each an “Event of Default”) shall occur:
          (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or of any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment or otherwise; or
          (b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount payable under clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days; or
          (c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including the Schedules attached thereto) and any amendments or modifications hereof or waivers hereunder, or in any certificate, report, financial statement or other document submitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Loan Party or any representative of any Loan Party pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made or submitted; or
          (d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, or 5.3 (solely with respect to the Borrower’s existence) or Articles VI or VII; or
          (e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (d) above), and such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of (i) any officer of the Borrower becomes aware of such failure, or (ii) notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

60


 

          (f) any event of default (after giving effect to any grace period) shall have occurred and be continuing under the Loan Facility Documents or the RIMCO Loan Facility Documents, or all or any part of the obligations due and owing under the Loan Facility Agreement or the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement are accelerated, declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid or redeemed, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof;
          (g) the Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether as primary obligor or as guarantor or other surety) shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Material Indebtedness that is outstanding, when and as the same shall become due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable; or required to be prepaid or redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or redemption), purchased or defeased, or any offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
          (h) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Borrower or any such Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
          (i) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or its debts, or any substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall remain undismissed for a period of 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or
          (j) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall become unable to pay, shall admit in writing its inability to pay, or shall fail to pay, its debts as they become due; or

61


 

          (k) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that when taken together with other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000 or otherwise having a Material Adverse Effect; or
          (l) judgments and orders for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate, to the extent not covered by insurance for which the insurance carrier has acknowledged coverage, shall be rendered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
          (m) any non-monetary judgment or order shall be rendered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
          (n) a Change in Control shall occur or exist; or
          (o) any provision of any Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on, or enforceable against, any Subsidiary Loan Party, or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall so state in writing, or any Subsidiary Loan Party shall seek to terminate its Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement;
          (p) any “Event of Default” occurs under any other Loan Document;
then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Section) and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, whereupon the Commitment of each Lender shall terminate immediately; (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest on the Loans, and all other Obligations owing hereunder, to be, whereupon the same shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and (iii) exercise all remedies contained in any other Loan Document; and that, if an Event of Default specified in either clause (h) or (i) shall occur, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon, and all fees, and all other Obligations shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

62


 

ARTICLE IX
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
          Section 9.1. Appointment of Administrative Agent. (a) Each Lender irrevocably appoints SunTrust Bank as the Administrative Agent and authorizes it to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with all such actions and powers that are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder 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 through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions set forth in this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and 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 credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
          (b) The Issuing Bank shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith until such time and except for so long as the Administrative Agent may agree at the request of the Required Lenders to act for the Issuing Bank with respect thereto; provided, that the Issuing Bank shall have all the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in this Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Issuing Bank in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the application and agreements for letters of credit pertaining to the Letters of Credit as fully as the term “Administrative Agent” as used in this Article IX included the Issuing Bank with respect to such acts or omissions and (ii) as additionally provided in this Agreement with respect to the Issuing Bank.
          Section 9.2. Nature of Duties of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except those discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or any Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii)

63


 

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 and conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
          Section 9.3. Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent. Each of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that 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 Agreement. Each of the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking of any action under or based on this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
          Section 9.4. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent. If the Administrative Agent shall request instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to any action or actions (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such act, unless and until it shall have received instructions from such Lenders; and the Administrative Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent as a result of the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders where required by the terms of this Agreement.
          Section 9.5. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public 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 such counsel, accountants or experts.
          Section 9.6. The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity. The bank serving as the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and any other Loan Document in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent; and the terms “Lenders”, “Required Lenders”, “holders of Notes”, or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.

64


 

The bank acting as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
          Section 9.7. Successor Administrative Agent.
          (a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to the approval by the Borrower if no Default or Event of Default shall exist at such time. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed, and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or a bank which maintains an office in the United States, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000.
          (b) Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If within 45 days after written notice is given of the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation under this Section 9.7 no successor Administrative Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, then on such 45th day (i) the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective, (ii) the retiring Administrative Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents and (iii) the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all duties of the retiring Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article IX shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent and its representatives and agents in respect of any actions taken or not taken by any of them while it was serving as the Administrative Agent.
          Section 9.8. Authorization to Execute other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute on behalf of all Lenders all Loan Documents other than this Agreement.
          Section 9.9. Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from,

65


 

or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses.
          Section 9.10. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
          (a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any Revolving Credit Exposure 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
          (b) To file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans or Revolving Credit Exposure and all other 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, Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
          (c) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and
          (d) any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, 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 Section 10.3.
          (e) 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 Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

66


 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
          Section 10.1. Notices.
     (a) Written Notices.
     (i) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications to any party herein to be effective shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
         
 
  To the Borrower:   Aaron Rents, Inc.
 
      1100 Aaron Building
 
      309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE
 
      Atlanta, GA 30305-2377
 
      Attn: Gil Danielson
 
      Telecopy Number: 404-240-6520
 
       
 
      with a copy to:
 
       
 
      Aaron Rents, Inc.
 
      1100 Aaron Building
 
      309 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E.
 
      Atlanta, GA 30305-2377
 
      Attn: General Counsel
 
      Telecopy Number: (678) 402-3512
 
       
 
  To the Administrative Agent:   SunTrust Bank
 
      303 Peachtree Street NE /3rd Floor/MC 2005
 
      Atlanta, Georgia 30308
 
      Attention: Don Besch
 
      Telecopy Number: (404) 575-2693
 
       
 
  To the Issuing Bank:   SunTrust Bank
 
      25 Park Place, N. E./Mail Code 3706
 
      Atlanta, Georgia 30303
 
      Attention: Letter of Credit Department
 
      Telecopy Number: (404) 588-8129
 
       
 
  To the Swingline Lender:   SunTrust Bank
 
      303 Peachtree Street NE /3rd Floor/MC 2005

67


 

         
 
      Atlanta, Georgia 30308
 
      Attention: Don Besch
 
      Telecopy Number: (404) 575-2693
 
       
 
  To any other Lender:   the address set forth on the signature pages hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance that such Lender executes
          Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices and other communications shall, when transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date deposited into the mails or if delivered, upon delivery; provided, that notices delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall not be effective until actually received by such Person at its address specified in this Section 10.1.
          (ii) Any agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders herein to receive certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at the request of the Borrower. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Borrower to give such notice and the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall not have any liability to the Borrower or other Person on account of any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to be contained in any such telephonic or facsimile notice.
          (b) Electronic Communications.
          (i) Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article 2 unless such Lender, the Issuing Bank, as applicable, and Administrative Agent have agreed to receive notices under such Section by electronic communication and have agreed to the procedures governing such communications. Administrative Agent or Borrower may, 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.

68


 

          (ii) Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
          Section 10.2. Waiver; Amendments.
          (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or any other Loan Document, and no course of dealing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, or any Lender, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.
          (b) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no amendment or waiver shall: (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or LC Disbursement or interest thereon or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.20 (b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required

69


 

thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender; (vi) release any guarantor or limit the liability of any such guarantor under any guaranty agreement, without the written consent of each Lender; or (vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations or agree to subordinate any Lien in such collateral to any other creditor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank without the prior written consent of such Person. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated (but such Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17, 2.18, 2.19 and 10.3), such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.
          Section 10.3. Expenses; Indemnification.
          (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel and the allocated cost of inside counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section 10.3, or in connection with the Loans made or any Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
          (b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the Issuing Bank, 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 fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any

70


 

Indemnitee by any third party or by 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, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank 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) the use by any Person of any information or materials obtained through Syndtrak or any other Internet Web Sites, (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower 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, 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 breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, in each case so long as 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. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through Syntrak or any other Internet or intranet website, except as a result of such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment.
          (c) The Borrower shall pay, and hold the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each of the Lenders harmless from and against, any and all present and future stamp, documentary, and other similar taxes with respect to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents, any collateral described therein, or any payments due thereunder, and save the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission to pay such taxes.
          (d) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under clauses (a), (b) or (c) hereof, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (determined as of the time that the unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified payment, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.

71


 

          (e) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to actual or direct damages) arising out of, in connection with or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated therein, any Loan or any Letter of Credit or the use of proceeds thereof.
          (f) All amounts due under this Section 10.3 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
          Section 10.4. Successors and Assigns.
          (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations 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 paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (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 paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
          (b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments, Loans, and other Revolving Credit Exposure 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 Lender’s Commitments, Loans and other Revolving Credit Exposure at the time owing to it 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 paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with

72


 

respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $1,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents.
     (ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans, other Revolving Credit Exposure or the Commitments assigned.
     (iii) Required Consents. The following consents (and no others) shall be required for any assignment:
     (A) the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;
     (B) the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment;
     (C) the prior written consent of the Issuing Bank (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding), and the prior written consent of the Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitments; and
     (D) any consent required pursuant to paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section 10.4.
     (iv) Assignment and Acceptance. The parties to each assignment shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a duly executed Assignment and Acceptance, (B) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, (C) an Administrative Questionnaire unless the assignee is already a Lender and (D) the documents required under Section 2.19 if such assignee is a Foreign Lender.
     (v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
     (vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

73


 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 10.4, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, 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 Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s 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 2.17, 2.18, 2.19 and 10.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not fully comply with this paragraph (b) 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 paragraph (d) of this Section 10.4. If the consent of the Borrower to an assignment is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does not meet the minimum assignment thresholds specified above), the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent ten Business Days after the date notice thereof has actually been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower, unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such tenth Business Day.
          (c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Atlanta, Georgia a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for inspection by such Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; information contained in the Register shall also be available for inspection by the Borrower at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In establishing and maintaining the Register, Administrative Agent shall serve as Borrower’s agent solely for tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this Section, and the Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent SunTrust Bank serves in such capacity, SunTrust Bank and its officers, directors, employees, agents, sub-agents and affiliates shall constitute “Indemnitees.”
          (d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s 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, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

74


 

          (e) 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, modification or waiver with respect to the following to the extent affecting such Participant: (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or LC Disbursement or interest thereon or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.21(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 10.4 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender; (vi) release any guarantor or limit the liability of any such guarantor under any guaranty agreement without the written consent of each Lender except to the extent such release is expressly provided under the terms of such guaranty agreement; or (vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations. Subject to this Section 10.4, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17, 2.18, and 2.19 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 10.4. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.20 as though it were a Lender.
          (f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.17 and Section 2.19 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.19 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.19(e) as though it were a Lender.
          (g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation 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.

75


 

          Section 10.5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
          (a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the law (without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof) of the State of Georgia.
          (b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia and of any state court of the State of Georgia located in Fulton County and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Georgia state court or , to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action 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 any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
          (c) The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding described in paragraph (b) of this Section and brought in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto 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.
          (d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to the service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
          Section 10.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO 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 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 PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY 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

76


 

BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
          Section 10.7. Right of Setoff. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, each Lender and the Issuing Bank shall have the right, at any time or from time to time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply against all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) of the Borrower at any time held or other obligations at any time owing by such Lender and the Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all Obligations held by such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, irrespective of whether such Lender or the Issuing Bank shall have made demand hereunder and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank agree promptly to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower after any such set-off and any application made by such Lender and the Issuing Bank, as the case may be; provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.
          Section 10.8. Counterparts; Integration. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreement(s) relating to any fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto regarding the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, regarding such subject matters.
          Section 10.9. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.17, 2.18, 2.19, and 10.3 and Article IX shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. All representations and warranties made herein, in the certificates, reports, notices, and other documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit.

77


 

          Section 10.10. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
          Section 10.11. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender agrees to take normal and reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of any information designated in writing as confidential and provided to it by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except that such information may be disclosed (i) to any Related Party of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender, including without limitation accountants, legal counsel and other advisors, (ii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iii) to the extent requested by any regulatory agency or authority, (iv) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, or which becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, and (ix) subject to provisions substantially similar to this Section 10.11, to any actual or prospective assignee or Participant, or (vi) with the consent of the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of any information as provided for 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 its own confidential information.
          Section 10.12. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which may be treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate of interest (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by a Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
          Section 10.13. Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the 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 “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name

78


 

and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.
(remainder of page left intentionally blank)

79


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed under seal in the case of the Borrower by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
         
    AARON RENTS, INC.
 
       
 
  By   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson
 
       
 
      Gilbert L. Danielson
 
      Executive Vice President and
 
      Chief Financial Officer
[SEAL]
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 


 

         
    SUNTRUST BANK,
    as Administrative Agent, as Issuing Bank, as Swingline Lender and as a Lender
 
       
 
  By   /s/ Kelly Gunter
 
       
    Name: Kelly Gunter
    Title: Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 


 

         
    REGIONS BANK,
    as a Lender
 
       
 
  By   /s/ Stephen H. Lee
 
       
    Name: Stephen H. Lee
    Title: Senior Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 


 

         
    BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY,
    as a Lender
 
       
 
  By   /s/ Paul E. McLaughlin
 
       
    Name: Paul E. McLaughlin
    Title: Senior Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT]

 


 

         
    WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL
    ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
 
       
 
  By   /s/ Martha M. Winters
 
       
    Name: Martha M. Winters
    Title: Director
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

         
    BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
    as a Lender
 
       
 
  By   /s/ Ken Bauchle
 
       
    Name: Ken Bauchle
    Title: Senior Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO
REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

SCHEDULE 1.1(a)
APPLICABLE MARGIN AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE
                 
        Applicable Margin   Applicable Margin   Applicable
Pricing       for Eurodollar   for Base Rate   Percentage for
Level   Leverage Ratio   Loans   Loans   Commitment Fee
I
  Less than 1.50:1.00   0.875% per annum   0% per annum   0.15% per annum
 
               
II
  Less than 2.00:1.00 but greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00   1.00% per annum   0% per annum   0.20% per annum
 
               
III
  Less than 2.50:1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.00:1.00   1.25% per annum   0% per annum   0.25% per annum
 
               
IV
  Greater than or equal to 2.50:1.00   1.50% per annum   0% per annum   0.30% per annum

 


 

SCHEDULE 1.1(b)
LENDER COMMITMENTS
         
                    Lender   Commitment Amount  
SunTrust Bank
  $ 35,000,000  
Regions Bank
  $ 35,000,000  
Branch Banking & Trust Company
  $ 35,000,000  
Wachovia Bank, National Association
  $ 20,000,000  
Bank of America, N.A.
  $ 15,000,000  
Total:
  $ 140,000,000.00  
 
     

 


 

SCHEDULE 4.5(a)
LITIGATION
[Omitted from SEC filing.]

 


 

SCHEDULE 4.5(b)
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
[Omitted from SEC filing.]

 


 

SCHEDULE 4.14
SUBSIDIARIES
[Omitted from SEC filing.]

 


 

SCHEDULE 7.1
OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS
[Omitted from SEC filing.]

 


 

SCHEDULE 7.2
EXISTING LIENS
[Omitted from SEC filing.]

 


 

SCHEDULE 7.4
EXISTING INVESTMENTS
[Omitted from SEC filing.]

 

EX-10.2 3 g13676exv10w2.htm EX-10.2 SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT EX-10.2 SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
     THIS SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of May 23, 2008, by and among AARON RENTS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Borrower”), each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on Schedule I hereto (each such subsidiary individually, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) and SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking corporation, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the several banks and other financial institutions (the “Lenders”) from time to time party to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and SunTrust Bank, as Issuing Bank and as Swingline Lender (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement).
W I T N E S S E T H:
     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to establish a revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrower;
     WHEREAS, each of the Guarantors is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower and will derive substantial benefit from the making of Loans by the Lenders and the issuance of Letters of Credit by the Issuing Bank; and
     WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender, and the Lenders under the Credit Agreement that each Guarantor execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement in the form hereof, and each Guarantor wishes to fulfill said condition precedent;
     NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce Lenders to extend the Loans and the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit and to make the financial accommodations as provided for in the Credit Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     Section 1. Guarantee.
     Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, (i) the due and punctual payment of all Obligations, including without limitation, (A) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (B) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement in

B- 1


 

respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement or disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral, and (C) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) the due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Loan Parties under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (iii) the due and punctual payment and performance of all Hedging Obligations between any Loan Party and any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender, and (iv) all Treasury Management Obligations between any Loan Party and any Lender or Affiliate of any Lender, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications or refinancings of any of the foregoing (all the monetary and other obligations referred to in the preceding clauses (i) through (iv) being collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from such Guarantor, and that such Guarantor will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligations.
     Section 2. Obligations Not Waived.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives presentment or protest to, demand of or payment from the other Loan Parties of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and notice of protest for nonpayment. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce or exercise any right or remedy against the Borrower or any other Guarantor under the provisions of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise, (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any guarantee or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Agreement, or (iii) the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the release of, any of the security held by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
     Section 3. Guarantee of Payment.
     Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any of the security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in favor of the Borrower or any other Person.

 


 

     Section 4. No Discharge or Diminishment of Guarantee.
     The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and shall not be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any provision of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, or by any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to the extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of each Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations).
     Section 5. Defenses of Borrower Waived.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Loan Party or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Loan Party, other than the final and indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any other Loan Party or any other guarantor, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully, finally and indefeasibly paid in cash. Pursuant to applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.
     Section 6. Agreement to Pay; Subordination.
     In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in cash the amount of such unpaid Guaranteed Obligation. Upon payment by

 


 

any Guarantor of any sums to the Administrative Agent, all rights of such Guarantor against any Loan Party arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations. In addition, any indebtedness of any Loan Party now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations. If any amount shall erroneously be paid to any Guarantor on account of (i) such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such indebtedness of any Loan Party, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited against the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.
     Section 7. Information.
     Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of other Loan Parties’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders will have any duty to advise any of the Guarantors of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
     Section 8. Indemnity and Subrogation.
     In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as the Guarantors may have under applicable law (but subject to Section 6), the Borrower agrees that in the event a payment shall be made by any Guarantor under this Agreement, the Borrower shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment.
     Section 9. Contribution and Subrogation.
     Each Guarantor (a “Contributing Guarantor”) agrees (subject to Section 6) that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor under this Agreement and such other Guarantor (the “Claiming Guarantor”) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Borrower as provided in Section 8, the Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify the Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of the Contributing Guarantor on the date hereof and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of all the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 21, the date of the Supplement hereto executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under Section 8 to the extent of such payment.

 


 

     Section 10. Subordination.
     Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, all rights of the Guarantors under Section 8 and Section 9 and all other rights of indemnity, contribution or subrogation under applicable law or otherwise shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations. No failure on the part of the Borrower or any Guarantor to make the payments required under applicable law or otherwise shall in any respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor with respect to its obligations hereunder, and each Guarantor shall remain liable for the full amount of the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.
     Section 11. Representations and Warranties.
     Each Guarantor represents and warrants as to itself that all representations and warranties relating to it (as a Subsidiary of the Borrower) contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct.
     Section 12. Termination.
     The guarantees made hereunder (i) shall terminate when all the Guaranteed Obligations (other than those Guaranteed Obligations relating to the Hedging Obligations) have been paid in full in cash and the Lenders have no further commitment to lend under the Credit Agreement, the LC Exposure has been reduced to zero and the Issuing Bank has no further obligation to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement and (ii) shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Lender or any Guarantor upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, any Guarantor or otherwise. In connection with the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to such Guarantor or Guarantor’s designee, at such Guarantor’s expense, any documents or instruments, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which such Guarantor shall reasonably request from time to time to evidence such termination and release.
     Section 13. Binding Effect; Several Agreement; Assignments.
     Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Guarantors that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Guarantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Guarantor shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Administrative Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Guarantor and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such

 


 

attempted assignment shall be void). If all of the capital stock of a Guarantor is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, such Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under this Agreement without further action. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Guarantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Guarantor without the approval of any other Guarantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.
     Section 14. Waivers; Amendment.
          (a) No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent of any kind in exercising any power, right or remedy hereunder and no course of dealing between any Guarantor on the one hand the and Administrative Agent or any holder of any Note on the other hand shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or remedy hereunder, under any other Loan Document or under any Hedging Document, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a power, right or remedy, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power, right or remedy. The rights and of the Administrative Agent hereunder and of the Lenders under the other Loan Documents and the Hedging Documents, as applicable, are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by subsection (b) below, and then such waiver and consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other or further notice in similar or other circumstances.
          (b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to a written agreement entered into between the Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification relates and the Administrative Agent, with the prior written consent of the Required Lenders (except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement).
     Section 15. Notices.
     All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to each Guarantor shall be given to it at its address set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
     Section 16. Severability.
     Any provision of this Agreement held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the illegality, invalidity

 


 

or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction
     Section 17. Counterparts; Integration.
     This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract (subject to Section 13), and shall become effective as provided in Section 13. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto regarding the subject matters hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, regarding such subject matter.
     Section 18. Rules of Interpretation.
     The rules of interpretation specified in Section 1.4 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement.
     Section 19. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
          (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the law (without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof) of the State of Georgia.
          (b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any Georgia State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Fulton County, Georgia, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document any Hedging Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Georgia state court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Federal court. Each Guarantor agrees that a final judgment in any such action 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 shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against any Guarantor or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
          (c) Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding described in paragraph (b) of this Section and brought in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each party hereto 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.

 


 

          (d) Each Guarantor irrevocably consents to the service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
     Section 20. Waiver of Jury Trial.
     EACH PARTY HERETO 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 THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY HEDGING DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE HEDGING DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
     Section 21. Additional Guarantors.
     Pursuant to Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement, each Subsidiary Loan Party that was not in existence on the date of the Credit Agreement is required to enter into this Agreement as a Guarantor upon becoming a Subsidiary Loan Party. Upon execution and delivery after the date hereof by the Administrative Agent and such Subsidiary of an instrument in the form of Annex 1, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Guarantor as a party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Agreement.
     Section 22. Right of Setoff.
     If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and the Issuing Bank are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or the Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any or all the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Hedging Documents held by such Lender or the Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Person shall have made any demand under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Hedging

 


 

Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender and the Issuing Bank under this Section 22 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, may have.
     Section 23. Savings Clause.
     (a) It is the intent of each Guarantor and the Administrative Agent that each Guarantor’s maximum obligations hereunder shall be, but not in excess of:
     (i) in a case or proceeding commenced by or against any Guarantor under the provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§101 et seq. (the “Bankruptcy Code”) on or within two years from the date on which any of the Guaranteed Obligations are incurred, the maximum amount which would not otherwise cause the Guaranteed Obligations (or any other obligations of such Guarantor owed to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Guarantor under (i) Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or (ii) any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in such case or proceeding by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code; or
     (ii) in a case or proceeding commenced by or against any Guarantor under the Bankruptcy Code subsequent to two years from the date on which any of the Guaranteed Obligations are incurred, the maximum amount which would not otherwise cause the Guaranteed Obligations (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Guarantor under any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in any such case or proceeding by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code; or
     (iii) in a case or proceeding commenced by or against any Guarantor under any law, statute or regulation other than the Bankruptcy Code (including, without limitation, any other bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar debtor relief laws), the maximum amount which would not otherwise cause the Guaranteed Obligations (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against such Guarantor under such law, statute or regulation including, without limitation, any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in any such case or proceeding.
     (b) The substantive laws under which the possible avoidance or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders) as may be determined in any case or proceeding shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Avoidance Provisions”. To the extent set forth in Section 23(a)(i), (ii), and (iii), but only to the extent that the Guaranteed Obligations would otherwise be subject to avoidance or found unenforceable

 


 

under the Avoidance Provisions, if any Guarantor is not deemed to have received valuable consideration, fair value or reasonably equivalent value for the Guaranteed Obligations, or if the Guaranteed Obligations would render such Guarantor insolvent, or leave such Guarantor with an unreasonably small capital to conduct its business, or cause such Guarantor to have incurred debts (or to have intended to have incurred debts) beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, in each case as of the time any of the Guaranteed Obligations are deemed to have been incurred under the Avoidance Provisions and after giving effect to the contribution by such Guarantor, the maximum Guaranteed Obligations for which such Guarantor shall be liable hereunder shall be reduced to that amount which, after giving effect thereto, would not cause the Guaranteed Obligations (or any other obligations of such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders), as so reduced, to be subject to avoidance or unenforceability under the Avoidance Provisions.
     This Section 23 is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder to the maximum extent that would not cause the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantor to be subject to avoidance or unenforceability under the Avoidance Provisions, and neither the Guarantors nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under this Section 23 as against the Administrative Agent or Lenders that would not otherwise be available to such Person under the Avoidance Provisions.
(signatures follow)

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
             
    AARON INVESTMENT COMPANY, as
Guarantor
   
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson    
 
     
 
   
    Name: Gilbert L. Danielson    
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer    
 
           
    AARON RENTS, INC., as
Borrower
   
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson    
 
     
 
   
    Name: Gilbert L. Danielson    
    Title: Executive Vice President and Chief    
    Financial Officer    
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT]

 


 

     
SUNTRUST BANK, as
 
Administrative Agent
 
 
   
By 
/s/ Kelly Gunter
 
 
Name: Kelly Gunter
 
Title: Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT]

 


 

SCHEDULE I TO THE
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
     
Guarantor(s)   Address
Aaron Investment Company
  1100 Aaron Building
 
  309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE
 
  Atlanta, GA 30305-2377
 
  Attn: Gil Danielson

 


 

ANNEX 1
to
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
     SUPPLEMENT NO.                      dated as of                                          , to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2008 (the “Guarantee Agreement”), among AARON RENTS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Borrower”), each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on Schedule I thereto (each such subsidiary individually, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) and SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking corporation, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below).
     Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2008 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and SunTrust Bank, as Administrative Agent and issuing bank (in such capacity, the “Issuing Bank”).
     Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Guarantee Agreement and the Credit Agreement.
     The Guarantors have entered into the Guarantee Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make Loans and the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit. Pursuant to Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement, each Subsidiary Loan Party that was not in existence or not a Guarantor on the date of the Credit Agreement is required to enter into the Guarantee Agreement as a Guarantor upon becoming a Subsidiary Loan Party. Section 21 of the Guarantee Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries of the Borrower may become Guarantors under the Guarantee Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary of the Borrower (the “New Guarantor”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to make additional Loans and the Issuing Bank to issue additional Letters of Credit and as consideration for Loans previously made and Letters of Credit previously issued.
     Accordingly, the Administrative Agent and the New Guarantor agree as follows:
     Section 1. Joinder.
     In accordance with Section 21 of the Guarantee Agreement, the New Guarantor by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New Guarantor hereby (i) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guarantee Agreement applicable to it as Guarantor thereunder and (ii) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Guarantor thereunder are true and correct

 


 

on and as of the date hereof. Each reference to a Guarantor in the Guarantee Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Guarantor. The Guarantee Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
     Section 2. Representations and Warranties.
     The New Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and that each of this Supplement and the Guaranty Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
     Section 3. Binding Effect.
     This Supplement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the New Guarantor and thereafter shall be binding upon the New Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Upon the effectiveness of this Supplement, this Supplement shall be deemed to be a part of and shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Guarantee Agreement. The New Guarantor shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders.
     Section 4. Governing Law.
     THIS SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF) OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
     Section 5. Execution in Counterparts.
     This Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
     Section 6. Notices to New Guarantor.
     All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 15 of the Guarantee Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Guarantor shall be given to it at the address set forth under its signature below, with a copy to the Borrower.
(signatures follow)

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Guarantor and the Administrative Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Guarantee Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
             
    [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR]    
 
           
 
  By        
 
     
 
   
 
      Name:    
 
      Title:    
 
      Address:    
 
           
    SUNTRUST BANK, as    
    Administrative Agent    
 
           
 
  By        
 
     
 
   
 
      Name:    
 
      Title:    

 

EX-10.3 4 g13676exv10w3.htm EX-10.3 AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT EX-10.3 AMENDED & RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
Execution Version
AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT
AND GUARANTY
by and among
AARON RENTS, INC.,
SUNTRUST BANK, as Servicer
and
EACH OF THE PARTICIPANTS PARTY HERETO
Dated as of May 23, 2008


 

Table of Contents
         
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
    1  
 
       
1.1 Definitions
    1  
1.2. Accounting Terms and Determination
    24  
1.3 Other Definitional Terms
    25  
1.4 Exhibits and Schedules
    25  
 
       
ARTICLE II LOAN FACILITY
    25  
 
       
2.1 Establishment of Commitments; Terms of Loans
    25  
2.2 Conveyance of Participant’s Interest
    28  
2.3 Funding of Advances; Swing Line; Funding of Participant’s Interest in Loans
    29  
2.4 Commitment Fees
    31  
2.5 Interest on Funded Participant’s Interest
    31  
2.6 Default Interest
    32  
2.7 Voluntary Reduction of the Unutilized Commitment
    32  
2.8 Extension of Commitments
    32  
2.9 Wind-Down Events
    34  
2.10 Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances; Change in Lending Offices
    34  
2.11 Pro Rata Treatment
    36  
2.12 Payments
    36  
2.13 Sharing of Setoffs
    36  
 
       
ARTICLE III SERVICER’S SERVICING OBLIGATIONS; DISTRIBUTION OF PAYMENTS
    37  
 
       
3.1 Servicer’s Obligations with Respect to Loans; Collateral; Non-Recourse
    37  
3.2 Application of Payments
    38  
3.3 Servicing Report and Borrower Status Report
    40  
 
       
ARTICLE IV LOAN DEFAULT; RIGHT TO MAKE GUARANTY DEMAND
    40  
 
       
4.1 Notice Of Loan Default
    40  
4.2. Waiver or Cure By The Sponsor of Covenant Defaults and Loan Payment Defaults
    40  
4.3. Obligations of Sponsor With Respect to Established Franchisee Loans
    41  
4.4. Rights during Response Period
    42  
4.5. Rights after Response Period and for Loan Defaults other than Loan Payment Defaults
    42  
 
       
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    42  
 
       
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
    42  
 
       
5.1. Existence; Power
    43  
5.2. Organizational Power; Authorization
    43  
5.3. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts
    43  
5.4. Financial Statements
    43  
5.5. Litigation and Environmental Matters
    44  
5.6. Compliance with Laws and Agreements
    44  
5.7. Investment Company Act, Etc.
    44  
5.8. Taxes
    44  
5.9. Reserved
    45  
5.10. ERISA
    45  
5.11. Ownership of Property
    45  
5.12. Disclosure
    45  
5.13. Labor Relations
    45  
5.14. Subsidiaries
    46  

(i)


 

         
5.15. Representations and Warranties with Respect to Specific Loans
    46  
5.17. Patriot Act
    47  
 
       
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
    47  
 
       
6.1. Financial Statements and Other Information
    47  
6.2. Notices of Material Events
    49  
6.3. Existence; Conduct of Business
    49  
6.4. Compliance with Laws, Etc.
    50  
6.5. Payment of Obligations
    50  
6.6. Books and Records
    50  
6.7. Visitation, Inspection, Etc.
    50  
6.8. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance
    50  
6.9. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit
    51  
6.10. Additional Subsidiaries
    51  
 
       
ARTICLE VII FINANCIAL COVENANTS
    52  
 
       
7.1. Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio
    52  
7.2. Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio
    52  
7.3. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
    52  
7.4. Minimum Consolidated Net Worth
    52  
 
       
ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS
    52  
 
       
8.1. Indebtedness
    53  
8.2. Negative Pledge
    54  
8.3. Fundamental Changes
    55  
8.4. Investments, Loans, Etc.
    56  
8.5. Restricted Payments
    57  
8.6. Sale of Assets
    57  
8.7. Transactions with Affiliates
    57  
8.8. Restrictive Agreements
    57  
8.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions
    58  
8.10. Amendment to Material Documents
    58  
8.11. Accounting Changes
    58  
8.12. Activities of Aaron Rents Puerto Rico
    58  
 
       
ARTICLE IX CREDIT EVENTS AND REMEDIES
    59  
 
       
ARTICLE X GUARANTY
    62  
 
       
10.1 Unconditional Guaranty
    62  
10.3. Continuing Guaranty
    62  
10.4 Waivers
    62  
10.5 Additional Actions
    63  
10.6 Additional Waivers
    63  
10.7 Postponement of Obligations
    64  
10.8 Effect on Additional Guaranties
    64  
10.9 Reliance on Guaranty and Purchase Obligation; Disclaimer of Liability
    64  
10.10 Reinstatement of Obligations
    65  
10.11 Right to Bring Separate Action
    65  
10.12 Subordination of Liens
    65  
10.13 Exercise of Remedies With Respect to Collateral
    66  
10.14 Rights Of Sponsor Upon Payment; Cooperation By Servicer
    67  

(ii)


 

         
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION
    68  
 
       
11.1 Indemnification
    68  
11.2 Notice Of Proceedings; Right To Defend
    69  
11.3 Third Party Beneficiaries
    70  
 
       
ARTICLE XII SURVIVAL OF LOAN FACILITY
    70  
 
       
ARTICLE XIII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
    70  
 
       
13.1 Receipt of Documents
    70  
13.2. Effect of Amendment and Restatement
    72  
 
       
ARTICLE XIV THE SERVICER
    73  
 
       
14.1 Appointment of Servicer as Agent
    73  
14.2 Nature of Duties of Servicer
    73  
14.3 Lack of Reliance on the Servicer
    73  
14.4 Certain Rights of the Servicer
    74  
14.5 Reliance by Servicer
    74  
14.6 Indemnification of Servicer
    74  
14.7 The Servicer in its Individual Capacity
    74  
14.8 Holders of Participation Certificates
    75  
 
       
ARTICLE XV MISCELLANEOUS
    75  
 
       
15.1 Notices
    75  
15.2 Amendments, Etc
    75  
15.3 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative
    76  
15.4 Payment of Expenses, Etc.
    76  
15.5 Right of Setoff
    77  
15.6 Benefit of Agreement; Assignments; Participations
    77  
15.7 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
    79  
15.8 Counterparts
    79  
15.9 Severability
    79  
15.10 Independence of Covenants
    80  
15.11 No Joint Venture
    80  
15.12 Repurchase Right
    80  
15.13 Confidentiality
    80  
15.14 Headings Descriptive; Entire Agreement
    81  
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A — Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
Exhibit B — Form of Established Franchisee Loan Agreement
Exhibit C — Form of Guaranty Agreement
Exhibit D — Form of Participation Certificate
Exhibit E — Form of Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement
Exhibit F — Form of Monthly Servicing Report

(iii)


 

SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1(a) — Pricing Grid
Schedule 1.1(b) — Participant Commitments
Schedule 5.5(a) — Litigation
Schedule 5.5(b) — Environmental Matters
Schedule 5.14 — Subsidiaries
Schedule 8.1 — Outstanding Indebtedness
Schedule 8.2 — Existing Liens
Schedule 8.4 – Existing Investments

(iv)


 

AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT AND GUARANTY
     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT AND GUARANTY (the “Agreement”) made as of this 23rd day of May, 2008, by and among AARON RENTS, INC., a Georgia corporation having its principal place of business and chief executive office at 1100 Aaron Building, 309 East Paces Ferry Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30305 (“Sponsor”), SUNTRUST BANK (“SunTrust”) and each of the other lending institutions listed on the signature pages hereto (SunTrust, such lenders, together with any assignees thereof becoming “Participants” pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the “Participants”) and SUNTRUST BANK, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of Georgia having its principal office in Atlanta, Georgia, as Servicer (in such capacity, the “Servicer”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
     WHEREAS, the Sponsor, the Participants and the Servicer are parties to that certain Loan Facility Agreement dated as of May 28, 2004, as amended or modified prior to the date hereof (the "Existing Loan Facility Agreement”);
     WHEREAS, Sponsor has requested that the Servicer and Participants make certain modifications to the Existing Loan Facility Agreement, which the Servicer and Participants are willing to do subject to the terms and conditions hereof;
     WHEREAS, Sponsor is willing, subject to the limitations set forth herein, to repurchase such loans upon the occurrence of certain events, all as more fully set forth below;
     THEREFORE, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, and in consideration of the mutual premises set forth above and other adequate consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree the Existing Loan Facility Agreement is amended and restated as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
          Section 1.1. Definitions. In addition to the other terms defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the meanings herein specified (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
     “Aaron Rents Puerto Rico” shall mean Aaron Rents, Inc. Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rico corporation.
     “Aaron’s Proprietary System” shall mean the Sponsor’s proprietary point of sale software system, as modified from time to time, used by the Sponsor and its franchisees.

 


 

     “Acquisition” means any transaction in which the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly (i) acquires any property with which an ongoing business is conducted or is to be conducted, (ii) acquires all or substantially all of the assets of any Person or division thereof, whether through a purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, (iii) acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) control of at least a majority of the voting stock of a corporation, other than the acquisition of voting stock of a wholly-owned Subsidiary solely in connection with the organization and capitalization of that Subsidiary by the Sponsor or another Guarantor, or (iv) acquires control of more than 50% ownership interest in any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company.
     “Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to each Payment Period, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined pursuant to the following formula:
                “Adjusted LIBO Rate” =        LIBOR          
     1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage
As used herein, LIBOR Reserve Percentage shall mean, for any Payment Period for any Funded Participant’s Interest outstanding hereunder, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal) equal to the then stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including, without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves) applicable to any member bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect of Eurocurrency liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or against any successor category of liabilities as defined in Regulation D).
     “Advance” shall mean a funding of a loan to a Borrower by the Servicer pursuant to such Borrower’s Loan Commitment.
     Affiliate” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition “Control” shall mean the power, directly or indirectly, either to (i) vote 10% or more of securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of a Person or (ii) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. The terms “Controlling”, “Controlled by”, and “under common Control with” have meanings correlative thereto.
     “Agreement” shall mean this Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.
     “Amortization Period” shall mean (x) 18 months with respect to any Advance to a Startup Franchisee Borrower other than an Electronic Equipment Advance and (y) 24 months with respect to any Electronic Equipment Advance; provided, however, in the event any Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment to a Startup Franchisee Borrower is terminated upon 90 days’

 


 

notice from the Servicer, all amounts due and payable with respect to Electronic Equipment Advances shall be due and payable in full no later than the 18-month anniversary of the termination of the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment.
     “Applicable Margin” shall mean, with respect to all Funded Participant’s Interest, as of any date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio in effect on such date for Loans as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) attached hereto; provided, that a change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be effective on the second day after which the Sponsor has delivered the financial statements required by Section 6.1(a) or (b) and the compliance certificate required by Section 6.1(c); provided, further, that if at any time the Sponsor shall have failed to deliver such financial statement and such certificate, the Applicable Margin shall be at Level IV until such time as such financial statements and certificates are delivered, at which time the Applicable Margin shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin from the Effective Date until the financial statement and compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 2008 are delivered shall be at Level II.
     “Applicable Percentage” shall mean, with respect to the Commitment Fee, as of any date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) attached hereto; provided, that a change in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall be effective on the second day after which the Sponsor has delivered the financial statements required by Section 6.1(a) or (b) and the compliance certificate required by Section 6.1(c); provided, further, that if at any time the Sponsor shall have failed to deliver such financial statement and such certificate, the Applicable Percentage shall be at Level IV until such time as such financial statements and certificates are delivered, at which time the Applicable Percentage shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Percentage from the Effective Date until the financial statement and compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending on June 30, 2008 are delivered shall be at Level II.
     “Asset Disposition” shall mean (i) all sales of Merchandise; (ii) all Rental/Purchase Contracts with respect to Merchandise with a “same as cash option” regardless of term (i.e., 90, 120, 180 days); (iii) all Merchandise which is determined to have been stolen; (iv) all Merchandise that is destroyed, lost or otherwise removed from the premises of a Borrower other than pursuant to a Rental/Purchase Contract or by outright sale or for repair work; and (v) all “skipped” Merchandise which is Merchandise subject to a Rental/Purchase Contract.
     “Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Participant and an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 


 

     “Authorized Signatory” shall mean each officer of Sponsor specified from time to time in an appropriate certificate to the Servicer as authorized to execute Funding Approval Notices and other such documents relating to the Loan Documents.
     “Bankruptcy Code” shall mean The Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended and in effect from time to time (11 U.S.C. §101 et seq.).
     “Borrower” shall mean either an Established Franchisee Borrower or a Startup Franchisee Borrower, as the case may be.
     “Borrower Group” shall mean, for any Borrower, collectively, such Borrower and each other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Borrower, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, “control” of any person or entity means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the right to vote at least 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of voting securities policies of that person or entity.
     “Borrower Rate” shall mean, with respect to each Loan, the Prime Rate per annum plus any additional margin per annum specified for such Loan by Sponsor in the applicable Funding Approval Notice, such margin not to exceed ten percent (10.0%) per annum calculated based upon the actual number of days elapsed in a 360 day year; provided that, at no time may there be more than two different Borrower Rates applicable to the Startup Franchisee Loans or more than two different Borrower Rates applicable to the Established Franchisee Loans.
     “Business Day” shall mean (i) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) if such day relates to Adjusted LIBOR, any day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.
     “Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person shall mean all obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
     “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (a) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Sponsor to any Person or “group” (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder in effect on the date hereof), (b) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or “group” (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than the Loudermilk Family of 331/3 % or more

 


 

of the total voting power of shares of stock entitiled to vote in the election of directors of the Sponsor; or (c) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Sponsor by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the current board of directors or (ii) appointed by directors so nominated.
     “Closing Date” shall mean, for any Loan, the date upon which the Loan Documents with respect to such Loan are executed and delivered and the Loan Commitment is established thereunder.
     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
     “Collateral” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, all property of the Borrower and all guarantors obligated with respect to such Loan that secures such Loan, which property shall be designated by the Sponsor and may include all accounts receivable, inventory, Rental/Purchase Contracts and other business assets of such Borrower and guarantors.
     “Collateral Agreement” shall mean an agreement executed by a Borrower and any other Persons primarily or secondarily liable for all or part of the Loan or granting a security interest to the Servicer in specified Collateral as security for such Loan, including without limitation, any Loan Agreements and any Personal Guaranties.
     “Commitments” shall mean, collectively, the Startup Franchisee Commitment and the Established Franchisee Commitment.
     “Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
     “Commitment Termination Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
     “Consolidated Companies” shall mean, collectively, Sponsor and all of its Subsidiaries.
     “Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation (excluding depreciation of rental merchandise) and amortization and (iv) all other non-cash charges, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP in each case for such period.
     “Consolidated EBITDAR” shall mean, for the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for any period, an amount equal to the sum of (a) Consolidated EBITDA and (b) Consolidated Lease Expense.

 


 

     “Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall mean, for the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for any period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense paid or payable for such period and (b) Consolidated Lease Expense paid or payable for such period.
     “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, total cash interest expense, including without limitation the interest component of any payments in respect of Capital Leases Obligations capitalized or expensed during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period).
     “Consolidated Lease Expense” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent rentals payable by the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries with respect to leases of real and personal property (excluding Capital Lease Obligations) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period.
     “Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (i) any extraordinary gains or losses, (ii) any gains attributable to write-ups of assets and (iii) any equity interest of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary of the Sponsor in the unremitted earnings of any Person that is not a Subsidiary and (iv) any income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Sponsor or any Subsidiary on the date that such Person’s assets are acquired by the sponsor or any Subsidiary.
     “Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the Sponsor’s total shareholders’ equity, determined in accordance with GAAP.
     “Consolidated Total Adjusted Capital” shall mean, as of any date of determination with respect to the Sponsor, the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Adjusted Debt as of such date and (ii) Consolidated Net Worth as of such date.
     “Consolidated Total Adjusted Debt” shall mean, as of any date of determination, (i) Consolidated Total Debt, plus (ii) to the extent not included in clause (i), all operating lease obligations of Sponsor and its Subsidiaries measured at the present value of such obligations (using a 10% discount rate).
     “Consolidated Total Debt” shall mean, at any time, all then currently outstanding obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of the Sponsor and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of the types described in the definition of Indebtedness.
     “Credit Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Article IX of this Agreement.
     “Credit Parties” shall mean, collectively, each of the Sponsor and the Guarantors.

 


 

     “Default Waiver Letter” shall mean a waiver letter sent by Sponsor to the Servicer which such waiver letter shall (i) waive and cure a Loan Payment Default or (ii) waive a covenant default with respect to a Loan that does not constitute a Loan Default, such waiver letter to be substantially in the form required in the Servicing Agreement.
     “Defaulted Borrower” shall mean a Borrower under a Defaulted Loan.
     “Defaulted Loan” shall mean a Loan evidenced by Loan Documents under the terms of which exist one or more Loan Defaults that have not been cured or waived as permitted herein.
     “Dollar” and “U.S. Dollar” and the sign “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.
     “Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any State of the United States, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
     “Effective Date” shall mean the date upon which all conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement have been satisfied.
     “Electronic Equipment” shall mean all computers, computer equipment, big screen televisions and any other types of inventory designated by the Sponsor from time to time.
     “Electronic Equipment Advances” shall mean all advances under Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments made to purchase Electronic Equipment for which the Sponsor and the Startup Franchisee Borrower have agreed that the Amortization Period shall be 24 months.
     “Electronic Equipment Asset Dispositions” shall mean all Asset Dispositions of Electronic Equipment for which the Sponsor and the Startup Franchisee Borrower have agreed that the Amortization Period shall be 24 months.
     “Electronic Rental Revenue” shall mean, with respect to any Borrower for any period, the gross revenues of such Borrower from rentals to the public of such Borrower’s Electronic Equipment, including without limitation, all customer deposits, advance rental payments, waiver fees, late fees, delivery fees, nonsufficient funds fees, reinstatement fees, but excluding all retail sales proceeds and sales taxes.
     “Eligible Assignee” shall mean (i) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000.00 or any commercial finance or asset-based lending Affiliate of any such commercial bank and (ii) any Participant.
     “Environmental Laws” shall mean all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment,

 


 

preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.
     “Environmental Liability” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental investigation and remediation, costs of administrative oversight, fines, natural resource damages, penalties or indemnities), of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any actual or alleged exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
     “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
     “ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated), which, together with the Sponsor, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for the purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
     “ERISA Eventshall mean (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Sponsor or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Sponsor or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator appointed by the PBGC of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Sponsor or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Sponsor or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Sponsor or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
     “Established Franchisee” shall mean a Franchisee that (x) has been a Franchisee for at least 18 months; (y) has had at least two Aaron Rents’ stores open for a minimum of 12 months; and (z) has at least four Aaron Rents’ stores open or under executed area development agreements.

 


 

     “Established Franchisee Borrower” shall mean an Established Franchisee who is primarily liable for repayment of an Established Franchisee Loan as a result of having executed Loan Documents as maker, or its permitted assignee.
     “Established Franchisee Borrowing Base” shall mean, with respect to each Established Franchisee Borrower, on any date of determination, the sum of:
     (i) $300,000 for each Aaron Rents franchisee store operated by such Borrower where less than 7 calendar months have elapsed since the Opening Date of such store, plus
     (ii) an amount equal to 5.5 multiplied by the sum of (x) the Rental Revenue from the most recently ended calendar month for all Aaron Rents franchisee stores operated by such Borrower where at least 6 calendar months but less than 12 calendar months have elapsed since the Opening Date of each such store, plus (y) the average monthly Rental Revenue for the three most recently ended calendar months from all Aaron Rents franchisee stores operated by such Borrower where at least 12 calendar months have elapsed since the Opening Date of each such store, in each case as reported to Servicer by Sponsor pursuant to the Servicing Agreement, plus
     (iii) an amount equal to 11.0 multiplied by the sum of (x) the Electronic Rental Revenues from the most recently ended calendar month for all franchisee stores operated by such Borrower where at least 6 calendar months but less than 12 calendar months have elapsed since the Opening Date of each such store, plus (y) the average monthly Electronic Rental Revenues for the three most recently ended calendar months from all Aaron Rents franchisee stores operated by such Borrower where at least 12 calendar months have elapsed since the Opening Date of such store, in each case as reported to Servicer by Sponsor pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.
     “Established Franchisee Commitment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).
     “Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment” shall mean a commitment to make Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loans to an Established Franchisee Borrower pursuant to an Established Franchisee Loan Agreement.
     “Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loans” shall mean Advances made to an Established Franchisee Borrower pursuant to an Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment.
     “Established Franchisee Loanshall mean either an Established Franchisee Term Loan or an Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loan, as the case may be.

 


 

     “Established Franchisee Loan Agreement” shall mean a Loan and Security Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions, as between an Established Franchisee Borrower and the Servicer, under which the Servicer has established a Loan Commitment to make Advances to such Established Franchisee Borrower pursuant to the Established Franchisee Loan Commitment, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, with such changes as the Sponsor and the Servicer shall agree to; provided, however, that any Established Franchisee Loan Agreement executed prior to the Effective Date shall be substantially in the form required under the Existing Facility Agreement.
     “Established Franchisee Loan Commitment” shall mean, either, an Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment or an Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment, as the case may be.
     “Established Franchisee Master Line of Credit Note” shall mean that certain Master Line of Credit Note, executed by an Established Franchisee Borrower in favor of the Servicer, evidencing such Established Franchisee Borrower’s obligation to repay all Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loans made to it pursuant to an Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Established Franchisee Loan Agreement, with such changes as the Sponsor and the Servicer shall agree to from time to time.
     Established Franchisee Master Noteshall mean collectively, the Established Franchisee Master Term Notes and the Established Franchisee Master Line of Credit Notes; provided that any Established Franchisee Master Note executed prior to the Effective Date shall be substantially in the form required under the Existing Loan Facility Agreement.
     “Established Franchisee Master Term Note” shall mean that certain Master Term Note, executed by an Established Franchisee Borrower in favor of the Servicer, evidencing such Established Franchisee Borrower’s obligation to repay all Established Franchisee Term Loans made to it pursuant to an Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Established Franchisee Loan Agreement, with such changes as the Sponsor and the Servicer shall agree to from time to time.
     “Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment” shall mean a commitment to make Established Franchisee Term Loans to an Established Franchisee Borrower pursuant to an Established Franchisee Loan Agreement.
     “Established Franchisee Term Loans” shall mean Advances made to an Established Franchisee Borrower pursuant to an Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment.
     “Existing Commitments” means any of the commitments to make loans made by the Servicer pursuant to the Existing Loan Facility Agreement as in effect from time to time.
     “Existing Loan Facility Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

 


 

     “Existing Loan” means any of the loans made by the Servicer pursuant to the Existing Loan Facility Agreement as in effect from time to time.
     “Existing Note” means any of the promissory notes from the Borrowers to the Servicer substantially in the form attached to the Existing Loan Facility Agreement as in effect from time to time.
     “Facility” shall mean either the loan facility established pursuant to the Startup Franchisee Commitment or the loan facility established pursuant to the Established Franchisee Commitment, as the case may be.
     “Federal Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1% of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Servicer from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Servicer.
     “Fee Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement dated as of even date herewith, by and between the Sponsor and the Servicer, setting forth certain fees applicable to the loan facility described herein, either as originally executed or as hereafter amended or modified.
     “Final Termination Date” shall mean the date that is ninety (90) days after the last Maturity Date of the Loans.
     “Financing Statement” shall mean, with respect to a Loan, a document that among other things, describes the Sponsor and the Collateral, the proper filing of which perfects a security interest in the Collateral described therein under the laws of the state in which such document is filed.
     “Fiscal Year” shall mean a fiscal year of the Sponsor; references to a Fiscal Year with a number corresponding to any calendar year (e.g., the “Fiscal Year 2008”) refers to the Fiscal Year ending during such calendar year.
     “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” shall mean, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDAR for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Sponsor ending on such date to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Sponsor ending on such date.
     “Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 


 

     “Franchise Agreement” shall mean the written agreement between Sponsor and a Franchisee whereby the Franchisee is authorized to establish an “Aaron’s Rental Purchase” franchise.
     “Franchisee” shall mean those certain rental store operators across the United States that own and operate rental stores under the “Aaron’s Sale and Lease Ownership” franchise.
     “Franchisee Loan Program” shall mean the transaction evidenced by (i) this Agreement wherein the Sponsor has guaranteed, to the extent set forth herein, certain obligations of Franchisees of the Sponsor, and (ii) the other Operative Documents executed in connection herewith and therewith.
     “Funded Participant’s Interest” shall mean, with respect to any Participant, the aggregate outstanding amount of Advances made by a Participant hereunder with respect to the Startup Franchisee Loans and the Established Franchisee Loans, and shall include, with respect to SunTrust, the aggregate outstanding amount of Swing Line Advances made with respect to Startup Franchisee Loans and Established Franchisee Loans.
     “Funding Approval Notice” shall mean a written notice to the Servicer from Sponsor setting forth the conditions of a proposed Loan Commitment, consistent with the requirements therefor as set forth in this Agreement, and containing such information and in substantially such form as shall be agreed to by Servicer and Sponsor pursuant to the Servicing Agreement.
     “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.2.
     “Governmental Authority” shall mean the government of the United States of America, any other nation or 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.
     “Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly and including any obligation, direct or indirect, of the guarantor (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued in support of such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term

 


 

“Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposits in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which Guarantee is made or, if not so stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
     “Guaranteed Obligations” shall mean the aggregate amount of all Loan Indebtedness of all Borrowers outstanding under all Loan Documents to include, without limitation (i) all principal, interest and commitment fees due with respect to all Loans, including post-petition interest in any proceeding under federal bankruptcy laws, (ii) all fees, expenses, and amounts payable by all Borrowers for reimbursement or indemnification under the terms of all Loan Agreements and all other Loan Documents executed in connection with the Loan to such Borrower, (iii) all amounts advanced by Servicer to protect or preserve the value of any security for the Loans, and (iv) all renewals, extensions, modifications, and refinancings (in whole or in part) of any of the amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above).
     “Guarantors” shall mean, collectively, Aaron Investment Company and all other subsidiaries of the Sponsor that from time to time become parties to the Guaranty Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
     “Guaranty Agreement” shall mean the Guaranty Agreement executed by each of the Subsidiaries of the Sponsor in favor of the Servicer and the Participants, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
     “Hazardous Materialsmeans all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
     “Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean, without duplication (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business; provided, that for purposes of Section 9.6, trade payables overdue by more than 120 days shall be included in this definition except to the extent that any of such trade payables are being disputed in good faith and by appropriate measures), (iv) all obligations of such Person under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement(s) relating to property acquired by such Person, (v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of letters of credit, acceptances or similar extensions of credit, (vii) all Guarantees of such Person of the type of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, (viii) all Indebtedness of a third party secured by any Lien on property

 


 

owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person, (ix) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any common stock of such Person, and (x) Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, except to the extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
     “Indemnity and Contribution Agreement” shall mean the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, among the Sponsor, the Guarantors and the Servicer, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
     “LIBOR” shall mean, for any Payment Period the offered rate for deposits in U.S. Dollars, for a period of one month and in an amount comparable to the aggregate outstanding Funded Participant’s Interests as of the first day of such Payment Period, appearing on the display designated on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of the Interest Period; provided, that if the Servicer determines that the relevant foregoing sources are unavailable for the relevant Payment Period, LIBOR shall mean the rate of interest determined by the Servicer to be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of the rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered to the Servicer two (2) Business Days preceding the first day of such Interest Period by leading banks in the London interbank market as of 10:00 a.m. for delivery on the first day of such Payment Period, for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount comparable to the amount of the Funded Participant’s Interest of the Servicer.
     “Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, encumbrance, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, or other arrangement having the practical effect of the foregoing or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having the same economic effect as any of the foregoing). A covenant not to grant a Lien or a “Negative Pledge” shall not be determined a Lien for purposes of this Agreement.
     “Loan” shall mean either a Startup Franchisee Loan, an Established Franchisee Loan or an Existing Loan, as the case may be.
     “Loan Agreement” shall mean either a Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement or an Established Franchisee Loan Agreement as the case may be.
     “Loan Commitment” shall mean the commitment to make Advances established by the Servicer in favor of any Borrower in the amount not exceeding, and upon the terms described in, the applicable Funding Approval Notice and the applicable Loan Documents, which Loan

 


 

Commitment may be either a Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment or an Established Franchisee Loan Commitment.
     “Loan Default” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to any Loan: (i) a Loan Payment Default, (ii) the bankruptcy or insolvency of the Borrower or any Guarantor of such Loan, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar fiduciary for such Borrower or Guarantor, or the assignment for the benefit of creditors by such Borrower or Guarantor, or the offering of settlement or composition to the unsecured creditors of such Borrower or Guarantor generally or (iii) the termination of (or failure to renew) the Franchise Agreement to which the Borrower of such Loan is a party.
     “Loan Documents” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the Loan Agreement, the Master Note, any Personal Guaranty, any Spousal Consent, the Collateral Agreements, in each case relating to such Loan, any other documents relating to such Loan delivered by any Borrower or any guarantor or surety thereof to the Servicer and any amendments thereto (provided that such amendments are made with the consent of Sponsor, where such consent is required under this Agreement).
     “Loan Indebtedness” shall mean all amounts due and payable by a Borrower under the terms of the Loan Documents governing the Loan to such Borrower, including, without limitation, outstanding principal, accrued interest, any commitment fees, and all reasonable costs and expenses of any legal proceeding brought by the Servicer to collect any of the foregoing (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred).
     “Loan Payment Default” shall mean the failure of a Borrower to make a payment of principal, accrued interest thereon or any other amounts, within the cure period following the due date therefor, as provided under the applicable Loan Documents.
     “Loan Term” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the prescribed term of the Loan Commitment relating to such Loan, as documented in the applicable Loan Documents, and any term-out period thereafter; provided, however, that the Loan Term shall not exceed (x) in the case of any Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment, one (1) year subject to extension in accordance with the terms of the applicable Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement, plus, in the event that the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment is terminated upon ninety (90) days’ prior notice from the Servicer, the Amortization Period and (y) in the case of an Established Franchisee Loan Commitment, four (4) years.
     “Loudermilk Family” shall mean, collectively, Robert Charles Loudermilk, Sr., his spouse, his children, his grandchildren and any trust which may be now or hereafter established for the sole benefit of any of the foregoing persons.
     “Margin Regulations” shall mean Regulation T, Regulation U and Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time.

 


 

     “Master Note” shall mean either a Startup Franchisee Master Note or an Established Franchisee Master Note, as the case may be.
     “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding), whether singularly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts, condition or conditions, occurrence or occurrences whether or not related, a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, (i) the business, results of operations, financial condition, assets, liabilities or prospects of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of Sponsor or the Credit Parties taken as a whole to perform any of their respective obligations under the Operative Documents (iii) the rights and remedies of the Servicer and the Participants under any of the Operative Documents or (iv) the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Operative Documents.
     “Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness of any one or more of the Sponsor and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000.
     “Maturity Date” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the date set forth under the applicable Loan Documents when the related Loan Commitment has terminated and all principal and interest with respect to such Loan shall become due and payable in full; provided that, each Maturity Date shall be a Payment Date.
     “Maximum Commitment Amount” shall mean $125,000,000, as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.7, Section 2.8 or Section 15.2.
     “Merchandise” shall mean goods distributed or sold to Franchisees through Sponsor.
     “Minimum Purchase Price” shall mean, with respect to any Established Franchisee Loan, the lesser of (x) the outstanding Loan Indebtedness thereof and (y) the sum of (i) the Established Franchisee Borrowing Base in effect on the date of the occurrence of the relevant Loan Default, or if greater, during the last full calendar month preceding the date of the occurrence of the relevant Loan Default, plus (ii) all advances made between the date that such Established Franchisee Borrowing Base is reported to the Servicer by the Sponsor and the date which is two Business Days thereafter.
     “Monthly Servicing Report” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
     “Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
     “Multiemployer Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
     Off-Balance Sheet Liabilitiesof any Person shall mean (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person,

 


 

other than indemnity obligations for any breach of any representation or warranty which are customary in non-recourse sales of such assets, (ii) any liability of such Person under any sale and leaseback transactions which do not create a liability on the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) any liability of such Person under any so-called “synthetic” lease transaction or (iv) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person.
     “Opening Date” shall mean, with respect to each store location, the date determined by the Sponsor to be the opening date of such location in accordance with its standard practice, as notified to the Servicer in accordance with the terms hereof.
     “Operative Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Fee Letter and any other documents delivered by Sponsor or any Guarantor to the Servicer or the Participants in connection herewith or therewith.
     “Participant” shall mean SunTrust, the other lending institutions listed on the signature pages hereof and each assignee thereof, if any, pursuant to the terms hereof.
     “Participating Commitment” shall mean the commitment of each Participant to fund its Pro Rata Share of outstanding Loans in an amount not to exceed such Participant’s Participating Commitment Amount.
     “Participating Commitment Amount” shall mean the amount set forth opposite each Participant’s name on Schedule 1.1(b) attached hereto, as such amount may be modified by assignment pursuant to the terms hereof; provided, that, following the termination of the Commitments, each Participant’s Participating Commitment Amount shall be deemed to be its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate principal amount of all Loan Commitments.
     “Participant Funding” shall mean a funding by the Participants of their respective Pro Rata Shares of Advances or Loans outstanding under either or both Facilities.
     “Participant’s Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
     “Participant’s Unused Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Participant, the difference between such Participant’s Participating Commitment Amount and such Participant’s Funded Participant’s Interest.
     “Participation Certificate” shall mean a certificate issued by the Servicer to a Participant, substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto, evidencing such Participant’s ownership interest conveyed hereunder.
     “Payment Date” shall mean the last day of each calendar month; provided, however, if

 


 

such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day
     “Payment Period” shall mean a period of one (1) month; provided that (i) the first day of a Payment Period must be a Business Day, (ii) any Payment Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, (iii) the first Payment Period hereunder shall commence on the date hereof and shall end on the last day of the next succeeding calendar month and (iv) the first day of any succeeding Payment Period shall be the last day of the preceding Payment Period and shall end on the last day of the next succeeding calendar month.
     “PBGCshall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA, and any successor entity performing similar functions.
     “Permitted Acquisition” shall mean any Acquisition so long as (a) immediately before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Credit Event is in existence, (b) such Acquisition has been approved by the board of directors of the Person being acquired prior to any public announcement thereof, (c) the total consideration (including all cash, debt, stock and other property, and assumption of obligations for borrowed money) of any single Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions does not exceed $75,000,000, (d) the total consideration (including all cash, debt, stock and other property, and assumption of obligations for borrowed money) of all Acquisitions during any fiscal year does not exceed $150,000,000 and (e) immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition, the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries will not be engaged in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and businesses reasonably related thereto. As used herein, Acquisitions will be considered related Acquisitions if the sellers under such Acquisitions are the same Person or any Affiliate thereof.
     “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean
     (i) Liens imposed by law for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
     (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other Liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP;
     (iii) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 


 

     (iv) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
     (v) judgment and attachment liens not giving rise to a Credit Event or Liens created by or existing from any litigation or legal proceeding that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP; and
     (vi) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
     (vii) other Liens incidental to the conduct of its business or the ownership of its property and assets which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of its property or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of its business; and
     (viii) Liens on insurance policies owned by the Sponsor on the lives of its officers securing policy loans obtained from the insurers under such policies, provided that (A) the aggregate amount borrowed on each policy shall not exceed the loan value thereof, and (B) the Sponsor shall not incur any liability to repay any such loan;
provided, that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.
Permitted Investmentsshall mean:
     (i) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
     (ii) commercial paper having an A or better rating, at the time of acquisition thereof, of S&P or Moody’s and in either case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
     (iii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 


 

     (iv) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (i) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (iii) above; and
     (v) mutual funds investing solely in any one or more of the Permitted Investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
     “Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or any Governmental Authority.
     “Personal Guaranty” shall mean any guaranty from a principal of a Borrower substantially in the form required by the Servicing Agreement.
     “Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Sponsor or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
     “Prime Rate” shall mean the per annum rate of interest designated from time to time by SunTrust to be its prime rate. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate of interest that is being offered by SunTrust to its borrowers.
     “Pro Rata Share” shall mean, with respect to each of the Participants at any time, the percentage determined by dividing such Participant’s Participating Commitment at such time by the total principal amount of all Participating Commitments at such time.
     “Quarterly Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
     RBC Loan Facility Agreementshall mean the credit facility agreement among the Sponsor, Royal Bank of Canada and any other parties thereto dated on or about the date hereof, whereby the Sponsor and any Subsidiary may, among other things, guarantee loans made to Canadian franchise operators and owners of the Sponsor pursuant to the terms thereof as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time.
     “Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be in effect from time to time.
     “Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within any building, structure, facility or fixture.

 


 

     “Rental/Purchase Contract” shall mean a contract between a Franchisee and a customer to rent Merchandise in the form approved by the Sponsor (and which may included purchase options).
     “Rental Revenue” shall mean, with respect to any Borrower for any period, the gross revenues of such Borrower from rentals to the public of such Borrower’s furniture inventory and rental equipment, including without limitation, all customer deposits, advance rental payments, waiver fees, late fees, delivery fees, nonsufficient funds fees, reinstatement fees, but excluding all Electronic Rental Revenues, all retail sales proceeds and sales taxes.
     “Reportable Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in ERISA.
     “Required Participants” shall mean (x) at any time prior to termination of the Commitments, Participants holding at least 66 2/3% of the sum of (x) the aggregate Funded Participant’s Interests, plus (y) the Participant’s Unused Commitments, and (y) at any time on and after the termination of the Commitments, Participants holding at least 66 2/3% of the aggregate outstanding Funded Participant’s Interests at such time.
     “Requirement of Law” for any person shall mean the articles or certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation, or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other governmental authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
     “Response Period” shall mean (i) with respect to any Startup Franchise Loan, a period of seventy (70) days commencing on the day next succeeding the day on which the Sponsor receives a notice from the Servicer that a Loan Payment Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) with respect to any Established Franchisee Loan, a period of five (5) Business Days commencing on the day next succeeding the day on which the Sponsor receives a notice from the Servicer that a Loan Payment Default has occurred and is continuing, provided, however, that the Response Period for any Established Franchisee Loan shall automatically extend by an additional 60 days if the Sponsor assumes operation of the stores operated by the Defaulted Borrower during the initial five (5) Business Day Response Period; provided, further, no Response Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the Final Termination Date.
     “Responsible Officer” shall mean any of the president, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, the controller or a vice president of the Sponsor or such other representative of the Sponsor as may be designated in writing by any one of the foregoing with the consent of the Servicer; and, with respect to the financial covenants only, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or the controller of the Sponsor.
     “Restricted Payment” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 8.5.

 


 

     “Revolving Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Sponsor, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and SunTrust Bank as Administrative Agent, as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.
     “Revolving Credit Documents” shall mean, collectively, the Revolving Credit Agreement and any and all other instruments, agreements, documents and writings executed in connection with the foregoing.
     “RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement” shall mean that certain Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty dated as of May 29, 2007 by and between the Sponsor, and the Servicer as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
     “RIMCO Loan Facility Documents” shall mean, collectively, the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement and any and all other instruments, agreements, documents and writings executed in connection with the foregoing.
     Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreementshall mean the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May 5, 2004 by and among Rosey Rentals, L.P. and Wachovia Bank, N.A. (as successor to SouthTrust Bank) as amended, restated, supplemented, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time.
     “S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s
     “Servicing Agreement” shall mean that certain Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004, by and between the Sponsor and the Servicer, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
     “Servicing Fee” shall mean the fee payable to the Servicer pursuant to the terms of the Servicing Agreement.
     “Servicer” shall mean SunTrust Bank and its successors and assigns.
     “Sponsor’s Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in the Servicing Agreement.
     “Spousal Consent” shall mean any agreement provided by the spouse of any Person executing a Guaranty to the extent such spouse has not personally executed a Guaranty, to be substantially in the form provided by the Servicer.
     “Startup Franchisee Borrower” shall mean a Franchisee who is primarily liable for repayment of a Startup Franchisee Loan as a result of having executed Loan Documents as maker, or its permitted assignee.
     “Startup Franchisee Commitment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 


 

     “Startup Franchisee Loan” shall mean the aggregate Advances made to a Startup Franchisee Borrower under its Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment.
     “Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement” shall mean a Line of Credit and Security Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions, as between a Startup Franchisee Borrower and the Servicer, under which the Servicer has established a Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment to make Advances to the Startup Franchisee Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with such changes as the Sponsor and the Servicer shall agree to, subject to Section 3.1(b); provided, however, that any Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement executed prior to the Effective Date shall be substantially in the form required under the Existing Loan Facility Agreement.
     “Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment” shall mean a commitment to make Startup Franchisee Loans extended to a Startup Franchisee Borrower pursuant to a Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement.
     “Startup Franchisee Master Note” shall mean that certain Master Note, executed by a Startup Franchisee Borrower in favor of the Servicer, evidencing such Startup Franchisee Borrower’s obligation to repay all Advances made to it pursuant to a Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment, substantially in the form of Exhibit A to the Startup Franchisee Loan Agreement, with such changes as the Sponsor and the Servicer shall agree to, subject to Section 3.1(b); provided, however, that any Startup Franchisee Master Note executed prior to the Effective Date shall be substantially in the form required under the Existing Facility Agreement.
     “Store Opening Information Sheet” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Servicing Agreement.
     “Subordinated Debt” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.7.
     “Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person (the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power, or in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Subsidiary” hereunder shall mean a Subsidiary of the Sponsor.
     “Swing Line Advances” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 


 

     “Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
     “Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Adjusted Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated Total Adjusted Capital as of such date.
     “Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Sponsor ending on such date.
     “Transaction Documents” shall mean, collectively, the Operative Documents and the Revolving Credit Documents.
     2002 Note Agreementshall mean that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2002, by and among Sponsor, the other Loan Parties party thereto, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the other purchasers signatory thereto, as such Note Purchase Agreement may be amended, supplemented, restated, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
     “2005 Note Agreement” shall mean that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2005, by and among Sponsor, the other Loan Parties party thereto, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and the other purchasers signatory thereto as such Note Purchase Agreement may be amended, supplemented, restated, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
     “Unmatured Credit Event” shall mean any condition or event which, with notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute a Credit Event.
     “Wind-Down Event” shall mean the event that the Commitments are not extended for any reason and the Commitment Termination Date occurs.
     “Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
          Section 1.2. Accounting Terms and Determination. Unless otherwise defined or specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statement of the Sponsor delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a); provided, that if the Sponsor notifies the Servicer that the Sponsor wishes to amend any covenant in Article VII to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Servicer notifies the Sponsor that the

 


 

Required Participants wish to amend Article VII for such purpose), then the Sponsor’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Sponsor and the Required Participants.
          Section 1.3. Other Definitional Terms. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and like references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
          Section 1.4. Exhibits and Schedules. All Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are by reference made a part hereof.
ARTICLE II
LOAN FACILITY
          Section 2.1. Establishment of Commitments; Terms of Loans.
          (a) Startup Franchisee Commitment. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the other Operative Documents, and in reliance upon the guaranty and other obligations of the Sponsor set forth herein, the Servicer hereby establishes a commitment to the Sponsor to establish Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments and to make Advances thereunder to such Startup Franchisee Borrowers as may be designated by the Sponsor in its Funding Approval Notices during a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on May 23, 2009 (as such period may be extended for one or more subsequent 364-day periods pursuant to Section 2.8, the “Commitment Termination Date”) in an aggregate committed amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($125,000,000) (the “Startup Franchisee Commitment”); provided that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, at no time shall the sum of aggregate committed amounts of all Loan Commitments outstanding pursuant to the Commitments, or, following the termination of any such Loan Commitment, Advances outstanding thereunder, exceed the Maximum Commitment Amount.
          (b) Established Franchisee Commitment. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the other Operative Documents, and in reliance upon the guaranty and other obligations of the Sponsor set forth herein, the Servicer hereby establishes a commitment to the Sponsor to establish Established Franchisee Loan Commitments and to make Advances thereunder to such Established Franchisees as may be designated by the Sponsor in its Funding Approval Notices during a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the Commitment Termination Date in an aggregate committed amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE MILLION AND NO/100

 


 

DOLLARS ($125,000,000) (the “Established Franchisee Commitment”); provided that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, at no time shall the sum of aggregate committed amounts of all Loan Commitments outstanding pursuant to the Commitments, or, following the termination of any such Loan Commitment, Advances outstanding thereunder, exceed the Maximum Commitment Amount.
          (c) Authorization of Loan Commitments Pursuant to Startup Franchisee Commitment; Loan Terms. Within the limits of the Startup Franchisee Commitment and in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement and the Servicing Agreement, the Sponsor may authorize the Servicer to establish a Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment pursuant to the Startup Franchisee Commitment in favor of a Franchisee who meets the credit criteria established by the Sponsor. The amount of each Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment shall be determined by the Sponsor but shall not be less than $100,000 for any Franchisee. Pursuant to the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment, the Servicer shall agree to make Advances to the Startup Franchisee Borrower thereunder. Each Startup Franchisee Loan shall bear interest at the Borrower Rate designated by Sponsor in the applicable Funding Approval Notice, and interest shall be payable on each Payment Date and on the Maturity Date of such Startup Franchisee Loan when all principal and interest shall be due and payable in full. Each Startup Franchisee Loan may be prepaid in full or in part on any Business Day, without premium or penalty. The Loan Term of each Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment shall be, initially, one year, but shall automatically renew unless terminated by ninety (90) days’ prior written notice by Servicer to the Startup Franchisee Borrower prior to the first anniversary date and may thereafter be terminated at any time by Servicer upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice by Servicer to the Startup Franchisee Borrower; provided that the amounts outstanding thereunder shall be allowed to term out over the Amortization Period as provided below. The proceeds of each Advance made pursuant to the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments shall be used solely to purchase inventory, and to the extent permitted by Sponsor, to pay state sales and use taxes and freight charges. At the end of each month, the aggregate Advances (other than Electronic Equipment Advances) made to each Startup Franchisee Borrower during such month (net of any prepayments during such month other than Electronic Equipment Asset Disposition proceeds to the extent applied to offset Electronic Equipment Advances as provided below) shall be amortized (in accordance with a straight-line amortization schedule) over the Amortization Period. At the end of the month, the aggregate Electronic Equipment Advances made to each Startup Franchisee Borrower during such month (net of proceeds of Electronic Equipment Asset Dispositions received during such month) shall be amortized (in accordance with a straight-line amortization schedule) over the Amortization Period. In the event that the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment of any Startup Franchisee Borrower is terminated by the Servicer as provided above, such Startup Franchisee Borrower shall, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 2.1(c), amortize all outstanding Advances over the Amortization Period (in accordance with a straight-line amortization schedule), with all Electronic Equipment Advances due and payable in full no later than 18 months after termination. In the event that the Startup Franchisee Borrower terminates the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment, all amounts advanced to such Startup Franchisee Borrower shall be due and payable in full on the termination date, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Each Startup Franchisee Borrower shall agree to

 


 

pay a commitment fee on its unused Startup Franchisee Loan Commitment in an amount to be determined by the Sponsor but in any event not to exceed 1.00% per annum, such commitment fee to be paid quarterly, in arrears.
          (d) Authorization of Loan Commitments Pursuant to Established Franchisee Commitment; Loan Terms.
     (i) Within the limits of the Established Franchisee Commitment and in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement and the Servicing Agreement, the Sponsor may authorize the Servicer to establish an Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment and/or an Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment pursuant to the Established Franchisee Commitment in favor of an Established Franchisee who meets the credit criteria established by the Sponsor.
     (ii) The amount of each Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment shall be determined by the Sponsor, but shall not be less than $100,000. Pursuant to the Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment, the Servicer shall agree to make Advances to the Established Franchisee Borrower thereunder. Each Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loan shall bear interest at the Borrower Rate designated by Sponsor in the applicable Funding Approval Notice, and interest shall be payable on each Payment Date and on the Maturity Date of such Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loan when all principal and interest shall be due and payable in full. Each Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loan may be prepaid in full or in part on any Business Day, without premium or penalty. The Loan Term of each Established Franchisee Line of Credit Loan shall not exceed four years. The proceeds of each Advance made pursuant to the Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitments shall be used for general corporate purposes. Each Established Franchisee Borrower shall agree to pay a commitment fee on the unused Established Franchisee Line of Credit Commitment in an amount to be determined by the Sponsor but in any event not to exceed 1.00% per annum, such commitment fee to be paid quarterly, in arrears. At no time, except as otherwise provided in the form of Established Franchisee Loan Agreement, shall the aggregate outstanding principal amount of any and all Established Franchisee Loans made to any Borrower exceed the Established Franchisee Borrowing Base of such Borrower as in effect at such time.
     (iii) The amount of each Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment shall be determined by the Sponsor, but shall not be less than $100,000. Pursuant to the Established Franchisee Term Loan Commitment, the Servicer shall agree to make Established Franchisee Term Loans to the Established Franchisee Borrower thereunder. Each Established Franchisee Term Loan shall bear interest at the Borrower Rate designated by Sponsor in the applicable Funding Approval Notice, and interest shall be payable on each Payment Date and on the Maturity Date of such Established Franchisee Term Loan. Principal on each Established Franchisee Term Loan shall be payable on each Payment Date and shall be amortized over a period of no more than 7 years with the

 


 

balance of all outstanding principal due and payable in full on the Maturity Date with respect to such Established Franchisee Term Loan. Each Established Franchisee Term Loan may be prepaid in full or in part on any Business Day, without premium or penalty. The Loan Term of each Established Franchisee Term Loan shall not exceed four years. The proceeds of each Established Franchisee Term Loan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
          (e) Conditions to Obligation of Servicer to Establish Loan Commitments. Servicer’s obligation to establish each Loan Commitment under the Operative Documents is subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions as of the Closing Date of such Loan:
     (i) this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents shall be in full force and effect;
     (ii) the representations and warranties of the Sponsor contained in Article 5 shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on the Closing Date of such Loan;
     (iii) the Servicer shall have received from the Sponsor a Funding Approval Notice authorizing such Loan Commitment and a Store Opening Information Sheet;
     (iv) all conditions precedent to the Loan Commitment specified in the Servicing Agreement, together with such additional conditions precedent as may, at Sponsor’s election, be included in the applicable Funding Approval Notice, shall have been completed to the Servicer’s reasonable satisfaction; and
     (v) no Credit Event, Unmatured Credit Event, Change of Control or Wind-Down Event shall have occurred and be continuing.
          Section 2.2. Conveyance of Participant’s Interest.
          (a) The Servicer hereby sells, assigns, transfers and conveys to the Participants, without recourse or warranty, and each Participant hereby purchases from the Servicer, an undivided percentage ownership interest (which percentage shall be equal to each Participant’s Pro Rata Share) in (i) the Commitments, (ii) the Loan Commitments, including, without limitation, the Existing Loan Commitments, (iii) the Loans, including, without limitation, the Existing Loans, (iv) the Collateral, (v) all rights against any guarantor of any Loan, including the Sponsor, (vi) the Loan Documents, (vii) all rights pursuant to the Guaranty Agreement and (viii) all right, title and interest to any payment or right to receive payment with respect to the foregoing (collectively, the “Participant’s Interest”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Participant’s right to receive payments of interest, commitments fees or other fees with respect to the Commitment, the Loan Commitments and the Loans shall not exceed the amounts which such Participant is entitled to receive pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 


 

          (b) In consideration of the entry by each Participant into this Agreement and the obligation of each Participant hereunder, the Servicer shall issue to each Participant on the Closing Date, a Participation Certificate. Each Participation Certificate shall be in an amount equal to the relevant Participant’s Participating Commitment Amount, and the Funded Participant’s Interest outstanding thereunder shall bear interest as hereinafter set forth and shall be payable as hereinafter set forth.
          (c) In accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and in consideration of the sale of the Participant’s Interest to such Participant, each Participant severally agrees from time to time, during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Final Termination Date, to fund its Pro Rata Share of outstanding Loans made by the Servicer to the Borrowers in accordance with the terms hereof in an aggregate amount at any one outstanding not to exceed such Participant’s Participating Commitment Amount (subject to each Participant’s obligations pursuant to Section 2.3(d)).
          Section 2.3. Funding of Advances; Swing Line; Funding of Participant’s Interest in Loans.
          (a) Funding of Advances. The Servicer shall fund Advances requested by the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of the applicable Loan Documents and the Servicing Agreement. On the date of any such funding, the Servicer shall elect whether or not to require the Participants to fund their respective Pro Rata Share of the Advances to be made on such date. In the event that the Servicer elects not to require the Participants to fund their Pro Rata Share of the Advances to be made on such date, the Servicer shall make such Advances (each, a “Swing Line Advance”) to the Borrowers for the account of the Servicer; provided that the aggregate amount of Swing Line Advances outstanding on any date shall not exceed $8,000,000 and further provided the sum of (x) the aggregate outstanding Swing Line Advances plus (y) the aggregate outstanding Funded Participant’s Interests (exclusive of the Swing Line Advances) shall not exceed the Maximum Commitment Amount. If (i) any Credit Event, Change of Control or Wind-Down Event shall have occurred, (ii) after giving effect to any requested Advance, the aggregate Swing Line Advances outstanding hereunder would exceed $8,000,000, or (iii) the Servicer otherwise determines in its sole discretion to request a Participant Funding hereunder, then the Servicer shall notify the Participants pursuant to subsection (b) requesting a Participant Funding.
          (b) Notification of Participant Funding. In the event that the Servicer desires that the Participants fund their respective Pro Rata Shares of Advances or Loans made or outstanding pursuant to the Loan Documents, the Servicer shall deliver written or telecopy notice to the Participants (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing or by telecopy) (a “Participant Funding Request”) by no later than 10:00 a.m. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the date which is the requested date of the Participant Funding which shall specify (x) the date of the Participant Funding, which shall be a Business Day, and (y) each Participant’s Pro Rata Share of the Advances or Loans outstanding to be funded in connection with such Participant Funding.

 


 

          (c) Each Participant shall make available its Pro Rata Share of the requested Participant Funding on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Servicer in Atlanta, Georgia by not later than 2:00 P.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time). Unless the Servicer shall have received notice from a Participant prior to the date of any Participant Funding that such Participant will not make available to the Servicer such Participant’s Pro Rata Share of such Participant Funding, the Servicer may assume that the Participant has made such portion available to the Servicer on the date of such Participant Funding in accordance with this subsection (c) and the Servicer may, in reliance on such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount or credit the same to Swing Line Advances. If and to the extent that such Participant shall not have made such portion available to the Servicer, such Participant and the Sponsor shall severally agree to repay the Servicer forthwith (on demand in the case of the Participant and within three (3) days of such demand in the case of the Sponsor), without duplication, such amount with interest at the Federal Funds Rate plus 2% per annum and, until such time as such Participant has repaid to the Servicer such amount, such Participant shall (i) have no right to vote regarding any issue on which voting is required or advisable under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents, and (ii) shall not be entitled to receive any payments of interest, fees or repayment of the principal amount of such Advance or Loan which the Participant has failed to pay to the Servicer. If such Participant shall repay to the Servicer such amount, then such amount shall constitute part of such Participant’s Funded Participant’s Interest.
          (d) Each Participant’s obligations to fund its Pro Rata Share of any requested Participant Funding shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other right which such Participant may have against the Servicer, the Sponsor, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence of any Credit Event, Unmatured Credit Event, Change of Control or Wind-Down Event, (iii) the occurrence of any Loan Default or any other “event of default” under any Loan Documents, (iv) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Sponsor, any other Credit Party or any Borrower, (v) the acceleration or maturity of any Loan or the Sponsor’s obligations hereunder or the termination of the Commitments, Loan Commitments or the Participating Commitments after the making of any Swing Line Advance, (vi) any breach of this Agreement by the Sponsor or any other Participant, or (vii) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
          (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.3, no Participant shall be required to fund its Pro Rata Share of any requested Participant Funding for purposes of refunding a Swing Line Advance pursuant to subsection (d) above if a Loan Default with respect to the relevant Loan has occurred and is continuing and, prior to the making by the Servicer of such Swing Line Advance, the Servicer had received written notice from Sponsor, the relevant Borrower or any Participant specifying that such Loan Default had occurred and was continuing (and identifying the same as a Loan Default, as the case may be) which has not been cured or waived; provided that, in the case of a Loan Default arising from an Unmatured Credit Event or

 


 

Credit Event where the Participants are not pursuing remedies, the Participants will be obligated to fund their respective Pro Rata Shares of Swing Line Advances.
          Section 2.4. Commitment Fees.
          (a) Each Participant will receive, from amounts paid by the Borrowers under the Loan Documents and the Sponsor under the Operative Documents, a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) equal to the average daily amount of its Participant’s Unused Commitment for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Final Termination Date, or such earlier date as the Participating Commitment shall expire or terminate, multiplied by the Applicable Percentage per annum, such Commitment Fee to be payable in arrears on each third Payment Date (a “Quarterly Date”), commencing on June 30, 2008, for the preceding Payment Period, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.
          (b) All Commitment Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Participants by the Servicer from amounts received from the Borrowers and Sponsor.
          (c) In the event that the commitment fees received by the Servicer from the Borrowers and the Sponsor are not sufficient on any Quarterly Date to pay the Commitment Fees to the Participants required pursuant hereto, the Sponsor shall, upon demand of the Servicer, immediately fund such difference to the Servicer (with such payment allocated to specific Loan Payment Defaults as agreed by Sponsor and Servicer, if applicable) and either, at the election of the Sponsor, (x) the Sponsor shall be reimbursed by the Servicer upon receipt of such amount from a Borrower, (y) the Loan Indebtedness shall be deemed to be reduced by such amount for purposes of a repayment or purchase of such Defaulted Loan by Sponsor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (z) if elected by Sponsor and if such amount is sufficient to cure any Loan Payment Default such amount shall be deemed to have satisfied Sponsor’s obligation to cure such Loan Payment Default hereunder.
          Section 2.5. Interest on Funded Participant’s Interest.
          (a) Funded Participant’s Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.6, each Participant’s Funded Participant’s Interest shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Payment Period in which such Funded Participant’s Interest is outstanding (with the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to all amounts outstanding during any Payment Period being automatically reset on the first day of each Payment Period regardless of the date of any Participant Funding hereunder) plus the Applicable Margin then in effect.
          (b) [Reserved].
          (c) Payment of Interest. Interest on each Participant’s Funded Participant’s Interest shall be payable by the Servicer to the Participants on each Payment Date from interest

 


 

payments received on the Loans under such Facility on such Payment Date for the preceding Payment Period and from other amounts received from the Sponsor.
          (d) Sponsor’s Obligation. In the event that the interest received by the Servicer from the Borrowers on any Payment Date is not sufficient to pay the interest to the Participants required pursuant hereto, the Sponsor shall, upon demand of the Servicer, immediately fund such difference to the Servicer (with such payment allocated to specific Loan Payment Defaults as agreed by Sponsor and Servicer) and if such shortfall results from Loan Payment Defaults rather than interest rate variances, either, at the election of the Sponsor, (x) the Sponsor shall be reimbursed by the Servicer upon receipt of such amount from the applicable Borrower, (y) the Loan Indebtedness of such Borrower shall be deemed to be reduced by such amount for purposes of a repayment or purchase of such Defaulted Loan by Sponsor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (z) if elected by Sponsor and if such amount is sufficient to cure any Loan Payment Default, such amount shall be deemed to have satisfied Sponsor’s obligation to cure such Loan Payment Default hereunder.
          (e) In the event that LIBOR is not determinable by the Bank or it becomes impossible or illegal for the Bank to determine the Funded Participants Interest based upon LIBOR, the parties agree that in such event the Funded Participants Interest shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate plus a mutually agreed upon spread based upon current market conditions.
          Section 2.6. Default Interest. If any amount payable to the Servicer or the Participants by the Sponsor under the Operative Documents is not paid on the date due hereunder, such amount shall bear interest (to the extent permitted by law) for each day from such date up to (but not including) the date of actual payment (after as well as before judgment) at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal to the rate set forth in Section 2.5 for each Facility plus an additional two percent (2.0%) per annum.
          Section 2.7. Voluntary Reduction of the Unutilized Commitment. Upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing) to the Servicer, Sponsor shall have the right, without premium or penalty, to terminate the Commitments, in part or in whole, provided that (i) any such termination shall apply to proportionately and permanently reduce each Facility, (ii) any such termination shall apply to proportionately and permanently reduce the Participating Commitments of each of the Participants, (ii) any partial termination pursuant to this Section 2.7 shall be in an amount of at least $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000, and (iii) the Commitments may not be reduced if, as a result thereof, the amount of either Facility is less than the aggregate sum of all outstanding Loan Commitments pursuant to such Facility.

 


 

          Section 2.8. Extension of Commitments.
          (a) The Sponsor may, by written notice to the Servicer (which shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Participants), given not more than sixty (60) days prior to any anniversary of the date of this Agreement while the Commitments are effect, request that the Participants extend the then scheduled Commitment Termination Date (the “Existing Date”) for an additional 364-day period. Each Participant shall, by notice to the Sponsor and the Servicer given within fifteen (15) Business Days after receipt of such request, advise the Sponsor and the Servicer whether or not such Participant consents to the extension request (and any Participant which does not respond during such 15-day period shall be deemed to have advised the Sponsor and the Servicer that it will not agree to such extension).
          (b) In the event that, on the 15th Business Day after receipt of the notice delivered pursuant to subsection (a) above, all of the Participants shall have agreed to extend their respective Participating Commitments, the Commitment Termination Date shall be deemed to have been extended, effective as of the Existing Date, to the date which is 364 days thereafter.
          (c) In the event that, on the 15th Business Day after receipt of the notice delivered pursuant to subsection (a) above, all of the Participants shall not have agreed to extend their respective Participating Commitments, the Sponsor and the Servicer shall notify the consenting Participants (“Consenting Participants”) of the aggregate Participating Commitment Amounts of the non-extending Participants (“Non-Consenting Participants”) and such Consenting Participants shall, by notice to the Sponsor and the Servicer given within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such notice, advise the Servicer and Sponsor whether or not such Participant wishes to purchase all or a portion of the Participating Commitments of the Non-Consenting Participants (and any Participant which does not respond during such 10-Business Day period shall be deemed to have rejected such offer). In the event that more than one Consenting Participant agrees to purchase all or a portion of such Participating Commitments, the Sponsor and the Servicer shall allocate such Participating Commitments among such Consenting Participants so as to preserve, to the extent possible, the relative pro rata shares of the Consenting Participants of the Participating Commitments prior to such extension request. If Consenting Participants do not elect to assume all of the Participating Commitments of the Non-Consenting Participants, the Sponsor shall have the right, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15.6, to arrange for one or more banks (any such bank being called a “New Participant”) to purchase the Participating Commitment of any Non-Consenting Participant. Each Non-Consenting Participant shall assign its Participating Commitment and its Participant’s Interest outstanding hereunder to the Consenting Participant or New Participant purchasing such Participating Commitment in accordance with Section 15.6, in return for payment in full of all principal, interest and other amounts owing to such Non-Consenting Participant hereunder, on or before the Existing Date and, as of the effective date of such assignment, shall no longer be a party hereto, provided that each New Participant shall be subject to the approval of the Servicer (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld). If (and only if) Participants (including New Participants) holding Participating Commitments representing at least an amount equal to the greater of (x) the sum of all outstanding Loan Commitments under both Facilities and (y) 66 2/3 % of the aggregate Participating Commitments on the date of such extension request shall have agreed to such extension by the Existing Date (the “Continuing Participants”), then (i) the

 


 

Commitment Termination Date shall be extended for an additional 364-day period and (ii) the Participating Commitment of any Non-Consenting Participant which has not been assigned to a Consenting Participant or a New Participant shall terminate (with the result that the amount of the Commitments shall be decreased proportionately by the amount of such Participating Commitment), and all amounts owing to such Non-Consenting Participant, together with all interest accrued thereon and all other amounts owed to such Non-Consenting Participant hereunder, shall be reallocated to the remaining Participating Commitments on the Existing Date applicable to such Participant without giving effect to any extension of the Commitment Termination Date.
          Section 2.9. Wind-Down Events.
          (a) In the event a Wind Down Event occurs, then (x) the Sponsor shall not have the right to request that any further Loan Commitments be established, and (y) the Servicer shall, within a reasonable period of time and in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the Commitment Termination Date, give notice to each of the Startup Franchisee Borrowers terminating the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments as of the date which is ninety (90) days after delivery of such notice, subject, in each case, to the right of the Startup Franchisee Borrowers to term out the amounts outstanding under their Loan Commitments as set forth in Section 2.1(c); provided, however, that the occurrence of such Wind-Down Event shall not affect the obligation of (i) the Servicer to make Advances pursuant to existing Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments, except to the extent that the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments are terminated pursuant to clause (y) above, (ii) the Participants to fund their Participant’s Interest as provided herein, except to the extent that the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments are terminated pursuant to clause (y) above or (iii) the Credit Parties under the Operative Documents.
          (b) In the event that a Wind Down Event occurs, then the Sponsor shall not have the right to request that any further Established Franchisee Loan Commitments be established; provided, however, that the occurrence of such Wind-Down Event shall not affect the obligation of (x) the Servicer to make Advances pursuant to existing Established Franchisee Loan Commitments, (y) the Participants to fund their Participant’s Interest as provided herein, or (z) the Credit Parties under the Operative Documents.
          Section 2.10. Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances; Change in Lending Offices.
          (a) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if, by reason of (i) after the date hereof, the introduction of or any change (including any change by way of imposition or increase of reserve requirements) in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation, or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority exercising control over banks or financial institutions generally (whether or not having the force of law), any reserve (including any imposed by the Federal Reserve Board), special deposit or similar requirement (including a reserve, special deposit or

 


 

similar requirement that takes the form of a tax) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Participant’s office through which it funds its obligations hereunder shall be imposed or deemed applicable or any other condition affecting its obligation to make or maintain its Funded Participant’s Interest at a rate based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be imposed on any Participant or its office through which it funds its obligations hereunder or the interbank Eurodollar market; and as a result thereof there shall be any increase in the cost to such Participant of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining funds its obligations hereunder (except to the extent already included in the determination of the applicable Adjusted LIBO Rate), or there shall be a reduction in the amount received or receivable by that Participant or its office through which it funds its obligations hereunder, then the Sponsor shall from time to time, upon written notice from and demand by the Participant (with a copy of such notice and demand to the Servicer), pay to the Servicer for the account of that Participant within five Business Days after the date specified in such notice and demand, additional amounts sufficient to indemnify that Participant against such increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost submitted to the Sponsor and the Servicer by that Participant, shall, except for manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
          (b) If while the Commitments or any Loan Commitments are outstanding, any Participant (including any the Servicer) determines that the adoption of any law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy or capital maintenance, or any change in any of the foregoing or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Participant (or any lending office of such Participant) or any Participant’s holding company with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or capital maintenance (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Participant’s capital or on the capital of such Participant’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or the purchases made by such Participant pursuant hereto to a level below that which such Participant or such Participant’s holding company could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Participant’s policies and the policies of such Participant’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount reasonably deemed by such Participant to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days after written demand by such Participant, the Sponsor pay to such Participant such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Participant or such Participant’s holding company for such reduction. A certificate as to the amount of any such additional amount or amounts, submitted to the Sponsor and the Servicer by such Participant, shall, except for manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
          (c) Each Participant agrees that, if requested by the Sponsor, it will use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Participant) to designate an alternate lending office with respect to any of its Funded Participant’s Interest affected by the matters or circumstances described above to reduce the liability of the Sponsor or avoid the results provided thereunder, so long as such designation is not disadvantageous to such Participant as determined by such Participant, which determination if made in good faith, shall

 


 

be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto. Nothing in this Section 2.10(c) shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Sponsor or any right of any Participant provided hereunder.
          Section 2.11. Pro Rata Treatment. Subject to the application of payments pursuant to Article 3 and except as specifically provided therein, each payment of principal of any Funded Participant’s Interest, each payment of interest with respect to the Funded Participant’s Interest, each payment of the Commitment Fees and each reduction of the Commitments shall be allocated pro rata among the Participants in accordance with their respective applicable Pro Rata Share of the applicable Facility or Commitments, as appropriate. Each Participant agrees that in computing such Participant’s portion of any Funded Participant’s Interest to be made hereunder, the Servicer may, in its discretion, round each Participant’s percentage of such Participant Funding Request to the next higher or lower whole dollar amount.
          Section 2.12. Payments.
          (a) The Sponsor shall make each payment required to be made by Sponsor hereunder and under any other Operative Document to any Participant or the Servicer not later than 1:00 p.m. (Atlanta, Georgia time), on the date when due in dollars to the Servicer at its offices in Atlanta, Georgia in immediately available funds.
          (b) Whenever any payment hereunder or under any other Operative Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or Commitment Fees, if applicable.
          Section 2.13. Sharing of Setoffs. Each Participant agrees that if it shall, in accordance with applicable law, through the exercise of a right of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim against the Sponsor or any Borrower, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 or Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by the Participant under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Funded Participant’s Interest under this Agreement as a result of which the unpaid principal portion of its Funded Participant’s Interest shall be proportionately less than the unpaid principal portion of the Funded Participant’s Interest of any other Participant, it shall be deemed simultaneously to have purchased from such other Participant at face value, and shall promptly pay to such other Participant the purchase price for, a participation in the Funded Participant’s Interest of such other Participant, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Funded Participant’s Interest and participations in Funded Participant’s Interests held by each Participant shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Funded Participant’s Interests then outstanding as the principal amount of its Purchases prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event was to the principal amount of all Funded Participant’s Interests outstanding prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; provided, however, that, if any such purchase or purchases or

 


 

adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered, such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without interest. The Servicer and each Participant hereby further agrees that any set-off amount received with respect to any Borrower, the Sponsor or any Guarantor shall first be applied to amounts outstanding under the Franchisee Loan Program prior to application to any other obligations of any such Person to the Servicer or such Participant. The Sponsor expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements and agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that any Participant holding a Funded Participant’s Interest or a participation in a Funded Participant’s Interest deemed to have been so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by the Sponsor to such Participant by reason thereof.
ARTICLE III
SERVICER’S SERVICING OBLIGATIONS; DISTRIBUTION OF PAYMENTS
          Section 3.1. Servicer’s Obligations with Respect to Loans; Collateral; Non-Recourse.
          (a) The Servicer shall, for itself and the benefit of all of the Participants and the Sponsor, (i) document, close, manage, administer and collect the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Servicing Agreement and exercise all discretionary powers involved in such management, administration and collection and (ii) shall distribute the funds received with respect to the Loans and from the Sponsor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Servicer agrees that it will exercise the same care in administering the Loans as it exercises with respect to loans of similar size and type and in accordance with the terms of the Servicing Agreement and Section 10.13 hereto.
          (b) The forms of Loan Agreement and Master Note used by the Servicer as documentation for each Loan on and after the Effective Date shall be substantially in the forms attached hereto. The Sponsor shall have the right to direct the Servicer to make modifications to such forms and amendments thereto from time but the Sponsor may not direct the Servicer to revise or amend such forms so as to be inconsistent with the terms of Section 2.1 (c) and (d).
          (c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each of the Participants acknowledges and agrees that the Servicer shall have no obligation to the Participants with respect to the obtaining or retention of any guaranties required by the Sponsor (other than to distribute any proceeds therefrom in accordance with the terms of this Article 3). The Participants acknowledge and agree that the Sponsor has the right to release or modify the terms of, or not require, any Personal Guaranty or any Spousal Consent.

 


 

          (d) In addition, each of the Participants acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Servicer with respect to the Collateral shall be expressly limited to the filing of financing statements (but not fixture filings) in the locations indicated in the applicable Funding Approval Notice for each Borrower and filing continuation statements with respect thereto and taking enforcement action in accordance with Section 10.13 hereto.
          (e) Each of the Participants acknowledges and agrees that all payments made to the Participants pursuant to this Agreement by the Servicer shall be made solely from amounts received from the Sponsor, the Borrowers and other obligors or Collateral under the applicable Loan Documents and the Servicer shall have no personal liability for any amounts payable to the Participants hereunder. Each of the Participants acknowledges and agrees that the Servicer shall be relying solely upon the Sponsor for purposes of calculating and ensuring compliance by Established Franchisee Borrowers with the Established Franchisee Borrowing Base for each Established Franchisee Loan.
          (f) Each of the Participants acknowledges and agrees that any payments of delinquent payment fees received from the Borrowers pursuant to the Loan Agreements shall be for the sole account of the Sponsor and that the Participants shall have no right to receive such payments unless a Credit Event has occurred and is continuing; provided that, with respect to any payments received from a Borrower, such payments shall be first applied to pay all accrued but unpaid interest and principal and other fees due and owing from such Borrower before application of such payment to any delinquent payment fees.
          (g) Each Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Servicer has no ability to halt an ACH transfer upon the inputting of such transfer request by Sponsor from the Aaron’s Proprietary System into the ACH system (other than the ability to retrieve ACH transfers which are sent to the wrong party or otherwise manifestly erroneous as provided in the ACH Agreement with Sponsor), and Sponsor hereby accepts full responsibility for any overadvance created by such inputting of information and shall indemnify the Servicer and the Participants therefor as provided herein.
          Section 3.2. Application of Payments.
          (a) The Servicer and the Sponsor shall instruct each Borrower to make payments with respect to Loans and the Loan Commitments directly to the Servicer, either by mail, wire transfer or debit pursuant to an ACH Authorization.
          (b) On each Quarterly Date, all payments of Commitment Fees shall be distributed by the Servicer to the Participants pro rata in accordance with Section 2.4, with any remainder to be applied as set forth in the Servicing Agreement.
          (c) On each Payment Date, all payments of interest received by the Servicer from the Borrowers under each Facility and from the Sponsor pursuant to its guaranty of each Facility contained herein with respect to the Loans and not previously distributed by the Servicer, shall be applied to pay all accrued but unpaid interest on the Funded Participant’s Interest under the

 


 

applicable Facility pursuant to this Agreement, then to pay all accrued but unpaid Servicing Fees and then to pay the Sponsor’s Fee, in accordance with the terms of the Servicing Agreement and Fee Letter.
          (d) On any Business Day on which the Servicer shall receive any payment in respect of the principal amount of any Loan, whether from a Borrower, the Sponsor pursuant to its guaranty contained herein, or any other obligor with respect thereto, the Servicer may elect, in its sole discretion to (i) apply such principal payment to fund any requested Advances, (ii) apply such amount to repay any outstanding Swing Line Advances, or (iii) to either (x) distribute such amount to the Participants to reduce each Participant’s Funded Participant’s Interest under such Facility or (y) apply such amount to SunTrust’s Funded Participant’s Interest under such Facility only (with the understanding that the Funded Participant’s Interest of each Participant shall not be deemed to have been repaid until such amount is actually received by such Participant); provided that, in the event that the Servicer elects to apply any repayment to reduce SunTrust’s Funded Participant’s Interest without a corresponding reduction of the other Participant’s Funded Participant’s Interest, SunTrust shall be obligated to make a payment to each Participant equal to such Participant’s Pro Rata Share of such payment upon the earlier of (i) the next Payment Date and (ii) the occurrence of a Credit Event hereunder.
          (e) If during any period when no Credit Event has occurred and is continuing, amounts received by Servicer are not capable of being allocated to any specific Loan or, in the case of amounts allocable to a specific Loan, are not sufficient to repay all obligations then due and owing with respect thereto, such amounts shall be applied by the Servicer as follows: (i) first, to the payment of Commitment Fees owing to the Participants hereunder, (ii) second, to the payment of accrued interest on the Funded Participant’s Interest hereunder, pro rata between the two Facilities, (iii) third, to the payment of the Servicing Fees owing under the Servicing Agreement, (iv) fourth, to the repayment of the Funded Participant’s Interests outstanding hereunder pro rata between the two Facilities, (v) fifth, to the payment of all other amounts owing to the Servicer or any Participant hereunder, and (vi) sixth, if all obligations of the Sponsor pursuant to the Operative Documents have been satisfied in full, to the Sponsor.
          (f) During any period when a Credit Event has occurred and is continuing, any amounts received by Servicer with respect to the Loans shall be applied, after deduction of any expenses incurred in the collection of any such amounts, as follows (i) first, to the payment of any accrued and unpaid Servicing Fee, (ii) second, to each Participant in accordance with Pro Rata Share, and (iii) thereafter, to such Persons as may be legally entitled thereto.
          (g) If not sooner repaid, all amounts due and payable to the Servicer and the Participants under the Operative Documents shall be due and payable in full on the Final Termination Date.

 


 

          Section 3.3. Monthly Servicing Report. On each Payment Date, the Servicer shall telecopy to the Sponsor and each Participant a servicing report in the form of Exhibit F (the “Monthly Servicing Report”) setting forth the following information with respect the Loans:
          (a) the aggregate principal balance of the Loans under each Facility as of the close of business on the last day of the preceding Payment Period and on such Payment Date;
          (b) the aggregate amount of Loans repurchased by the Sponsor or amounts collected with respect to the Collateral for the Loans with respect to each Facility since the last Payment Date;
          (c) the aggregate Loan Commitments under each Facility as of the close of business on the last Business Day of the preceding Payment Period and on such Payment Date; and
          (d) each Loan which is past due (including the past due amount and the number of days past due) under each Facility.
ARTICLE IV
LOAN DEFAULT; RIGHT TO MAKE GUARANTY DEMAND
          Section 4.1. Notice Of Loan Default. The Servicer shall notify the Sponsor and the relevant Borrower of a Loan Payment Default within fifteen (15) Business Days following the occurrence thereof and of any other Loan Default of which the Servicer has actual knowledge in accordance with the terms of the Servicing Agreement.
          Section 4.2. Waiver or Cure By The Sponsor of Covenant Defaults and Loan Payment Defaults.
          (a) Unless a Credit Event or an Unmatured Credit Event has occurred and is continuing, the Sponsor shall be entitled (but not obligated) to request that the Servicer waive any default by the Borrower or any Guarantor under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, other than a Loan Default or a default arising based upon the action or inaction of the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries, by sending to the Servicer for execution a Default Waiver Letter, which Servicer agrees to execute and mail to the appropriate Borrower if such Default Waiver Letter is in form and substance satisfactory to the Servicer.
          (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (a), unless a Credit Event or an Unmatured Credit Event has occurred and is continuing, the Sponsor shall be entitled (but not obligated) to request that the Servicer waive any Loan Payment Default (including a Loan Payment Default resulting from the failure of a Borrower to remain in compliance with the borrowing base requirements of the applicable Established Franchisee Loan Agreement) by sending to the Servicer for execution a Default Waiver Letter, which Servicer agrees to execute

 


 

and mail to the appropriate Borrower if such Default Waiver Letter is in form and substance satisfactory to the Servicer, curing such Loan Payment Default in full; provided, however, that (i) Sponsor shall not waive and cure more than two (2) consecutive Loan Payment Defaults for any Loan nor more than a total of four (4) Loan Payment Defaults in any four year period for any Loan and (ii) such Loan Payment Default must be cured by Sponsor, and the Default Waiver Letter for such Loan Payment Default received by Servicer, during the Response Period for such Loan.
          Section 4.3. Obligations of Sponsor With Respect to Established Franchisee Loans.
          (a) If Sponsor does not waive and cure any Loan Payment Default with respect to any Established Franchisee Loan during the Response Period, then Sponsor must use its reasonable efforts to exercise its rights pursuant to the applicable Franchise Agreement with such Defaulted Borrower to assume the operation of the stores of such Defaulted Borrower during the five (5) Business Day Response Period, and during any period that Sponsor operates the stores of any Defaulted Borrower, Sponsor shall make all payments due and owing to the Servicer pursuant to the applicable Operative Documents.
          (b) If the Sponsor assumes operation of the stores of any such Defaulted Borrower pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Sponsor will use its reasonable efforts to locate a purchaser for such stores. In the event that the Sponsor has not resold the franchise and inventory of such Defaulted Borrower within the extended Response Period in accordance with the terms of the applicable Franchise Agreement for a purchase price equal to or in excess of the Minimum Purchase Price (which amount shall be paid directly to the Servicer in return for the assignment to the Sponsor of the Defaulted Loan, the related Loan Commitment and the Liens of the Servicer thereon, and applied by the Servicer to the Sponsor’s purchase of the outstanding Loan Indebtedness of such Defaulted Loan and related Loan Commitment, with any deficiency recovered pursuant to the next paragraph), Sponsor shall purchase the outstanding Loan Indebtedness of such Defaulted Loan and any related Loan Commitment from the Servicer for the Minimum Purchase Price and any deficiency amount may be collected by the Servicer, for the benefit of the Participants, pursuant to subsection (c) below.
          (c) In the event that (i) during the initial Response Period for any Established Franchisee Loan of a Defaulted Borrower, the Sponsor has not waived or cured any Loan Payment Default, and has not assumed the operation of the stores of the Defaulted Borrower, or (ii) the Sponsor has not resold the franchise and inventory of the Defaulted Borrower during the extended Response Period in accordance with the terms of the applicable Franchise Agreement, or has resold the franchise and inventory for an amount less than the Minimum Purchase Price, then the Sponsor will purchase, upon demand by the Servicer, the Established Franchisee Loan and the related Loan Commitment of such Defaulted Borrower for an amount equal to the outstanding Loan Indebtedness of the Defaulted Loan pursuant to its guaranty set forth in Section 10.1.

 


 

          (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Sponsor is prohibited by applicable law, court order or other legal impediment from exercising the options set forth in subsection (a) or (b) above, the Servicer may, with the consent of the Required Participants and shall, upon the written request of the Required Participants, require that the Sponsor promptly purchase the Loan pursuant to subsection (c) above.
          Section 4.4. Rights during Response Period. Unless a Credit Event or an Unmatured Credit Event has occurred and is continuing, the Servicer shall refrain during any Response Period from taking any legal action against the Defaulted Borrower under the Defaulted Loan which is the subject of such Response Period, and from accelerating payment of the Loan Indebtedness under such Defaulted Loan but the Servicer shall cease funding any further Advances pursuant to the Loan Commitment to such Defaulted Borrower. If the Sponsor waives and cures any Loan Payment Default prior to the expiration of a Response Period, then as to each Loan Payment Default so waived and cured, the Defaulted Borrower’s and the Servicer’s respective rights and obligations under the Loan Documents shall be restored to the same status as if such waived Loan Payment Default never occurred. In addition, if the Sponsor takes over the operation of the business of an Established Franchisee Borrower as provided in Section 4.3, the Servicer shall refrain from exercising remedies against such Borrower for as long as the Sponsor is complying with Section 4.3, unless a Credit Event has occurred and is continuing or the Required Participants otherwise agree.
          Section 4.5. Rights after Response Period and for Loan Defaults other than Loan Payment Defaults. In the event that any Loan Default other than a Loan Payment Default occurs and is continuing after the expiration of the Response Period, or that any Loan Payment Default is not cured during the applicable Response Period, (i) the Servicer shall have the right to (A) demand that Sponsor comply with its obligations with respect to such Defaulted Loan set forth in Article 10 and (B) administer and enforce such Loan as it deems appropriate, without regard to any limitations or restrictions set forth herein (but subject to Article 3 in all events) or in any other Operative Document, and (ii) notwithstanding anything contained in this Article to the contrary, the Sponsor shall, within five (5) Business Days of its receipt of a written demand from the Servicer instructing it to do so, (A) purchase the Loan Indebtedness of the Defaulted Loan and assume the Loan Commitment related thereto, or (B) at the request of the Servicer, made either at its option or at the request of the Required Participants, exercise any or all of the remedies set forth in Section 4.3 with respect to such Defaulted Loan except to the extent prohibited by applicable law in the case of the bankruptcy of the Defaulted Borrower.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
          The Sponsor represents and warrants to the Servicer and each Participant as follows:

 


 

          Section 5.1. Existence; Power. The Sponsor and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where a failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.2. Organizational Power; Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by each Credit Party of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party are within such Credit Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational, and if required, stockholder, action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Sponsor, and constitutes, and each other Transaction Document to which any Credit Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Credit Party, will constitute, valid and binding obligations of the Sponsor or such Credit Party (as the case may be), enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
          Section 5.3. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Sponsor of this Agreement, and by each Credit Party of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any action by, any Governmental Authority, except those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries or any judgment or order of any Governmental Authority binding on the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding on the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its assets or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries, except Liens (if any) created under the Operative Documents.
          Section 5.4. Financial Statements. The Sponsor has furnished to each Participant (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended prepared by Ernst & Young and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2008, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter and year-to-date period then ending, certified by a Responsible Officer. Such financial statements fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and the consolidated results of operations for such periods in conformity with GAAP consistently applied, subject to year end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii). Since December 31, 2007, there have been no

 


 

changes with respect to the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries which have had or could reasonably be expected to have, singly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.5. Litigation and Environmental Matters.
          (a) No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, threatened against or affecting the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.5(a), as of the Closing Date, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, threatened against or affecting the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries that seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000.
          (b) Except for the matters set forth on Schedule 5.5(b), neither the Sponsor nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply in any material respect with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000 or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000.
          Section 5.6. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. The Sponsor and each Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority, and (b) all indentures, agreements or other instruments binding upon it or its properties, except where non-compliance, either singly or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.7. Investment Company Act, Etc. Neither the Sponsor nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an “investment company”, as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended or (b) otherwise subject to any other regulatory scheme limiting its ability to incur debt.
          Section 5.8. Taxes. The Sponsor and its Subsidiaries and each other Person for whose taxes the Sponsor or any Subsidiary could become liable have timely filed or caused to be filed all Federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns that are required to be filed by them, and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments made against it or its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority, except (i) to the extent the failure to do so would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) where the same are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Sponsor or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves. The charges, accruals and reserves on

 


 

the books of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries in respect of such taxes are adequate, and no tax liabilities that could be materially in excess of the amount so provided are anticipated.
          Section 5.9. Reserved
          Section 5.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed by more than $5,000,000 the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans.
          Section 5.11. Ownership of Property.
          (a) Each of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property material to the operation of its business.
          (b) Each of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed, or otherwise has the right, to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.12. Disclosure. The Sponsor has disclosed to the Participants all agreements, instruments, and corporate or other restrictions to which the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to any of them, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports (including without limitation all reports that the Sponsor is required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission), financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of the Sponsor to the Servicer or any Participant in connection with the negotiation or syndication of this Agreement or any other Operative Document or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by any other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that with respect to projected financial information, the Sponsor represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
          Section 5.13. Labor Relations. There are no strikes, lockouts or other material labor disputes or grievances against the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Sponsor’s

 


 

knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries, and no significant unfair labor practice, charges or grievances are pending against the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the Sponsor’s knowledge, threatened against any of them before any Governmental Authority. All payments due from the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Sponsor or any such Subsidiary, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 5.14. Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.14 sets forth the name of, the ownership interest of the Sponsor in, the jurisdiction of incorporation of, and the type of, each Subsidiary and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, in each case as of the Effective Date.
          Section 5.15. Representations and Warranties with Respect to Specific Loans. The Sponsor represents and warrants to the Servicer and each Participant with respect to each Loan Commitment established and each Advance made pursuant to the Operative Documents that:
          (a) The Franchise Agreement, the Master Note, the Loan Agreement and each other Loan Document executed in connection with such Loan Commitment each constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each Borrower or guarantor party thereto and is enforceable against each such party in accordance with its terms.
          (b) The Master Note and accompanying Loan Documents executed in connection with such Loan and delivered to the Servicer are the only contracts evidencing the transaction described therein and constitute the entire agreement of the parties thereto with respect to such transaction and Sponsor has not made any other promises, agreements or representations and warranties with respect to the transactions evidenced by such Master Note.
          (c) The Master Note and each accompanying Loan Document executed in connection with such Loan is genuine and all signatures, names, amounts and other facts and statements therein and thereon are true and correct.
          (d) All disclosures required to be made under applicable federal and state law in connection with such Loan have been properly and completely made with respect to each Master Note, the other Loan Documents and the Loan and each such Master Note, other Loan Documents and Loan is in full compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including without limitation, applicable state and federal usury laws and regulations.
The proceeds of each Master Note will be solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition and expansion of stores franchised by the Sponsor and operated by the relevant Borrower, for the acquisition of inventory and equipment with respect to the ongoing operations thereof, for Sponsor-approved payment of state use tax and freight charges and, in the case of Established Franchisee Borrowers, for Sponsor-approved working capital purposes, but excluding in all cases any non-business purposes.

 


 

          Section 5.16. OFAC. Neither the Sponsor nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a person whose property or interest in property is blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (2001)), (ii) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by Section 2 of such executive order, or is otherwise associated with any such person in any manner violative of Section 2, or (iii) is a person on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or subject to the limitations or prohibitions under any other U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control regulation or executive order.
          Section 5.17. Patriot Act. Each of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001). No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
          The Sponsor covenants and agrees that it will, as long as either of the Commitments is in effect or the Servicer is committed to make Advances under any Loan Documents and thereafter so long as any Loans remain outstanding under this Agreement or Sponsor has any other unsatisfied obligations under the Operative Documents:
          Section 6.1. Financial Statements and Other Information. The Sponsor will deliver to the Servicer and each Participant:
          (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Sponsor, a copy of the annual audited report for such fiscal year for the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries, containing a consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated and unaudited consolidating statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows (together with all footnotes thereto) of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and reported on by Ernst & Young or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized

 


 

standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or explanation and without any qualification or exception as to scope of such audit) to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and the results of operations of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
          (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Sponsor (other than the last fiscal quarter), an unaudited consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter and the related unaudited consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash flows of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of Sponsor’s previous fiscal year, all certified by the chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Sponsor as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
          (c) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, (i) certifying as to whether there exists a Credit Event or an Unmatured Credit Event on the date of such certificate, and if a Credit Event or an Unmatured Credit Event then exists, specifying the details thereof and the action which the Sponsor has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail calculations demonstrating compliance with Article VII and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or the application thereof has occurred since the date of the Sponsor’s audited financial statements referred to in Section 5.4 and, if any change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;
          (d) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clause (a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained any knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Credit Event or Unmatured Credit Event (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);
          (e) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Sponsor to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and

 


 

          (f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the results of operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary as the Servicer or any Participant may reasonably request; and
          (g) as soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Sponsor, a forecasted income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows for the following fiscal year.
          Section 6.2. Notices of Material Events. The Sponsor will furnish to the Servicer and each Participant prompt written notice of the following:
          (a) the occurrence of any Credit Event or Unmatured Credit Event;
          (b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of the Sponsor, affecting the Sponsor or any Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
          (c) the occurrence of any event or any other development by which the Sponsor or any of its Subsidiaries (i) fails to comply in any material respect with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) becomes subject to any Environmental Liability in excess of $2,500,000, (iii) receives notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability in excess of $2,500,000, or (iv) becomes aware of any basis for any Environmental Liability in excess of $2,500,000 and in each of the preceding clauses, which individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
          (d) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that alone, or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000; and
          (e) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.
          (f) Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
          Section 6.3. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Sponsor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and its respective rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business and will continue to engage in the same business as presently conducted or such other businesses that are reasonably related thereto; provided, that nothing in this Section shall prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 8.3.

 


 

          Section 6.4. Compliance with Laws, Etc. The Sponsor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements of any Governmental Authority applicable to its business and properties, including without limitation, all Environmental Laws, ERISA and OSHA, except where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 6.5. Payment of Obligations. The Sponsor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge at or before maturity, all of its obligations and liabilities (including without limitation all tax liabilities and claims that could result in a statutory Lien) before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Sponsor or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
          Section 6.6. Books and Records. The Sponsor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities to the extent necessary to prepare the consolidated financial statements of Sponsor in conformity with GAAP.
          Section 6.7. Visitation, Inspection, Etc.
          (a) The Sponsor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representative of the Servicer or any Participant, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine its books and records and to make copies and take extracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers and with its independent certified public accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as the Servicer or any Participant may reasonably request after reasonable prior notice to the Sponsor; provided, however, if a Credit Event or Unmatured Credit Event has occurred and is continuing, no prior notice shall be required. All reasonable expenses incurred by the Servicer and, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Credit Event, any Participants in connection with any such visit, inspection, audit, examination and discussions shall be borne by the Sponsor.
          Section 6.8. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Sponsor will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear except where the failure to do so, either individually or it the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its properties and business, and the properties and business of its Subsidiaries, against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. In addition, and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Sponsor shall maintain and keep in force insurance coverage

 


 

on its inventory, as is consistent with best industry practices. The Sponsor shall at all times cause the Servicer to be named as additional insured on all of its casualty and liability policies.
          Section 6.9. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit. The Sponsor will use the proceeds of all Loans to finance working capital needs, to refinance existing debt, to finance Permitted Acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would violate any rule or regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including the Margin Regulations. All Letters of Credit will be used for general corporate purposes.
          Section 6.10. Additional Subsidiaries.
          (a) The Sponsor may, after the Effective Date, acquire or form additional Domestic Subsidiaries so long as the Sponsor, within ten (10) business days after any such Domestic Subsidiary is acquired or formed, (i) notifies the Servicer and the Participants thereof and (ii) causes such Domestic Subsidiary to become a Guarantor by executing agreements in the form of Annex I to the Guaranty Agreement and Annex I to Indemnity and Contribution Agreement and (iii) causes such Domestic Subsidiary to deliver simultaneously therewith similar documents applicable to such Domestic Subsidiary described in Section 13.1 as reasonably requested by the Servicer.
          (b) The Sponsor shall not acquire or form any additional Foreign Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Sponsor may acquire or form additional Subsidiaries incorporated under the laws of Canada so long as the Sponsor, within ten (10) business days after any such Foreign Subsidiary is acquired or formed, (i) notifies the Servicer and the Participants thereof, (ii) delivers stock certificates and related pledge agreements, in form satisfactory to a collateral agent acceptable to the Servicer, evidencing the pledge of 66% (or such greater percentage which would not result in material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) of each such Subsidiary directly owned by the Sponsor or any Domestic Subsidiary to secure the Guaranteed Obligations, (iii) causes such Subsidiary to deliver simultaneously therewith similar documents applicable to such Foreign Subsidiary described in Section 13.1 as reasonably requested by the Servicer, and (iv) the Servicer enters into an intercreditor agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Participants, with all other creditors of the Sponsor having a similar covenant with the Sponsor.

 


 

ARTICLE VII
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
     The Sponsor covenants and agrees that so long as either of the Commitments remains outstanding or any Loans remain outstanding or the Sponsor has any obligations under the Operative Documents, and until the full and final payment of all indebtedness of all Borrowers incurred pursuant to the Loan Documents and unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Required Participants:
          Section 7.1. Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio. The Sponsor and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Sponsor, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, a Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio of not greater than 3.00:1.00.
          Section 7.2. Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio. The Sponsor and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Sponsor, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, a Total Adjusted Debt to Total Adjusted Capital Ratio of not greater than 0.60:1.00.
          Section 7.3. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Sponsor and its Subsidiaries shall maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Sponsor, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 2:00 to 1:00.
          Section 7.4. Minimum Consolidated Net Worth. The Sponsor and its Subsidiaries shall maintain a Consolidated Net Worth of an amount equal to the sum of (i) $631,391,000, plus (ii) 50% of cumulative positive Consolidated Net Income accrued during each fiscal quarter ending thereafter, since the end of such fiscal quarter of the Sponsor, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2008, plus (iii) 100% of the net proceeds from any public or private offering of common stock of the Sponsor after the Closing Date, calculated quarterly on the last day of each fiscal quarter; provided, that if Consolidated Net Income is negative in any fiscal quarter the amount added for such fiscal quarter shall be zero and such negative Consolidated Net Income shall not reduce the amount of Consolidated Net Income added from any previous fiscal quarter. Promptly upon the consummation of any offering of common stock of the Sponsor, the Sponsor shall notify the Servicer in writing of the amount of the proceeds thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
     The Sponsor covenants and agrees that so long as either of the Commitments remains outstanding or any Loans remain outstanding or the Sponsor has any obligations under the Operative Documents, and until the full and final payment of all indebtedness of all Borrowers incurred pursuant to the Loan Documents and unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Required Participants:

 


 

          Section 8.1. Indebtedness. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
          (a) Indebtedness created pursuant to the Operative Documents;
          (b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 8.1 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof;
          (c) Indebtedness of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary incurred after the Effective Date to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof; provided, that such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvements or extensions, renewals, and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (immediately prior to giving effect to such extension, renewal or replacement) or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof; provided further, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time outstanding;
          (d) Indebtedness of the Sponsor owing to any Credit Party and of any Credit Party owing to the Sponsor or any other Credit Party;
          (e) Guarantees by the Sponsor of Indebtedness of any Credit Party and by any Credit Party of Indebtedness of the Sponsor or any other Credit Party;
          (f) Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement;
          (g) [Reserved];
          (h) Guarantees by the Sponsor of Indebtedness of certain franchise operators of the Sponsor, provided such guarantees are given by the Sponsor in connection with (1) loans made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (2) loans made by SunTrust Bank to finance the purchase of equity interests in certain franchises of the Sponsor in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Twenty Million $20,000,000, (3) loans made pursuant to terms of the Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000), (4) loans made pursuant to the terms of the RBC Loan Facility Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Fifty Million Canadian Dollars (Cdn. $50,000,000) and (5) loans made pursuant to terms of the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000);

 


 

          (i) endorse negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;
          (j) Guarantees by Sponsor of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that the amount of such Guaranteed Indebtedness, together with the principal amount any loans to Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be made under clause (l) below, does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time;
          (k) Loans by Sponsor to its Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that the amount of such loans, together with the amount of Guaranteed Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under clause (j) above, does not exceed $30,000,000 at any time; and
          (l) Indebtedness as evidenced by (i) the 6.88% Senior Notes of Sponsor in the amount of $50,000,000 issued pursuant to the 2002 Note Agreement and (ii) the 5.03% Senior Notes of Sponsor in the amount of $60,000,000 issued pursuant to the 2005 Note Agreement, together with (x) extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof above $110,000,000 or shorten the maturity or the weighted average life thereof and (y) Guarantees of such Indebtedness by any Subsidiaries of Sponsor; and
          (m) other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000 at any time outstanding.
          Section 8.2. Negative Pledge. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets or property now owned or hereafter acquired or, except:
          (a) Permitted Encumbrances;
          (b) any Liens on any property or asset of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary existing on the Effective Date set forth on Schedule 8.2; provided, that such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary;
          (c) purchase money Liens upon or in any fixed or capital assets to secure the purchase price or the cost of construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction or improvement of such fixed or capital assets (including Liens securing any Capital Lease Obligations); provided, that (i) such Lien secures Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.1(c), (ii) such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently or within 90 days after the acquisition, improvement or completion of the construction thereof; (iii) such Lien does not extend to any other asset; and (iv) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets together with all interest, fees and costs incurred in connection therewith;

 


 

          (d) any Lien (i) existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Sponsor, (ii) existing on any asset of any Person at the time such Person is merged with or into the Sponsor or any Subsidiary of the Sponsor or (iii) existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Sponsor or any Subsidiary of the Sponsor; provided, that any such Lien was not created in the contemplation of any of the foregoing and any such Lien secures only those obligations which it secures on the date that such Person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such merger or the date of such acquisition;
          (e) extensions, renewals, or replacements of any Lien referred to in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this Section; provided, that the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and that any such extension, renewal or replacement is limited to the assets originally encumbered thereby; and
          (f) [Reserved];
          (g) Liens securing the obligations of the Sponsor under the Revolving Credit Agreement; and
          (h) Liens on shares of stock of any Foreign Subsidiary to the extent that the Guaranteed Obligations are secured pari passu with any other Indebtedness or obligations secured thereby.
          Section 8.3. Fundamental Changes.
          (a) The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate into any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of (in a single transaction or a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired) or liquidate or dissolve; provided, that if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Credit Event shall have occurred and be continuing (i) the Sponsor or any Subsidiary may merge with a Person if the Sponsor (or such Subsidiary if the Sponsor is not a party to such merger) is the surviving Person, (ii) any Subsidiary may merge into another Subsidiary or the Sponsor; provided, however, that if the Sponsor is a party to such merger, the Sponsor shall be the surviving Person, provided, further, that if any Subsidiary to such merger is a Guarantor, the Guarantor shall be the surviving Person, (iii) any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to the Sponsor or to a Guarantor, and (iv) any other Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Sponsor determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Sponsor, is not materially disadvantageous to the Participants, and such Subsidiary dissolves into another Guarantor or the Sponsor; provided, that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 8.4.

 


 

          (b) The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto.
          Section 8.4. Investments, Loans, Etc. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary prior to such merger), any common stock, evidence of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant, or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person (all of the foregoing being collectively called “Investments”), or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person that constitute a business unit, or create or form any Subsidiary, except:
          (a) Investments (other than Permitted Investments) existing on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 8.4 (including Investments in Subsidiaries);
          (b) Permitted Investments;
          (c) Permitted Acquisitions;
          (d) Investments made by the Sponsor in or to any other Credit Party and by any other Credit Party to the Sponsor or in or to another Credit Party;
          (e) loans or advances to employees, officers, directors or stockholders of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such loans and advances does not exceed $1,000,000 at any time;
          (f) (i) loans to franchise operators and owners of franchises acquired or funded pursuant to the Loan Facility Agreement, the Rosey Rentals Loan Facility Agreement, the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement and the RBC Loan Facility Agreement and (ii) other adequately secured and properly monitored loans to franchise operators and owners of franchises in an aggregate principal amount outstanding, together with loans outstanding under clause (i) of this Section 8.4(f), not to exceed the aggregate facility amounts available for borrowing by franchise operators that the Sponsor is permitted to guarantee pursuant to Section 8.1;
          (g) acquire and own stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts (created in the ordinary course of business) owing to any Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries;
          (h) loans to Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent permitted under Section 8.1;
          (i) loans to franchise operators to extent permitted under Section 8.1; and
          (j) other Investments not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time;

 


 

          Section 8.5. Restricted Payments. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any dividend on any class of its stock, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of, any shares of common stock or Indebtedness subordinated to the Guaranteed Obligations of the Sponsor or any options, warrants, or other rights to purchase such common stock or such subordinated Indebtedness, whether now or hereafter outstanding (each, a “Restricted Payment”), except for (i) dividends payable by the Sponsor solely in shares of any class of its common stock, (ii) Restricted Payments made by any Guarantor to the Sponsor or to another Guarantor and (iii) so long as no Credit Event or Unmatured Credit Event has occurred and is continuing at the time such dividend is paid or redemption or stock purchase is made, dividends, distributions, redemptions and stock repurchases paid in cash which do not exceed fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income of Sponsor (if greater than $0) for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year; provided, that if the aggregate amount of all such dividends and distributions paid in cash in any Fiscal Year are less than the amount permitted by clause (iii) above, the excess permitted amount for such year may be carried forward once to the next succeeding Fiscal Year.
          Section 8.6. Sale of Assets. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets, business or property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s common stock to any Person other than the Sponsor or a Guarantor (or to qualify directors if required by applicable law), except (a) the sale or other disposition for fair market value of obsolete or worn out property or other property not necessary for operations disposed of in the ordinary course of business; (b) the sale of inventory and Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business, (c) sales and dispositions permitted under Section 8.3(a) and sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Section 8.9, (d) sales of assets, business or property identified in writing to Servicer and approved by Participants in writing prior to the Closing Date, (e) sales of assets in connection with the sale of a store owned by Sponsor to a franchisee of Sponsor and (f) other sales of assets made on or after the Closing Date not to exceed $30,000,000 in book value in the aggregate; provided that with respect to sales permitted under clauses (d) and (e), no Credit Event shall have occurred and be continuing or result from such sale.
          Section 8.7. Transactions with Affiliates. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Sponsor or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Sponsor and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliates and (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 8.5.
          Section 8.8. Restrictive Agreements. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement

 


 

that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit any Lien upon any of its assets or properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to its common stock, to make or repay loans or advances to the Sponsor or any other Subsidiary, to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Sponsor or any other Subsidiary or to transfer any of its property or assets to the Sponsor or any Subsidiary of the Sponsor; provided, that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the 2002 Note Agreement or the 2005 Note Agreement, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) clause (a) shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions and conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, and (iv) clause (a) shall not apply to customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof.
          Section 8.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereinafter 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 sold or transferred; provided, however, the Sponsor may engage in such sale and leaseback transactions so long as the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold and leased back does not exceed $300,000,000 during the term of this Agreement.
          Section 8.10. Amendment to Material Documents. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights in a manner materially adverse to the Participants under its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents.
          Section 8.11. Accounting Changes. The Sponsor will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of the Sponsor or of any Subsidiary, except to change the fiscal year of a Subsidiary to conform its fiscal year to that of the Sponsor.
          Section 8.12. Activities of Aaron Rents Puerto Rico. Unless Aaron Rents Puerto Rico has become a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of Section 6.10 of this Loan Finance Agreement, the Sponsor will not permit Aaron Rents Puerto Rico to engage in any business or activity other than (a) maintaining its existence and/or winding up its affairs and (b) activities related to the completion of the tax audit ongoing on the Effective Date, and no other Subsidiary shall make any additional Investment in Aaron Rents Puerto Rico other than in connection with the businesses and activities set forth in clause (a) and (b) above.

 


 

ARTICLE IX
CREDIT EVENTS AND REMEDIES
     In the event that:
          Section 9.1. the Sponsor shall fail to pay any amount due hereunder; or
          Section 9.2. any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Operative Document (including the Schedules attached thereto) and any amendments or modifications hereof or waivers hereunder, or in any certificate, report, financial statement or other document submitted to the Servicer or the Participants by any Credit Party or any representative of any Credit Party pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Operative Document shall prove to be incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made or submitted; or
          Section 9.3. the Sponsor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 (solely with respect to the Sponsor’s existence) or Articles VII or VIII; or
          Section 9.4. any Credit Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those referred to in clauses 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 above), and such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of (i) any officer of the Sponsor becomes aware of such failure, or (ii) notice thereof shall have been given to the Sponsor by the Servicer or any Participant; or
          Section 9.5. any event of default (after giving effect to any grace period) shall have occurred and be continuing under the Revolving Credit Documents or the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement, or all or any part of the obligations due and owing under the Revolving Credit Agreement or the RIMCO Loan Facility Agreement are accelerated, declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid or redeemed, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof;
          Section 9.6. the Sponsor or any Subsidiary (whether as primary obligor or as guarantor or other surety) shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any Material Indebtedness that is outstanding, when and as the same shall become due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness; or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable; or required to be prepaid or redeemed (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment or redemption),

 


 

purchased or defeased, or any offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
          Section 9.7. the Sponsor or any Subsidiary shall (i) commence a voluntary case or other proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (i) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Sponsor or any such Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
          Section 9.8. an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Sponsor or any Subsidiary or its debts, or any substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a custodian, trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for the Sponsor or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall remain undismissed for a period of 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered; or
          Section 9.9. the Sponsor or any Subsidiary shall become unable to pay, shall admit in writing its inability to pay, or shall fail to pay, its debts as they become due; or
          Section 9.10. an ERISA Event shall have occurred that when taken together with other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Sponsor and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000 or otherwise having a Material Adverse Effect; or
          Section 9.11. judgments and orders for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 in the aggregate, to the extent not covered by insurance for which the insurance carrier has acknowledged coverage, shall be rendered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
          Section 9.12. any non-monetary judgment or order shall be rendered against the Sponsor or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

 


 

          Section 9.13. a Change in Control shall occur or exist; or
          Section 9.14. any provision of any Guaranty Agreement shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on, or enforceable against, any Guarantor, or any Guarantor shall so state in writing, or any Guarantor shall seek to terminate its Guaranty Agreement; or
          Section 9.15. there shall exist or occur any event of default as provided under the terms of any other Operative Document, or any Operative Document ceases to be in full force and effect or the validity or enforceability thereof is disaffirmed by or on behalf of Sponsor or any other Credit Party, or at any time it is or becomes unlawful for Sponsor or any other Credit Party to perform or comply with its obligations under any Operative Document, or the obligations of Sponsor or any other Credit Party under any Operative Document are not or cease to be legal, valid and binding on Sponsor or any such Credit Party;
then upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any such event (each, a “Credit Event”):
the Servicer may, with the consent of the Required Participants, and upon the written request of the Required Participants, shall, take any or all of the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Servicer or any Participant to enforce its claims against Sponsor, any other Credit Party, any Borrower or other obligor with respect to any Loan: (i) declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately and any unpaid Commitment Fee shall forthwith become due and payable without any other notice of any kind (with the express understanding that such termination of the Commitments shall not result in a termination of the Participating Commitments of each Participant or of the obligation of the Servicer to fund any Loan Commitment); (ii) demand that the Sponsor purchase specified or all outstanding Loans and Loan Commitments by paying to the Servicer the Loan Indebtedness of each such Loan and assuming the Servicer’s obligations under each Loan Commitment, whereupon such amount shall become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Sponsor (with the express understanding the limitations on Sponsor’s guaranty obligations set forth in Article 10 shall not apply); and (iii) take any other action and exercise any other remedy available by contract or at law; provided, that, if a Credit Event specified in Sections 9.7, 9.8 or 9.9 shall occur, the result which would occur upon the giving of notice by the Servicer to any Credit Party, shall occur automatically without the giving of any such notice.
In addition, the Servicer may, with the consent of the Required Participants and shall, upon the written request of the Required Participants, (A) to the extent authorized to do so pursuant to the Established Franchisee Loan Agreements (which authorization is limited to certain specified Credit Events), (x) cease funding further Advances pursuant to the Established Franchisee Loan Commitments and (y) declare all Loan Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to the Established Franchisee Loan Commitments to be immediately due and payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable Operative Documents and exercise all rights and remedies provided under the Operative Documents, and (B) give notice to the Startup Franchisee Borrowers that the Startup Franchisee Loan Commitments shall be terminated upon the date which is ninety (90) days after

 


 

receipt by each such Startup Franchisee Borrower of such notice of termination, subject to such Startup Franchisee Borrower’s right to term out advances for the Amortization Period.
ARTICLE X
GUARANTY
     In addition to its obligations upon the occurrence of a Credit Event or a Change of Control and its other obligations pursuant to the Operative Documents, the Sponsor hereby agrees as follows:
          Section 10.1. Unconditional Guaranty. The Sponsor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Servicer, each Participant and any transferee of the Participants, the full and prompt payment of all of the Guaranteed Obligations relating to the Loans and all costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) actually incurred or sustained by the Servicer or any Participant in enforcing the obligations of the Sponsor hereunder or the obligations of the Borrowers under the applicable Operative Documents. If any portion of the Loan Indebtedness with respect to any Defaulted Loan is not paid by the date specified herein, Sponsor hereby agrees to and will immediately pay the same, without resort by Servicer or any Participant to any other person or party. The obligation of Sponsor to Servicer and the Participants hereunder is primary, absolute and unconditional, except as may be specifically set forth herein. This is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The obligations of the Sponsor pursuant to this Article 10 constitute a guarantee that is continuing in nature.
The Servicer may, with the consent of the Required Participants and shall, upon the written request of the Required Participants, in the event that the obligations of the Sponsor with respect to a Defaulted Loan have arisen hereunder, request that the Sponsor purchase the Defaulted Loan and related Loan Commitment from the Servicer prior to the acceleration of the Defaulted Loan pursuant to the terms of the applicable Operative Documents for an amount equal to the Loan Indebtedness with respect to such Defaulted Loan, and Sponsor shall promptly upon receipt of such request, purchase such Defaulted Loan and assume the Loan Commitment related thereto, and such purchase by the Sponsor shall be deemed to be a payment hereunder in such amount.
          Section 10.2. [Reserved].
          Section 10.3. Continuing Guaranty. The obligations of the Sponsor pursuant to this Article 10 constitute a guarantee which is continuing in nature and shall be effective with respect to the full amount outstanding under all Guaranteed Obligations, now existing or hereafter made or extended, regardless of the amount.
          Section 10.4. Waivers. The Sponsor hereby waives notice of Servicer’s and each Participant’s acceptance of this Agreement and the creation, extension or renewal of any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations. Sponsor hereby consents and agrees that, at any time or times, without notice to or further approval from Sponsor, and without in any way affecting the obligations of Sponsor hereunder, Servicer and the Participants may, with or without

 


 

consideration (i) release, compromise with, or agree not to sue, in whole or in part, any Borrower or any other obligor, guarantor, endorser or surety on any Loans or any other Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) renew, extend, accelerate, or increase or decrease the principal amount of any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, either in whole or in part, (iii) amend, waive, or otherwise modify any of the terms of any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations or of any mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, or other undertaking of any of the Borrowers or any other obligor, endorser, guarantor or surety in connection with any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, and (iv) apply any payment received from Borrowers or from any other obligor, guarantor, endorser or surety on the Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations to any of the liabilities of Borrowers or of such other obligor, guarantor, endorser, or surety which Servicer may choose, subject, however, to the rights of Sponsor to bring a separate action for any breach of the Operative Documents pursuant to Section 10.11.
          Section 10.5. Additional Actions. Subject to Section 10.11, Sponsor hereby consents and agrees that the Servicer may at any time or times, either with or without consideration, surrender, release or receive any property or other Collateral of any kind or nature whatsoever held by it or for its account securing any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, or substitute any Collateral so held by Servicer for other Collateral of like or different kind, without notice to or further consent from Sponsor, and such surrender, receipt, release or substitution shall not in any way affect the obligations of Sponsor hereunder. Subject to Section 10.11, Servicer shall have full authority to adjust, compromise, and receive less than the amount due upon any such Collateral, and may enter into any accord and satisfaction agreement with respect to the same as Servicer may deem advisable without affecting the obligations of Sponsor hereunder. Servicer shall be under no duty to undertake to collect upon such Collateral or any part thereof, and Sponsor’s obligations hereunder shall not be affected by Servicer’s alleged negligence or mistake in judgment in handling, disposing of, obtaining, or failing to collect upon or perfect a security interest in, any such Collateral.
          Section 10.6. Additional Waivers. Sponsor hereby waives presentment, demand, protest, and notice of dishonor of any of the liabilities guaranteed hereby. Neither Servicer nor any Participant shall have any duty or obligation (i) to proceed or exhaust any remedy against any Borrower, any other obligor, guarantor, endorser, or surety on any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, or any other security held by Servicer or any Participant for any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, or (ii) to give any notice whatsoever to Borrowers, Sponsor, or any other obligor, guarantor, endorser, or surety on any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, before bringing suit, exercising rights to any such security or instituting proceedings of any kind against Sponsor, any Borrower, or any of them, and Sponsor hereby waives any requirement for such actions by Servicer or any Participant. Upon default by any Borrower and Servicer’s demand to Sponsor hereunder, Sponsor shall be held and bound to Servicer and each Participant directly as principal debtor in respect of the payment of the amounts hereby guaranteed, such liability of Sponsor being joint and several with each Borrower and all other obligors, guarantors, endorsers and sureties on the Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations, subject, however, to the rights of Sponsor to bring a separate action for any breach of the Operative Documents pursuant to Section 10.11.

 


 

          Section 10.7. Postponement of Obligations. Until the Loan and other Guaranteed Obligations of any Borrower to the Servicer and the Participants have been paid in full (i) all present and future indebtedness of such Borrower to Sponsor (the “Subordinated Debt”) is hereby postponed to the present and future indebtedness of such Borrower to Servicer and each Participant, and all monies received from such Borrower or for its account by Sponsor with respect to such Subordinated Debt shall be received in trust for Servicer and the Participants, and promptly upon receipt, shall be paid over to Servicer for distribution to the Participants in accordance herewith until such Borrower’s indebtedness to Servicer and the Participants is fully paid and satisfied, all without prejudice to and without in any way affecting the obligations of Sponsor hereunder; provided that unless a Loan Default or Loan Payment Default has occurred and is continuing, the Sponsor may accept and retain any payments made by any Borrower to the Sponsor in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) Sponsor shall not have any rights of subrogation or otherwise to participate in any security held by the Servicer for any Loan to such Borrower or any other Guaranteed Obligations arising therefrom, and Sponsor hereby waives such rights until such time as such Loan and other Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full to the Servicer and each Participant (whether by repurchase by the Sponsor, pursuant to this Article 10 or otherwise).
          Section 10.8. Effect on Additional Guaranties. The obligations of the Sponsor pursuant to this Article 10 are in addition to, and are not intended to supersede or be a substitute for any other guarantee, suretyship agreement, or instrument which Servicer may hold in connection with any Loans or other Guaranteed Obligations.
          Section 10.9. Reliance on Guaranty and Purchase Obligation; Disclaimer of Liability Sponsor expressly acknowledges and agrees that each of the Servicer and the Participants, in making its credit decision with regard to the funding of the Loans, will rely solely upon the guaranty and purchase obligation of Sponsor set forth above and that neither the Servicer nor any Participant is under any obligation or duty to perform any credit analysis or investigation with regard to the creditworthiness of any Borrower. In addition, the Servicer expressly disclaims any responsibility or liability for the authenticity of signatures on any of the Loan Documents (other than the Servicer’s), the authority of the Persons executing the Loan Documents (other than the Servicer) or the enforceability or compliance with laws of any of the Loan Documents.
SPONSOR EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT SPONSOR’S GUARANTY OBLIGATIONS TO PURCHASE LOANS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT ARE ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, SPONSOR’S OBLIGATION SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE EXISTENCE OF ANY DEFAULT BY ANY BORROWER UNDER THE APPLICABLE LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY EXCHANGE, RELEASE OR NONPERFECTION OF ANY LIEN WITH RESPECT TO ANY COLLATERAL SECURING PAYMENT OF ANY LOAN, THE SUBSTITUTION OR RELEASE OF ANY ENTITY PRIMARILY OR SECONDARILY LIABLE FOR ANY LOAN, ANY LACK OF ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY LAW,

 


 

REGULATION, OR ORDER OF ANY JURISDICTION AFFECTING ANY LOAN OR LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDER THEREOF, ANY CHANGE IN THE CONDITION OR PROSPECTS OF THE SPONSOR, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, INSOLVENCY, BANKRUPTCY, REORGANIZATION OR SIMILAR PROCEEDING, OR ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH MIGHT, BUT FOR THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH, CONSTITUTE A LEGAL OR EQUITABLE DISCHARGE OF SPONSOR’S OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER. SPONSOR’S OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED BY ANY SET-OFF OR CLAIM WHICH IT MIGHT HAVE AGAINST THE SERVICER OR ANY PARTICIPANT, WHETHER ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, BUT SUBJECT TO SECTION 10.12 BELOW.
          Section 10.10. Reinstatement of Obligations. The obligations of the Sponsor pursuant to the Operative Documents shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment or any part thereof, of principal of, interest on or any other amount with respect to any Loan or any obligation of Sponsor pursuant to the Operative Documents is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Servicer or any Participant upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of Sponsor, any Borrower or any guarantor or otherwise.
          Section 10.11. Right to Bring Separate Action. Nothing contained in this Article 10 shall be construed to affect any other right that Sponsor may otherwise have under this Agreement, or any Operative Document or Loan Documents, at law or in equity to institute an action or assert a claim against the Servicer or any Participant based upon a breach of Servicer’s or such Participant’s obligations set forth in the Operative Documents or Loan Documents or to assert a compulsory counterclaim with respect thereto and any waiver of notice or other matter set forth in this Article 10 shall not affect Sponsor’s right to seek damages arising from the failure of the Servicer to give such notice otherwise required by the terms of the Operative Documents or Loan Documents.
          Section 10.12. Subordination of Liens. The Sponsor hereby subordinates the lien and priority of the Sponsor’s existing and future liens and other interests, if any, in and to the Collateral to the Servicer’s existing and future interest in the Collateral under the Loan Documents notwithstanding the time of attachment of the interests of the Sponsor or the Servicer or the time the Loan Indebtedness or the Subordinated Debt is incurred. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, under applicable law or otherwise, in the event that the liens of the Servicer are at any time unperfected with respect to any or all of the Collateral, the lack of perfection by the Servicer as to any such Collateral shall not affect the validity, enforceability or priority of any lien on the Collateral in favor of the Sponsor. In any such event, the liens of the Sponsor shall have priority over any and all other Liens in favor of any third party with respect to the Collateral (including, but not limited to any trustee under the Bankruptcy Code) and the Sponsor shall be, and is hereby constituted, as the Servicer’s agent and bailee for purposes of perfection of the Liens of the Servicer in the Collateral such that the Lien in favor of the Sponsor shall be held by the Sponsor for the benefit of the Servicer and the proceeds of any disposition of the Collateral of any Borrower shall be and are in all respects

 


 

subject to the priority of right to payment and satisfaction of first, the Loan Indebtedness of such Borrower and then, the Subordinated Debt with respect to such Borrower. The lien priorities provided in this Section shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, modification, supplement, extension, renewal, restatement or refinancing of either the applicable Loan Indebtedness or the Subordinated Debt, nor by any action or inaction which either the Servicer or the Borrowers may take or fail to take in respect of the Collateral, except as otherwise provided above in this subsection.
          Section 10.13. Exercise of Remedies With Respect to Collateral.
          (a) Until the Loan Indebtedness of any Borrower has been fully and indefeasibly paid in cash, the Sponsor shall not, without the prior written consent of the Servicer, ask, demand, assign, declare a default under, sue for, liquidate, sell, foreclose, set off, collect, accept a surrender, petition, commence or otherwise initiate any bankruptcy action (or join any other Person in so doing) against the Borrower or its assets or otherwise realize or seek to realize upon all or any part of the Collateral without the prior written consent of the Servicer or as expressly authorized hereunder. In the event that following the occurrence of a Loan Default, the Servicer may from time to time execute releases, partial releases, terminations, reconveyances, subordinations or other documents releasing or otherwise limiting the Servicer’s interests in the Collateral in connection with the exercise of the Servicer’s remedies or the refinancing of the Defaulted Loan, the Sponsor agrees to execute and deliver at such time such further documents as the Servicer may require to effect a corresponding change to the Sponsor’s position in the same Collateral.
          (b) In the event that the Loan Indebtedness of any Defaulted Loan is not repaid or repurchased by the Sponsor as set forth herein, the Servicer, on behalf of the Participants, shall have the exclusive right to exercise and enforce all privileges and rights with respect to the Collateral according to the Servicer’s discretion and the exercise of its business judgment, including, without limitation, the exclusive right to take or retake control or possession of such Collateral and to hold, prepare for sale, process, sell, lease, dispose of, or liquidate such Collateral.
          (c) Only the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Participants, shall have the right to restrict or permit, or approve or disapprove, the sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral following the occurrence of a Loan Default where the Loan Indebtedness is not repaid or repurchased by the Sponsor in accordance with the terms hereof. In the event the Servicer releases its Liens on all or any part of the Collateral, the Sponsor will, immediately upon the request of the Servicer, release its Liens upon the same Collateral, but only to the extent such Collateral is sold or otherwise disposed of by the Borrower with the consent of the Servicer or in a commercially reasonable manner by the Servicer or its agents. The Sponsor will immediately deliver such releases, acknowledgments and other documents as the Servicer may require in connection therewith.

 


 

          (d) (i) In exercising its rights pursuant to this Section 10.13, the Servicer agrees that it will not release Liens or Collateral or commence enforcement actions under the Loan Documents without the direction of the Required Participants. The Servicer agrees to administer the Loan Documents and the Collateral and to make such demands and give such notices thereunder as the Required Participants may request and to take such action to enforce the Loan Documents and to realize upon, collect and dispose of the Collateral as the Required Participants may direct. The Servicer shall not be required to take any action that is, in its opinion, contrary to law or the terms of the Loan Documents or the Operative Documents or that would, in the opinion of the Servicer, subject it or any of its officers, employees, agents or directors to liability and the Servicer shall not be required to take any action unless and until it is indemnified to its satisfaction by the Participants for any loss, cost or liability resulting from any required action.
               (ii) The Servicer may at any time request directions from the Required Participants as to any course of action or other matter relating hereto or relating to any of the Loan Documents. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, directions of the Required Participants shall be binding on all Participants hereunder.
               (iii) Nothing set forth in this Section 10.13 shall modify the rights of the Servicer set forth in Section 3.1.
          Section 10.14. Rights Of Sponsor Upon Payment; Cooperation By Servicer. Upon receipt by the Servicer of payment in full of the Loan Indebtedness of a Defaulted Loan by Sponsor, Sponsor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Servicer with respect to the Loan and the Servicer shall be deemed to have assigned to Sponsor, and Sponsor shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, automatically, immediately and without further action by any Person, be entitled to, all rights and remedies that the Servicer may have had against the Defaulted Borrower and any other Persons primarily or secondarily liable on such Defaulted Loan, including without limitation the right to resort to any and all Collateral which secures the Defaulted Loan, and the Sponsor shall, automatically, immediately and without further action, be deemed to have assumed all obligations of the Servicer under the Loan Commitment and the Operative Documents with respect to such Defaulted Loan, and the Servicer shall be released from any further obligations with respect thereto. The Servicer agrees that, upon receipt of payment in full of the Loan Indebtedness, the Servicer shall:
          (a) execute on a timely basis, without recourse, representation or warranty of any kind (except as to its own title), all such instruments and documents as are reasonably requested in order to evidence Sponsor’s rights hereunder or permit Sponsor to exercise such rights;
          (b) permit Sponsor at reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested to discuss with appropriate Servicer employees and officers the Servicer’s experience, relationships, books, accounts and files and to review the Servicer’s loan files relating to the

 


 

purchased Defaulted Loan (and Sponsor hereby agrees to keep all such information confidential); and
          (c) otherwise reasonably cooperate with Sponsor in the exercise of Sponsor’s rights.
Sponsor shall reimburse the Servicer for its expenses reasonably and actually incurred in complying with this Section.
ARTICLE XI
INDEMNIFICATION
          Section 11.1. Indemnification.
          (a) In addition to the other rights of the Servicer and the Participants hereunder, Sponsor hereby agrees to protect, indemnify and save harmless the Servicer, each Participant, and the officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives thereof (each an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees and costs actually incurred), expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether direct, indirect, consequential or incidental, with respect to or in connection with or arising out of (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any other Operative Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, including without limitation, the Loan Documents, the performance by the parties hereto or thereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the making or administration of the Loan Commitments, the Loans or any of them, including any violation of federal or state usury or other laws, provided that with respect to clauses (i) and (ii), Sponsor shall have no obligation to indemnify the Servicer and all Participants for more than one (1) counsel’s reasonable fees and expenses, (iii) the enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement or the Loan Documents or any powers granted to the Servicer hereunder or under any Loan Documents, (iv) any misrepresentation of the Sponsor hereunder, (v) any matter arising pursuant to any Environmental Laws as a result of the Collateral or (vi) 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 or not the Indemnified Party is a named party thereto, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses 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 Indemnified Party or arise solely from the nonpayment of any Loan Indebtedness notwithstanding the performance by Sponsor of all of its obligations under the Operative Documents relating to such Loan Indebtedness.
          (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and separate and apart from any obligation of Sponsor pursuant to Article 10, Sponsor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless

 


 

each Indemnified Party from and against, and on demand will pay or reimburse any Indemnified Party for, any and all (i) liabilities arising from a breach of any representation or warranty made by Sponsor hereunder (whether or not Sponsor’s obligations under Article 10 have been satisfied), (ii) any breach by Sponsor of its agreements with the Borrowers, (iii) any overadvance to any Borrower caused by the transfer of ACH transfer instructions from the Aaron’s Proprietary System to the Servicer by Sponsor resulting in aggregate advances to such Borrower in excess of the Loan Commitment to such Borrower, and (iv) any breach by Sponsor of the terms of its MicroACH Service Agreement with the Servicer or any failure by Sponsor to maintain such agreement in full force and effect.
          (c) This indemnity shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
          Section 11.2. Notice Of Proceedings; Right To Defend
          (a) Any Person with an indemnification claim (or potential claim) pursuant to Section 11.1 (“Potential Indemnitee”) agrees to notify Sponsor (the “Potential Indemnitor”) in writing within a reasonable time after receipt by it of written notice of the commencement of any administrative, legal or other proceeding, suit or action by a Person (other than Indemnitee or an affiliate thereof), if a claim for indemnification may be made by the Potential Indemnitee against the Potential Indemnitor under this Article 11.
          (b) Following receipt by the Potential Indemnitor of any such notice from a Potential Indemnitee, (an “Indemnity Notice”), the Potential Indemnitor shall be entitled at its own cost and expense to investigate and participate in the proceeding, suit or action referred to in the Indemnity Notice. At such time as the Potential Indemnitor shall have acknowledged in writing to the Potential Indemnitee that it will pay any judgment, damages, or losses incurred by the Potential Indemnitee in the proceeding, suit or action referred to in the Indemnity Notice other than those for gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Potential Indemnitee (at which time the “Potential Indemnitor” shall be deemed to be the “Indemnitor” and the “Potential Indemnitee” shall be deemed to be the “Indemnitee”), the Indemnitor shall be entitled, to the extent that it shall desire, to assume the defense of such proceeding, suit or action, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. If the Indemnitor shall so assume the defense of such proceeding, suit or action, the Indemnitor shall conduct such defense with due diligence and at its own cost and expense.
          (c) In the event that the Indemnitor so assumes the defense of such proceeding, suit or action, the Indemnitor shall not be entitled to settle such proceeding, suit or action without the written consent of the Indemnitee, provided that in the event that the Indemnitee does not consent to such settlement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed (i) the Indemnitor’s indemnification liability in connection with such proceeding, suit or action shall not exceed the amount of such proposed settlement and (ii) Indemnitee shall assume and pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitor from the date that the Indemnitor presented the Indemnitee the terms of the proposed settlement. An Indemnitor shall not be liable to an Indemnitee for any settlement of a claim in any proceeding, suit or other

 


 

action referred to in an Indemnity Notice, consented to by the Indemnitee without the consent of the Indemnitor.
          (d) A Potential Indemnitor shall be liable to a Potential Indemnitee for a settlement of a claim in any proceeding, suit or other action referred to in an Indemnity Notice consented to by such Potential Indemnitee only if (i) such Potential Indemnitor first had a reasonable opportunity to investigate such claim and participate in such proceeding, suit or action, (ii) the Potential Indemnitee gave the Potential Indemnitor at least ten (10) Business Days notice of the proposed terms of such settlement prior to entering into such settlement and (iii) the Potential Indemnitor did not acknowledge in writing to the Potential Indemnitee, by the expiration of such ten (10) Business Days period, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the Potential Indemnitee and Potential Indemnitor that it would pay any judgment, damages or losses incurred by the Potential Indemnitee in such proceeding suit or action.
          Section 11.3. Third Party Beneficiaries No Persons shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of Sponsor and the Servicer, the Participants and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and no other Person shall have any right, benefit, priority or interest under, or because of the existence of, this Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
SURVIVAL OF LOAN FACILITY
     The terms of this Loan Facility Agreement shall survive the termination of the Commitments hereunder and the termination of any Loan Commitment established pursuant the terms hereof until the indefeasible payment in full of each of the Loans outstanding hereunder and Article 13 shall survive the termination of this Agreement upon such repayment.
ARTICLE XIII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
     This Agreement shall not become effective, the Sponsor shall have no rights under this Agreement and neither the Servicer nor the Participants shall be obligated to take, fulfill or perform any action hereunder, until the following conditions have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Servicer:
          Section 13.1. Receipt of Documents.
     The Servicer shall have received the following, each dated as of the Effective Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Servicer and (except in the case of the Fee Letter) the Participants:

 


 

          (a) Duly executed counterparts of this Agreement.
          (b) Duly executed First Amendment to the Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2008 between the Sponsor and the Servicer.
          (c) Duly executed counterparts of the Guaranty Agreement and the Fee Letter.
          (d) A duly executed closing certificate of Sponsor, in form and substance satisfactory to the Servicer and each Participant.
          (e) A duly executed certificate of Sponsor identifying the Authorized Signatories, in form and substance satisfactory to the Servicer and each Participant;
          (f) Copies of the organizational papers of Sponsor and each Guarantor, certified as true and correct by the Secretaries of State of their respective States of incorporation, and certificates from the Secretaries of State of such States of incorporation certifying Sponsor’s and each Guarantor’s good standing as a corporation in such State.
          (g) A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of Sponsor and each Guarantor certifying (i) the names and true signatures of the officers of Sponsor and each Guarantor authorized to execute the Guaranty Agreement, this Agreement, the Servicing Agreement and the other Operative Documents to be delivered hereunder to which each is a party, (ii) the bylaws of Sponsor and each Guarantor, respectively, and (iii) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of each of Sponsor and each Guarantor, respectively, approving the Operative Documents to which each is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby.
          (h) A favorable written opinion of Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, counsel for Sponsor and Guarantors, in a form satisfactory to the Servicer and each Participant and covering such matters relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as the Servicer may reasonably request.
          (i) executed counterparts to the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) and the First Amendment to the Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty (RIMCO), dated as of May 23, 2008 between the Sponsor and the Servicer, each to become effective contemporaneously with this Loan Facility Agreement.
          (j) All corporate and other proceedings taken or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents incident hereto or delivered in connection therewith shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Servicer and the Participants.
In addition, each of the Participants shall have received a duly executed Participation Certificate from the Servicer.

 


 

          Section 13.2. Effect of Amendment and Restatement. Upon this Loan Facility Agreement becoming effective pursuant to Section 13.1 and 13.2, from and after the Effective Date:
          (a) (1) all terms and conditions of the Existing Loan Facility Agreement and any other Operative Document, as amended by this Agreement and the other Operative Documents being executed and delivered on the Effective Date, continue in full force and effect, as amended hereby, and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries party thereto to the Servicer and the Participants; (2) the terms and conditions of the Existing Loan Facility shall be amended as set forth herein and, as so amended, shall be restated in their entirety, but only with respect to the rights, duties and obligations among Sponsor, Participants and the Servicer accruing from and after the Effective Date; (3) all indemnification obligations of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Loan Facility Agreement or any other “Operative Document” (as defined in the Existing Loan Facility Agreement) shall survive the execution and delivery of this Loan Facility Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the Servicer, the Participants, and any other Person indemnified under the Existing Loan Facility Agreement or such other “Operative Document” at any time prior to the Effective Date; (4) any and all references in the Operative Documents to the Existing Loan Facility Agreement shall, without further action of the parties, be deemed a reference to the Existing Loan Facility Agreement, as amended and restated by this Loan Facility Agreement, and as this Loan Facility Agreement shall be further amended or amended and restated from time to time hereafter and (5) all Existing Loans, Existing Loan Commitments and Existing Notes shall, to the extent outstanding on the Effective Date, be deemed to be Loans, Loan Commitments and Notes, respectively, outstanding under this Agreement and shall not be deemed to be paid, released, discharged or otherwise satisfied by the execution of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not constitute a refinancing, substitution or novation of such Loans, Loan Commitments and Notes, or any of the other rights, duties and obligations of the parties hereunder; and
          (b) (1) each Participant (other than Bank of America, N.A.) shall be deemed to have sold, assigned, transferred and conveyed to the Servicer, without recourse or warranty, such Participant’s undivided percentage ownership interest in the Participant’s Interest as in effect immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Loan Facility Agreement, (ii) Servicer shall be deemed to have sold, assigned, transferred and conveyed to the Participants (including Bank of America, N.A.), without recourse or warranty, and each Participant shall be deemed to have purchased from the Servicer, an undivided percentage ownership interest equal to each Participant’s Pro Rata Share of the Participating Commitments after giving effect to this Loan Facility Agreement in the Participant’s Interest, (iii) the Participant Fundings shall be reallocated by the Participants such that each Participant has funded its Pro Rata Share based upon its Participating Commitment after giving effect to this Amendment and (iv) the Servicer shall issue to each Participant a Participation Certificate (which shall be deemed to automatically replace any existing Participation Certificates) reflecting the relevant Participant’s revised Participating Commitment Amount.

 


 

ARTICLE XIV
THE SERVICER
          Section 14.1. Appointment of Servicer as Agent. To the extent of its ownership interest in the Loans, each Participant hereby designates Servicer as its agent to administer all matters concerning the Loans and to act as herein specified. Each Participant hereby irrevocably authorizes the Servicer to take such actions on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement, the other Operative Documents, and all other instruments and agreements referred to herein or therein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Servicer by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Servicer may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees.
          Section 14.2. Nature of Duties of Servicer. The Servicer shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Operative Documents. None of the Servicer nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted by it as such hereunder or in connection herewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Servicer shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Participant; and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Servicer any obligations in respect of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents except as expressly set forth herein.
          Section 14.3. Lack of Reliance on the Servicer.
          (a) Independently and without reliance upon the Servicer, each Participant, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Credit Parties in connection with the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Credit Parties, and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Servicer shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Participant with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter.
          (b) The Servicer shall not be responsible to any Participant for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility, priority or sufficiency of this Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement, and Loan Document or any other documents contemplated hereby or thereby, or the financial condition of the Credit Parties or any Borrower, or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement, the Guaranty Agreement or the other documents contemplated hereby or

 


 

thereby, or the financial condition of the Credit Parties or any Borrower, or the existence or possible existence of any Unmatured Credit Event or Credit Event.
          Section 14.4. Certain Rights of the Servicer. If the Servicer shall request instructions from the Required Participants with respect to any action or actions (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement, the Servicer shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such act, unless and until the Servicer shall have received instructions from the Required Participants; and the Servicer shall not incur liability in any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Participant shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Servicer as a result of the Servicer acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Participants.
          Section 14.5. Reliance by Servicer. The Servicer shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier message, cable gram, radiogram, order or other documentary, teletransmission or telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Servicer may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for any Credit Party), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.
          Section 14.6. Indemnification of Servicer. To the extent the Servicer is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Credit Parties, each Participant will reimburse and indemnify the Servicer, ratably according to the respective Pro Rata Shares, in either case, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Servicer in performing its duties hereunder, in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents; provided that no Participant shall be liable to the Servicer for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Servicer’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
          Section 14.7. The Servicer in its Individual Capacity. With respect to its obligations under this Agreement and the amounts advanced by it, the Servicer shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Participant and may exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties specified herein; and the terms “Participants”, “Required Participants”, or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Servicer in its individual capacity. The Servicer may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with the Consolidated Companies or any affiliate of the Consolidated Companies as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from the Consolidated Companies for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to the Participants.

 


 

          Section 14.8. Holders of Participation Certificates. The Servicer may deem and treat the payee of any Participation Certificate as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Servicer. Any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Participation Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Participation Certificate or of any Participation Certificate or Certificates issued in exchange therefor.
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
          Section 15.1. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including bank wire, telex, telecopy or similar teletransmission or writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or applicable teletransmission number set forth on the signature pages hereof, or such other address or applicable teletransmission number as such party may hereafter specify by notice to the Servicer and Sponsor. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by telex, when such telex is transmitted to the telex number specified in this Section and the appropriate answerback is received, (ii) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, (iii) if given by telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number specified in this Section and the appropriate confirmation is received, or (iv) if given by any other means (including, without limitation, by air courier), when delivered or received at the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the Servicer shall not be effective until received.
          Section 15.2. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Operative Documents, nor consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Participants (and in the case of any amendment, the applicable Credit Party), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Participants do any of the following: (i) waive any of the conditions specified in Section 2.1 or 11.1, (ii) increase the Participating Commitment Amounts or contractual obligations of the Participants to Servicer or Sponsor under this Agreement, (iii) reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Participation Certificates or any fees hereunder, (iv) postpone any date fixed for the payment in respect of principal of, or interest on, the Participation Certificates or any fees hereunder, (v) agree to release any Guarantor from its obligations under any Guaranty Agreement or the Sponsor from its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, (vi) modify the definition of “Required Participants,” or (vii) modify Section 2.9, Article 4, Article 10 or this Section 15.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Servicer in addition to the Participants required hereinabove to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Servicer under this

 


 

Agreement or under any other Operative Document or Loan Document. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Servicer and the Sponsor may, without the consent of or notice to the Participants, enter into amendments, modifications or waivers with respect to the Servicing Agreement and the Fee Letter as long as such amendments or modifications do not conflict with the terms of this Agreement.
          Section 15.3. No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of the Servicer or any Participant in exercising any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Operative Document, and no course of dealing between any Credit Party and the Servicer or any Participant shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Operative Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies herein expressly provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Servicer or any Participant would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party not required hereunder or under any other Operative Document in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Servicer or the Participants to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
          Section 15.4. Payment of Expenses, Etc. Sponsor shall:
          (a) whether or not the transactions hereby contemplated are consummated, pay all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Servicer in the administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including reasonable expenses actually incurred relating to advice of counsel as to the rights and duties of the Servicer and the Participants with respect thereto) of, and in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of, preservation of rights under, enforcement of, and, after a Unmatured Credit Event or Credit Event, refinancing, renegotiation or restructuring of, this Agreement and the other Operative Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein, and any amendment, waiver or consent relating thereto (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees actually incurred and disbursements of counsel for the Servicer), and in the case of enforcement of this Agreement or any Operative Document after a Credit Event, all such reasonable, out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees actually incurred and reasonable disbursements and changes of counsel), for any of the Participants; and
          (b) Pay and hold the Servicer and each of the Participants harmless from and against any and all present and future stamp, documentary, and other similar Taxes with respect to this Agreement, the Participation Certificates, the Loan Documents and any other Operative Documents, any collateral described therein, or any payments due thereunder, and save the Servicer and each Participant harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission to pay such Taxes.

 


 

          Section 15.5. Right of Setoff. In addition to and not in limitation of all rights of offset that any Participant may have under applicable law, each Participant shall, upon the occurrence of any Credit Event and whether or not such Participant has made any demand or any Credit Party’s obligations have matured, have the right to appropriate and apply to the payment of any Credit Party’s obligations hereunder and under the other Operative Documents, all deposits of any Credit Party (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) then or thereafter held by and other indebtedness or property then or thereafter owing by such Participant or other holder to any Credit Party, whether or not related to this Agreement or any transaction hereunder.
          Section 15.6. Benefit of Agreement; Assignments; Participations.
          (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto, provided that Sponsor may not assign or transfer any of its interest hereunder without the prior written consent of the Participants.
          (b) Any Participant may make, carry or transfer Loans at, to or for the account of, any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Participant.
          (c) Each Participant may assign all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all of its Participating Commitments and the Funded Participant’s Interest at the time owing to it and the Participation Certificates held by it) to any Eligible Assignee; provided, however, that (i) the Sponsor and the Servicer shall each have given its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) unless such assignment is to an Affiliate of the assigning Participant or, in the case of the Sponsor, unless a Credit Event has occurred and is continuing hereunder, (ii) unless the Participant is assigning its entire Participating Commitment, the Participating Commitment Amount of the assigning Participant subject to each assignment (determined as of the date the assignment and acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Servicer) shall not be less than the lesser of (x) 50% of the amount of its Original Participating Commitment or (y) $1,000,000 and shall be divided pro rata between the two Facilities, and (iii) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Servicer an Assignment and Acceptance, together with the Participation Certificate subject to such assignment and, unless such assignment is to an Affiliate of such Participant, a processing and recordation fee of $1,000. Within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the notice and the Assignment and Acceptance, Servicer shall execute and deliver, in exchange for the surrendered Participation Certificate, a new Participation Certificate to the order of the assignor and such assignee in a principal amount equal to the applicable Participating Commitment Amount retained and assumed by it, respectively, pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance. Such new Participation Certificate shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such surrendered Participation Certificate, shall be dated the date of the surrendered Participation Certificate which it replaces, and shall otherwise be in substantially the form attached hereto.

 


 

          (d) Each Participant may, without the consent of Sponsor or the Servicer, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Participating Commitment and the Funded Participant’s Interest owing to it), provided, however, that (i) no Participant may sell a participation in its Participating Commitment (after giving effect to any permitted assignment hereof) unless it retains an aggregate exposure of 25% of its original Participating Commitment Amount, provided, however, sales of participations to an Affiliate of such Participant shall not be included in such calculation; provided, however, no such maximum amount shall be applicable to any such participation sold at any time there exists an Credit Event hereunder, (ii) such Participant’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (iii) such Participant shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iv) the participating bank or other entity shall not be entitled to the benefit (except through its selling Participant) of the cost protection provisions contained in Article 2 of this Agreement, and (v) Sponsor, Servicer and the other Participants shall continue to deal solely and directly with each Participant in connection with such Participant’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Operative Documents, and such Participant shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of Sponsor relating to the Loans and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provisions of this Agreement (other than an amendment requiring approval of 100% of the Participants). Each Participant shall promptly notify in writing the Servicer and the Sponsor of any sale of a participation hereunder and shall certify to Sponsor and Servicer its compliance with the terms hereof.
          (e) Any Participant or participant may, in connection with the assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation, pursuant to this Section, disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant any information relating to Sponsor or the other Consolidated Companies furnished to such Participant by or on behalf of Sponsor or any other Consolidated Company. With respect to any disclosure of confidential, non-public, proprietary information, such proposed assignee or participant shall agree to use the information only for the purpose of making any necessary credit judgments with respect to this credit facility and not to use the information in any manner prohibited by any law, including without limitation, the securities laws of the United States. The proposed participant or assignee shall agree not to disclose any of such information except (i) to directors, employees, auditors or counsel to whom it is necessary to show such information, each of whom shall be informed of and shall acknowledge the confidential nature of the information, (ii) in any statement or testimony pursuant to a subpoena or order by any court, governmental body or other agency asserting jurisdiction over such entity, or as otherwise required by law (provided prior notice is given to Sponsor and the Servicer unless otherwise prohibited by the subpoena, order or law), and (iii) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority with proper jurisdiction. The proposed participant or assignee shall further agree to return all documents or other written material and copies thereof received from any Participant, the Servicer or Sponsor relating to such confidential information unless otherwise properly disposed of by such entity.

 


 

          (f) Any Participant may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights in this Agreement to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such assignment shall release the Participant from any of its obligations hereunder.
          (g) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Servicer, together with its Affiliates, shall at all times retain a Participating Commitment in an amount at least equal to 20% of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loan Commitments.
          Section 15.7. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.
          (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF) OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
          (b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER OPERATIVE DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA, OR ANY OTHER COURT OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, SPONSOR HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY, AND SPONSOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.
          (c) Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Servicer, any Participant, or any Credit Party to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against Sponsor in any other jurisdiction.
          Section 15.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
          Section 15.9. Severability. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 


 

          Section 15.10. Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitation of, another covenant, shall not avoid the occurrence of a Unmatured Credit Event or an Credit Event if such action is taken or condition exists.
          Section 15.11. No Joint Venture. Nothing in this Agreement, the Servicing Agreement or any of the Loan Documents shall be construed as constituting Sponsor and the Servicer or any Participant as partners or joint venturers or as creating the relationship of employer and employee, master and servant, principle and agent, or franchisor or franchisee between Sponsor and the Servicer or any Participant. Neither Sponsor nor Servicer or any Participant shall have any right or authority to bind the other party or to assume or create any obligation or responsibility, express or implied, on behalf of the other party or in the other party’s name. All rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement and the Operative Documents are exclusively for the benefit of Sponsor and the Servicer and Participants, as the case may be, and shall not be deemed to affect any agreement between either of such parties and any third party (including, without limitation, any Borrower).
          Section 15.12. Repurchase Right. Sponsor may at any time (upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Servicer) purchase from Servicer all Loans and Loan Commitments and all rights, titles and interests of the Servicer and the Participants in and to the Loan Documents and the Collateral relating thereto for a purchase price (payable in immediately available funds) equal to the aggregate Loan Indebtedness, plus all amounts otherwise owing by the Sponsor pursuant to the Operative Documents, and the Servicer shall assign, without recourse, representation or warranty (except as to its own title), its right, title and interest therein to Sponsor upon the Servicer’s receipt of such purchase price. Thereafter, Servicers shall have no responsibility with respect to any Loans or Loan Commitments.
          Section 15.13. Confidentiality. Each Participant agrees that it will maintain in confidence and will not disclose, publish or disseminate, to any Person, any confidential information which it has or shall acquire during the term of this Agreement relating to the business, operations and condition, financial or otherwise of the Sponsor or any Borrower, except that such information may be disclosed by such Participant if and to the extent that:
          (a) such information is in the public domain at the time of disclosure;
          (b) such information is required to be disclosed by subpoena or similar process of applicable law or regulations;
          (c) such information is required to be disclosed to any regulatory or administrative body or commission to whose jurisdiction such Participant or any of its Affiliates may be subject;

 


 

          (d) such information is disclosed to counsel, auditors or other professional advisors to such Participant or to affiliates of such Participant provided that such affiliates agree to keep such information confidential as set forth herein;
          (e) such information is disclosed with the prior written consent of the Sponsor or the relevant Borrower, as the case may be, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
          (f) such information is disclosed in connection with any litigation or dispute between such Participant and the Sponsor or any Borrower concerning the Operative Documents or the Loan Documents of such Borrower;
          (g) such information is disclosed in connection with a prospective assignment, grant of a participation interest in or other transfer by such Participant of any of its interest in the Operative Documents, provided that the Person to whom such information shall be disclosed shall have agreed to keep such information confidential as set forth herein;
          (h) such information was in the possession of such Person or such Person’s affiliates without obligation of confidentiality prior to such Participant furnishing it to such Person; or
          (i) such information is received by such Participant, without restriction as to its disclosure or use, from a Person, who, to such Participant’s knowledge or reasonable belief, was not prohibited from disclosing it by any duty of confidentiality.
          (j) Each Participant agrees to use its best efforts to give the Sponsor prompt notice of any subpoena or similar process referred to in clause (ii) above, provided that such Participant shall have no liability in event such notice is not given.
          Section 15.14. Headings Descriptive; Entire Agreement. The headings of the several sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement, the other Operative Documents, and the agreements and documents required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto regarding the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements, representations and understandings related to such subject matters.
          Section 15.15. Patriot Act. The Servicer and each Participant hereby notifies the Sponsor and each of its Subsidiaries that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each of the Sponsor and its Subsidiaries, which information includes the name and address of the Sponsor or such Subsidiary and other information that will allow such Participant or the Servicer, as applicable, to identify the Sponsor or such Subsidiary in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 


 

[Signatures Set Forth on Next Page]

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
                 
Address for Notices:       AARON RENTS, INC.    
 
               
309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE
      By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson
 
   
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
          Gilbert L. Danielson    
Attn: Gilbert L. Danielson
          Executive Vice President and    
Telecopy: 404-240-6584
          Chief Financial Officer    
 
               
 
          [Corporate Seal]    
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

                 
Address for Notices:       SUNTRUST BANK, as Servicer    
 
               
303 Peachtree Street NE, 3rd Floor
               
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
               
Attention: Aaron Rents Program Manager
      By:   /s/ Mike Smith
 
   
Telecopy No. (404) 724-3716
          Title: Director    
 
                    Mike Smith    
 
               
with a copy to:
               
 
               
303 Peachtree Street NE, 3rd Floor
               
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
               
Attention: Don Besch
               
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

                 
Address for Notices:       SUNTRUST BANK    
 
               
303 Peachtree Street, NE, 3rd Floor
               
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
               
Attention: Aaron Rents Program Manager
      By:   /s/ Mike Smith
 
   
Telecopy No.: (404) 724-3716
          Name: Mike Smith    
 
          Title: Director    
 
               
with a copy to:
               
 
               
303 Peachtree Street NE, 3rd Floor
               
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
               
Attention: Don Besch
               
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

                 
Address for Notices:       WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
   
Global Capital Markets
               
1339 Chestnut St., PA 4843
      By:   Thomas M. Harper
 
   
Philadelphia, PA 19107
          Name: Thomas M. Harper    
Attn: Anthony Braxton
          Title: Managing Director    
 
               
Telecopy: (267) 321-6700
               
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

                 
Address for Notices:       REGIONS BANK    
 
               
One Glenlake Parkway
               
Suite 400
      By:     Stephen H. Lee
 
   
Atlanta, GA 30328
          Name: Stephen H. Lee    
Attn: Stephen H. Lee
          Title: Senior Vice President    
Telecopy: (770) 481-4395
               
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

                 
Address for Notices:       BRANCH BANKING & TRUST CO.    
 
               
950 East Paces Ferry Rd.
      By:     Paul E. McLaughlin
 
   
Atlanta, GA 30326
          Name: Paul E. McLaughlin    
Attn: Paul McLaughlin
          Title: Senior Vice President    
Telecopy: (404) 442-5087
               
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

                 
Address for Notices:       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.    
 
               
Bank of America, N.A.
      By:        /s/ Ken Bauchle
 
   
600 Peachtree St., NE
          Name: Ken Bauchle    
GA1-006-13-15, 13th Floor
          Title: Senior Vice President    
Atlanta, GA 30308
               
Attn: Ken Bauchle, SVP
               
Telecopy: (404) 607-6343
               
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT]

 


 

Schedule 1.1(a)
Pricing Grid
                     
    Total Debt to EBITDA        
Level   Ratio   Applicable Margin   Applicable Percentage
I  
<1.50:1.00
    1.125 %     0.15 %
II  
>1.50:1.00 but < 2.00:1.00
    1.250 %     0.20 %
III  
>2.00:1.00 but < 2.50:1.00
    1.500 %     0.25 %
IV  
>2.50:1.00
    1.750 %     0.30 %

 


 

Schedule 1.1(b)
Participant Commitments
         
Participant   Commitment Amount
SunTrust Bank
  $ 30,000,000.00  
Wachovia Bank, National Association
  $ 20,000,000.00  
Regions Bank
  $ 30,000,000.00  
Branch Banking & Trust Co.
  $ 30,000,000.00  
Bank of America, N.A.
  $ 15,000,000.00  

 

EX-10.4 5 g13676exv10w4.htm EX-10.4 AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT EX-10.4 AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.4
AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY AGREEMENT
     This Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of May 23, 2008, among each of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule I hereto (each such subsidiary individually, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) of AARON RENTS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Sponsor”), the various Participants (as defined in the Loan Facility Agreement referenced below) and SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking corporation as servicer (the “Servicer”).
     Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty, dated as of May 23, 2008 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Facility Agreement”), among the Sponsor, the lending institutions listed on the signature pages thereto (the “Participants”) and SunTrust Bank, as Servicer (the “Servicer”) (the Servicer and the Participants shall be referred to collectively as the “Guaranteed Parties”). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Facility Agreement.
     The Participants have agreed to provide lines of credit to Franchisees of the Sponsor pursuant to, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions specified in, the Loan Facility Agreement. Each of the Guarantors is a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Sponsor and acknowledges that it will derive substantial benefit from the Loan Facility Agreement. The obligations of the Participants to make Loans are conditioned on, among other things, the execution and delivery by the Guarantors of an Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement in the form hereof. As consideration therefor and in order to induce the Participants to make Loans, the Guarantors are willing to execute this Agreement.
     Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. Guarantee. Each Guarantor unconditionally guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, (a) the due and punctual payment of all obligations owing by the Sponsor to the Guaranteed Parties, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), under the Loan Facility Agreement and the other Operative Documents and (b) the due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of the Sponsor under or pursuant to the Loan Facility Agreement and the other Operative Documents (all the monetary and other obligations referred to in the preceding clauses (a) and (b) being collectively called the “Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Obligation.
     SECTION 2. Obligations Not Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Sponsor of any of the Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee and

 


 

notice of protest for nonpayment. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Guaranteed Party to assert any claim or demand or to enforce or exercise any right or remedy against the Sponsor or any other Guarantor under the provisions of the Loan Facility Agreement, any other Operative Document or otherwise, (b) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Agreement, any other Operative Document, any Guarantee or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Guarantor under this Agreement, or (c) the failure to perfect any security interest in, or the release of, any of the security held by or on behalf of any Guaranteed Parties.
     SECTION 3. Guarantee of Payment. Each Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Guaranteed Party to any of the security held for payment of the Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of any Guaranteed Party in favor of the Sponsor or any other person.
     SECTION 4. No Discharge or Diminishment of Guarantee. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Obligations, and shall not be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Guaranteed Party to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under the Loan Facility Agreement, any other Operative Document or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any provision of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations, or by any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to the extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of each Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations).
     SECTION 5. Defenses of Borrower Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Sponsor or the unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Sponsor, other than the final and indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Obligations. The Guaranteed Parties may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by one or more of them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such security in lieu of foreclosure, compromise or adjust any part of the Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Sponsor or any other guarantor, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Obligations have been fully, finally and indefeasibly paid in cash. Pursuant to applicable law, each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Sponsor or any other Guarantor or guarantor, as the case may be, or any security.

 


 

     SECTION 6. Agreement to Pay; Subordination. In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right that any Guaranteed Party has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any Credit Party to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Servicer for the benefit of the Participants in cash the amount of such unpaid Obligations. Upon payment by any Guarantor of any sums to the Servicer, all rights of such Guarantor against the Sponsor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations. In addition, any indebtedness of the Sponsor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations. If any amount shall erroneously be paid to any Guarantor on account of (i) such subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar right or (ii) any such indebtedness of the Sponsor, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Guaranteed Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Servicer to be credited against the payment of the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Operative Documents.
     SECTION 7. Information. Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Sponsor’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Guaranteed Parties will have any duty to advise any of the Guarantors of information known to it or any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
     SECTION 8. Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor represents and warrants as to itself that all representations and warranties relating to it (as a Subsidiary of the Sponsor) contained in the Loan Facility Agreement are true and correct.
     SECTION 9. Termination. The guarantees made hereunder (a) shall terminate when all the Obligations have been paid in full in cash and the Participants have no further commitment to lend under the Loan Facility Agreement and (b) shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Participant or any Guarantor upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Credit Party or otherwise. In connection with the foregoing, the Servicer shall execute and deliver to such Guarantor or Guarantor’s designee, at such Guarantor’s expense, any documents or instruments which such Guarantor shall reasonably request from time to time to evidence such termination and release.
     SECTION 10. Binding Effect; Several Agreement; Assignments. Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Guarantors that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Agreement shall become effective as to any Guarantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Guarantor

 


 

shall have been delivered to the Servicer, and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Servicer, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Guarantor and the Servicer and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Guarantor, the Guaranteed Parties, and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Guarantor shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein (and any such attempted assignment shall be void). If all of the capital stock of a Guarantor is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Loan Facility Agreement, such Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under this Agreement without further action. This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Guarantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Guarantor without the approval of any other Guarantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder.
     SECTION 11. Waivers; Amendment. (a) No failure or delay of the Servicer if any in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and of the Servicer hereunder and of the Participants under the other Operative Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver and consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other or further notice in similar or other circumstances.
     (b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to a written agreement entered into between the Guarantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification relates and the Servicer, with the prior written consent of the Required Participants (except as otherwise provided in the Loan Facility Agreement).
     SECTION 12. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF).
     SECTION 13. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 15.1 of the Loan Facility Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to each Guarantor shall be given to it at its address set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.
     SECTION 14. Survival of Agreement; Severability. (a) All covenants, agreements representations and warranties made by the Guarantors herein and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or the other Operative Documents shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Guaranteed

 


 

Parties and shall survive the making by the Participants of the Loans regardless of any investigation made by any of them or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any other fee or amount payable under this Agreement or any other Operative Document is outstanding and unpaid and as long as the Commitments have not been terminated.
     (b) In the event one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Operative Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
     SECTION 15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
     SECTION 16. Rules of Interpretation. The rules of interpretation specified in Section 1.3 of the Loan Facility Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement.
     SECTION 17. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any Georgia State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Fulton County, Georgia, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Operative Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Georgia State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action 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 shall affect any right that any Guaranteed Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Operative Documents against any Guarantor or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
     (b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Operative Documents in any Georgia State or Federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 


 

     (c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 13. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
     SECTION 18. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY 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 OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 18.
     SECTION 19. Additional Guarantors. Pursuant to Section 6.10 of the Loan Facility Agreement, each Domestic Subsidiary that was not in existence on the date of the Loan Facility Agreement is required to enter into this Agreement as a Guarantor upon becoming a Domestic Subsidiary. Upon execution and delivery after the date hereof by the Servicer and such Subsidiary of an instrument in the form of Annex 1, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Guarantor as a party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any other Guarantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Agreement.
     SECTION 20. Right of Setoff. If a Credit Event shall have occurred and be continuing, each Participant is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Participant to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any or all the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and the other Operative Documents held by such Participant, irrespective of whether or not such Person shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Operative Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Participant under this Section 20 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Participant may have.
     SECTION 21. Indemnity, Contribution, and Subrogation.
     (a) In addition to all such rights of indemnity and subrogation as each Guarantor may have under applicable law, the Servicer agrees that (i) in the event a payment shall be made on behalf of the Sponsor by any Guarantor hereunder, the Sponsor shall indemnify such Guarantor for the full amount of such payment and such Guarantor shall be subrogated to

 


 

the rights of the person to whom such payment shall have been made to the extent of such payment, and (ii) in the event any assets of any Guarantor shall be sold to satisfy a claim of any Guaranteed Party hereunder, the Sponsor shall indemnify such Guarantor in an amount equal to the greater of the book value or the fair market value of the assets so sold.
     (b) Each Guarantor (a “Contributing Guarantor”) agrees that, in the event a payment shall be made by any other Guarantor hereunder, or assets of any other Guarantor shall be sold to satisfy a claim of any Guaranteed Party hereunder, and such other Guarantor (the “Claiming Guarantor”) shall not have been fully indemnified by the Sponsor as provided in paragraph (a) above, each Contributing Guarantor shall indemnify each Claiming Guarantor in an amount equal to the amount of such payment or the greater of the book value or the fair market value of such assets, as the case may be, in each case multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the net worth of such Contributing Guarantor on the date hereof and the denominator shall be the aggregate net worth of the Sponsor and all of the Guarantors on the date hereof (or, in the case of any Guarantor becoming a party hereto pursuant to Section 19, the date of the Supplement hereto executed and delivered by such Guarantor). Any Contributing Guarantor making any payment to a Claiming Guarantor pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be subrogated to the rights of such Claiming Guarantor under paragraph (a) above to the extent of such payment. As used herein, the term “net worth” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Sponsor and the Guarantors, as determined in each case on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
     SECTION 22. Effect of Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Guaranty Agreement dated as of May 28, 2004 in favor of the Servicer (the “Existing Guaranty Agreement”) and is not, and is not intended by the parties to be, a novation of the Existing Guaranty Agreement. All rights and obligations of the parties shall continue in effect, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein. All references in the Operative Documents to the Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to refer to and mean this Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, as the same may be further amended, supplemented, and restated from time to time.

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
         
  AARON INVESTMENT COMPANY, as
Guarantor
 
 
  By:   /s/ Gilbert L. Danielson    
    Name:   Gilbert L. Danielson   
    Title:   Vice President and Treasurer   
 
  SUNTRUST BANK, as
Servicer
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mike Smith    
    Name:   Mike Smith   
    Title:   Director   
 

 


 

SCHEDULE I TO THE
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
     
Guarantor(s)   Address
Aaron Investment Company
  1100 Aaron Building
 
  309 East Paces Ferry Road, NE
 
  Atlanta, GA 30305-2377
 
  Attn: Gil Danielson

 


 

ANNEX 1 TO THE
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT
     This SUPPLEMENT NO. [ ] (this “Supplement”), dated as of [ ], to the Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement (the “Guaranty Agreement”) dated as of May 23, 2008, among each of the subsidiaries listed on Schedule I thereto (each such Subsidiary individually, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”) of AARON RENTS, INC., a Georgia corporation (the “Sponsor”) and SUNTRUST BANK, a Georgia banking corporation, as Servicer (the “Servicer”) for the Participants (as defined in the Loan Facility Agreement referred to below) (the Servicer and the Participants shall hereafter be referred to collectively as the Guaranteed Parties).
     A. Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty, dated as of May 23, 2008 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Facility Agreement”), among the Sponsor, the lending institutions listed on the signature pages thereto (the “Participants”) and the Servicer.
     B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Guaranty Agreement and the Loan Facility Agreement.
     C. The Guarantors have entered into the Guaranty Agreement in order to induce the Participants to extend credit to Franchisees of the Sponsor. Pursuant to Section 6.10 of the Loan Facility Agreement, each Domestic Subsidiary of the Sponsor that was not in existence or not a Subsidiary Credit Party on the date of the Loan Facility Agreement is required to enter into the Guaranty Agreement as a Guarantor upon becoming a Domestic Subsidiary. Section 19 of the Guaranty Agreement provides that additional Subsidiaries of the Sponsor may become Guarantors under the Guaranty Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary of the Sponsor (the “New Guarantor”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Loan Facility Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement in order to induce the Participants to make additional Loans and as consideration for Loans previously made.
     Accordingly, the Servicer and the New Guarantor agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 19 of the Guaranty Agreement, the New Guarantor by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Guaranty Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and the New Guarantor hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Guaranty Agreement applicable to it as Guarantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Guarantor thereunder are true and correct on and as of the date hereof. Each reference to a Guarantor in the Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Guarantor. The Guaranty Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 


 

     SECTION 2. The New Guarantor represents and warrants to the Guaranteed Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
     SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Servicer shall have received counterparts of this Supplement that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the New Guarantor and the Servicer. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Supplement.
     SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Guaranty Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
     SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF).
     SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Guaranty Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision hereof in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
     SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 13 of the Guarantee Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Guarantor shall be given to it at the address set forth under its signature below, with a copy to the Sponsor.
     SECTION 8. The New Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Servicer for its out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel for the Servicer.

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Guarantor and the Servicer have duly executed this Supplement to the Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
         
  [Name of New Guarantor]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
    Address:     
 
  SUNTRUST BANK, as
Servicer
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

 

-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----