0001104659-15-080777.txt : 20151123 0001104659-15-080777.hdr.sgml : 20151123 20151123160708 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-15-080777 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20151118 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: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20151123 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20151123 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: INVENTURE FOODS, INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000944508 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATIONS & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2090] IRS NUMBER: 860786101 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1229 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-14556 FILM NUMBER: 151249775 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5415 EAST HIGH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 350 CITY: PHOENIX STATE: AZ ZIP: 85054 BUSINESS PHONE: 6239326200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5415 EAST HIGH STREET STREET 2: SUITE 350 CITY: PHOENIX STATE: AZ ZIP: 85054 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: INVENTURE GROUP, INC. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20060526 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: POORE BROTHERS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960926 8-K 1 a15-23825_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 23, 2015 (November 18, 2015)

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-14556

 

86-0786101

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

5415 E. High St., Suite 350, Phoenix, AZ

 

85054

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (623) 932-6200

 

N/A

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the follow provisions:

 

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.

 

ABL Credit Agreement

 

On November 18, 2015 (the “Closing Date”), Inventure Foods, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Borrowers”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement”) with each of the lenders from time to time a party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (each as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement), as the sole arranger, and as the sole book runner (“Wells Fargo”).  The ABL Credit Agreement provides for a five-year, $50.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility that matures on November 17, 2020.

 

The proceeds of the ABL Credit Agreement were used for one or more of the following: (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to repay, in full, the outstanding principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing under or in connection with the Company’s Existing Credit Facility (defined below) and certain other loan agreements, capital lease facilities and agreements for borrowed money, and (ii) to pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the ABL Credit Agreement, the other loan documents related thereto, and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions of the ABL Credit Agreement, for their lawful and permitted purposes.

 

Borrowing Base

 

The ABL Credit Agreement is subject, among other things, to the terms of a borrowing base calculated as a discount to the value of certain pledged collateral. The borrowing base is subject to certain reserves and caps customary for financings of this type.  If at any time the aggregate amounts outstanding under the ABL Credit Agreement exceed the borrowing base then in effect, a prepayment of an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess is required to be made.  The terms of the ABL Credit Agreement provide that the Borrowers are required to prepay loans with net cash proceeds from sales of certain specified collateral under the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

Interest and Fees

 

The interest rate per annum applicable to the ABL Credit Agreement will be, at the Company’s option, the base rate or the London Interbank Operating Rate (“LIBOR”) plus, in each case, an applicable margin.  LIBOR will be reset at the beginning of each selected interest period based on the LIBOR rate then in effect; provided that, if LIBOR is below zero, then such rate will be equal to zero plus the applicable margin.  The base rate is a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate from time to time plus 0.50%, (ii) LIBOR (after taking account of any applicable floor) applicable for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, and (iii) the prime lending rate announced by Wells Fargo.  The applicable margin is subject to adjustment based on the Company’s Average Excess Availability (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement).

 

Prepayments

 

Voluntary prepayments of revolving loans under the ABL Credit Agreement are permitted at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

 

Collateral and Guarantees

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the present and after acquired assets of the Borrowers (the “ABL Collateral”) including: (a) a perfected first priority pledge of all the equity interests of each Borrower (other than the Company), and (b) a perfected first priority security interest in substantially all other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers (including, but not limited, to accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, investment property, real property, intellectual property and the proceeds of the foregoing).

 

2



 

Covenants and Other Matters

 

Ongoing extensions of credit under the ABL Credit Agreement are subject to customary conditions, including sufficient availability under the borrowing base.  The ABL Credit Agreement also contains covenants that require the Company to, among other things, periodically furnish financial and other information to the various lenders (“Affirmative Covenants”).  The ABL Credit Agreement contains customary negative covenants applicable to the Borrowers, including negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Borrowers’ ability to incur additional indebtedness; incur liens, sell assets or consolidate or merge with or into other companies; pay dividends or repurchase or redeem equity interests; make certain investments; issue equity interests of subsidiaries; prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated debt; and enter into certain types of transactions with the Company’s affiliates (“Negative Covenants”).  The ABL Credit Agreement also requires the Company, together with its subsidiaries, to comply with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement).

 

Events of default under the ABL Credit Agreement include customary events such as a cross-default provision with respect to other material debt (which includes the Term Loan Credit Agreement (as defined below)).

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement

 

In connection with the entry into the ABL Credit Agreement, the Borrowers, as the grantors, and Wells Fargo, as collateral agent (the “Wells Fargo Collateral Agent”), entered into a Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (the “ABL Guaranty and Security Agreement”), pursuant to which the Borrowers granted a security interest in the ABL Collateral to the Wells Fargo Collateral Agent as collateral for the Borrower’s obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the ABL Credit Agreement and the ABL Guaranty and Security Agreement related thereto do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of these agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Term Loan Credit Agreement

 

Concurrently with entering into the ABL Credit Agreement, the Borrowers entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), with BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) (“BSP”).  The Term Loan Credit Agreement provides for a $85.0 million, five-year senior secured term loan facility that also matures on November 17, 2020.

 

The proceeds of the Term Loan Credit Agreement were used for one or more of the following: (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to repay, in full, the outstanding principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing under or in connection with the Company’s Existing Credit Facility (defined below) and certain other loan agreements, capital lease facilities and agreements for borrowed money, and (ii) to pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the other loan documents related thereto, and the transactions contemplated thereby, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement, for their lawful and permitted purposes.

 

Interest and Fees

 

The interest rate per annum applicable to the Term Loan Credit Agreement will be, at the Company’s option, the base rate or LIBOR plus, in each case, an applicable margin.  LIBOR will be reset at the beginning of each selected interest period based on the LIBOR rate then in effect; provided that, if LIBOR is below zero, then such rate will be equal to zero plus the applicable margin.  The base rate is a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate from time to time plus 0.50%, (ii) LIBOR (after taking account of any applicable floor) applicable for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, and (iii) the prime lending rate announced by Wells Fargo.  The applicable margin is subject to adjustment based on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement).

 

3



 

Prepayments

 

Voluntary prepayments of the term loan are permitted in whole or in part, in minimum amounts as set forth in the Term Loan Credit Agreement, with prior notice but without premium or penalty, on or after the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Collateral and Guarantees

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the obligations under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the present and after acquired assets of the Borrowers (the “Term Loan Collateral”) including: (a) a perfected first priority pledge of all the equity interests of each Borrower (other than the Company), and (b) a perfected first priority security interest in substantially all other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers (including, but not limited, to accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, investment property, real property, intellectual property and the proceeds of the foregoing).

 

Covenants and Other Matters

 

The Term Loan Credit Agreement also contains Affirmative Covenants and Negative Covenants substantially similar to those described above with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement.  The Term Loan Credit Agreement also requires the Company, together with its subsidiaries, to comply with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (defined in the same manner as in the ABL Credit Agreement) and a Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement).

 

Events of default under the Term Loan Credit Agreement include customary events such as a cross-default provision with respect to other material debt (which includes the ABL Credit Agreement).

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement

 

In connection with the entry into the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Borrowers, as the grantors, and BSP, as collateral agent (the “BSP Collateral Agent”), entered into a Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (the “Term Loan Guaranty and Security Agreement”), pursuant to which the Borrowers, as the grantors, granted a security interest in the Term Loan Collateral to the BSP Collateral Agent as collateral for the Borrower’s obligations under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

Wells Fargo and BSP are parties to an intercreditor agreement that governs the relative priority of liens on the collateral and certain other rights, priorities and interests among the lenders under the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Guaranty and Security Agreement related thereto do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of these agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4, respectively, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1.02  Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

In connection with entering into the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement, on November 18, 2015, the Company repaid in full all obligations and liabilities owing under, and terminated, its Credit Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2013, by and among the Borrowers, the lenders party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Credit Facility”).

 

4



 

Item 2.03  Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

On November 18, 2015, the Company entered into the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement.  The descriptions of the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement set forth under Item 1.01 are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 as if fully set forth herein.

 

Item 8.01  Other Events.

 

On November 23, 2015, the Company issued a press release announcing the entering into of the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)   Exhibits.

 

10.1

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015, by and among Inventure Foods, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, as the borrowers, each of the lenders from time to time a party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (each as defined in the Credit Agreement), as the sole arranger, and as the sole book runner.

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015, by and among Inventure Foods, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, as the grantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (each as defined therein).

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015, by and among Inventure Foods, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, as the borrowers, each of the lenders from time to time a party thereto, and BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (as defined therein).

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015, by and among Inventure Foods, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, as the grantors, and BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group (as defined therein).

 

 

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated November 23, 2015

 

 

5



 

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.

 

Date: November 23, 2015

 

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC. 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer 

 

6


EX-10.1 2 a15-23825_1ex10d1.htm EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Administrative Agent,

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as the Sole Lead Arranger and Book Runner,

 

THE LENDERS THAT ARE PARTIES HERETO

 

as the Lenders,

 

and

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC. and

 

THE OTHER BORROWER(S) FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

 

as Borrowers

 

Dated as of November 18, 2015

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

1

 

1.1

Definitions

1

 

1.2

Accounting Terms

1

 

1.3

Code

1

 

1.4

Construction

1

 

1.5

Time References

2

 

1.6

Schedules and Exhibits

2

 

 

 

 

2.

LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT

2

 

2.1

Revolving Loans

2

 

2.2

[Reserved]

3

 

2.3

Borrowing Procedures and Settlements

3

 

2.4

Payments; Reductions of Commitments; Prepayments

9

 

2.5

Promise to Pay; Promissory Notes

13

 

2.6

Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee; Rates, Payments, and Calculations

13

 

2.7

Crediting Payments

14

 

2.8

Designated Account

15

 

2.9

Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations

15

 

2.10

Fees

15

 

2.11

Letters of Credit

16

 

2.12

LIBOR Option

21

 

2.13

Capital Requirements

23

 

2.14

Accordion

24

 

2.15

Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers

26

 

 

 

 

3.

CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT

27

 

3.1

Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit

27

 

3.2

Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of Credit

28

 

3.3

Maturity

28

 

3.4

Effect of Maturity

28

 

3.5

Early Termination by Borrowers

28

 

3.6

Conditions Subsequent

28

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

4.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

28

 

4.1

Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries

29

 

4.2

Due Authorization; No Conflict

29

 

4.3

Governmental Consents

30

 

4.4

Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens

30

 

4.5

Title to Assets; No Encumbrances

30

 

4.6

Litigation

30

 

4.7

Compliance with Laws

30

 

4.8

No Material Adverse Effect

31

 

4.9

Solvency

31

 

4.10

Employee Benefits

31

 

4.11

Environmental Condition

32

 

4.12

Complete Disclosure

32

 

4.13

Patriot Act

32

 

4.14

Indebtedness

32

 

4.15

Payment of Taxes

32

 

4.16

Margin Stock

33

 

4.17

Governmental Regulation

33

 

4.18

OFAC

33

 

4.19

Employee and Labor Matters

33

 

4.20

Leases

33

 

4.21

Eligible Accounts

34

 

4.22

Eligible Inventory

34

 

4.23

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

34

 

4.24

Inventory and Farm Products Records

34

 

4.25

Hedge Agreements

34

 

4.26

Material Contracts

34

 

4.27

Food Security Act

34

 

4.28

Food Products Laws

34

 

4.29

Food Security Laws

35

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

4.30

Immaterial Subsidiaries

35

 

 

 

 

5.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

35

 

5.1

Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates

35

 

5.2

Reporting

35

 

5.3

Existence

35

 

5.4

Maintenance of Properties

35

 

5.5

Taxes

35

 

5.6

Insurance

35

 

5.7

Inspection

36

 

5.8

Compliance with Laws

36

 

5.9

Environmental

36

 

5.10

Disclosure Updates

37

 

5.11

Formation of Subsidiaries

37

 

5.12

Further Assurances

37

 

5.13

Lender Meetings

38

 

5.14

Compliance with ERISA and the IRC

38

 

5.15

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

38

 

5.16

Bank Products

38

 

5.17

Food Security Act

39

 

5.18

Food Products Laws

39

 

5.19

Material Contracts

39

 

5.20

Flood Hazard Insurance

39

 

 

 

 

6.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

39

 

6.1

Indebtedness

40

 

6.2

Liens

40

 

6.3

Restrictions on Fundamental Changes

40

 

6.4

Disposal of Assets

40

 

6.5

Nature of Business

40

 

6.6

Prepayments and Amendments

40

 

6.7

Restricted Payments

41

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

6.8

Accounting Methods

42

 

6.9

Investments

42

 

6.10

Transactions with Affiliates

42

 

6.11

Use of Proceeds

42

 

6.12

Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests

43

 

6.13

Inventory and Farm Products with Bailees

43

 

6.14

Restrictive Agreements

43

 

6.15

Employee Benefits

43

 

6.16

Hedge Agreements

43

 

6.17

Immaterial Subsidiaries

44

 

6.18

Compliance with Governmental Regulations

44

 

 

 

 

7.

FINANCIAL COVENANT

44

 

 

 

8.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

44

 

 

 

 

8.1

Payments

44

 

8.2

Covenants

45

 

8.3

Judgments

45

 

8.4

Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc.

45

 

8.5

Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.

45

 

8.6

Default Under Other Agreements

45

 

8.7

Representations, etc.

45

 

8.8

Guaranty

46

 

8.9

Security Documents

46

 

8.10

Loan Documents

46

 

8.11

Change of Control

46

 

8.12

ERISA

46

 

 

 

 

9.

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

46

 

9.1

Rights and Remedies

46

 

9.2

Remedies Cumulative

47

 

9.3

Curative Equity

47

 

 

 

10.

WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION

48

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

Demand; Protest; etc.

48

 

10.2

The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral

48

 

10.3

Indemnification

48

 

 

 

11.

NOTICES

49

 

 

 

12.

CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION

50

 

 

 

13.

ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS

52

 

13.1

Assignments and Participations

52

 

13.2

Successors

55

 

 

 

14.

AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS

55

 

14.1

Amendments and Waivers

55

 

14.2

Replacement of Certain Lenders

57

 

14.3

No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies

58

 

 

 

 

15.

AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP

58

 

15.1

Appointment and Authorization of Agent

58

 

15.2

Delegation of Duties

59

 

15.3

Liability of Agent

59

 

15.4

Reliance by Agent

59

 

15.5

Notice of Default or Event of Default

59

 

15.6

Credit Decision

59

 

15.7

Costs and Expenses; Indemnification

60

 

15.8

Agent in Individual Capacity

60

 

15.9

Successor Agent

61

 

15.10

Lender in Individual Capacity

61

 

15.11

Collateral Matters

61

 

15.12

Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments

63

 

15.13

Agency for Perfection

63

 

15.14

Payments by Agent to the Lenders

63

 

15.15

Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents

63

 

v



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

15.16

Field Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information

64

 

15.17

Several Obligations; No Liability

64

 

15.18

Arranger and Book Runner

65

 

 

 

 

16.

WITHHOLDING TAXES

65

 

16.1

Payments

65

 

16.2

Exemptions

65

 

16.3

Reductions

66

 

16.4

Refunds

67

 

 

 

17.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

67

 

17.1

Effectiveness

67

 

17.2

Section Headings

67

 

17.3

Interpretation

67

 

17.4

Severability of Provisions

67

 

17.5

Bank Product Providers

67

 

17.6

Debtor-Creditor Relationship

68

 

17.7

Counterparts; Electronic Execution

68

 

17.8

Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations; Certain Waivers

68

 

17.9

Confidentiality

69

 

17.10

Survival

70

 

17.11

Patriot Act

70

 

17.12

Integration

71

 

17.13

Parent Borrower as Agent for Borrowers

71

 

17.14

Intercreditor Agreement

71

 

17.15

Waiver of Rights Under Farm Credit Act

71

 

vi



 

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A-1

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit B-1

Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit B-2

Form of Bank Product Provider Agreement

Exhibit C-1

Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit L-1

Form of LIBOR Notice

Exhibit P-1

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

 

Schedule A-1

Agent’s Account

Schedule A-2

Authorized Persons

Schedule C-1

Commitments

Schedule D-1

Designated Account

Schedule E-1

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

Schedule P-1

Permitted Investments

Schedule P-2

Permitted Liens

Schedule R-1

Real Property Collateral

Schedule 1.1

Definitions

Schedule 3.1

Conditions Precedent

Schedule 3.6

Conditions Subsequent

Schedule 4.1(b)

Capitalization of Borrowers

Schedule 4.1(c)

Capitalization of Borrowers’ Subsidiaries

Schedule 4.1(d)

Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Calls

Schedule 4.3

Governmental Consents

Schedule 4.6

Litigation

Schedule 4.10

Employee Benefits

Schedule 4.11

Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.14

Permitted Indebtedness

Schedule 4.23

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

Schedule 4.26

Material Contracts

Schedule 5.1

Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates

Schedule 5.2

Collateral Reporting

Schedule 6.5

Nature of Business

 

vii



 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of November 18, 2015, by and among the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (each of such lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”, as that term is hereinafter further defined), WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as the sole arranger (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Arranger”), WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as the sole book runner (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Book Runner”), INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Borrower”), and the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages hereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “Borrower”, and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”).

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

 

1.1                               Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified therefor on Schedule 1.1.

 

1.2                               Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if Borrowers notify Agent that Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Agent notifies Borrowers that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Agent and Borrowers agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of the Lenders and Borrowers after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the date of this Agreement and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by the Required Lenders, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred.  When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto.  Whenever the term “Borrowers” is used in respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood to mean Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and the financial covenant contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159 (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof, and (b) the term “unqualified opinion” as used herein to refer to opinions or reports provided by accountants shall mean an opinion or report that is (i) unqualified, and (ii) does not include any explanation, supplemental comment, or other comment concerning the ability of the applicable Person to continue as a going concern or concerning the scope of the audit.

 

1.3                               Code.  Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.

 

1.4                               Construction.  Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar

 



 

terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document referred to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole (including the schedules to this Agreement or such other Loan Document) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein).  The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties.  Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including the Letter of Credit Fee and the Unused Line Fee) and are unpaid, (b) in the case of contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, providing Letter of Credit Collateralization, (c) in the case of obligations with respect to Bank Products (other than Hedge Obligations), providing Bank Product Collateralization, (d) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations, (e) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Hedge Agreements provided by Hedge Providers) other than (i) unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations, (ii) any Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or cash collateralized, and (iii) any Hedge Obligations that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Hedge Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid, and (f) the termination of all of the Commitments of the Lenders.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.  Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.

 

1.5                               Time References.  Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Pacific standard time or Pacific daylight saving time, as in effect in Los Angeles, California on such day.  For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including”; provided that, with respect to a computation of fees or interest payable to Agent or any Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.

 

1.6                               Schedules and Exhibits.  All of the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                                      LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

 

2.1                               Revolving Loans.

 

(a)                                 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and during the term of this Agreement, each Lender agrees (severally, not jointly or jointly and severally) to make revolving loans (“Revolving Loans”) to Borrowers in an amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the lesser of:

 

(i)                                     such Lender’s Commitment, or

 

(ii)                                  such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of an amount equal to the lesser of:

 

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(A)                               the amount equal to (1) the Maximum Revolver Amount less (2) the sum of (x) the Letter of Credit Usage at such time, plus (y) the principal amount of Swing Loans outstanding at such time, plus (z) the amount of reserves established by Agent under Section 2.1(c), and

 

(B)                               the amount equal to (1) the Borrowing Base then in effect as of such date (based upon the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by Borrowers to Agent) less (2) the sum of (x) the Letter of Credit Usage at such time, plus (y) the principal amount of Swing Loans outstanding at such time (the lesser of clauses (A) and (B), the “Maximum Available Amount”).

 

(b)                                 Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 may be repaid and, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, reborrowed at any time during the term of this Agreement.  The outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans, together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, shall constitute Obligations and shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which they are declared due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 notwithstanding, Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation), in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, to establish and increase or decrease Receivable Reserves, Inventory Reserves, Bank Product Reserves, FSA Reserves, Food Products Payable Reserves, Landlord Reserves and other Reserves against the Borrowing Base or the Maximum Revolver Amount.  The amount of any Receivable Reserves, Inventory Reserves, Bank Product Reserves, FSA Reserves, Food Products Payable Reserves, Landlord Reserves, or other Reserve established by Agent shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition, other circumstance, or fact that is the basis for such reserve and shall not be duplicative of any other reserve established and currently maintained.

 

(d)                                 Anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 notwithstanding, Borrowing Base shall be automatically recalculated on and as of each (i) November 15, using the advance rates reflected in the Off-Season Borrowing Base and such advance rates shall be used until the end of the Off-Season on the following July 14 and (ii) July 15, using the advance rates reflected in the Peak-Season Borrowing Base and such advance rates shall be used until the end of the Peak-Season on November 14, in each case, whether or not a Borrowing Base Certificate has been delivered on November 15 and/or July 15 and the Maximum Available Amount shall be determined based upon such calculation.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Peak-Season Borrowing Base for each month commencing on the 15th day of such month shall be based off of the Borrowing Base Certificate, dated (or required to be delivered) as of the last day of the last month occurring.

 

2.2                               [Reserved].

 

2.3                               Borrowing Procedures and Settlements.

 

(a)                                 Procedure for Borrowing Revolving Loans.  Each Borrowing shall be made by a written request by an Authorized Person delivered to Agent and received by Agent no later than 10:00 a.m. (i) on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date in the case of a request for a Swing Loan, and (ii) on the Business Day that is 1 Business Day prior to the requested Funding Date in the case of all other requests, specifying (A) the amount of such Borrowing, and (B) the requested Funding Date (which shall be a Business Day); provided, that Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to accept as timely requests that are received later than 10:00 a.m. on the applicable Business Day.  At Agent’s election, in lieu of delivering the above-described written request, any Authorized Person may give Agent telephonic notice of such request by the required time.  In such circumstances, Borrowers agree that any such telephonic notice will be confirmed in writing within 24 hours of the giving of such telephonic notice, but the failure to provide such written confirmation shall not affect the validity of the request.

 

(b)                                 Making of Swing Loans.  In the case of a request for a Revolving Loan and so long as either (i) the aggregate amount of Swing Loans made since the last Settlement Date, minus all payments or other amounts applied to Swing Loans since the last Settlement Date, plus the amount of the requested Swing Loan does not exceed $5,000,000, or (ii) Swing Lender, in its sole discretion, agrees to make a Swing Loan notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, Swing Lender shall make a Revolving Loan (any such Revolving Loan made by Swing

 

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Lender pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) being referred to as a “Swing Loan” and all such Revolving Loans being referred to as “Swing Loans”) available to Borrowers on the Funding Date applicable thereto by transferring immediately available funds in the amount of such requested Borrowing to the Designated Account. Each Swing Loan shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder and shall be subject to all the terms and conditions (including Section 3) applicable to other Revolving Loans, except that all payments (including interest) on any Swing Loan shall be payable to Swing Lender solely for its own account.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(d)(ii), Swing Lender shall not make and shall not be obligated to make any Swing Loan if Swing Lender has actual knowledge that (i) one or more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for the applicable Borrowing, or (ii) the requested Borrowing would exceed the Availability on such Funding Date.  Swing Lender shall not otherwise be required to determine whether the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 have been satisfied on the Funding Date applicable thereto prior to making any Swing Loan.  The Swing Loans shall be secured by Agent’s Liens, constitute Revolving Loans and Obligations, and bear interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans.  Upon notice from the Swing Lender, the Lenders shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to purchase participations in any Swing Loan based upon their Pro Rata Share of their Commitments.

 

(c)                                  Making of Revolving Loans.

 

(i)                                     In the event that Swing Lender is not obligated to make a Swing Loan, then after receipt of a request for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3(a), Agent shall notify the Lenders by telecopy, telephone, email, or other electronic form of transmission, of the requested Borrowing; such notification to be sent on the Business Day that is 1 Business Day prior to the requested Funding Date.  If Agent has notified the Lenders of a requested Borrowing on the Business Day that is 1 Business Day prior to the Funding Date, then each Lender shall make the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available to Agent in immediately available funds, to Agent’s Account, not later than 10:00 a.m. on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date.  After Agent’s receipt of the proceeds of such Revolving Loans from the Lenders, Agent shall make the proceeds thereof available to Borrowers on the applicable Funding Date by transferring immediately available funds equal to such proceeds received by Agent to the Designated Account; provided, that, subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(d)(ii), no Lender shall have an obligation to make any Revolving Loan, if (1) one or more of the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 will not be satisfied on the requested Funding Date for the applicable Borrowing unless such condition has been waived, or (2) the requested Borrowing would exceed the Availability on such Funding Date.

 

(ii)                                  Unless Agent receives notice from a Lender prior to 9:30 a.m. on the Business Day that is the requested Funding Date relative to a requested Borrowing as to which Agent has notified the Lenders of a requested Borrowing that such Lender will not make available as and when required hereunder to Agent for the account of Borrowers the amount of that Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing, Agent may assume that each Lender has made or will make such amount available to Agent in immediately available funds on the Funding Date and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrowers a corresponding amount.  If, on the requested Funding Date, any Lender shall not have remitted the full amount that it is required to make available to Agent in immediately available funds and if Agent has made available to Borrowers such amount on the requested Funding Date, then such Lender shall make the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the requested Borrowing available to Agent in immediately available funds, to Agent’s Account, no later than 10:00 a.m. on the Business Day that is the first Business Day after the requested Funding Date (in which case, the interest accrued on such Lender’s portion of such Borrowing for the Funding Date shall be for Agent’s separate account).  If any Lender shall not remit the full amount that it is required to make available to Agent in immediately available funds as and when required hereby and if Agent has made available to Borrowers such amount, then that Lender shall be obligated to immediately remit such amount to Agent, together with interest at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day until the date on which such amount is so remitted.  A notice submitted by Agent to any Lender with respect to amounts owing under this Section 2.3(c)(ii) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.  If the amount that a Lender is required to remit is made available to Agent, then such payment to Agent shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan for all purposes of this Agreement.  If such amount is not made available to Agent on the Business Day following the Funding Date, Agent will notify Borrowers of such failure to fund and, upon demand by Agent, Borrowers shall pay such amount to Agent for Agent’s account,

 

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together with interest thereon for each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Revolving Loans composing such Borrowing.

 

(d)                                 Protective Advances and Optional Overadvances.

 

(i)                                     Any contrary provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document notwithstanding, but subject to Section 2.3(d)(iv), at any time (A) after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, or (B) that any of the other applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 are not satisfied, Agent hereby is authorized by Borrowers and the Lenders, from time to time, in Agent’s sole discretion, to make Revolving Loans to, or for the benefit of, Borrowers, on behalf of the Lenders, that Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (1) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, or (2) to enhance the likelihood of repayment of the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations) (the Revolving Loans described in this Section 2.3(d)(i) shall be referred to as “Protective Advances”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate amount of all Protective Advances outstanding at any one time shall not exceed $5,000,000.

 

(ii)                                  Any contrary provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document notwithstanding, but subject to Section 2.3(d)(iv), the Lenders hereby authorize Agent or Swing Lender, as applicable, and either Agent or Swing Lender, as applicable, may, but is not obligated to, knowingly and intentionally, continue to make Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans) to Borrowers notwithstanding that an Overadvance exists or would be created thereby, so long as (A) after giving effect to such Revolving Loans, the outstanding Revolver Usage does not exceed the Borrowing Base by more than $5,000,000, and (B) after giving effect to such Revolving Loans, the outstanding Revolver Usage (except for and excluding amounts charged to the Loan Account for interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses) does not exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount.  In the event Agent obtains actual knowledge that the Revolver Usage exceeds the amounts permitted by the immediately foregoing provisions, regardless of the amount of, or reason for, such excess, Agent shall notify the Lenders as soon as practicable (and prior to making any (or any additional) intentional Overadvances (except for and excluding amounts charged to the Loan Account for interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses) unless Agent determines that prior notice would result in imminent harm to the Collateral or its value, in which case Agent may make such Overadvances and provide notice as promptly as practicable thereafter), and the Lenders with Commitments thereupon shall, together with Agent, jointly determine the terms of arrangements that shall be implemented with Borrowers intended to reduce, within a reasonable time, the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans to Borrowers to an amount permitted by the preceding sentence.  In such circumstances, if any Lender with a Commitment objects to the proposed terms of reduction or repayment of any Overadvance, the terms of reduction or repayment thereof shall be implemented according to the determination of the Required Lenders.  The foregoing provisions are meant for the benefit of the Lenders and Agent and are not meant for the benefit of Borrowers, which shall continue to be bound by the provisions of Section 2.4(e)(i).  Each Lender with a Commitment shall be obligated to settle with Agent as provided in Section 2.3(e) (or Section 2.3(g), as applicable) for the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any unintentional Overadvances by Agent reported to such Lender, any intentional Overadvances made as permitted under this Section 2.3(d)(ii), and any Overadvances resulting from the charging to the Loan Account of interest, fees, or Lender Group Expenses.  No Overadvance may remain outstanding hereunder for more than thirty (30) days without the consent of the Required Lenders.

 

(iii)                               Each Protective Advance and each Overadvance (each, an “Extraordinary Advance”) shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder, except that no Extraordinary Advance shall be eligible to be a LIBOR Rate Loan and, prior to Settlement therefor, all payments on the Extraordinary Advances shall be payable to Agent solely for its own account.  The Extraordinary Advances shall be repayable on demand, secured by Agent’s Liens, constitute Obligations hereunder, and bear interest at the rate applicable from time to time to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans.  The provisions of this Section 2.3(d) are for the exclusive benefit of Agent, Swing Lender, and the Lenders and are not intended to benefit Borrowers (or any other Loan Party) in any way.

 

(iv)                              Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary: no Extraordinary Advance may be made by Agent (A) if such Extraordinary Advance

 

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would cause the aggregate principal amount of Extraordinary Advances outstanding to exceed an amount equal to 10% of the Maximum Revolver Amount or (B) to the extent that the making of any Extraordinary Advance causes the aggregate Revolver Usage to exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount, such portion of such Extraordinary Advance shall be for Agent’s sole and separate account and not for the account of any Lender and shall be entitled to priority in repayment in accordance with Section 2.4(b).

 

(e)                                  Settlement.  It is agreed that each Lender’s funded portion of the Revolving Loans is intended by the Lenders to equal, at all times, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Revolving Loans.  Such agreement notwithstanding, Agent, Swing Lender, and the other Lenders agree (which agreement shall not be for the benefit of Borrowers) that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, settlement among the Lenders as to the Revolving Loans, the Swing Loans, and the Extraordinary Advances shall take place on a periodic basis in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(i)                                     Agent shall request settlement (“Settlement”) with the Lenders on a weekly basis, or on a more frequent basis if so determined by Agent in its sole discretion (1) on behalf of Swing Lender, with respect to the outstanding Swing Loans, (2) for itself, with respect to the outstanding Extraordinary Advances, and (3) with respect to Borrowers’ or any of their Subsidiaries’ payments or other amounts received, as to each by notifying the Lenders by telecopy, telephone, or other similar form of transmission, of such requested Settlement, no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately prior to the date of such requested Settlement (the date of such requested Settlement being the “Settlement Date”).  Such notice of a Settlement Date shall include a summary statement of the amount of outstanding Revolving Loans, Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances for the period since the prior Settlement Date.  Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein (including Section 2.3(g)):  (y) if the amount of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances) made by a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender exceeds such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances) as of a Settlement Date, then Agent shall, by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Settlement Date, transfer in immediately available funds to a Deposit Account of such Lender (as such Lender may designate), an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have as of the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances), and (z) if the amount of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances) made by a Lender is less than such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances) as of a Settlement Date, such Lender shall no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Settlement Date transfer in immediately available funds to Agent’s Account, an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon transfer of such amount, have as of the Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances).  Such amounts made available to Agent under clause (z) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied against the amounts of the applicable Swing Loans or Extraordinary Advances and, together with the portion of such Swing Loans or Extraordinary Advances representing Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, shall constitute Revolving Loans of such Lenders.  If any such amount is not made available to Agent by any Lender on the Settlement Date applicable thereto to the extent required by the terms hereof, Agent shall be entitled to recover for its account such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate.

 

(ii)                                  In determining whether a Lender’s balance of the Revolving Loans, Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances is less than, equal to, or greater than such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans, Swing Loans, and Extraordinary Advances as of a Settlement Date, Agent shall, as part of the relevant Settlement, apply to such balance the portion of payments actually received in good funds by Agent with respect to principal, interest, fees payable by Borrowers and allocable to the Lenders hereunder, and proceeds of Collateral.

 

(iii)                               Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to the extent Extraordinary Advances or Swing Loans are outstanding, may pay over to Agent or Swing Lender, as applicable, any payments or other amounts received by Agent, that in accordance with the terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Revolving Loans, for application to the Extraordinary Advances or Swing Loans.  Between Settlement Dates, Agent, to the extent no Extraordinary Advances or Swing Loans are outstanding, may pay over to Swing Lender any payments or other amounts received by Agent, that in accordance with the terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Revolving Loans, for application to Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving

 

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Loans.  If, as of any Settlement Date, payments or other amounts of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries received since the then immediately preceding Settlement Date have been applied to Swing Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans other than to Swing Loans, as provided for in the previous sentence, Swing Lender shall pay to Agent for the accounts of the Lenders, and Agent shall pay to the Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender if Agent has implemented the provisions of Section 2.3(g)), to be applied to the outstanding Revolving Loans of such Lenders, an amount such that each such Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have, as of such Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans.  During the period between Settlement Dates, Swing Lender with respect to Swing Loans, Agent with respect to Extraordinary Advances, and each Lender with respect to the Revolving Loans other than Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances, shall be entitled to interest at the applicable rate or rates payable under this Agreement on the daily amount of funds employed by Swing Lender, Agent, or the Lenders, as applicable.

 

(iv)                              Anything in this Section 2.3(e) to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from remitting settlement amounts to the Defaulting Lender and, instead, shall be entitled to elect to implement the provisions set forth in Section 2.3(g).

 

(f)                                   Notation.  Agent, as a non-fiduciary agent for Borrowers, shall maintain a register showing the principal amount of the Revolving Loans, owing to each Lender, including the Swing Loans owing to Swing Lender, and Extraordinary Advances owing to Agent, and the interests therein of each Lender, from time to time and such register shall, absent manifest error, conclusively be presumed to be correct and accurate.

 

(g)                                  Defaulting Lenders.

 

(i)                                     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4(b)(iii), if for any reason any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments made by Borrowers to Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit or any proceeds of Collateral that would otherwise be remitted hereunder to the Defaulting Lender, and, in the absence of such transfer to the Defaulting Lender, Agent shall transfer any such payments (A) first, to Swing Lender to the extent of any Swing Loans that were made by Swing Lender and that were required to be, but were not, paid by the Defaulting Lender, (B) second, to Issuing Bank, to the extent of the portion of a Letter of Credit Disbursement that was required to be, but was not, paid by the Defaulting Lender, (C) third, to each Non-Defaulting Lender ratably in accordance with their Commitments (but, in each case, only to the extent that such Defaulting Lender’s portion of a Revolving Loan (or other funding obligation) was funded by such other Non-Defaulting Lender), (D) to a suspense account maintained by Agent, the proceeds of which shall be retained by Agent and may be made available to be re-advanced to or for the benefit of Borrowers (upon the request of Borrowers and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 3.2) as if such Defaulting Lender had made its portion of Revolving Loans (or other funding obligations) hereunder, and (E) from and after the date on which all other Obligations have been paid in full, to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with tier (L) of Section 2.4(b)(iii).  Subject to the foregoing, Agent may hold and, in its discretion, re-lend to Borrowers for the account of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments received and retained by Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender.  Solely for the purposes of voting or consenting to matters with respect to the Loan Documents (including the calculation of Pro Rata Share in connection therewith) and for the purpose of calculating the fee payable under Section 2.10(b), such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” and such Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be zero; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii).  The provisions of this Section 2.3(g) shall remain effective with respect to such Defaulting Lender until the earlier of (y) the date on which all of the Non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent, Issuing Bank, and Borrowers shall have waived, in writing, the application of this Section 2.3(g) to such Defaulting Lender, or (z) the date on which such Defaulting Lender makes payment of all amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, pays to Agent all amounts owing by Defaulting Lender in respect of the amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, and, if requested by Agent, provides adequate assurance of its ability to perform its future obligations hereunder (on which earlier date, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any remaining cash collateral held by Agent pursuant to Section 2.3(g)(ii) shall be released to Borrowers).  The operation of this Section 2.3(g) shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Commitment of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by any Borrower of its duties and

 

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obligations hereunder to Agent, Issuing Bank, or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender.  Any failure by a Defaulting Lender to fund amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder shall constitute a material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle Borrowers, at their option, upon written notice to Agent, to arrange for a substitute Lender to assume the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, such substitute Lender to be reasonably acceptable to Agent.  In connection with the arrangement of such a substitute Lender, the Defaulting Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder, and agrees to execute and deliver a completed form of Assignment and Acceptance in favor of the substitute Lender (and agrees that it shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such document if it fails to do so) subject only to being paid its share of the outstanding Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations, but including (1) all interest, fees, and other amounts that may be due and payable in respect thereof, and (2) an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of its participation in the Letters of Credit); provided, that any such assumption of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any of the Lender Group’s or Borrowers’ rights or remedies against any such Defaulting Lender arising out of or in relation to such failure to fund.  In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.3(g) and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.3(g) shall control and govern.

 

(ii)                                  If any Swing Loan or Letter of Credit is outstanding at the time that a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(A)                               such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loan Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares but only to the extent (x) the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Loan Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loan Exposure and Letter of Credit Exposure does not exceed the total of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied at such time;

 

(B)                               if the reallocation described in clause (A) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrowers shall within one Business Day following notice by Agent (x) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loan Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above) and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above), pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, for so long as such Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding; provided, that Borrowers shall not be obligated to cash collateralize any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure if such Defaulting Lender is also the Issuing Bank;

 

(C)                               if Borrowers cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii), Borrowers shall not be required to pay any Letter of Credit Fees to Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.6(b) with respect to such cash collateralized portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure during the period such Letter of Credit Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

(D)                               to the extent the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii), then the Letter of Credit Fees payable to the Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to Section 2.6(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Letter of Credit Exposure;

 

(E)                                to the extent any Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees that would have otherwise been payable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.6(b) with respect to such portion of such Letter of Credit Exposure shall instead be payable to the Issuing Bank until such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure is cash collateralized or reallocated;

 

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(F)                                 so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swing Lender shall not be required to make any Swing Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, or increase any Letter of Credit, in each case, to the extent (x) the Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Swing Loans or Letter of Credit cannot be reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) or (y) the Swing Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, has not otherwise entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Swing Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, and Borrowers to eliminate the Swing Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s risk with respect to the Defaulting Lender’s participation in Swing Loans or Letters of Credit; and

 

(G)                               Agent may release any cash collateral provided by Borrowers pursuant to this Section 2.3(g)(ii) to the Issuing Bank and the Issuing Bank may apply any such cash collateral to the payment of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Letter of Credit Disbursement that is not reimbursed by Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.11(d).

 

(h)                                 Independent Obligations.  All Revolving Loans (other than Swing Loans and Extraordinary Advances) shall be made by the Lenders contemporaneously and in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.  It is understood that (i) no Lender shall be responsible for any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligation to make any Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) hereunder, nor shall any Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of any failure by any other Lender to perform its obligations hereunder, and (ii) no failure by any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall excuse any other Lender from its obligations hereunder.

 

2.4                               Payments; Reductions of Commitments; Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 Payments by Borrowers.

 

(i)                                     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrowers shall be made to Agent’s Account for the account of the Lender Group and shall be made in immediately available funds, no later than 1:30 p.m. on the date specified herein.  Any payment received by Agent later than 1:30 p.m. shall be deemed to have been received (unless Agent, in its sole discretion, elects to credit it on the date received) on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business Day.

 

(ii)                                  Unless Agent receives notice from Borrowers prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders that Borrowers will not make such payment in full as and when required, Agent may assume that Borrowers have made (or will make) such payment in full to Agent on such date in immediately available funds and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent Borrowers do not make such payment in full to Agent on the date when due, each Lender severally shall repay to Agent on demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date repaid.

 

(b)                                 Apportionment and Application.

 

(i)                                     So long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, all principal and interest payments received by Agent shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance of the Obligations to which such payments relate held by each Lender) and all payments of fees and expenses received by Agent (other than fees or expenses that are for Agent’s separate account or for the separate account of Issuing Bank) shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders having a Pro Rata Share of the type of Commitment or Obligation to which a particular fee or expense relates.

 

(ii)                                  Subject to Section 2.4(b)(v) and Section 2.4(e), all payments to be made hereunder by Borrowers shall be remitted to Agent and all such payments, and all proceeds of Collateral received by Agent, shall be applied, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided

 

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herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, to reduce the balance of the Revolving Loans outstanding and, thereafter, to Borrowers (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.

 

(iii)                               At any time that an Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, all payments remitted to Agent and all proceeds of Collateral received by Agent shall be applied as follows:

 

(A)                               first, to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or expense reimbursements) or indemnities then due to Agent under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

 

(B)                               second, to pay any fees or premiums then due to Agent under the Loan Documents until paid in full,

 

(C)                               third, to pay interest due in respect of all Protective Advances until paid in full,

 

(D)                               fourth, to pay the principal of all Protective Advances until paid in full,

 

(E)                                fifth, ratably, to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or expense reimbursements) or indemnities then due to any of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

 

(F)                                 sixth, ratably, to pay any fees or premiums then due to any of the Lenders under the Loan Documents until paid in full,

 

(G)                               seventh, to pay interest accrued in respect of the Swing Loans until paid in full,

 

(H)                              eighth, to pay the principal of all Swing Loans until paid in full,

 

(I)                                   ninth, ratably, to pay interest accrued in respect of the Revolving Loans (other than Protective Advances) until paid in full,

 

(J)                                   tenth, ratably

 

i.                                          ratably, to pay the principal of all Revolving Loans until paid in full,

 

ii.                                       to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the benefit of Issuing Bank (and for the ratable benefit of each of the Lenders that have an obligation to pay to Agent, for the account of Issuing Bank, a share of each Letter of Credit Disbursement), as cash collateral in an amount up to 105% of the Letter of Credit Usage (to the extent permitted by applicable law, such cash collateral shall be applied to the reimbursement of any Letter of Credit Disbursement as and when such disbursement occurs and, if a Letter of Credit expires undrawn, the cash collateral held by Agent in respect of such Letter of Credit shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(iii), beginning with tier (A) hereof),

 

iii.                                    ratably, up to the greater of (y) the amount (after taking into account any amounts previously paid pursuant to this clause iii. during the continuation of the applicable Application Event) of the most recently established Bank Product Reserve, which amount was established prior to the occurrence of, and not in contemplation of, the subject Application Event and (z) $5,000,000 in the aggregate (after taking into account any amounts previously paid pursuant to this clause iii. during the continuation of the applicable Application Event), to (I) the Bank Product Providers based upon amounts then certified by the applicable Bank Product Provider to Agent (in form and substance satisfactory to Agent) to be due and payable to such Bank Product Providers on account of Bank Product Obligations, and (II) with any balance to be paid to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Bank Product Providers, as cash collateral (which cash

 

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collateral may be released by Agent to the applicable Bank Product Provider and applied by such Bank Product Provider to the payment or reimbursement of any amounts due and payable with respect to Bank Product Obligations owed to the applicable Bank Product Provider as and when such amounts first become due and payable and, if and at such time as all such Bank Product Obligations are paid or otherwise satisfied in full, the cash collateral held by Agent in respect of such Bank Product Obligations shall be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(iii), beginning with tier (A) hereof,

 

(K)                               eleventh, to pay any other Obligations other than Obligations owed to Defaulting Lenders (including being paid, ratably, to the Bank Product Providers on account of all amounts then due and payable in respect of Bank Product Obligations, with any balance to be paid to Agent, to be held by Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Bank Product Providers, as cash collateral (which cash collateral may be released by Agent to the applicable Bank Product Provider and applied by such Bank Product Provider to the payment or reimbursement of any amounts due and payable with respect to Bank Product Obligations owed to the applicable Bank Product Provider as and when such amounts first become due and payable and, if and at such time as all such Bank Product Obligations are paid or otherwise satisfied in full, the cash collateral held by Agent in respect of such Bank Product Obligations shall be reapplied pursuant to this Section 2.4(b)(iii), beginning with tier (A) hereof),

 

(L)                                twelfth, ratably to pay any Obligations owed to Defaulting Lenders, and

 

(M)                            thirteenth, to Borrowers (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.

 

(iv)                              Agent promptly shall distribute to each Lender, pursuant to the applicable wire instructions received from each Lender in writing, such funds as it may be entitled to receive, subject to a Settlement delay as provided in Section 2.3(e).

 

(v)                                 In each instance, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing, Section 2.4(b)(ii) shall not apply to any payment made by Borrowers to Agent and specified by Borrowers to be for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(vi)                              For purposes of Section 2.4(b)(iii), “paid in full” of a type of Obligation means payment in cash or immediately available funds of all amounts owing on account of such type of Obligation, including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, irrespective of whether any of the foregoing would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

(vii)                           In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.4 and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, if the conflict relates to the provisions of Section 2.3(g) and this Section 2.4, then the provisions of Section 2.3(g) shall control and govern, and if otherwise, then the terms and provisions of this Section 2.4 shall control and govern.

 

(c)                                  Reduction of Commitments.  The Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.  Borrowers may reduce the Commitments, without premium or penalty, to an amount that is not less than $5,000,000 and, in any event, not less than the sum of (A) the Revolver Usage as of such date, plus (B) the principal amount of all Revolving Loans not yet made as to which a request has been given by Borrowers under Section 2.3(a), plus (C) the amount of all Letters of Credit not yet issued as to which a request has been given by Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.11(a).  Each such reduction shall be in an amount which is not less than $5,000,000 (unless the Commitments are being reduced to $5,000,000 and the amount of the Commitments in effect immediately prior to such reduction are less than $10,000,000), shall be made by providing not less than 10 Business Days prior written notice to Agent, and shall be irrevocable.  The Commitments once reduced may not be

 

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increased.  Each such reduction of the Commitments shall reduce the Commitments of each Lender proportionately in accordance with its ratable share thereof.

 

(d)                                 Optional Prepayments.  Borrowers may prepay the principal of any Revolving Loan at any time in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

 

(e)                                  Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(i)                                     Borrowing Base.  If, at any time, (A) the Revolver Usage on such date exceeds (B) the Maximum Available Amount, including as a result of application of Section 2.1(d), then Borrowers shall immediately prepay the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f)(i) in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess.

 

(ii)                                  Dispositions.  Within 1 Business Day of the date of receipt by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the Net Cash Proceeds of any voluntary or involuntary sale or disposition by such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of ABL Priority Collateral (including insurance proceeds and proceeds from casualty losses or condemnations) (but other than dispositions which qualify as Permitted Dispositions under clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), (j), (k), (l), (m) and (n) of the definition thereof), Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f)(i) in an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds (including condemnation awards and payments in lieu thereof) received by such Person in connection with such sales or dispositions; provided that, so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (B) Borrowers shall have given Agent prior written notice of Borrowers’ intention to apply such monies to the cost of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, (C) the monies are held in a Deposit Account in which Agent has a perfected first-priority security interest, and (D) Borrower or their Subsidiaries, as applicable, complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within 270 after the initial receipt of such monies, then the Loan Party whose assets were the subject of such disposition shall have the option to apply such monies to the cost of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the Deposit Account referred to in clause (C) above shall be paid to Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.4(f); provided, further, that no Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have the right to use such Net Cash Proceeds to make such replacements, purchases, or construction in excess of $10,000,000 in any given fiscal year.  Nothing contained in this Section 2.4(e)(ii) shall permit any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to sell or otherwise dispose of any assets other than in accordance with Section 6.4.

 

(iii)                               Curative Equity.  Within 1 Business Day of the date of receipt by any Borrowers of the proceeds of any Curative Equity pursuant to Section 9.3 with respect to a breach of the Specified Financial Covenant, Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 50% of such proceeds.

 

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(f)                                   Application of Payments.  Each prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(e)(i), Section 2.4(e)(ii) and Section 2.4(e)(iii) shall, (A) so long as no Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied, first, to the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans until paid in full, second, to cash collateralize the Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 105% of the then outstanding Letter of Credit Usage, and (B) if an Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied in the manner set forth in Section 2.4(b)(iii).

 

(g)                                  If one (1) or more LIBOR Rate Loans are outstanding along with Base Rate Loans, all payments from Borrowers applied to the Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(a), Section 2.4(d), Section 2.4(e), or Section 2.4(f), shall be applied first to the principal amount of the Base Rate Loans outstanding, and then to the principal amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans, and if there is more than one (1) LIBOR Rate Loan outstanding, the payments shall be applied to the LIBOR Rate Loans in the order of occurrence of the last date of the Interest Period for such Loans.

 

2.5                               Promise to Pay; Promissory Notes.

 

(a)                                 Borrowers agree to pay the Lender Group Expenses on the earlier of (i) the first day of the month following the date on which the applicable Lender Group Expenses were first incurred or (ii) the date on which demand therefor is made by Agent (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such costs, expenses or Lender Group Expenses to the Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6(d) shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this subclause (ii)).  Borrowers promise to pay all of the Obligations (including principal, interest, premiums, if any, fees, costs, and expenses (including Lender Group Expenses)) in full on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations) become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  Borrowers agree that their obligations contained in the first sentence of this Section 2.5(a) shall survive payment or satisfaction in full of all other Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Any Lender may request that any portion of its Commitments or the Loans made by it be evidenced by one or more promissory notes.  In such event, Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender the requested promissory notes payable to the order of such Lender in a form furnished by Agent and reasonably satisfactory to Borrowers.  Thereafter, the portion of the Commitments and Loans evidenced by such promissory notes and interest thereon shall at all times be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein.

 

2.6                               Interest Rates and Letter of Credit Fee; Rates, Payments, and Calculations.

 

(a)                                 Interest Rates.  Except as provided in Section 2.6(c), all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest as follows:

 

(i)                                     each Revolving Loan which is a (x) LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Margin and (y) Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin; and

 

(ii)                                  each Swing Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin.

 

(b)                                 Letter of Credit Fee.  Borrowers shall pay Agent (for the ratable benefit of the Lenders), a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) (which fee shall be in addition to the fronting fees and commissions, other fees, charges and expenses set forth in Section 2.11(k)) that shall accrue at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR Rate Margin times the Letter of Credit Usage.

 

(c)                                  Default Rate.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and at the election of Agent or the Required Lenders,

 

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(i)                                     all Obligations (except for undrawn Letters of Credit) that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable thereunder, and

 

(ii)                                  the Letter of Credit Fee shall be increased to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable hereunder.

 

(d)                                 Payment.  Except to the extent provided to the contrary in Section 2.10, Section 2.11(k) or Section 2.12(a), (i) all interest, all Letter of Credit Fees and all other fees payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month and (ii) all costs and expenses payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, and all Lender Group Expenses shall be due and payable on the earlier of (x) the first day of the month following the date on which the applicable costs, expenses, or Lender Group Expenses were first incurred or (y) the date on which demand therefor is made by Agent (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such costs, expenses or Lender Group Expenses to the Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of the following sentence shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this subclause (y)).  Borrowers hereby authorize Agent, from time to time without prior notice to Borrowers, to charge to the Loan Account (A) on the first day of each month (or with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, the date when interest is due and payable as provided in Section 2.12(a)), all interest accrued during the prior month (or Interest Period or prior three months, as applicable, in case of LIBOR Rate Loans) on the Revolving Loans hereunder, (B) on the first day of each month, all Letter of Credit Fees accrued or chargeable hereunder during the prior month, (C) as and when incurred or accrued, all fees and costs provided for in Section 2.10 (a) or (c), (D) on the first day of each month, the Unused Line Fee accrued during the prior month pursuant to Section 2.10(b), (E) as and when due and payable, all other fees payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, (F) as and when incurred or accrued, the fronting fees and all commissions, other fees, charges and expenses provided for in Section 2.11(k), (G) as and when incurred or accrued, all other Lender Group Expenses, and (H) as and when due and payable all other payment obligations payable under any Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement (including any amounts due and payable to the Bank Product Providers in respect of Bank Products).  All amounts (including interest, fees, costs, expenses, Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any Bank Product Agreement) charged to the Loan Account shall thereupon constitute Revolving Loans hereunder, shall constitute Obligations hereunder, and shall initially accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans (unless and until converted into LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement).

 

(e)                                  Computation.  All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year, in each case, for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which the interest or fees accrue.  In the event the Base Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the rates of interest hereunder based upon the Base Rate automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such change in the Base Rate.

 

(f)                                   Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate.  In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable.  Borrowers and the Lender Group, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if such rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrowers are and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum amount as is allowed by law, and payment received from Borrowers in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess.

 

2.7                               Crediting PaymentsThe receipt of any payment item by Agent shall not be required to be considered a payment on account unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately available federal funds made to Agent’s Account or unless and until such payment item is honored when presented for payment.  Should any payment item not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrowers shall be deemed not to have

 

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made such payment and interest shall be calculated accordingly.  Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by Agent only if it is received into Agent’s Account on a Business Day on or before 1:30 p.m.  If any payment item is received into Agent’s Account on a non-Business Day or after 1:30 p.m. on a Business Day (unless Agent, in its sole discretion, elects to credit it on the date received), it shall be deemed to have been received by Agent as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day.

 

2.8                               Designated AccountAgent is authorized to make the Revolving Loans, and Issuing Bank is authorized to issue the Letters of Credit, under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an Authorized Person or, without instructions, if pursuant to Section 2.6(d).  Borrowers agree to establish and maintain the Designated Account with the Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving the proceeds of the Revolving Loans requested by Borrowers and made by Agent or the Lenders hereunder.  Unless otherwise agreed by Agent and Borrowers, any Revolving Loan or Swing Loan requested by Borrowers and made by Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be made to the Designated Account.

 

2.9                               Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of ObligationsAgent shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrowers (the “Loan Account”) on which Borrowers will be charged with all Revolving Loans (including Extraordinary Advances and Swing Loans) made by Agent, Swing Lender, or the Lenders to Borrowers or for Borrowers’ account, the Letters of Credit issued or arranged by Issuing Bank for Borrowers’ account, and with all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees and expenses, and Lender Group Expenses.  In accordance with Section 2.7, the Loan Account will be credited with all payments received by Agent from Borrowers or for Borrowers’ account.  Agent shall make available to Borrowers monthly statements regarding the Loan Account, including the principal amount of the Revolving Loans, interest accrued hereunder, fees accrued or charged hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and a summary itemization of all charges and expenses constituting Lender Group Expenses accrued hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and each such statement, absent manifest error, shall be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate and constitute an account stated between Borrowers and the Lender Group unless, within 30 days after Agent first makes such a statement available to Borrowers, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent written objection thereto describing the error or errors contained in such statement.

 

2.10                        Fees.

 

(a)                                 Agent Fees.  Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the account of Agent, as and when due and payable under the terms of the Fee Letter, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

(b)                                 Unused Line Fee.  Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the ratable account of the Lenders, an unused line fee (the “Unused Line Fee”) in an amount equal to the Applicable Unused Line Fee Percentage per annum times the result of (i) the aggregate amount of the Commitments, less (ii) the Average Revolver Usage during the immediately preceding month (or portion thereof), which Unused Line Fee shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month from and after the Closing Date up to the first day of the month prior to the date on which the Obligations are paid in full and on the date on which the Obligations are paid in full.

 

(c)                                  Field Examination and Other Fees.  Borrowers shall pay to Agent, field examination, appraisal, and valuation fees and charges, as and when incurred or chargeable, as follows (i) a fee of $1,000 per day, per examiner, plus out-of-pocket expenses (including travel, meals, and lodging) for each field examination of any Borrower performed by personnel employed by Agent, and (ii) the fees or charges paid or incurred by Agent (but, in any event, no less than a charge of $1,000 per day, per Person, plus out-of-pocket expenses (including travel, meals, and lodging)) if it elects to employ the services of one or more third Persons to perform field examinations of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, to establish electronic collateral reporting systems, to appraise the Collateral, or any portion thereof, or to assess any Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ business valuation; provided, that so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrowers shall not be obligated to reimburse Agent for more than two (2) field examinations during any calendar year and more than one (1) appraisal of each type of Collateral during any calendar year.

 

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2.11                        Letters of Credit.

 

(a)                                 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon the request of Borrowers made in accordance herewith, and prior to the Maturity Date, Issuing Bank agrees to issue a requested Letter of Credit for the account of Borrowers.  Unless such Letters of Credit have been made the subject of Letter of Credit Collateralization (on and as of the Maturity Date), no Letters of Credit shall have an expiry date that is later than the Maturity Date.  By submitting a request to Issuing Bank for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested that Issuing Bank issue the requested Letter of Credit.  Each request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or the amendment, renewal, or extension of any outstanding Letter of Credit, shall be irrevocable and shall be made in writing by an Authorized Person and delivered to Issuing Bank via telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission reasonably acceptable to Issuing Bank and reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension.  Each such request shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Issuing Bank and (i) shall specify (A) the amount of such Letter of Credit, (B) the date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit, (C) the proposed expiration date of such Letter of Credit, (D) the name and address of the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit, and (E) such other information (including, the conditions to drawing, and, in the case of an amendment, renewal, or extension, identification of the Letter of Credit to be so amended, renewed, or extended) as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew, or extend such Letter of Credit, and (ii) shall be accompanied by such Issuer Documents as Agent or Issuing Bank may request or require, to the extent that such requests or requirements are consistent with the Issuer Documents that Issuing Bank generally requests for Letters of Credit in similar circumstances.  Bank’s records of the content of any such request will be conclusive.  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Issuing Bank may, but shall not be obligated to, issue a Letter of Credit that supports the obligations of Borrowers or one of their Subsidiaries in respect of (x) a lease of real property, or (y) an employment contract.

 

(b)                                 Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit if any of the following would result after giving effect to the requested issuance:

 

(i)                                     the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $5,000,000, or

 

(ii)                                  the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Maximum Revolver Amount less the sum of (x) the outstanding amount of Revolving Loans (including Swing Loans) plus (y) the amount of reserves established by Agent under Section 2.1(c), or

 

(iii)                               the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect at such time less the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans (inclusive of Swing Loans) at such time.

 

(c)                                  In the event there is a Defaulting Lender as of the date of any request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue or arrange for such Letter of Credit to the extent (i) the Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure with respect to such Letter of Credit may not be reallocated pursuant to Section 2.3(g)(ii), or (ii) the Issuing Bank has not otherwise entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to it and Borrowers to eliminate the Issuing Bank’s risk with respect to the participation in such Letter of Credit of the Defaulting Lender, which arrangements may include Borrowers cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Exposure in accordance with Section 2.3(g)(ii).  Additionally, Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue a Letter of Credit if (A) any order, judgment, or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall, by its terms, purport to enjoin or restrain Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over Issuing Bank shall prohibit or request that Issuing Bank refrain from the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular, (B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally, or (C) if amounts demanded to be paid under any Letter of Credit will or may not be in United States Dollars.

 

(d)                                 Any Issuing Bank (other than Wells Fargo or any of its Affiliates) shall notify Agent in writing no later than the Business Day immediately following the Business Day on which such Issuing Bank issued any Letter of Credit; provided that (i) until Agent advises any such Issuing Bank that the provisions of Section 3.2

 

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are not satisfied, or (ii) unless the aggregate amount of the Letters of Credit issued in any such week exceeds such amount as shall be agreed by Agent and such Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be required to so notify Agent in writing only once each week of the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the immediately preceding week as well as the daily amounts outstanding for the prior week, such notice to be furnished on such day of the week as Agent and such Issuing Bank may agree.  Each Letter of Credit shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Issuing Bank, including the requirement that the amounts payable thereunder must be payable in Dollars.  If Issuing Bank makes a payment under a Letter of Credit, Borrowers shall pay to Agent an amount equal to the applicable Letter of Credit Disbursement on the Business Day such Letter of Credit Disbursement is made and, in the absence of such payment, the amount of the Letter of Credit Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder (notwithstanding any failure to satisfy any condition precedent set forth in Section 3) and, initially, shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans. If a Letter of Credit Disbursement is deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder, Borrowers’ obligation to pay the amount of such Letter of Credit Disbursement to Issuing Bank shall be automatically converted into an obligation to pay the resulting Revolving Loan.  Promptly following receipt by Agent of any payment from Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, Agent shall distribute such payment to Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.11(e) to reimburse Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.

 

(e)                                  Promptly following receipt of a notice of a Letter of Credit Disbursement pursuant to Section 2.11(d), each Lender agrees to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Revolving Loan deemed made pursuant to Section 2.11(d) on the same terms and conditions as if Borrowers had requested the amount thereof as a Revolving Loan and Agent shall promptly pay to Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment, renewal, or extension of a Letter of Credit) and without any further action on the part of Issuing Bank or the Lenders, Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have granted to each Lender, and each Lender shall be deemed to have purchased, a participation in each Letter of Credit issued by Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such Letter of Credit, and each such Lender agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Letter of Credit Disbursement made by Issuing Bank under the applicable Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each Letter of Credit Disbursement made by Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by Borrowers on the date due as provided in Section 2.11(d), or of any reimbursement payment that is required to be refunded (or that Agent or Issuing Bank elects, based upon the advice of counsel, to refund) to Borrowers for any reason.  Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to deliver to Agent, for the account of Issuing Bank, an amount equal to its respective Pro Rata Share of each Letter of Credit Disbursement pursuant to this Section 2.11(e) shall be absolute and unconditional and such remittance shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or continuation of an Event of Default or Default or the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section 3.  If any such Lender fails to make available to Agent the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of a Letter of Credit Disbursement as provided in this Section, such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender and Agent (for the account of Issuing Bank) shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate until paid in full.

 

(f)                                   Each Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each member of the Lender Group (including Issuing Bank and its branches, Affiliates, and correspondents) and each such Person’s respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys and agents (each, including Issuing Bank, a “Letter of Credit Related Person”) (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, liabilities, fines, costs, penalties, and damages, and all reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts, or consultants and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this indemnification (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), which may be incurred by or awarded against any such Letter of Credit Related Person (other than Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 16) (the “Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs”), and which arise out of or in connection with, or as a result of:

 

(i)                                     any Letter of Credit or any pre-advice of its issuance;

 

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(ii)                                  any transfer, sale, delivery, surrender or endorsement of any Drawing Document at any time(s) held by any such Letter of Credit Related Person in connection with any Letter of Credit;

 

(iii)                               any action or proceeding arising out of, or in connection with, any Letter of Credit (whether administrative, judicial or in connection with arbitration), including any action or proceeding to compel or restrain any presentation or payment under any Letter of Credit, or for the wrongful dishonor of, or honoring a presentation under, any Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)                              any independent undertakings issued by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit;

 

(v)                                 any unauthorized instruction or request made to Issuing Bank in connection with any Letter of Credit or requested Letter of Credit or error in computer or electronic transmission;

 

(vi)                              an adviser, confirmer or other nominated person seeking to be reimbursed, indemnified or compensated;

 

(vii)                           any third party seeking to enforce the rights of an applicant, beneficiary, nominated person, transferee, assignee of Letter of Credit proceeds or holder of an instrument or document;

 

(viii)                        the fraud, forgery or illegal action of parties other than the Letter of Credit Related Person;

 

(ix)                              Issuing Bank’s performance of the obligations of a confirming institution or entity that wrongfully dishonors a confirmation; or

 

(x)                                 the acts or omissions, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto governmental or regulatory authority or cause or event beyond the control of the Letter of Credit Related Person;

 

in each case, including that resulting from the Letter of Credit Related Person’s own negligence; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not be available to any Letter of Credit Related Person claiming indemnification under clauses (i) through (x) above to the extent that such Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs may be finally determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Letter of Credit Related Person claiming indemnity.  Borrowers hereby agree to pay the Letter of Credit Related Person claiming indemnity on demand from time to time all amounts owing under this Section 2.11(f).  If and to the extent that the obligations of Borrowers under this Section 2.11(f) are unenforceable for any reason, Borrowers agree to make the maximum contribution to the Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs permissible under applicable law.  This indemnification provision shall survive termination of this Agreement and all Letters of Credit.

 

(g)                                  The liability of Issuing Bank (or any other Letter of Credit Related Person) under, in connection with or arising out of any Letter of Credit (or pre-advice), regardless of the form or legal grounds of the action or proceeding, shall be limited to direct damages suffered by Borrowers that are caused directly by Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in (i) honoring a presentation under a Letter of Credit that on its face does not at least substantially comply with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, (ii) failing to honor a presentation under a Letter of Credit that strictly complies with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit or (iii) retaining Drawing Documents presented under a Letter of Credit.  Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have acted with due diligence and reasonable care if Issuing Bank’s conduct is in accordance with Standard Letter of Credit Practice or in accordance with this Agreement.  Borrowers’ aggregate remedies against Issuing Bank and any Letter of Credit Related Person for wrongfully honoring a presentation under any Letter of Credit or wrongfully retaining honored Drawing Documents shall in no event exceed the aggregate amount paid by Borrowers to Issuing Bank in respect of the honored presentation in connection with such Letter of Credit under Section 2.11(d), plus interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder.  Borrowers shall take action to avoid and mitigate the amount of any damages claimed against Issuing Bank or any other Letter of Credit Related Person, including by enforcing its rights against the beneficiaries of the Letters of Credit.  Any claim by Borrowers under or in

 

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connection with any Letter of Credit shall be reduced by an amount equal to the sum of (x) the amount (if any) saved by Borrowers as a result of the breach or alleged wrongful conduct complained of; and (y) the amount (if any) of the loss that would have been avoided had Borrowers taken all reasonable steps to mitigate any loss, and in case of a claim of wrongful dishonor, by specifically and timely authorizing Issuing Bank to effect a cure.

 

(h)                                 Borrowers are responsible for preparing or approving the final text of the Letter of Credit as issued by Issuing Bank, irrespective of any assistance Issuing Bank may provide such as drafting or recommending text or by Issuing Bank’s use or refusal to use text submitted by Borrowers.  Borrowers are solely responsible for the suitability of the Letter of Credit for Borrowers’ purposes.  With respect to any Letter of Credit containing an “automatic amendment” to extend the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, Issuing Bank, in its sole and absolute discretion, may give notice of nonrenewal of such Letter of Credit and, if Borrowers do not at any time want such Letter of Credit to be renewed, Borrowers will so notify Agent and Issuing Bank at least 15 calendar days before Issuing Bank is required to notify the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any advising bank of such nonrenewal pursuant to the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

(i)                                     Borrowers’ reimbursement and payment obligations under this Section 2.11 are absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever, including the following:

 

(i)                                     any lack of validity, enforceability or legal effect of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement or any term or provision therein or herein;

 

(ii)                                  payment against presentation of any draft, demand or claim for payment under any Drawing Document that does not comply in whole or in part with the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit or which proves to be fraudulent, forged or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, or which is signed, issued or presented by a Person or a transferee of such Person purporting to be a successor or transferee of the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit;

 

(iii)                               Issuing Bank or any of its branches or Affiliates being the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)                              Issuing Bank or any correspondent honoring a drawing against a Drawing Document up to the amount available under any Letter of Credit even if such Drawing Document claims an amount in excess of the amount available under the Letter of Credit;

 

(v)                                 the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may have at any time against any beneficiary, any assignee of proceeds, Issuing Bank or any other Person;

 

(vi)                              any other event, circumstance or conduct whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing that might, but for this Section 2.11(i), constitute a legal or equitable defense to or discharge of, or provide a right of set-off against, any Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ reimbursement and other payment obligations and liabilities, arising under, or in connection with, any Letter of Credit, whether against Issuing Bank, the beneficiary or any other Person; or

 

(vii)                           the fact that any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

provided, however, that subject to Section 2.11(g) above, the foregoing shall not release Issuing Bank from such liability to Borrowers as may be finally determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction against Issuing Bank following reimbursement or payment of the obligations and liabilities, including reimbursement and other payment obligations, of Borrowers to Issuing Bank arising under, or in connection with, this Section 2.11 or any Letter of Credit.

 

(j)                                    Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Issuing Bank and each other Letter of Credit Related Person (if applicable) shall not be responsible to Borrowers for, and Issuing Bank’s rights

 

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and remedies against Borrowers and the obligation of Borrowers to reimburse Issuing Bank for each drawing under each Letter of Credit shall not be impaired by:

 

(i)                                     honor of a presentation under any Letter of Credit that on its face substantially complies with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, even if the Letter of Credit requires strict compliance by the beneficiary;

 

(ii)                                  honor of a presentation of any Drawing Document that appears on its face to have been signed, presented or issued (A) by any purported successor or transferee of any beneficiary or other Person required to sign, present or issue such Drawing Document or (B) under a new name of the beneficiary;

 

(iii)                               acceptance as a draft of any written or electronic demand or request for payment under a Letter of Credit, even if nonnegotiable or not in the form of a draft or notwithstanding any requirement that such draft, demand or request bear any or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)                              the identity or authority of any presenter or signer of any Drawing Document or the form, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any Drawing Document (other than Issuing Bank’s determination that such Drawing Document appears on its face substantially to comply with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit);

 

(v)                                 acting upon any instruction or request relative to a Letter of Credit or requested Letter of Credit that Issuing Bank in good faith believes to have been given by a Person authorized to give such instruction or request;

 

(vi)                              any errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any message, advice or document (regardless of how sent or transmitted) or for errors in interpretation of technical terms or in translation or any delay in giving or failing to give notice to Borrowers;

 

(vii)                           any acts, omissions or fraud by, or the insolvency of, any beneficiary, any nominated person or entity or any other Person or any breach of contract between any beneficiary and any Borrower or any of the parties to the underlying transaction to which the Letter of Credit relates;

 

(viii)                        assertion or waiver of any provision of the ISP or UCP that primarily benefits an issuer of a letter of credit, including any requirement that any Drawing Document be presented to it at a particular hour or place;

 

(ix)                              payment to any paying or negotiating bank (designated or permitted by the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit) claiming that it rightfully honored or is entitled to reimbursement or indemnity under Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to it;

 

(x)                                 acting or failing to act as required or permitted under Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to where Issuing Bank has issued, confirmed, advised or negotiated such Letter of Credit, as the case may be;

 

(xi)                              honor of a presentation after the expiration date of any Letter of Credit notwithstanding that a presentation was made prior to such expiration date and dishonored by Issuing Bank if subsequently Issuing Bank or any court or other finder of fact determines such presentation should have been honored;

 

(xii)                           dishonor of any presentation that does not strictly comply or that is fraudulent, forged or otherwise not entitled to honor; or

 

(xiii)                        honor of a presentation that is subsequently determined by Issuing Bank to have been made in violation of international, federal, state or local restrictions on the transaction of business with certain prohibited Persons.

 

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(k)           Borrowers shall pay immediately upon demand to Agent for the account of Issuing Bank as non-refundable fees, commissions, and charges (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such fees, commissions, and charges to the Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6(d) shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this Section 2.11(k)):  (i) a fronting fee which shall be imposed by Issuing Bank upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit of 0.125% per annum of the face amount thereof, plus (ii) any and all other customary commissions, fees and charges then in effect imposed by, and any and all expenses incurred by, Issuing Bank, or by any adviser, confirming institution or entity or other nominated person, relating to Letters of Credit, at the time of issuance of any Letter of Credit and upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including transfers, assignments of proceeds, amendments, drawings, renewals or cancellations).

 

(l)            If by reason of (x) any Change in Law, or (y) compliance by Issuing Bank or any other member of the Lender Group with any direction, request, or requirement (irrespective of whether having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority or monetary authority including, Regulation D of the Board of Governors as from time to time in effect (and any successor thereto):

 

(i)            any reserve, deposit, or similar requirement is or shall be imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit issued or caused to be issued hereunder or hereby, or

 

(ii)           there shall be imposed on Issuing Bank or any other member of the Lender Group any other condition regarding any Letter of Credit,

 

and the result of the foregoing is to increase, directly or indirectly, the cost to Issuing Bank or any other member of the Lender Group of issuing, making, participating in, or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount receivable in respect thereof, then, and in any such case, Agent may, at any time within a reasonable period after the additional cost is incurred or the amount received is reduced, notify Borrowers, and Borrowers shall pay within 30 days after demand therefor, such amounts as Agent may specify to be necessary to compensate Issuing Bank or any other member of the Lender Group for such additional cost or reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from the date of such demand until payment in full thereof at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder; provided, that (A) Borrowers shall not be required to provide any compensation pursuant to this Section 2.11(l) for any such amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date on which the demand for payment of such amounts is first made to Borrowers, and (B) if an event or circumstance giving rise to such amounts is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.  The determination by Agent of any amount due pursuant to this Section 2.11(l), as set forth in a certificate setting forth the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error, be final and conclusive and binding on all of the parties hereto.

 

(i)            Unless otherwise expressly agreed by Issuing Bank and Borrowers when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP and the UCP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

 

(j)            In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Section 2.11 and any provision contained in any Issuer Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.11 shall control and govern.

 

2.12        LIBOR Option.

 

(a)           Interest and Interest Payment Dates.  In lieu of having interest charged at the rate based upon the Base Rate, Borrowers shall have the option, subject to Section 2.12(b) below (the “LIBOR Option”) to have interest on all or a portion of the Revolving Loans be charged (whether at the time when made (unless otherwise provided herein), upon conversion from a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan, or upon continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan) at a rate of interest based upon the LIBOR Rate.  Interest on LIBOR

 

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Rate Loans shall be payable on the earliest of (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided, that, subject to the following clauses (ii) and (iii), in the case of any Interest Period greater than 3 months in duration, interest shall be payable at 3 month intervals after the commencement of the applicable Interest Period and on the last day of such Interest Period), (ii) the date on which all or any portion of the Obligations are accelerated pursuant to the terms hereof, or (iii) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.  On the last day of each applicable Interest Period, unless Borrowers have properly exercised the LIBOR Option with respect thereto, the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan automatically shall convert to the interest rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans of the same type hereunder.  At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the written election of Agent (which notice Agent may elect to give or not give in its discretion unless Agent is directed to give such notice by the Required Lenders, in which case, it shall give the notice to Borrowers) or the Required Lenders, Borrowers no longer shall have the option to request that Revolving Loans bear interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate.

 

(b)           LIBOR Election.

 

(i)            Borrowers may, at any time and from time to time, so long as Parent Borrower has not received a notice from Agent (which notice Agent may elect to give or not give in its discretion unless Agent is directed to give such notice by the Required Lenders, in which case, it shall give the notice to Parent Borrower), after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to terminate the right of Borrowers to exercise the LIBOR Option during the continuance of such Event of Default, elect to exercise the LIBOR Option by notifying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. at least 1 Business Day prior to the commencement of the proposed Interest Period (the “LIBOR Deadline”).  Notice of Borrowers’ election of the LIBOR Option for a permitted portion of the Revolving Loans and an Interest Period pursuant to this Section shall be made by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice received by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline, or by telephonic notice received by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline (to be confirmed by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice received by Agent prior to 5:00 p.m. on the same day).  Promptly upon its receipt of each such LIBOR Notice, Agent shall provide a copy thereof to each of the affected Lenders.

 

(ii)           Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on Borrowers.  In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, each Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders harmless against any loss, cost, or expense actually incurred by Agent or any Lender as a result of (A) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (B) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (C) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any LIBOR Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, or expenses, “Funding Losses”).  A certificate of Agent or a Lender delivered to Borrowers setting forth in reasonable detail any amount or amounts that Agent or such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Borrowers shall pay such amount to Agent or the Lender, as applicable, within 30 days of the date of its receipt of such certificate.  If a payment of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period would result in a Funding Loss, Agent may, in its sole discretion at the request of Borrowers, hold the amount of such payment as cash collateral in support of the Obligations until the last day of such Interest Period and apply such amounts to the payment of the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan on such last day, it being agreed that Agent has no obligation to so defer the application of payments to any LIBOR Rate Loan and that, in the event that Agent does not defer such application, Borrowers shall be obligated to pay any resulting Funding Losses.

 

(iii)          Unless Agent, in its sole discretion, agrees otherwise, Borrowers shall have not more than seven (7) LIBOR Rate Loans in effect at any given time.  Borrowers may only exercise the LIBOR Option for proposed LIBOR Rate Loans of at least $500,000.

 

(c)           Conversion.  Borrowers may convert LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans at any time; provided, that in the event that LIBOR Rate Loans are converted or prepaid on any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, including as a result of any prepayment through the required application by Agent of any payments or proceeds of Collateral in accordance with Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason, including early termination of the term of this Agreement or acceleration of all or any portion of the Obligations

 

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pursuant to the terms hereof, each Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders and their Participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses in accordance with Section 2.12 (b)(ii).

 

(d)           Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate.

 

(i)            The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Agent with respect to any Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to such Lender of maintaining or obtaining any eurodollar deposits or increased costs, in each case, due to changes in applicable law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable Interest Period, including any Changes in Law (including any changes in tax laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income tax laws)) and changes in the reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors, which additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding or maintaining loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate.  In any such event, the affected Lender shall give Borrowers and Agent notice of such a determination and adjustment and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and, upon its receipt of the notice from the affected Lender,  Borrowers may, by notice to such affected Lender (A) require such Lender to furnish to Borrowers a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for adjusting such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such adjustment, or (B) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender with respect to which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under Section 2.12(b)(ii)).

 

(ii)           In the event that any change in market conditions or any Change in Law shall at any time after the date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of any Lender, make it unlawful or impractical for such Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, such Lender shall give notice of such changed circumstances to Agent and Borrowers and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and (y) in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender that are outstanding, the date specified in such Lender’s notice shall be deemed to be the last day of the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender thereafter shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (z) Borrowers shall not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option until such Lender determines that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.

 

(e)           No Requirement of Matched Funding.  Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither Agent, nor any Lender, nor any of their Participants, is required actually to acquire eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at the LIBOR Rate.

 

2.13        Capital Requirements.

 

(a)           If, after the date hereof, Issuing Bank or any Lender determines that (i) any Change in Law regarding capital or reserve requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or (ii) compliance by Issuing Bank or such Lender, or their respective parent bank holding companies, with any guideline, request or directive of any Governmental Authority regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements (whether or not having the force of law), has the effect of reducing the return on Issuing Bank’s, such Lender’s, or such holding companies’ capital as a consequence of Issuing Bank’s or such Lender’s commitments hereunder to a level below that which Issuing Bank, such Lender, or such holding companies could have achieved but for such Change in Law or compliance (taking into consideration Issuing Bank’s, such Lender’s, or such holding companies’ then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements and assuming the full utilization of such entity’s capital) by any amount deemed by Issuing Bank or such Lender to be material, then Issuing Bank or such Lender may notify Borrowers and Agent thereof.  Following receipt of such notice, Borrowers agree to pay Issuing Bank or such Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of return of capital as and when such reduction is determined, payable within 30 days after presentation by Issuing Bank or such Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable detail Issuing Bank’s or such Lender’s calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based (which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error).  In determining such amount, Issuing Bank or such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.  Failure or delay on the part of Issuing Bank or any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of Issuing Bank’s or such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Borrowers shall not be required to compensate Issuing Bank or a Lender pursuant to this Section for any reductions

 

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in return incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that Issuing Bank or such Lender notifies Borrowers of such Change in Law giving rise to such reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that if such claim arises by reason of the Change in Law that is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(b)           If Issuing Bank or any Lender requests additional or increased costs referred to in Section 2.11(l) or Section 2.12(d)(i) or amounts under Section 2.13(a) or sends a notice under Section 2.12(d)(ii) relative to changed circumstances (such Issuing Bank or Lender, an “Affected Lender”), then such Affected Lender shall use reasonable efforts to promptly designate a different one of its lending offices or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices or branches, if (i) in the reasonable judgment of such Affected Lender, such designation or assignment would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.11(l), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or would eliminate the illegality or impracticality of funding or maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) in the reasonable judgment of such Affected Lender, such designation or assignment would not subject it to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to it.  Borrowers agree to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Affected Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.  If, after such reasonable efforts, such Affected Lender does not so designate a different one of its lending offices or assign its rights to another of its offices or branches so as to eliminate Borrowers’ obligation to pay any future amounts to such Affected Lender pursuant to Section 2.11(l), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or to enable Borrowers to obtain LIBOR Rate Loans, then Borrowers (without prejudice to any amounts then due to such Affected Lender under Section 2.11(l), Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable) may, unless prior to the effective date of any such assignment the Affected Lender withdraws its request for such additional amounts under Section 2.11(l)Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or indicates that it is no longer unlawful or impractical to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans, may designate a different Issuing Bank or substitute a Lender, in each case,  reasonably acceptable to Agent to purchase the Obligations owed to such Affected Lender and such Affected Lender’s commitments hereunder (a “Replacement Lender”), and if such Replacement Lender agrees to such purchase, such Affected Lender shall assign to the Replacement Lender its Obligations and commitments, and upon such purchase by the Replacement Lender, which such Replacement Lender shall be deemed to be “Issuing Bank” or a “Lender” (as the case may be) for purposes of this Agreement and such Affected Lender shall cease to be “Issuing Bank”, “Swing Lender”, or a “Lender” (as the case may be) for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the protection of Sections 2.11(l), 2.12(d), and 2.13 shall be available to Issuing Bank and each Lender (as applicable) regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment, guideline, treaty or other change or condition which shall have occurred or been imposed, so long as it shall be customary for issuing banks or lenders affected thereby to comply therewith.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, neither Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.13 if it shall not at the time be the general policy or practice of Issuing Bank or such Lender (as the case may be) to demand such compensation in similar circumstances under comparable provisions of other credit agreements, if any.

 

2.14        Accordion.

 

(a)           At any time during the period after the Closing Date through but excluding the date that is the 4 year anniversary of the Closing Date, at the option of Borrowers (but subject to the conditions set forth in clause (b) below), the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount may be increased by an amount in the aggregate for all such increases of the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount not to exceed the Available Revolver Increase Amount (each such increase, an “Increase”).  Agent shall invite each Lender to increase its Revolver Commitments (it being understood that no Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolver Commitments) in connection with a proposed Increase at the interest margin proposed by Borrowers, and if sufficient Lenders do not agree to increase their Revolver Commitments in connection with such proposed Increase, then Agent or Borrowers may invite any prospective lender who is reasonably satisfactory to Agent and Borrowers to become a Lender in connection with a proposed Increase.  Any Increase shall be in an amount of at least $2,500,000 and integral multiples of $2,500,000 in excess thereof.  In no event may the Revolver

 

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Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount be increased pursuant to this Section 2.14 on more than 3 occasions in the aggregate for all such Increases.

 

(b)           Each of the following shall be conditions precedent to any Increase of the Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount in connection therewith:

 

(i)            Agent or Borrowers have obtained the commitment of one or more Lenders (or other prospective lenders) reasonably satisfactory to Agent and Borrowers to provide the applicable Increase and any such Lenders (or prospective lenders), Borrowers, and Agent have signed a joinder agreement to this Agreement (an “Increase Joinder”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to which such Lenders (or prospective lenders), Borrowers, and Agent are party,

 

(ii)           each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied,

 

(iii)          Borrowers have delivered to Agent updated pro forma Projections (after giving effect to the applicable Increase) for Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries evidencing compliance on a pro forma basis with Section 7 (whether or not then in effect) for the 4 fiscal quarters (on a quarter-by-quarter basis) immediately following the proposed date of the applicable Increase, and

 

(iv)          Borrowers shall have reached agreement with the Lenders (or prospective lenders) agreeing to the increased Revolver Commitments with respect to the interest margins applicable to Revolving Loans to be made pursuant to the increased Revolver Commitments (which interest margins may be with respect to Revolving Loans made pursuant to the increased Revolver Commitments, higher than or equal to the interest margins applicable to Revolving Loans set forth in this Agreement immediately prior to the date of the increased Revolver Commitments (the date of the effectiveness of the increased Revolver Commitments and the Maximum Revolver Amount, the “Increase Date”)) and shall have communicated the amount of such interest margins to Agent.  Any Increase Joinder may, with the consent of Agent, Borrowers and the Lenders or prospective lenders agreeing to the proposed Increase, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this Section 2.14 (including any amendment necessary to effectuate the interest margins for the Revolving Loans to be made pursuant to the increased Revolver Commitments).  Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, if the interest margin that is to be applicable to the Revolving Loans to be made pursuant to the increased Revolver Commitments are higher than the interest margin applicable to the Revolving Loans immediately prior to the applicable Increase Date (the amount by which the interest margin is higher, the “Excess”), then the interest margin applicable to the Revolving Loans immediately prior to the Increase Date shall be increased by the amount of the Excess, effective on the applicable Increase Date, and without the necessity of any action by any party hereto.

 

(c)           Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all references in this Agreement and any other Loan Document to Revolving Loans shall be deemed, unless the context otherwise requires, to include Revolving Loans made pursuant to the increased Revolver Commitments and Maximum Revolver Amount pursuant to this Section 2.14.

 

(d)           Each of the Lenders having a Revolver Commitment prior to the Increase Date (the Pre-Increase Revolver Lenders) shall assign to any Lender which is acquiring a new or additional Revolver Commitment on the Increase Date (the “Post-Increase Revolver Lenders”), and such Post-Increase Revolver Lenders shall purchase from each Pre-Increase Revolver Lender, at the principal amount thereof, such interests in the Revolving Loans and participation interests in Letters of Credit on such Increase Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans and participation interests in Letters of Credit will be held by Pre-Increase Revolver Lenders and Post-Increase Revolver Lenders ratably in accordance with their Pro Rata Share after giving effect to such increased Revolver Commitments.

 

(e)           The Revolving Loans, Revolver Commitments, and Maximum Revolver Amount established pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall constitute Revolving Loans, Revolver Commitments, and Maximum Revolver Amount under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan

 

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Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from any guarantees and the security interests created by the Loan Documents.  Borrowers shall take any actions reasonably required by Agent to ensure and demonstrate that the Liens and security interests granted by the Loan Documents continue to be perfected under the Code or otherwise after giving effect to the establishment of any such new Revolver Commitments and Maximum Revolver Amount.

 

2.15        Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers.

 

(a)           Each Borrower is accepting joint and several liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by the Lender Group under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of the other Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations.

 

(b)           Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrowers, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including any Obligations arising under this Section 2.15), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each Borrower without preferences or distinction among them.

 

(c)           If and to the extent that any Borrower shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event the other Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation until such time as all of the Obligations are paid in full.

 

(d)           The Obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.15 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full recourse Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement (other than this Section 2.15(d)) or any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

(e)           Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of any Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit issued under or pursuant to this Agreement, notice of the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default, or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by Agent or Lenders under or in respect of any of the Obligations, any requirement of diligence or to mitigate damages and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement).  Each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by Agent or Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by Agent or Lenders in respect of any of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of any Agent or Lender with respect to the failure by any Borrower to comply with any of its respective Obligations, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.15 afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its Obligations under this Section 2.15, it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.15 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance.  The Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.15 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any other Borrower or any Agent or Lender.

 

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(f)            Each Borrower represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that such Borrower is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrowers and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations.  Each Borrower further represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that such Borrower has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents.  Each Borrower hereby covenants that such Borrower will continue to keep informed of Borrowers’ financial condition and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Obligations.

 

(g)           The provisions of this Section 2.15 are made for the benefit of Agent, each member of the Lender Group, each Bank Product Provider, and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by it or them from time to time against any or all Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of Agent, any member of the Lender Group, any Bank Product Provider, or any of their successors or assigns first to marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy.  The provisions of this Section 2.15 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied.  If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.15 will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

 

(h)           Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its rights of contribution or subrogation against any other Borrower with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any payments made by it to Agent or Lenders with respect to any of the Obligations or any collateral security therefor until such time as all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash.  Any claim which any Borrower may have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to any Agent or any member of the Lender Group hereunder or under any of the Bank Product Agreements are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations and, in the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction relating to any Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or involuntary, all such Obligations shall be paid in full in cash before any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any other Borrower therefor.

 

(i)            Each Borrower hereby agrees that after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, such Borrower will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any indebtedness of any other Borrower owing to such Borrower until the Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, such Borrower shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness, such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by such Borrower as trustee for Agent, and such Borrower shall deliver any such amounts to Agent for application to the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(b).

 

3.             CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.

 

3.1          Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of CreditThe obligation of each Lender to make the initial extensions of credit provided for hereunder is subject to the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Agent and each Lender, of each of the conditions precedent set forth on Schedule 3.1 (the making of such initial extensions of credit by a Lender being conclusively deemed to be its satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent ).

 

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3.2          Conditions Precedent to all Extensions of CreditThe obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to make any Revolving Loans hereunder (or to extend any other credit hereunder) at any time shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           the representations and warranties of each Borrower or its Subsidiaries contained in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date of such extension of credit, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date); and

 

(b)           no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such extension of credit, nor shall either result from the making thereof.

 

3.3          MaturityThis Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the Maturity Date (unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of this Agreement).

 

3.4          Effect of MaturityOn the Maturity Date, all commitments of the Lender Group to provide additional credit hereunder shall automatically be terminated and all of the Obligations immediately shall become due and payable without notice or demand and Borrowers shall be required to repay all of the Obligations in full.  No termination of the obligations of the Lender Group (other than payment in full of the Obligations and termination of the Commitments) shall relieve or discharge any Loan Party of its duties, obligations, or covenants hereunder or under any other Loan Document and Agent’s Liens in the Collateral shall continue to secure the Obligations and shall remain in effect until all Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments have been terminated.  When all of the Obligations have been paid in full and the Lender Group’s obligations to provide additional credit under the Loan Documents have been terminated irrevocably, Agent will, at Borrowers’ sole expense, execute and deliver any termination statements, lien releases, discharges of security interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable, in recordable form) as are reasonably necessary to release, as of record, Agent’s Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed by Agent.

 

3.5          Early Termination by BorrowersBorrowers have the option, at any time upon 10 Business Days prior written notice to Agent, to terminate this Agreement and terminate the Commitments hereunder by repaying to Agent all of the Obligations in full.  The foregoing notwithstanding, (a) Borrowers may rescind termination notices relative to proposed payments in full of the Obligations with the proceeds of third party Indebtedness if the closing for such issuance or incurrence does not happen on or before the date of the proposed termination (in which case, a new notice shall be required to be sent in connection with any subsequent termination), and (b) Borrowers may extend the date of termination at any time with the consent of Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

3.6          Conditions Subsequent.  The obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to continue to make Revolving Loans (or otherwise extend credit hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment, on or before the date applicable thereto, of the conditions subsequent set forth on Schedule 3.6 (the failure by Borrowers to so perform or cause to be performed such conditions subsequent as and when required by the terms thereof (unless such date is extended, in writing, by Agent, which Agent may do without obtaining the consent of the other members of the Lender Group), shall constitute an Event of Default).

 

4.             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

In order to induce the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement, each Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the Lender Group which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the Closing Date, and shall be true,

 

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correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the date of the making of each Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

 

4.1          Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

 

(a)           Each Loan Party (i) is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) is qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(b)           Set forth on Schedule 4.1(b) (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement) is a complete and accurate description of the authorized Equity Interests of each Borrower, by class, and, as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of each such class that are issued and outstanding.  No Borrower is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its Equity Interests or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of its Equity Interests.

 

(c)           Set forth on Schedule 4.1(c) (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement) is a complete and accurate list of the Loan Parties’ direct and indirect Subsidiaries, showing: (i) the number of shares of each class of common and preferred Equity Interests authorized for each of such Subsidiaries, and (ii) the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned directly or indirectly by Parent Borrower.  All of the outstanding Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(d)           Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(d), there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of any Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument.

 

4.2          Due Authorization; No Conflict.

 

(a)           As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Loan Party.

 

(b)           As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, (ii) violate any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or violate any provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, which violation could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material agreement of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries where any such conflict, breach or default could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any assets of any Loan Party, other than Permitted Liens, or (v) require any approval of any holder of Equity Interests of a Loan Party or any approval or consent of any Person under any material agreement of any Loan Party, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except, in the case of

 

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material agreements, for consents or approvals, the failure to obtain could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.3          Governmental ConsentsThe execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority, other than (a) filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Agent for filing or recordation, as of the Closing Date and (b) registrations, consents, approvals, notices, or other actions (i) that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect, (ii) that are listed on Schedule 4.3 or (iii) the failure of which to be obtained or made could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.4          Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens.

 

(a)           Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.

 

(b)           Agent’s Liens are validly created, perfected (other than (i) in respect of motor vehicles that are subject to a certificate of title, (ii) money, (iii) letter-of-credit rights (other than supporting obligations, (iv) commercial tort claims (other than those that, by the terms of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, are required to be perfected), and (v) any Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts not subject to a Control Agreement as permitted by Section 7(k)(iv) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and subject only to the filing of financing statements, the recordation of the Copyright Security Agreement, and the recordation of the Mortgages, in each case, in the appropriate filing offices), and first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, Liens in respect of the Term Loan Credit Agreement (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), permitted purchase money Liens, or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases.

 

4.5          Title to Assets; No EncumbrancesEach of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries has (a) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in Real Property), (b) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (c) good and marketable title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective assets reflected in their most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements to the extent permitted hereby.  All of such assets are free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.

 

4.6          Litigation.

 

(a)           There are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, after due inquiry, threatened in writing against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Schedule 4.6(b) sets forth a complete and accurate description, with respect to each of the actions, suits, or proceedings with asserted liabilities in excess of, or that could reasonably be expected to result in liabilities in excess of, $500,000 that, as of the Closing Date, is pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, after due inquiry, threatened against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, of (i) the parties to such actions, suits, or proceedings, (ii) the nature of the dispute that is the subject of such actions, suits, or proceedings, (iii) the procedural status, as of the Closing Date, with respect to such actions, suits, or proceedings, and (iv) whether any liability of the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries in connection with such actions, suits, or proceedings is covered by insurance.

 

4.7          Compliance with LawsNo Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) in violation of any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, or codes (including Environmental Laws, Food Security Laws, and Food Products Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material

 

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Adverse Effect, or (b) subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, agreements, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.8          No Material Adverse EffectAll historical financial statements relating to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries that have been delivered by Borrowers to Agent have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects, the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial condition as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended.  Since December 27, 2014, no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.

 

4.9          Solvency.

 

(a)           Each Loan Party is Solvent.

 

(b)           No transfer of property is being made by any Loan Party and no obligation is being incurred by any Loan Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of such Loan Party.

 

4.10        Employee Benefits.

 

(a)           Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time, without the consent of Agent, to include retirement and severance plans that are required by a Governmental Authority outside of the United States so long as such updated Schedule is delivered together with written notice thereof to Agent), no Loan Party, none of their Subsidiaries, nor any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plan.

 

(b)           Each Loan Party and each of the ERISA Affiliates has complied in all material respects with ERISA, the IRC and all applicable laws regarding each Employee Benefit Plan.

 

(c)           Each Employee Benefit Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial compliance with ERISA, the IRC, all applicable laws and the terms of each such Employee Benefit Plan.

 

(d)           Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the IRC has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or an application for such letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service.  To the best knowledge of each Loan Party and the ERISA Affiliates after due inquiry, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification.

 

(e)           No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has been incurred or is expected by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Pension Plan.

 

(f)            No Notification Event exists or has occurred in the past six (6) years.

 

(g)           No Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to any Employee Benefit Plan, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities that may not be terminated by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without material liability.

 

(h)           No Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has provided any security under Section 436 of the IRC.

 

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4.11        Environmental ConditionExcept as set forth on Schedule 4.11, (a) to each Borrower’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been used by a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries, or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such disposal, production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any material respect, of any applicable Environmental Law, (b) to each Borrower’s knowledge, after due inquiry, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) to each Loan Party’s knowledge, no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, and (d) to each Loan Party’s knowledge, no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective facilities or operations is subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree, or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.12        Complete DisclosureAll factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrowers’ industry) furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender (including all information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the other Loan Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and all other such factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrowers’ industry) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate, in all material respects, on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided.  The Projections delivered to Agent on September 21, 2015 represent, and as of the date on which any other Projections are delivered to Agent, such additional Projections represent, Borrowers’ good faith estimate, on the date such Projections are delivered, of the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ future performance for the periods covered thereby based upon assumptions believed by Borrowers to be reasonable at the time of the delivery thereof to Agent (it being understood that such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and no assurances can be given that such Projections will be realized, and although reflecting Borrowers’ good faith estimate, projections or forecasts based on methods and assumptions which Borrowers believed to be reasonable at the time such Projections were prepared, are not to be viewed as facts, and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ materially from projected or estimated results).

 

4.13        Patriot ActTo the extent applicable, each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with the (a) 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 (b) Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001) (the “Patriot Act”).  No part of the proceeds of the loans made hereunder will be used by any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates, 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.

 

4.14        IndebtednessSet forth on Schedule 4.14 is a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date that is to remain outstanding immediately after giving effect to the closing hereunder on the Closing Date and such Schedule accurately sets forth the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness as of the Closing Date.

 

4.15        Payment of TaxesExcept as otherwise permitted under Section 5.5, all tax returns and reports of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all taxes,

 

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assessments, fees and other governmental charges shown on such tax returns to be due and payable and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective assets, income, businesses and franchises that are due and payable have been paid when due and payable.  Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries have made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all taxes not yet due and payable.  No Borrower knows of any proposed tax assessment against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary diligently, in good faith, and by appropriate proceedings; provided such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

 

4.16        Margin StockNo Loan Party nor any of 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 any Margin Stock.  No part of the proceeds of the loans made to Borrowers will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors.

 

4.17        Governmental RegulationNo Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable.  No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

4.18        OFACNo Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary is in violation of any of the country or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC.  No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has its assets located in Sanctioned Entities, or (c) derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities.  No proceeds of any loan made hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity.

 

4.19        Employee and Labor MattersThere is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened against any Borrower or its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding pending or threatened against any Borrower or its Subsidiaries which arises out of or under any collective bargaining agreement and that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown, stoppage or similar action or grievance pending or threatened in writing against any Borrower or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, or (iii) to the knowledge of any Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries and no union organizing activity taking place with respect to any of the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries.  None of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or similar state law, which remains unpaid or unsatisfied.  The hours worked and payments made to employees of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable legal requirements, except to the extent such violations could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  All material payments due from any Borrower or its Subsidiaries on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of Borrowers, except where the failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.20        LeasesEach Loan Party and its Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases material to their business and to which they are parties or under which they are operating, and, subject to Permitted Protests, all of such leases are valid and subsisting and no default by the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiaries exists under any of them.

 

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4.21        Eligible Accounts.  As to each Account that is identified by Borrowers as an Eligible Account in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Agent, such Account, as of the date of such Borrowing Base Certificate, is (a) a bona fide existing payment obligation of the applicable Account Debtor created by the sale and delivery of Inventory or Designated Goods or the rendition of services to such Account Debtor in the ordinary course of Borrowers’ business, (b) owed to a Borrower without any known defenses, disputes, offsets, counterclaims, or rights of return or cancellation, and (c) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Accounts.

 

4.22        Eligible Inventory.  As to each item of Inventory and Designated Goods that is identified by Borrowers as Eligible Inventory, Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Materials Inventory or Eligible By-Products Inventory in a Borrowing Base Certificate submitted to Agent, such Inventory and Designated Goods, as of the date of such Borrowing Base Certificate, is (a) of good and merchantable quality, free from known defects, and (b) not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Inventory, Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory or Eligible By-Products Inventory.

 

4.23        Location of Inventory and Farm ProductsExcept as set forth on Schedule 4.23 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.15), other than Inventory and Farm Products having an aggregate value of $500,000 or less, the Inventory and Farm Products of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries is not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and is located only at, or in-transit between, the locations identified on Schedule 4.23 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.15).

 

4.24        Inventory and Farm Products RecordsEach Loan Party keeps correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the type, quality, and quantity of its and its Subsidiaries’ Inventory and Farm Products and the book value thereof.

 

4.25        Hedge Agreements.  On each date that any Hedge Agreement is executed by any Hedge Provider, each Borrower and each other Loan Party satisfy all eligibility, suitability and other requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1, et seq., as in effect from time to time) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations.

 

4.26        Material Contracts.  Set forth on Schedule 4.26 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time in accordance herewith) is a list reasonably identifying the Material Contracts of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date or the most recent date on which Borrowers provided the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.1, as applicable; provided, however, that Borrowers may amend Schedule 4.26 to add additional Material Contracts so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Agent on the date that Borrowers provide the Compliance Certificate.  Except for matters which, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Material Contract (other than those that have expired at the end of their normal terms or have been terminated by one or more parties thereto in accordance with their terms, other than as a result of a breach or default thereunder or in respect thereof) (a) is in full force and effect and is binding upon and enforceable against the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiary and, to each Borrowers’ knowledge, after due inquiry, each other Person that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms, (b) has not been otherwise amended or modified (other than amendments or modifications permitted by Section 6.6(b)), and (c) is not in default due to the action or inaction of the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiary.

 

4.27        Food Security Act.  Borrowers have registered, as contemplated by the Food Security Act, with the Secretary of State of each State in which farm products purchased by any Borrower are produced and which has established, or hereafter establishes, a central filing system (as defined in the Food Security Act) as a buyer of farm products produced in such State (such registrations, “FSA Registrations”) and each FSA Registration is in full force and effect.

 

4.28        Food Products Laws.  Borrowers are in compliance in all material respects with all Food Products Notices delivered pursuant to Food Products Laws.

 

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4.29        Food Security Laws.  Borrowers are in compliance in all material respects with all Food Security Laws that are applicable to their business, including the manufacture, storage, transportation, import, export, sale and distribution of their products.

 

4.30        Immaterial Subsidiaries.  No Immaterial Subsidiary (a) owns any assets (other than assets of a de minimis nature), (b) has any liabilities (other than liabilities of a de minimis nature), or (c) engages in any business activity.

 

5.             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

5.1          Financial Statements, Reports, CertificatesBorrowers (a) will deliver to Agent, with copies to each Lender, each of the financial statements, reports, and other items set forth on Schedule 5.1 no later than the times specified therein, (b) agree that no Subsidiary of a Loan Party will have a fiscal year different from that of Parent Borower, (c) agree to maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrowers to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (d) agree that they will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, (i) keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to their and their Subsidiaries’ sales, and (ii) maintain their billing systems and practices substantially as in effect as of the Closing Date and shall only make material modifications thereto with notice to, and with the consent of, Agent.

 

5.2          ReportingBorrowers (a) will deliver to Agent (and if so requested by Agent, with copies for each Lender) each of the reports set forth on Schedule 5.2 at the times specified therein, and (b) agree to use commercially reasonable efforts in cooperation with Agent to facilitate and implement a system of electronic collateral reporting in order to provide electronic reporting of each of the items set forth on such Schedule.

 

5.3          ExistenceExcept as otherwise permitted under Section 6.3 or Section 6.4, each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, good standing with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business and any rights, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses.

 

5.4          Maintenance of PropertiesEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve all of its assets that are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear, tear, casualty, and condemnation and Permitted Dispositions excepted.

 

5.5          TaxesEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all material governmental assessments and taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses, or franchises, except to the extent that the validity of such governmental assessment or tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest.

 

5.6          InsuranceEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at Borrowers’ expense, (a) maintain insurance respecting each of each Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets wherever located, covering liabilities, losses or damages as are customarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in same or similar businesses and similarly situated and located and (b) obtain flood insurance in such total amount as Agent may from time to time reasonably require and in any event no less than the amount required by Flood Insurance Laws, if at any time the area in which any improvements located on any mortgaged property is designated a “flood hazard area” in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), and otherwise comply with the Flood Insurance Laws.  All such policies of insurance shall be with financially sound and reputable insurance companies acceptable to Agent and in such amounts as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated and located and, in any event, in amount, adequacy, and scope reasonably satisfactory to Agent (it being agreed that the

 

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amount, adequacy, and scope of the policies of insurance of Borrowers in effect as of the Closing Date are acceptable to Agent).  All property insurance policies covering the Collateral are to be made payable to Agent for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders, as their interests may appear, in case of loss, pursuant to a standard loss payable endorsement with a standard non contributory “lender” or “secured party” clause and are to contain such other provisions as Agent may reasonably require to fully protect the Lenders’ interest in the Collateral and to any payments to be made under such policies.  All certificates of property and general liability insurance are to be delivered to Agent, with the loss payable (but only in respect of Collateral) and additional insured endorsements in favor of Agent and shall provide for not less than 30 days (10 days in the case of non-payment) prior written notice to Agent of the exercise of any right of cancellation.  If any Borrower or its Subsidiaries fails to maintain such insurance, Agent may arrange for such insurance, but at Borrowers’ expense and without any responsibility on Agent’s part for obtaining the insurance, the solvency of the insurance companies, the adequacy of the coverage, or the collection of claims.  Borrowers shall give Agent prompt notice of any loss exceeding $500,000 covered by their or their Subsidiaries’ casualty or business interruption insurance.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the sole right to file claims under any property and general liability insurance policies in respect of the Collateral, to receive, receipt and give acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder, and to execute any and all endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments or other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.

 

5.7          Inspection.

 

(a)           Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent, any Lender, and each of their respective duly authorized representatives or agents to visit any of its properties and inspect any of its assets or books and records, to examine and make copies of its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances, and accounts with, and to be advised as to the same by, its officers and employees (provided an authorized representative of a Borrower shall be allowed to be present) at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent or any Lender, as applicable, may designate and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with reasonable prior notice to Borrowers and during regular business hours.

 

(b)           Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent and each of its duly authorized representatives or agents to conduct appraisals and valuations at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent may designate.  So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent agrees to provide Borrowers with a copy of the report for any such valuation upon request by Borrowers so long as (i) such report exists, (ii) the third person employed by Agent to perform such valuation consents to such disclosure, and (iii) Borrowers execute and deliver to Agent a non-reliance letter reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

5.8          Compliance with LawsEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority (including all Food Security Laws, Food Products Laws and ERISA), other than laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.9          EnvironmentalEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)           Keep any property either owned or operated by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens,

 

(b)           Comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent reasonably requests in writing,

 

(c)           Promptly notify Agent of any release of which any Borrower has knowledge of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said release or otherwise to come into compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Environmental Law, and

 

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(d)           Promptly, but in any event within 5 Business Days of its receipt thereof, provide Agent with written notice of any of the following:  (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of a Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against a Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order from a Governmental Authority.

 

5.10        Disclosure UpdatesEach Borrower will, promptly and in no event later than 5 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify Agent if any written information, exhibit, or report furnished to Agent or the Lenders contained, at the time it was furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made.  The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, any notification pursuant to the foregoing provision will not cure or remedy the effect of the prior untrue statement of a material fact or omission of any material fact nor shall any such notification have the effect of amending or modifying this Agreement or any of the Schedules hereto.

 

5.11        Formation of SubsidiariesEach Borrower will, at the time that any Loan Party forms any direct or indirect Subsidiary or acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary after the Closing Date, within 10 days of such formation or acquisition (or such later date as permitted by Agent in its sole discretion) (a) cause such new Subsidiary to provide to Agent a joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, together with such other security agreements (including mortgages with respect to any Real Property owned in fee of such new Subsidiary with a fair market value greater than $1,000,000), as well as appropriate financing statements (and with respect to all property subject to a mortgage, fixture filings), all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent (including being sufficient to grant Agent a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in and to the assets of such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary); provided, that the joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and such other security agreements shall not be required to be provided to Agent with respect to any Subsidiary of any Borrower that is a CFC, (b) provide, or cause the applicable Loan Party to provide, to Agent a pledge agreement (or an addendum to the Guaranty and Security Agreement) and appropriate certificates and powers or financing statements, pledging all of the direct or beneficial ownership interest in such new Subsidiary in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent; provided, that only 65% of the total outstanding voting Equity Interests of any first tier Subsidiary of a Borrower that is a CFC (and none of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of such CFC) shall be required to be pledged (which pledge, if reasonably requested by Agent, shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of such Subsidiary), and (c) provide to Agent all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which, in its opinion, is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above (including policies of title insurance, surveys or other documentation with respect to all Real Property owned in fee and subject to a mortgage, including flood insurance).  Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 shall constitute a Loan Document.  To the extent any item of property that is not (x) Collateral on the Closing Date, is subsequently included in the definition of Collateral, or (y) in the Borrowing Base on the Closing Date, is subsequently included in Borrowing Base, then, in each case, Agent and Lenders shall request and receive such documents, agreements and instruments as they reasonably request in order to include such items of property in Collateral and/or Borrowing Base.

 

5.12        Further AssurancesEach Borrower will, and will cause each of the other Loan Parties to, at any time upon the reasonable request of Agent, execute or deliver to Agent any and all financing statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, opinions of counsel, title policies, surveys, evidence of flood insurance and all other documents (the “Additional Documents”) that Agent may reasonably request in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to create, perfect, and continue perfected or to better perfect Agent’s Liens in all of the assets of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired, tangible or intangible, real or personal), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Agent in any Real Property acquired by any Borrower or any other Loan Party with a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000, and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any Subsidiary of a Borrower that is a CFC.  To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, if any Borrower or any other Loan Party refuses or fails to execute or deliver any reasonably requested Additional Documents within a reasonable period of time following the request

 

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to do so, each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby authorizes Agent to execute any such Additional Documents in the applicable Loan Party’s name and authorizes Agent to file such executed Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office.  In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including all of the outstanding capital Equity Interests of each direct and indirect subsidiary of Parent Borrower (subject to exceptions and limitations contained in the Loan Documents with respect to CFCs).  To the extent any item of property that is not (x) Collateral on the Closing Date, is subsequently included in the definition of Collateral, or (y) in the Borrowing Base on the Closing Date, is subsequently included in Borrowing Base, then, in each case, Agent and Lenders shall request and receive such documents, agreements and instruments as they reasonably request in order to include such items of property in Collateral and/or Borrowing Base.

 

5.13        Lender Meetings.  Borrowers will, within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of Parent Borrower, at the request of Agent or of the Required Lenders and upon reasonable prior notice, hold a meeting (at a mutually agreeable location and time or, at the option of Agent, by conference call) with all Lenders who choose to attend such meeting at which meeting shall be reviewed the financial results of the previous fiscal year and the financial condition of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and the projections presented for the current fiscal year of Parent Borrower.

 

5.14        Compliance with ERISA and the IRC.  In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 5.8, (a) comply in all material respects with applicable provisions of ERISA and the IRC with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans, (b) without the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders, not take any action or fail to take action the result of which could result in a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurring a material liability to the PBGC or to a Multiemployer Plan (other than to pay contributions or premiums payable in the ordinary course), (c) allow any facts or circumstances to exist with respect to one or more Employee Benefit Plans that, in the aggregate, reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (d) not participate in any prohibited transaction that could result in other than a de minimis civil penalty excise tax, fiduciary liability or correction obligation under ERISA or the IRC, (e) operate each Employee Benefit Plan in such a manner that will not incur any material tax liability under the IRC (including Section 4980B of the IRC), and (e) furnish to Agent upon Agent’s written request such additional information about any Employee Benefit Plan for which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate could reasonably expect to incur any material liability.  With respect to each Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Loan Parties, the Loan Parties and the ERISA Affiliates shall (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any Lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of the IRC and of ERISA, and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to ERISA.

 

5.15        Location of Inventory and Farm ProductsEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep its Inventory and Farm Products only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.23 (other than Inventory and Farm Products having an aggregate value of $500,000 or less and are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and is located only at, or in-transit between in the ordinary course of business, the locations identified in Schedule 4.23) and their chief executive offices only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.23); provided, that Borrowers may amend Schedule 4.23 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Agent not less than 10 days prior to the date on which such Inventory and Farm Products are moved to such new location or such chief executive office is relocated and so long as such new location is within the continental United States.

 

5.16        Bank Products.  On or before the 30th day after the Closing Date, the Loan Parties shall establish their primary depository and treasury management relationships with Wells Fargo or one or more of its Affiliates and will maintain such depository and treasury management relationships at all times during the term of the Agreement.  The foregoing notwithstanding, the Loan Parties may maintain depository relationships with other financial institutions so long as the aggregate cash and other property deposited in all such accounts with all such institutions shall not exceed $250,000 at any time.

 

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5.17        Food Security Act.  The Borrowers will maintain their FSA Registrations where applicable and will cooperate fully with Agent in its efforts to obtain and analyze any information with respect to filings of “effective financing statements” or notices to Borrowers under the Food Security Act.  Borrowers will issue joint checks to growers or suppliers and their respective secured parties or otherwise obtain a release of such secured party’s Lien in accordance with the Food Security Act.

 

5.18        Food Products Laws.

 

(a)           So long as Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries purchase agricultural products from Food Products Sellers, Borrowers shall monitor the receipt of notices of Liens and/or trusts on their assets under any Food Products Law and provide prompt written notice thereof to Agent upon receipt thereof.

 

(b)           [reserved].

 

(c)           Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall comply at all times with all existing and future Food Products Notices during their period of effectiveness under any Food Products Law, including directions to make payments to the Food Products Sellers by issuing payment instruments directly to the secured party with respect to any assets of the Food Products Sellers or jointly payable to the Food Products Sellers and any secured party with respect to the assets of such Food Products Sellers, as specified in the Food Products Notice, so as to terminate or release the Lien on any Food Products maintained by such Food Products Sellers or any secured party with respect to the assets of such Food Products Sellers under any Food Products Law.

 

(d)           In the event any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries receives a Food Products Notice, such Person shall pay the related invoice within the payment terms specified therein and notify Agent of such receipt; provided, however, that such invoice may remain unpaid if, and only so long as (A) appropriate legal or administrative action has been commenced in good faith and is being diligently pursued or defended by such Person, (B) adequate reserves with respect to such contest are maintained on the books of such Loan Party, in accordance with GAAP, (C) Agent shall have established a Food Products Payable Reserve in with respect to the relevant invoice, (D) such Person shall promptly pay or discharge such contested invoice and all additional charges, interest, penalties, and expenses, if any, and shall deliver to Agent evidence reasonably acceptable to Agent of such payment, if such contest is terminated or discontinued adversely to such Person or the conditions set forth in this Section 5.18(d) are no longer met, and (E) Agent has not advised such Person in writing that it reasonably believes that nonpayment thereof could reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.19        Material Contracts.  Contemporaneously with the delivery of each Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.1 in respect of any calendar month, each Borrower will provide Agent with copies of (a) each Material Contract entered into since the delivery of the previous Compliance Certificate, and (b) each material amendment or modification of any Material Contract entered into since the delivery of the previous Compliance Certificate.

 

5.20        Flood Hazard Insurance.

 

With respect to each parcel of Real Property subject to a Mortgage, Agent has received (a) such flood hazard certifications, notices and confirmations thereof, and effective flood hazard insurance policies as are reasonably required by Agent (after giving effect to any extension of time in Schedule 3.6) with respect to Real Property collateral, (b) all flood hazard insurance policies required hereunder shall remain in full force and effect, and the premiums thereon shall be paid in full at all times, and (c) except as Borrowers have previously given written notice thereof to Agent, there has been no redesignation of any real property into or out of a special flood hazard area.

 

6.             NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

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6.1          IndebtednessEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except for Permitted Indebtedness.

 

6.2          LiensEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.

 

6.3          Restrictions on Fundamental ChangesEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)           other than in order to consummate a Permitted Acquisition, enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its Equity Interests, except for (i) any merger between Loan Parties, provided, that a Borrower must be the surviving entity of any such merger to which it is a party (and in case of any merger between Parent Borrower and any other Borrower, Parent Borrower must be the surviving entity of any such merger), (ii) any merger between a Loan Party and a Subsidiary of such Loan Party that is not a Loan Party so long as such Loan Party is the surviving entity of any such merger, and (iii) any merger between Subsidiaries of any Borrower, in each case that are not Loan Parties,

 

(b)           liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), except for (i) the liquidation or dissolution of non-operating Subsidiaries of any Borrower with nominal assets and nominal liabilities, (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Loan Party (other than any Borrower) or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries so long as all of the assets (including any interest in any Equity Interests) of such liquidating or dissolving Loan Party or Subsidiary are transferred to a Loan Party that is not liquidating or dissolving, or (iii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary of any Borrower that is not a Loan Party so long as all of the assets of such liquidating or dissolving Subsidiary are transferred to a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not liquidating or dissolving and the Equity Interests of which (or any portion thereof) is subject to a Lien in favor of Agent, or

 

(c)           suspend or cease operating a substantial portion of its or their business, except as permitted pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above or in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 6.4.

 

6.4          Disposal of AssetsOther than Permitted Dispositions or transactions expressly permitted by Sections 6.3 or 6.9, each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to convey, sell, lease (including sale/leaseback transactions), license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into an agreement to convey, sell, lease (including sale/leaseback transactions), license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of) any of its or their assets.

 

6.5          Nature of BusinessEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any change in the nature of its or their business as described in Schedule 6.5 or acquire any properties or assets that are not reasonably related to the conduct of such business activities; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent any Borrower and its Subsidiaries from engaging in any business that is reasonably related or ancillary to its or their business.

 

6.6          Prepayments and AmendmentsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)           Except in connection with Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1; provided that any Refinancing Indebtedness of the Term Loan Credit Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and shall not have maturity date prior to the maturity date of (or have shorter weighted average life to maturity than) the Term Loan Credit Agreement on the Closing Date,

 

(i)            mandatorily or optionally prepay, redeem, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, other than (A) the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, and (B) Permitted Intercompany Advances; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (I) any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan Obligations (each, a “Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment”) so long as (A)

 

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no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and (B) (x) Excess Availability on the date of such Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment (calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Term Loan Prepayment), Excess Availability for the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding such Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment and (on a projected basis) for the 30 consecutive days immediately following such Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment (each calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Term Loan Prepayment), in each case, shall not be less than the greater of 25% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and $12,500,000 or (y) each of (p) Excess Availability on the date of such Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment (calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Term Loan Prepayment), Excess Availability for the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding such Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment and (on a projected basis) for the 30 consecutive days immediately following such Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment (each calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Term Loan Prepayment), in each case, shall not be less than the greater of 20% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and $10,000,000 and (q) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Parent and its Subsidiaries for the immediately preceding twelve (12) consecutive months shall be at least 1.10 to 1.00, and the case of this clause (I), the Parent Borrower shall have delivered a customary officer’s certificate to Agent certifying compliance, (II) any mandatory prepayment of Term Loan Obligations if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom. and the Parent Borrower shall have delivered a customary officer’s certificate to Agent certifying compliance, (III) mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan Obligations from proceeds of sale Term Loan Priority Collateral (other than proceeds of issuance of Equity Interest) (and any such mandatory prepayment of the “loans” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement shall also be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) or (IV) payment or prepayment of other secured Indebtedness (other than Term Loan Obligations) that becomes due as a result of the sale or transfer of, or casualty or condemnation event with respect to, the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if (in the case of a sale or transfer) such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and such Indebtedness is repaid on or prior to three (3) Business Days after the receipt of proceeds therefrom, or

 

(ii)           make any payment on account of Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment or security to the Obligations if such payment is not permitted at such time under the subordination terms and conditions.

 

(b)           Directly or indirectly, amend, modify, or change any of the terms or provisions of

 

(i)            any agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning Permitted Indebtedness other than (A) the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, (B) Permitted Intercompany Advances, (C) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (c), (h), (j) and (k) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness and (D) the Term Loan Documents in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(ii)           (A) any Food Product Grower Arrangement except to the extent that such amendment, modification, or change could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interest of any Loan Party or the Lenders or (B) any other Material Contract (other than any Food Product Grower Arrangement) except to the extent that such amendment, modification, or change could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect (for the avoidance of doubt, Borrowers may terminate agreements with Seattle’s Best Coffee LLC and Miles Willard Technologies, LLP), or

 

(iii)          the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries if the effect thereof, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

6.7          Restricted PaymentsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any Restricted Payment; provided, that, so long as it is permitted by law, and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom,

 

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(a)           Parent Borrower may make distributions to former employees, officers, or directors of Parent Borrower (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) on account of redemptions of Equity Interests of Parent Borrower held by such Persons, provided, that the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments made by Parent Borrower during the term of this Agreement plus the amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (l) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, does not exceed $750,000 in the aggregate, and

 

(b)           Parent Borrower may make distributions to former employees, officers, or directors of Parent Borrower (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing), solely in the form of forgiveness of Indebtedness of such Persons owing to Parent Borrower on account of repurchases of the Equity Interests of Parent Borrower held by such Persons; provided that such Indebtedness being forgiven was incurred by such Persons solely to acquire Equity Interests of Parent Borrower.

 

6.8          Accounting MethodsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to modify or change its fiscal year (other than upon 30-days’ prior written notice to Agent and subject to providing Agent with reasonably requested documents, including financial statements (including any stub year financials)) or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP).

 

6.9          InvestmentsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment except for Permitted Investments.

 

6.10        Transactions with AffiliatesEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except for :

 

(a)           transactions (other than the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, or advisory fees) between such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Affiliate of such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, so long as such transactions (i) are fully disclosed to Agent prior to the consummation thereof, if they involve one or more payments by such Borrower or its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions, and (ii) are no less favorable, taken as a whole, to such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate,

 

(b)           so long as it has been approved by such Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s Board of Directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, any indemnity provided for the benefit of directors (or comparable managers) of such Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary,

 

(c)           so long as it has been approved by such Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s Board of Directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, the payment of reasonable compensation, severance, or employee benefit arrangements to employees, officers, and outside directors of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practice, and

 

(d)           transactions permitted by Section 6.3 or Section 6.7, or any Permitted Intercompany Advance.

 

6.11        Use of ProceedsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to use the proceeds of any loan made hereunder for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to repay, in full, the outstanding principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing under or in connection with the Existing Credit Facility, and (ii) to pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, in each case, as set forth in the Flow of Funds Agreement, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, for their lawful and permitted purposes (including that no part of the proceeds of the loans made to Borrowers will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors).

 

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6.12        Limitation on Issuance of Equity InterestsExcept for the issuance or sale of Qualified Equity Interests by Parent Borrower, each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell or enter into any agreement or arrangement for the issuance or sale of any of its Equity Interests.

 

6.13        Inventory and Farm Products with Bailees.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to store its Inventory and Farm Products at any time with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party, unless, in each case, either (a) such bailee, warehouseman, or similar party has executed a Landlord Waiver under which it expressly agrees to subordinate its legal and contractual liens to Agent’s Liens or (b) a reserve in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the number of months’ rent for which such bailee, warehouseman, or similar party will have, under applicable law or contract, a Lien in the Inventory and Farm Products of such Borrower to secure the payment of rent or other amounts under the lease or contract relative to such location, or (ii) 3 months’ rent under the lease or contract relative to such location.

 

6.14        Restrictive Agreements.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries 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 Parent 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 Equity Interest, to make or repay loans or advances to Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary, to Guarantee the Obligations of Borrowers or any other Subsidiary or to transfer any of its property or assets to Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by law, by this Agreement, any other Loan Document (including the Intercreditor Agreement), or the Term Loan Credit Agreement and related documents in effect on the date hereof or, so long as such restrictions or conditions are no more onerous than those imposed under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents.

 

6.15        Employee Benefits.

 

(a)           Terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Pension Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC.

 

(b)           Fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Benefit Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable Law, any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to pay if such failure could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)           Permit to exist, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan which exceeds $50,000 with respect to all Pension Plans in the aggregate.

 

(d)           Acquire, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to a Loan Party or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (i) any Pension or (ii) any Multiemployer Plan.

 

(e)           Contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan not set forth on Schedule 4.10.

 

(f)            Amend, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to amend, a Pension Plan resulting in a material increase in current liability such that a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Plan under the IRC.

 

6.16        Hedge Agreements.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedge Agreements, other than Hedge Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge

 

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or mitigate risks to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

 

6.17        Immaterial Subsidiaries.  Borrowers will not permit any Immaterial Subsidiary to (a) own any assets (other than assets of a de minimis nature), (b) have any liabilities (other than liabilities of a de minimis nature), or (c) engage in any business activity.

 

6.18        Compliance with Governmental Regulations.

 

(a)           The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, (i) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation or list of any Governmental Authority of the United States (including, without limitation, the OFAC list) that prohibits or limits the Lenders or Agent from making any advance or extension of credit to the Borrowers or from otherwise conducting business with the Loan Parties, or (b) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of the identity of the Loan Parties as may be requested by the Lenders or Agent at any time to enable the Lenders or Agent to verify the identity of the Loan Parties or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the Patriot Act at 31 U.S.C. Section 5318.

 

(b)           The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiary to, use any Loan or the proceeds of any Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any Loan or the proceeds of any Loan to any Sanctioned Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Agent, any Lender or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

(c)           The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, use any Loan or the proceeds therefrom for any purpose that would violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and any similar anti-corruption legislation or laws in any other jurisdiction.

 

7.             FINANCIAL COVENANT.

 

Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations, commencing from and after the date on which a Financial Covenant Triggering Period has commenced and is continuing and until the date such Financial Covenant Triggering Period no longer is continuing, Borrowers will have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured on a month-end basis (calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, commencing as of the end of the twelve month period most recently ended prior to the date on which a Financial Covenant Trigger Event first occurs for which Borrowers are required to deliver to Agent monthly quarterly or annual financial statements pursuant to Schedule 5.1 to the Agreement and as of each month end thereafter until the date such Financial Covenant Triggering Period no longer is continuing), of at least 1.10:1.00.

 

8.             EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”) under this Agreement:

 

8.1          Payments.  If Borrowers fail to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, (a) all or any portion of the Obligations consisting of interest, fees, or charges due the Lender Group, reimbursement of Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts (other than any portion thereof constituting principal) constituting Obligations (including any portion thereof that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), and such failure continues for a period of 3 Business Days, (b) all or any portion of the principal of the Loans, or (c) any amount payable to Issuing Bank in reimbursement of any drawing under a Letter of Credit;

 

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8.2          Covenants.  If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries:

 

(a)           fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of (i) Sections 3.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 (solely if any Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization), 5.6, 5.7 (solely if any Borrower refuses to allow Agent or its representatives or agents to visit any Borrower’s properties, inspect its assets or books or records, examine and make copies of its books and records, or discuss Borrowers’ affairs, finances, and accounts with officers and employees of any Borrower), 5.10, 5.11, 5.13, or 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, and 5.18 of this Agreement, (ii) Section 6 of this Agreement, (iii) Section 7 of this Agreement, or (iv) Section 7 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement;

 

(b)           fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of Sections 5.3 (other than if any Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization), 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, 5.12 and 5.19 of this Agreement and such failure continues for a period of 10 days (or, for a period of 3 days in the case of Section 5.19) after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of any Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrowers by Agent; or

 

(c)           fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement, or in any of the other Loan Documents, in each case, other than any such covenant or agreement that is the subject of another provision of this Section 8 (in which event such other provision of this Section 8 shall govern), and such failure continues for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of any Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrowers by Agent;

 

8.3          Judgments.  If one or more judgments, orders, or awards for the payment of money involving an aggregate amount of $500,000, or more (except to the extent fully covered (other than to the extent of customary deductibles) by insurance pursuant to which the insurer has not denied coverage) is entered or filed against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to any of their respective assets, and either (a) there is a period of 30 consecutive days at any time after the entry of any such judgment, order, or award during which (i) the same is not discharged, satisfied, vacated, or bonded pending appeal, or (ii) a stay of enforcement thereof is not in effect, or (b) enforcement proceedings are commenced upon such judgment, order, or award;

 

8.4          Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc.  If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

8.5          Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.  If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary) and any of the following events occur: (a) such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary) consents to the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, such Loan Party or its Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary), or (e) an order for relief shall have been issued or entered therein;

 

8.6          Default Under Other Agreements.  If there is a default under the Term Loan Credit Agreement or in one or more other agreements to which a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with one or more third Persons relative to a Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness involving an aggregate amount of $750,000 or more, and such default (a) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (b) results in a right by such third Person, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of such Loan Party’s or its Subsidiary’s obligations thereunder;

 

8.7          Representations, etc.  If any warranty, representation, certificate, statement, or Record made herein or in any other Loan Document or delivered in writing to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document proves to be untrue in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of the date of issuance or making or deemed making thereof;

 

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8.8          Guaranty.  If the obligation of any Guarantor under the guaranty contained in the Guaranty and Security Agreement is limited or terminated by operation of law or by such Guarantor (other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement);

 

8.9          Security Documents.  If the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, except to the extent of Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, Liens in respect of the Term Loan Credit Agreement (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), permitted purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases, first priority Lien on the Collateral covered thereby, except (a) as a result of a disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (b) with respect to Collateral the aggregate value of which, for all such Collateral, does not exceed at any time, $500,000, or (c) as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent;

 

8.10        Loan Documents.  The validity or enforceability of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason (other than solely as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent) be declared to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall deny that such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document; or

 

8.11        Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur, whether directly or indirectly.

 

8.12        ERISAThe occurrence of any of the following events:  (a) any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate fails to make full payment when due of all amounts which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions, installments, or otherwise to or with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, and such failure could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $50,000, (b) an accumulated funding deficiency or funding shortfall in excess of $50,000 occurs or exists, whether or not waived, with respect to any Pension Plan, individually or in the aggregate, (c) a Notification Event, which could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $50,000, either individually or in the aggregate, or (d) any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate completely or partially withdraws from one or more Multiemployer Plans and incurs Withdrawal Liability in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate, or fails to make any Withdrawal Liability payment when due.

 

9.             RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

 

9.1          Rights and RemediesUpon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Agent may, and, at the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall (in each case under clauses (a) or (b) by written notice to Borrowers), in addition to any other rights or remedies provided for hereunder or under any other Loan Document or by applicable law, do any one or more of the following:

 

(a)           (i) declare the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be immediately due and payable and Borrowers shall be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or further notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower, and (ii) direct Borrowers to provide (and Borrowers agree that upon receipt of such notice Borrowers will provide) Letter of Credit Collateralization to Agent to be held as security for Borrowers’ reimbursement obligations for drawings that may subsequently occur under issued and outstanding Letters of Credit;

 

(b)           declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately be terminated together with (i) any obligation of any Lender to make Revolving Loans, (ii) the obligation of the Swing Lender to make Swing Loans, and (iii) the obligation of Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit; and

 

(c)           exercise all other rights and remedies available to Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, under applicable law, or in equity; provided, that, with respect to any Event of Default resulting solely

 

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from failure of Borrowers to comply with the financial covenant set forth in Section 7, neither Agent nor the Required Lenders may exercise the foregoing remedies in this Section 9.1 until the date that is the earlier of (1) 10 Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for the applicable fiscal month and (2) the date that Agent receives notice that there will not be a Curative Equity contribution made for such fiscal month.

 

The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, in addition to the remedies set forth above, without any notice to Borrowers or any other Person or any act by the Lender Group, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), inclusive of the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable and Borrowers shall automatically be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full (including Borrowers being obligated to provide (and Borrowers agree that they will provide) (1) Letter of Credit Collateralization to Agent to be held as security for Borrowers’ reimbursement obligations in respect of drawings that may subsequently occur under issued and outstanding Letters of Credit and (2) Bank Product Collateralization to be held as security for Borrowers’ or their Subsidiaries’ obligations in respect of outstanding Bank Products), without presentment, demand, protest, or notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrowers.

 

9.2          Remedies CumulativeThe rights and remedies of the Lender Group under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative.  The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity.  No exercise by the Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver.  No delay by the Lender Group shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it.

 

9.3          Curative Equity.

 

(a)           Subject to the limitations set forth in clause (e) below, Borrowers may cure (and shall be deemed to have cured) an Event of Default arising out of a breach of any of the financial covenant set forth in Section 7 (the “Specified Financial Covenant”) if they receive the cash proceeds of an investment of Curative Equity within 10 Business Days after the date on which the Specified Financial Covenant is first required to be tested pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

(b)           Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent of its receipt of any proceeds of Curative Equity (and shall immediately apply the same to the payment of the Obligations in the manner specified in Section 2.4(e)(iii)).

 

(c)           Any investment of Curative Equity shall be in immediately available funds.

 

(d)           Upon delivery of a certificate by Borrowers to Agent as to the amount of the proceeds of such Curative Equity and that such amount (i) has been applied in accordance with clause (b) above, and (ii) is in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by clause (c) above, then any Event of Default that occurred and is continuing from a breach of any of the Specified Financial Covenant shall be deemed cured with no further action required by the Required Lenders.  Prior to the date of the delivery of a certificate conforming to the requirements of this Section, any Event of Default that has occurred as a result of a breach of any of the Specified Financial Covenant shall be deemed to be continuing and, as a result, the Lenders (including the Swing Lender and the Issuing Bank) shall have no obligation to make additional loans or otherwise extend additional credit hereunder.  In the event Borrowers do not cure all financial covenant violations as provided in this Section 9.3, the existing Event(s) of Default shall continue unless waived in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance herewith.

 

(e)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing or this Agreement, (i) Borrowers’ rights under this Section 9.3 may (A) not be exercised on or prior to the fiscal quarter ended June 25,

 

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2016, (B) be exercised not more than three (3) times during the term of this Agreement, (C) not be exercised twice within any 180 day period, (D) not be exercised if the amount of the proposed investment of Curative Equity, together with the amount of all prior investments of Curative Equity, exceeds $10,000,000, (E) not be exercised if the amount of the proposed investment of Curative Equity exceeds $2,000,000, (ii) the Curative Equity contributed in any fiscal quarter shall be no greater than the amount required to cause Borrowers to be in compliance with the Specified Financial Covenant as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and (iii) the Curative Equity shall be disregarded for all purposes under the Loan Documents other than curing the breach of the Specified Financial Covenant for such fiscal quarter, including for purposes of determining EBITDA for any pricing, financial covenant based conditions or any baskets with respect to the covenants contained in this Agreement and there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness with the proceeds of any Curative Equity for determining compliance with the any of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7 or for any other purpose under the Loan Documents, including determining any pricing, financial covenant based conditions or baskets with respect to the covenants contained in this Agreement, in each case in the quarter in which such Curative Equity is used, but shall be added to EBITDA solely for purposes of calculating compliance with the Specified Financial Covenant.

 

10.          WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.

 

10.1        Demand; Protest; etcEach Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by the Lender Group on which any Borrower may in any way be liable.

 

10.2        The Lender Group’s Liability for CollateralEach Borrower hereby agrees that:  (a) so long as Agent complies with its obligations, if any, under the Code, the Lender Group shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for:  (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrowers.

 

10.3        IndemnificationEach Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold the Agent-Related Persons, the Lender-Related Persons, and each Participant (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, liabilities, fines, costs, penalties, and damages, and all reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts, or consultants and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this indemnification (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution and delivery (provided that Borrowers shall not be liable for costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any Lender (other than Wells Fargo) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering or syndicating the Loan Documents), enforcement, performance, or administration (including any restructuring or workout with respect hereto) of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the monitoring of Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents (provided, that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall not extend to (i) disputes solely between or among the Lenders that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party, or (ii) disputes solely between or among the Lenders and their respective Affiliates that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party; it being understood and agreed that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall extend to Agent (but not the Lenders) relative to disputes between or among Agent on the one hand, and one or more Lenders, or one or more of their Affiliates, on the other hand, or (iii) any Taxes or any costs attributable to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 16), (b) with respect to any actual or prospective investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the making of any Loans or issuance of any Letters of Credit hereunder, or the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto, and (c) in connection with or arising out of any presence or release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, to or from any assets or properties owned, leased or operated by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental Actions, Environmental Liabilities or Remedial Actions related in

 

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any way to any such assets or properties of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (each and all of the foregoing, the “Indemnified Liabilities”).  The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, no Borrower shall have any obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section 10.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction determines pursuant to a final nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents.  This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment in full of the Obligations.  If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which Borrowers were required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by Borrowers with respect thereto.  WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON.

 

11.          NOTICES.

 

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email addresses as a party may designate in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile.  In the case of notices or demands to any Borrower or Agent, as the case may be, they shall be sent to the respective address set forth below:

 

If to any Borrower:

c/o Parent Borrower

 

Inventure Foods, Inc.

 

5415 East High Street, Suite 350

 

Phoenix, Arizona 85054

 

Attn: Steve Weinberger

 

Fax No.: 602.522.2690

 

 

with copies to:

DLA Piper LLP (US)

 

2525 East Camelback Road, Suite 1000

 

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

 

Attn: Gregory R. Hall

 

Fax No.: 480.606.5528

 

 

If to Agent:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 3000W

 

Santa Monica, California

 

Attn: Business Finance Division Manager

 

Fax No.: 310.453.7413

 

 

with copies to:

Paul Hastings LLP

 

75 East 55th Street

 

New York, New York 10022

 

Attn: Jennifer S. Yount

 

Fax No.: 212.319.4090

 

Any party hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other party.  All notices or demands sent in accordance with this

 

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Section 11, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail; provided, that (a) notices sent by overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received, (b) notices by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient) and (c) notices by electronic mail shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgment).

 

12.          CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.

 

(a)           THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

 

(b)           THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND.  EACH BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12(b).

 

(c)           TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”).  EACH BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)           EACH BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  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 AGENT MAY

 

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OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(e)                                  NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY LOAN PARTY AGAINST AGENT, THE SWING LENDER, ANY OTHER LENDER, ISSUING BANK, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR LOSSES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

(f)                                   IN THE EVENT ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING IS FILED IN A COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (THE “COURT”) BY OR AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CLAIM AND THE WAIVER SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (C) ABOVE IS NOT ENFORCEABLE IN SUCH PROCEEDING, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

(i)                                     WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MATTERS SPECIFIED IN SUBCLAUSE (ii) BELOW, ANY CLAIM SHALL BE DETERMINED BY A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 638 THROUGH 645.1.  THE PARTIES INTEND THIS GENERAL REFERENCE AGREEMENT TO BE SPECIFICALLY ENFORCEABLE.  VENUE FOR THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING SHALL BE IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

 

(ii)                                  THE FOLLOWING MATTERS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING: (A) NON-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF ANY SECURITY INTERESTS IN REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (B) EXERCISE OF SELF-HELP REMEDIES (INCLUDING SET-OFF OR RECOUPMENT), (C) APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER, AND (D) TEMPORARY, PROVISIONAL, OR ANCILLARY REMEDIES (INCLUDING WRITS OF ATTACHMENT, WRITS OF POSSESSION, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS, OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIONS).  THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO EXERCISE OR OPPOSE ANY OF THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES DESCRIBED IN CLAUSES (A) - (D) AND ANY SUCH EXERCISE OR OPPOSITION DOES NOT WAIVE THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN A REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTER.

 

(iii)                               UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PARTY, THE PARTIES SHALL SELECT A SINGLE REFEREE, WHO SHALL BE A RETIRED JUDGE OR JUSTICE.  IF THE PARTIES DO NOT AGREE UPON A REFEREE WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SUCH WRITTEN REQUEST, THEN, ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THE COURT TO APPOINT A REFEREE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 640(B).  THE REFEREE SHALL BE APPOINTED TO SIT WITH ALL OF THE POWERS PROVIDED BY LAW.  PENDING APPOINTMENT OF THE REFEREE, THE COURT SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE TEMPORARY OR PROVISIONAL REMEDIES.

 

(iv)                              EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE REFEREE SHALL DETERMINE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING IS CONDUCTED INCLUDING THE TIME AND PLACE OF HEARINGS, THE ORDER OF PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE, AND ALL OTHER QUESTIONS THAT ARISE WITH RESPECT TO THE COURSE OF THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING.  ALL PROCEEDINGS AND HEARINGS

 

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CONDUCTED BEFORE THE REFEREE, EXCEPT FOR TRIAL, SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT A COURT REPORTER, EXCEPT WHEN ANY PARTY SO REQUESTS A COURT REPORTER AND A TRANSCRIPT IS ORDERED, A COURT REPORTER SHALL BE USED AND THE REFEREE SHALL BE PROVIDED A COURTESY COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPT.  THE PARTY MAKING SUCH REQUEST SHALL HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO ARRANGE FOR AND PAY THE COSTS OF THE COURT REPORTER, PROVIDED THAT SUCH COSTS, ALONG WITH THE REFEREE’S FEES, SHALL ULTIMATELY BE BORNE BY THE PARTY WHO DOES NOT PREVAIL, AS DETERMINED BY THE REFEREE.

 

(v)                                 THE REFEREE MAY REQUIRE ONE OR MORE PREHEARING CONFERENCES.  THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DISCOVERY, AND THE REFEREE SHALL OVERSEE DISCOVERY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF DISCOVERY, AND SHALL ENFORCE ALL DISCOVERY ORDERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS ANY TRIAL COURT JUDGE IN PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

 

(vi)                              THE REFEREE SHALL APPLY THE RULES OF EVIDENCE APPLICABLE TO PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND SHALL DETERMINE ALL ISSUES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO ENTER EQUITABLE AS WELL AS LEGAL RELIEF AND RULE ON ANY MOTION WHICH WOULD BE AUTHORIZED IN A TRIAL, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT OR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.  THE REFEREE SHALL REPORT HIS OR HER DECISION, WHICH REPORT SHALL ALSO INCLUDE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL ISSUE A DECISION AND PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, SECTION 644, THE REFEREE’S DECISION SHALL BE ENTERED BY THE COURT AS A JUDGMENT IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF THE ACTION HAD BEEN TRIED BY THE COURT.  THE FINAL JUDGMENT OR ORDER FROM ANY APPEALABLE DECISION OR ORDER ENTERED BY THE REFEREE SHALL BE FULLY APPEALABLE AS IF IT HAS BEEN ENTERED BY THE COURT.

 

(vii)                           THE PARTIES RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS RESOLVED IN A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT HERETO WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY.  AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, EACH PARTY HERETO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND FOR THEIR MUTUAL BENEFIT AGREES THAT THIS REFERENCE PROVISION SHALL APPLY TO ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM THAT ARISES OUT OF OR IS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

 

13.                               ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.

 

13.1                        Assignments and Participations.

 

(a)                                 (i)  Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (a)(ii) below, any Lender may assign and delegate all or any portion of its rights and duties under the Loan Documents (including the Obligations owed to it and its Commitments) to one or more assignees so long as such prospective assignee is an Eligible Transferee (each, an “Assignee”), with the prior written consent (such consent not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

 

(A)                               Borrowers; provided, that no consent of Borrowers shall be required (1)  if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (2) in connection with an assignment to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate (other than natural persons) of a Lender; provided further, that Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to a proposed assignment unless they object thereto by written notice to Agent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof; and

 

(B)                               Agent, Swing Lender, and Issuing Bank.

 

(ii)                                  Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

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(A)                               no assignment may be made (i) to a Competitor, or (ii) to a natural person,

 

(B)                               no assignment may be made to a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party,

 

(C)                               the amount of the Commitments and the other rights and obligations of the assigning Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to Agent) shall be in a minimum amount (unless waived by Agent) of $5,000,000 (except such minimum amount shall not apply to (I) an assignment or delegation by any Lender to any other Lender, an Affiliate of any Lender, or a Related Fund of such Lender or (II) a group of new Lenders, each of which is an Affiliate of each other or a Related Fund of such new Lender to the extent that the aggregate amount to be assigned to all such new Lenders is at least $5,000,000),

 

(D)                               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,

 

(E)                                the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent an Assignment and Acceptance; provided, that Borrowers and Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with the assigning Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given to Borrowers and Agent by such Lender and the Assignee,

 

(F)                                 unless waived by Agent, the assigning Lender or Assignee has paid to Agent, for Agent’s separate account, a processing fee in the amount of $3,500, and

 

(G)                               the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Agent an administrative questionnaire in a form approved by Agent.

 

(b)                                 From and after the date that Agent receives the executed Assignment and Acceptance and, if applicable, payment of the required processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall be a “Lender” and shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (except with respect to Section 10.3) and be released from any future obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto); provided, that nothing contained herein shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement, including such assigning Lender’s obligations under Section 15 and Section 17.9(a).

 

(c)                                  By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the Assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows:  (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Borrower or the performance or observance by any Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (iii) such Assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance, (iv) such Assignee will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement, (v) such Assignee appoints and authorizes Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated

 

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to Agent, by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and (vi) such Assignee agrees that it will perform all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

(d)                                 Immediately upon Agent’s receipt of the required processing fee, if applicable, and delivery of notice to the assigning Lender pursuant to Section 13.1(b), this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom.  The Commitment allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Lender pro tanto.

 

(e)                                  Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other Persons (a “Participant”) participating interests in all or any portion of its Obligations, its Commitment, and the other rights and interests of that Lender (the “Originating Lender”) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, that (i) the Originating Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and interests of the Originating Lender hereunder shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and the Originating Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrowers, Agent, and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Originating Lender in connection with the Originating Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such Participant through such Lender (other than a waiver of default interest), or (E) decreases the amount or postpones the due dates of scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums payable to such Participant through such Lender, (v) no participation shall be sold to a natural person, (vi) no participation shall be sold to a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party, (vii) no participations shall be sold to any “lender”, “secured party” or “agent” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement unless such Person is a Lender on the Closing Date, and (viii) all amounts payable by Borrowers hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement.  The rights of any Participant only shall be derivative through the Originating Lender with whom such Participant participates and no Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct rights as to the other Lenders, Agent, Borrowers, the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Obligations.  No Participant shall have the right to participate directly in the making of decisions by the Lenders among themselves.

 

(f)                                   In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation or any grant of a security interest in, or pledge of, its rights under and interest in this Agreement, a Lender may, subject to the provisions of Section 17.9, disclose all documents and information which it now or hereafter may have relating to any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses.

 

(g)                                  Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.24, and such Federal Reserve Bank, any central bank, the Farm Credit Funding Corp. or to any entity organized under the Farm Credit Act and such Person may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

 

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(h)                                 Agent (as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrowers) shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, a register (the “Register”) on which it enters the name and address of each Lender as the registered owner of the Commitments and Loan (and the principal amount thereof and stated interest thereon) held by such Lender (each, a “Registered Loan”).  Other than in connection with an assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its portion of the Commitments and Loan to an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender (i) a Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide) and (ii) any assignment or sale of all or part of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register, together with the surrender of the registered note, if any, evidencing the same duly endorsed by (or accompanied by a written instrument of assignment or sale duly executed by) the holder of such registered note, whereupon, at the request of the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s), one or more new registered notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s).  Prior to the registration of assignment or sale of any Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any evidencing the same), Borrowers shall treat the Person in whose name such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) is registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving all payments thereon and for all other purposes, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  In the case of any assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its Commitments and Loan to an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender, and which assignment is not recorded in the Register, the assigning Lender, on behalf of Borrowers, shall maintain a register comparable to the Register.

 

(i)                                     In the event that a Lender sells participations in the Registered Loan, such Lender, as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrowers, shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) a register on which it enters the name of all participants in the Registered Loans held by it (and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of such Registered Loans that is subject to such participations) (the “Participant Register”).  A Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide).  Any participation of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register.

 

(j)                                    Agent shall make a copy of the Register (and each Lender shall make a copy of its Participant Register in the event it is required to have one) available for review by Borrowers from time to time as Borrowers may reasonably request.

 

13.2                        SuccessorsThis Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, that no Borrower may assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without the Lenders’ prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio.  No consent to assignment by the Lenders shall release any Borrower from its Obligations.  A Lender may assign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder pursuant to Section 13.1 and, except as expressly required pursuant to Section 13.1, no consent or approval by any Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.

 

14.                               AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.

 

14.1                        Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a)                                 No amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than Bank Product Agreements or the Fee Letter), and no consent with respect to any departure by any Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent at the written request of the Required Lenders) and the Loan Parties that are party thereto and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective, but only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Lenders directly affected thereby and all of the Loan Parties that are party thereto, do any of the following:

 

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(i)                                     increase the amount of or extend the expiration date of any Commitment of any Lender or amend, modify, or eliminate the last sentence of Section 2.4(c)(i),

 

(ii)                                  postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document,

 

(iii)                               reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any loan or other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (except in connection with the waiver of applicability of Section 2.6(c) (which waiver shall be effective with the written consent of the Required Lenders)),

 

(iv)                              amend, modify, or eliminate this Section or any provision of this Agreement providing for consent or other action by all Lenders,

 

(v)                                 amend, modify, or eliminate Section 3.1 or 3.2,

 

(vi)                              amend, modify, or eliminate this Section 14.1 or Section 15.11,

 

(vii)                           other than as permitted by Section 15.11, release Agent’s Lien in and to any of the Collateral,

 

(viii)                        amend, modify, or eliminate the definitions of “Required Lenders”. “Supermajority Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share”,

 

(ix)                              contractually subordinate any of Agent’s Liens or subordinate the Obligations,

 

(x)                                 other than in connection with a merger, liquidation, dissolution or sale of such Person expressly permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents, release any Borrower or any Guarantor from any obligation for the payment of money or consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower or any Guarantor of any of its rights or duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or

 

(xi)                              amend, modify, or eliminate any of the provisions of Section 2.4(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) or Section 2.4(e) or (f);

 

(b)                                 No amendment, waiver, modification, or consent shall amend, modify, waive, or eliminate,

 

(i)                                     the definition of, or any of the terms or provisions of, the Fee Letter, without the written consent of Agent and Borrowers (and shall not require the written consent of any of the Lenders),

 

(ii)                                  any provision of Section 15 pertaining to Agent, or any other rights or duties of Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of Agent, Borrowers, and the Required Lenders;

 

(c)                                  No amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent shall, without written consent of Agent, Borrowers and the Supermajority Lenders, amend, modify, or eliminate the definition of Borrowing Base or any of the defined terms (including the definitions of Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory or Eligible By-Products Inventory) that are used in such definition to the extent that any such change results in more credit being made available to Borrowers based upon the Borrowing Base, but not otherwise, or the definition of Maximum Revolver Amount, or change Section 2.1(c);

 

(d)                                 No amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent shall amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents pertaining to Issuing Bank, or any other rights or duties of Issuing Bank under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of Issuing Bank, Agent, Borrowers, and the Required Lenders;

 

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(e)                                  No amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent shall amend, modify, or waive any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents pertaining to Swing Lender, or any other rights or duties of Swing Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of Swing Lender, Agent, Borrowers, and the Required Lenders; and

 

(f)                                   Anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) any amendment, modification, elimination, waiver, consent, termination, or release of, or with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the relationship of the Lender Group among themselves, and that does not affect the rights or obligations of any Borrower, shall not require consent by or the agreement of any Loan Party, and (ii) any amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent of or with respect to any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be entered into without the consent of, or over the objection of, any Defaulting Lender other than any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii) that affect such Lender.

 

(g)                                  Anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrowers and Agent may, without the input or consent of any other Lender, effect amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents if Agent and Borrowers have jointly identified an ambiguity, mistake, defect, inconsistency, obvious error or any error or omission of a technical nature or any necessary or desirable administrative change, in each case, in any provision of any Loan Document, then Agent and Borrowers shall be permitted to amend such provision without the consent of any Lender, and the resulting amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the Required Lenders do not provide to Agent written notice of their objection to such amendment within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice of such amendment and guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents executed by any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by Agent and may be amended, supplemented or waived without the consent of any Lender if such amendment, supplement or waiver is delivered in order to (x) comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (y) cure ambiguities, omissions, mistakes or defects or (z) cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

14.2                        Replacement of Certain Lenders.

 

(a)                                 If (i) any action to be taken by the Lender Group or Agent hereunder requires the consent, authorization, or agreement of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby and if such action has received the consent, authorization, or agreement of the Required Lenders but not of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby, or (ii) any Lender makes a claim for compensation under Section 16, then Borrowers or Agent, upon at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice, may permanently replace any Lender that failed to give its consent, authorization, or agreement (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) or any Lender that made a claim for compensation (a “Tax Lender”) with one or more Replacement Lenders, and the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder.  Such notice to replace the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given.

 

(b)                                 Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, being repaid in full its share of the outstanding Obligations relating to its Commitments (without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever, but including (i) all interest, fees and other amounts that may be due in payable in respect thereof, and (ii) an assumption of its Pro Rata Share of participations in the Letters of Credit).  If the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such replacement, Agent may, but shall not be required to, execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance in the name of and on behalf of the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, and irrespective of whether Agent executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance, the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance.  The replacement of any Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section

 

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13.1.  Until such time as one or more Replacement Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall remain obligated to make the Non-Consenting Lender’s or Tax Lender’s, as applicable, Pro Rata Share of Revolving Loans and to purchase a participation in each Letter of Credit, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of participations in such Letters of Credit.

 

14.3                        No Waivers; Cumulative RemediesNo failure by Agent or any Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Agent or any Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof.  No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated.  No waiver by Agent or any Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Agent’s and each Lender’s rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrowers of any provision of this Agreement.  Agent’s and each Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Agent or any Lender may have.

 

15.                               AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.

 

15.1                        Appointment and Authorization of AgentEach Lender hereby designates and appoints Wells Fargo as its agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to designate, appoint, and authorize) Agent to execute and deliver each of the other Loan Documents on its behalf and to take such other action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Agent agrees to act as agent for and on behalf of the Lenders (and the Bank Product Providers) on the conditions contained in this Section 15.  Any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document notwithstanding, Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender (or Bank Product Provider), and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with reference to Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law.  Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only a representative relationship between independent contracting parties.  Each Lender hereby further authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to act as the secured party under each of the Loan Documents that create a Lien on any item of Collateral.  Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions that Agent expressly is entitled to take or assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides rights or powers to Agent, Lenders agree that Agent shall have the right to exercise the following powers as long as this Agreement remains in effect:  (a) maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Obligations, the Collateral, payments and proceeds of Collateral, and related matters, (b) execute or file any and all financing or similar statements or notices, amendments, renewals, supplements, documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan Documents, (c) make Revolving Loans, for itself or on behalf of Lenders, as provided in the Loan Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute payments and proceeds of the Collateral as provided in the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts and cash management arrangements as Agent deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the Loan Documents for the foregoing purposes, (f) perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lender Group with respect to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the Obligations, the Collateral, or otherwise related to any of same as provided in the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

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15.2                        Delegation of DutiesAgent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney in fact that it selects as long as such selection was made without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

15.3                        Liability of AgentNone of the Agent-Related Persons shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any officer or director thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the books and records or properties of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

 

15.4                        Reliance by AgentAgent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrowers or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent.  Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and until such instructions are received, Agent shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable.  If Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders (and, if it so elects, the Bank Product Providers) against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders (and Bank Product Providers).

 

15.5                        Notice of Default or Event of DefaultAgent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and expenses required to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders and, except with respect to Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge, unless Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or Borrowers referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”  Agent promptly will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge.  If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such Lender promptly shall notify the other Lenders and Agent of such Event of Default.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving any notices to its Participants, if any.  Subject to Section 15.4, Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 9; provided, that unless and until Agent has received any such request, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable.

 

15.6                        Credit DecisionEach Lender (and Bank Product Provider) acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of any Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender (or Bank Product Provider).  Each Lender represents (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to

 

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represent) to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such due diligence, documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of each Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrowers.  Each Lender also represents (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to represent) that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of each Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document.  Except for notices, reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender (or Bank Product Provider) with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.  Each Lender acknowledges (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that Agent does not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis (except to the extent, if any, that is expressly specified herein) to provide such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) with any credit or other information with respect to any Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their respective business, legal, financial or other affairs, and irrespective of whether such information came into Agent’s or its Affiliates’ or representatives’ possession before or after the date on which such Lender became a party to this Agreement (or such Bank Product Provider entered into a Bank Product Agreement).

 

15.7                        Costs and Expenses; IndemnificationAgent may incur and pay Lender Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses, fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors, consultants, and appraisers, costs of collection by outside collection agencies, auctioneer fees and expenses, and costs of security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the Collateral, whether or not Borrowers are obligated to reimburse Agent or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.  Agent is authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from payments or proceeds of the Collateral received by Agent to reimburse Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders (or Bank Product Providers).  In the event Agent is not reimbursed for such costs and expenses by Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to Agent such Lender’s ratable thereof.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each of the Lenders, on a ratable basis, shall indemnify and defend the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of Borrowers to do so) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct nor shall any Lender be liable for the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make a Revolving Loan or other extension of credit hereunder.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon demand for such Lender’s ratable share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including attorneys, accountants, advisors, and consultants fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrowers.  The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

15.8                        Agent in Individual CapacityWells Fargo and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, provide Bank Products to, acquire Equity Interests in, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Document as though Wells Fargo were not Agent hereunder, and, in each case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group.  The

 

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other members of the Lender Group acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, pursuant to such activities, Wells Fargo or its Affiliates may receive information regarding a Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Document that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers), and the Lenders acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver Agent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.  The terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include Wells Fargo in its individual capacity.

 

15.9                        Successor AgentAgent may resign as Agent upon 30 days (10 days if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) prior written notice to the Lenders (unless such notice is waived by the Required Lenders) and Borrowers (unless such notice is waived by Borrowers) and without any notice to the Bank Product Providers.  If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall be entitled, with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned), appoint a successor Agent for the Lenders (and the Bank Product Providers).  If, at the time that Agent’s resignation is effective, it is acting as Issuing Bank or the Swing Lender, such resignation shall also operate to effectuate its resignation as Issuing Bank or the Swing Lender, as applicable, and it shall automatically be relieved of any further obligation to issue Letters of Credit, or to make Swing Loans.  If no successor Agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and Borrowers, a successor Agent.  Agent’s resignation shall be effective upon the earlier of (a) 30 days from the date of Agent’s resignation or (b) the appointment of a successor agent and execution of agency transfer documents.  If Agent has materially breached or failed to perform any material provision of this Agreement or of applicable law, the Required Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace Agent with a successor Agent from among the Lenders with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned).  In any such event, upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor Agent and the retiring Agent’s appointment, powers, and duties as Agent shall be terminated.  After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 15 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.  If no successor Agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above.

 

15.10                 Lender in Individual CapacityAny Lender and its respective Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, provide Bank Products to, acquire Equity Interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Document as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group (or the Bank Product Providers).  The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, pursuant to such activities, such Lender and its respective Affiliates may receive information regarding a Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Document that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver such Lender will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), such Lender shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

15.11                 Collateral Matters.

 

(a)                                 The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to release any Lien on any Collateral

 

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(i) upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by Borrowers of all of the Obligations, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and if Borrowers certify to Agent that the sale or disposition is permitted under Section 6.4 (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property in which no Borrower or its Subsidiaries owned any interest at the time Agent’s Lien was granted nor at any time thereafter, (iv) constituting property leased or licensed to a Borrower or its Subsidiaries under a lease or license that has expired or is terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (v) in connection with a credit bid or purchase authorized under this Section 15.11.  The Loan Parties and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, to (a) consent to the sale of, credit bid, or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale or other disposition thereof conducted under the provisions of the Code, including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the Code, or (c) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any other sale or foreclosure conducted or consented to by Agent in accordance with applicable law in any judicial action or proceeding or by the exercise of any legal or equitable remedy.  In connection with any such credit bid or purchase, (i) the Obligations owed to the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims being estimated for such purpose if the fixing or liquidation thereof would not impair or unduly delay the ability of Agent to credit bid or purchase at such sale or other disposition of the Collateral and, if such contingent or unliquidated claims cannot be estimated without impairing or unduly delaying the ability of Agent to credit bid at such sale or other disposition, then such claims shall be disregarded, not credit bid, and not entitled to any interest in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase) and the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers whose Obligations are credit bid shall be entitled to receive interests (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase (or in the Equity Interests of the any entities that are used to consummate such credit bid or purchase), and (ii) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, may accept non-cash consideration, including debt and equity securities issued by any entities used to consummate such credit bid or purchase and in connection therewith Agent may reduce the Obligations owed to the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) based upon the value of such non-cash consideration.  Except as provided above, Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral without the prior written authorization of (y) if the release is of all or substantially all of the Collateral, all of the Lenders (without requiring the authorization of the Bank Product Providers), or (z) otherwise, the Required Lenders (without requiring the authorization of the Bank Product Providers).  Upon request by Agent or Borrowers at any time, the Lenders will (and if so requested, the Bank Product Providers will) confirm in writing Agent’s authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 15.11; provided, that (1) anything to the contrary contained in any of the Loan Documents notwithstanding, Agent shall not be required to execute any document or take any action necessary to evidence such release on terms that, in Agent’s opinion, could expose Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Lien without recourse, representation, or warranty, and (2) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly released) upon (or obligations of Borrowers in respect of) any and all interests retained by any Borrower, including, the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.  Each Lender further hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to irrevocably authorize) Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to subordinate any Lien granted to or held by Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien on such property if such Permitted Lien secures Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness.

 

(b)                                 Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders (or the Bank Product Providers) (i) to verify or assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, (ii) to verify or assure that Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, (iii) to

 

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verify or assure that any particular items of Collateral meet the eligibility criteria applicable in respect thereof, (iv) to impose, maintain, increase, reduce, implement, or eliminate any particular reserve hereunder or to determine whether the amount of any reserve is appropriate or not, or (v) to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given Agent’s own interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders and that Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender (or Bank Product Provider) as to any of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

 

15.12                 Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, without the express written consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the written request of Agent, set off against the Obligations, any amounts owing by such Lender to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any deposit accounts of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries now or hereafter maintained with such Lender.  Each of the Lenders further agrees that it shall not, unless specifically requested to do so in writing by Agent, take or cause to be taken any action, including, the commencement of any legal or equitable proceedings to enforce any Loan Document against any Borrower or any Guarantor or to foreclose any Lien on, or otherwise enforce any security interest in, any of the Collateral.

 

(b)                                 If, at any time or times any Lender shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, setoff, or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations, except for any such proceeds or payments received by such Lender from Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) payments from Agent in excess of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all such distributions by Agent, such Lender promptly shall (A) turn the same over to Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to Agent, or in immediately available funds, as applicable, for the account of all of the Lenders and for application to the Obligations in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, or (B) purchase, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the Obligations owed to the other Lenders so that such excess payment received shall be applied ratably as among the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Share; provided, that to the extent that such excess payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases of participations shall be rescinded in whole or in part, as applicable, and the applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall be returned to such purchasing party, but without interest except to the extent that such purchasing party is required to pay interest in connection with the recovery of the excess payment.

 

15.13                 Agency for PerfectionAgent hereby appoints each other Lender (and each Bank Product Provider) as its agent (and each Lender hereby accepts (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to accept) such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 8 or Article 9, as applicable, of the Code can be perfected by possession or control.  Should any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Agent’s request therefor shall deliver possession or control of such Collateral to Agent or in accordance with Agent’s instructions.

 

15.14                 Payments by Agent to the LendersAll payments to be made by Agent to the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) shall be made by bank wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to such wire transfer instructions as each party may designate for itself by written notice to Agent.  Concurrently with each such payment, Agent shall identify whether such payment (or any portion thereof) represents principal, premium, fees, or interest of the Obligations.

 

15.15                 Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan DocumentsEach member of the Lender Group authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each member of the Lender Group agrees (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to agree) that any action taken by Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating to the Collateral and the exercise by Agent of its powers set forth therein or herein, together

 

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with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders (and such Bank Product Provider).

 

15.16                 Field Examination Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers by Lenders; Other Reports and Information.  By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender:

 

(a)                                 is deemed to have requested that Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field examination report respecting any Borrower or its Subsidiaries (each, a “Report”) prepared by or at the request of Agent, and Agent shall so furnish each Lender with such Reports,

 

(b)                                 expressly agrees and acknowledges that Agent does not (i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report, and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,

 

(c)                                  expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that Agent or other party performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and will rely significantly upon Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ books and records, as well as on representations of Borrowers’ personnel,

 

(d)                                 agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with Section 17.9, and

 

(e)                                  without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees:  (i) to hold Agent and any other Lender preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to Borrowers, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a loan or loans of Borrowers, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold Agent, and any such other Lender preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including, attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by Agent and any such other Lender preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

 

(f)                                   In addition to the foregoing, (x) any Lender may from time to time request of Agent in writing that Agent provide to such Lender a copy of any report or document provided by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries to Agent that has not been contemporaneously provided by such Borrower or such Subsidiary to such Lender, and, upon receipt of such request, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, (y) to the extent that Agent is entitled, under any provision of the Loan Documents, to request additional reports or information from any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, any Lender may, from time to time, reasonably request Agent to exercise such right as specified in such Lender’s notice to Agent, whereupon Agent promptly shall request of Borrowers the additional reports or information reasonably specified by such Lender, and, upon receipt thereof from such Borrower or such Subsidiary, Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender, and (z) any time that Agent renders to Borrowers a statement regarding the Loan Account, Agent shall send a copy of such statement to each Lender.

 

15.17                 Several Obligations; No LiabilityNotwithstanding that certain of the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or in favor of Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of Agent (if any) to make any credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint) obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their respective Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective Commitments.  Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business, assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other Lender.  Except as provided in Section 15.7, no member

 

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of the Lender Group shall have any liability for the acts of any other member of the Lender Group.  No Lender shall be responsible to any Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other Lender (or Bank Product Provider) to fulfill its obligations to make credit available hereunder, nor to advance for such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) or on its behalf, nor to take any other action on behalf of such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) hereunder or in connection with the financing contemplated herein.

 

15.18                 Arranger and Book Runner.  Each of the Arranger and Book Runner, in such capacities, shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility, or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to it in its capacity as a Lender, as Agent, as Swing Lender, or as Issuing Bank.  Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Arranger and Book Runner, in such capacities, shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or any Loan Party.  Each Lender, Agent, Swing Lender, Issuing Bank, and each Loan Party acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Arranger and Book Runner in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.  Each of the Arranger and Book Runner, in such capacities, shall be entitled to resign at any time by giving notice to Agent and Borrowers.

 

16.                               WITHHOLDING TAXES.

 

16.1                        PaymentsAll payments made by Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan Document will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense.  In addition, all such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future Indemnified Taxes, and in the event any deduction or withholding of Indemnified Taxes is required, Borrowers shall comply with the next sentence of this Section 16.1.  If any Indemnified Taxes are so levied or imposed, Borrowers agree to pay the full amount of such Indemnified Taxes and such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any amount paid pursuant to this Section 16.1 after withholding or deduction for or on account of any Indemnified Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein.  Borrowers will furnish to Agent as promptly as possible after the date the payment of any Indemnified Tax is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Borrowers.  Borrowers agree to pay any present or future stamp, value added or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges, or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance, recordation, or filing of, or otherwise with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

16.2                        Exemptions.

 

(a)                                 If a Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption or reduction from United States withholding tax, such Lender or Participant agrees with and in favor of Agent, to deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) one of the following before receiving its first payment under this Agreement:

 

(i)                                     if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption from United States withholding tax pursuant to the portfolio interest exception, (A) a statement of the Lender or Participant, signed under penalty of perjury, that it is not a (I) a “bank” as described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the IRC, (II) a 10% shareholder of Parent Borrower (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the IRC), or (III) a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrowers within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the IRC, and (B) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8IMY (with proper attachments);

 

(ii)                                  if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption from, or a reduction of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN;

 

(iii)                               if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such Lender, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

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(iv)                              if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because such Lender or Participant serves as an intermediary, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY (with proper attachments); or

 

(v)                                 a properly completed and executed copy of any other form or forms, including IRS Form W-9, as may be required under the IRC or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding or backup withholding tax.

 

(b)                                 Each Lender or Participant shall provide new forms (or successor forms) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and to promptly notify Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.  Each Lender, on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender hereunder, and each Participant, on or prior to the date on which such Participant acquires a participation hereunder, and in each case, from time to time thereafter, either upon the request of the Parent Borrower or Agent or upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered documentation, shall furnish to the Parent Borrower and Agent any documentation that is required under FATCA to enable Borrowers or Agent to determine and execute its obligations, duties and liabilities with respect to FATCA, including but not limited to any taxes it may be required to withhold in respect of FATCA.

 

(c)                                  If a Lender or Participant claims an exemption from withholding tax in a jurisdiction other than the United States, such Lender or such Participant agrees with and in favor of Agent, to deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) any such form or forms, as may be required under the laws of such jurisdiction as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, foreign withholding or backup withholding tax before receiving its first payment under this Agreement, but only if such Lender or such Participant is legally able to deliver such forms, provided, that nothing in this Section 16.2(c) shall require a Lender or Participant to disclose any information that it deems to be confidential (including without limitation, its tax returns).  Each Lender and each Participant shall provide new forms (or successor forms) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and to promptly notify Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(d)                                 If a Lender or Participant claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax and such Lender or Participant sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender or Participant, such Lender or Participant agrees to notify Agent (or, in the case of a sale of a participation interest, to the Lender granting the participation only) of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender or Participant.  To the extent of such percentage amount, Agent will treat such Lender’s or such Participant’s documentation provided pursuant to Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c) as no longer valid.  With respect to such percentage amount, such Participant or Assignee may provide new documentation, pursuant to Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c), if applicable.  Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of this Section 16 with respect to its participation in any portion of the Commitments and the Obligations so long as such Participant complies with the obligations set forth in this Section 16 with respect thereto.

 

16.3                        Reductions.

 

(a)                                 If a Lender or a Participant is subject to an applicable withholding tax, Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, the Lender granting the participation) may withhold from any payment to such Lender or such Participant an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.  If the forms or other documentation required by Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c) are not delivered to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation), then Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation) may withhold from any payment to such Lender or such Participant not providing such forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

 

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(b)                                 If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation) did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender or any Participant due to a failure on the part of the Lender or any Participant (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify Agent (or such Participant failed to notify the Lender granting the participation) of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason) such Lender shall indemnify and hold Agent harmless (or, in the case of a Participant, such Participant shall indemnify and hold the Lender granting the participation harmless) for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation), as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) under this Section 16, together with all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses).  The obligation of the Lenders and the Participants under this subsection shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

16.4                        Refunds.  If Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes to which Borrowers have paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 16, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, it shall pay over such refund to Borrowers (but only to the extent of payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrowers under this Section 16 with respect to Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such a refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the applicable Governmental Authority with respect to such a refund); provided, that Borrowers, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrowers (plus any penalties, interest or other charges, imposed by the applicable Governmental Authority, other than such penalties, interest or other charges imposed as a result of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Agent hereunder) to Agent or such Lender in the event Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 16 shall not be construed to require Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information which it deems confidential) to Borrowers or any other Person.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 16.4, in no event will Agent or any Lender be required to pay any amount to Borrowers pursuant to this Section 16.4 the payment of which would place Agent or such Lender in a less favorable net after-Tax position than Agent or such Lender would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.

 

17.                               GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

17.1                        EffectivenessThis Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by each Borrower, Agent, and each Lender whose signature is provided for on the signature pages hereof.

 

17.2                        Section HeadingsHeadings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only.  Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

 

17.3                        InterpretationNeither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against the Lender Group or any Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

 

17.4                        Severability of ProvisionsEach provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

 

17.5                        Bank Product ProvidersEach Bank Product Provider in its capacity as such shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof and of the provisions of the other Loan Documents for purposes of any reference in a Loan Document to the parties for whom Agent is acting.  Agent hereby agrees to act as agent for such Bank Product Providers and, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, the applicable Bank Product Provider

 

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shall be automatically deemed to have appointed Agent as its agent and to have accepted the benefits of the Loan Documents.  It is understood and agreed that the rights and benefits of each Bank Product Provider under the Loan Documents consist exclusively of such Bank Product Provider’s being a beneficiary of the Liens and security interests (and, if applicable, guarantees) granted to Agent and the right to share in payments and collections out of the Collateral as more fully set forth herein. In addition, each Bank Product Provider, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, shall be automatically deemed to have agreed that Agent shall have the right, but shall have no obligation, to establish, maintain, relax, or release reserves in respect of the Bank Product Obligations and that if reserves are established there is no obligation on the part of Agent to determine or insure whether the amount of any such reserve is appropriate or not.  In connection with any such distribution of payments or proceeds of Collateral, Agent shall be entitled to assume no amounts are due or owing to any Bank Product Provider unless such Bank Product Provider has provided a written certification (setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation) to Agent as to the amounts that are due and owing to it and such written certification is received by Agent a reasonable period of time prior to the making of such distribution.  Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount due and payable with respect to any Bank Products, but may rely upon the written certification of the amount due and payable from the applicable Bank Product Provider.  In the absence of an updated certification, Agent shall be entitled to assume that the amount due and payable to the applicable Bank Product Provider is the amount last certified to Agent by such Bank Product Provider as being due and payable (less any distributions made to such Bank Product Provider on account thereof).  Borrowers may obtain Bank Products from any Bank Product Provider, although Borrowers are not required to do so.  Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Bank Product Provider has committed to provide any Bank Products and that the providing of Bank Products by any Bank Product Provider is in the sole and absolute discretion of such Bank Product Provider.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no provider or holder of any Bank Product shall have any voting or approval rights hereunder (or be deemed a Lender) solely by virtue of its status as the provider or holder of such agreements or products or the Obligations owing thereunder, nor shall the consent of any such provider or holder be required (other than in their capacities as Lenders, to the extent applicable) for any matter hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, including as to any matter relating to the Collateral or the release of Collateral or Guarantors.

 

17.6                        Debtor-Creditor Relationship.  The relationship between the Lenders and Agent, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, is solely that of creditor and debtor.  No member of the Lender Group has (or shall be deemed to have) any fiduciary relationship or duty to any Loan Party arising out of or in connection with the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, and there is no agency or joint venture relationship between the members of the Lender Group, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, by virtue of any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein.

 

17.7                        Counterparts; Electronic ExecutionThis Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.  The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis.

 

17.8                        Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations; Certain Waivers.

 

(a)                                 If any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider repays, refunds, restores, or returns in whole or in part, any payment or property (including any proceeds of Collateral) previously paid or transferred to such member of the Lender Group or such Bank Product Provider in full or partial satisfaction of any Obligation or on account of any other obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement, because the payment, transfer, or the incurrence of the obligation so satisfied is asserted or declared to be void, voidable, or otherwise recoverable under any law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences, or other voidable or

 

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recoverable obligations or transfers (each, a “Voidable Transfer”), or because such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to do so on the reasonable advice of its counsel in connection with a claim that the payment, transfer, or incurrence is or may be a Voidable Transfer, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to repay, restore, or return (including pursuant to a settlement of any claim in respect thereof), and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider related thereto, (i) the liability of the Loan Parties with respect to the amount or property paid, refunded, restored, or returned will automatically and immediately be revived, reinstated, and restored and will exist and (ii) Agent’s Liens securing such liability shall be effective, revived, and remain in full force and effect, in each case, as fully as if such Voidable Transfer had never been made.  If, prior to any of the foregoing, (A) Agent’s Liens shall have been released or terminated or (B) any provision of this Agreement shall have been terminated or cancelled, Agent’s Liens, or such provision of this Agreement, shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any Loan Party in respect of such liability or any Collateral securing such liability.

 

(b)                                 Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, if Agent or any Lender accepts a guaranty of only a portion of the Obligations pursuant to any guaranty, each Borrower hereby waive its right under Section 2822(a) of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction to designate the portion of the Obligations satisfied by the applicable guarantor’s partial payment.

 

17.9                        Confidentiality.

 

(a)                                 Agent and Lenders each individually (and not jointly or jointly and severally) agree that material, non-public information regarding Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans (“Confidential Information”) shall be treated by Agent and the Lenders in a confidential manner, and shall not be disclosed by Agent and the Lenders to Persons who are not parties to this Agreement, except:  (i) to attorneys for and other advisors, accountants, auditors, and consultants to any member of the Lender Group and to employees, directors and officers of any member of the Lender Group (the Persons in this clause (i), “Lender Group Representatives”) on a “need to know” basis in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and on a confidential basis, (ii) to Subsidiaries and Affiliates of any member of the Lender Group (including the Bank Product Providers), provided that any such Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have agreed to receive such information hereunder subject to the terms of this Section 17.9, (iii) as may be required by regulatory authorities so long as such authorities are informed of the confidential nature of such information, (iv) as may be required by statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation; provided that (x) prior to any disclosure under this clause (iv), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrowers with prior notice thereof, to the extent that it is practicable to do so and to the extent that the disclosing party is permitted to provide such prior notice to Borrowers pursuant to the terms of the applicable statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation and (y) any disclosure under this clause (iv) shall be limited to the portion of the Confidential Information as may be required by such statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation, (v) as may be agreed to in advance in writing by Borrowers, (vi) as requested or required by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any subpoena or other legal process, provided, that, (x) prior to any disclosure under this clause (vi) the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrowers with prior written notice thereof, to the extent that it is practicable to do so and to the extent that the disclosing party is permitted to provide such prior written notice to Borrowers pursuant to the terms of the subpoena or other legal process and (y) any disclosure under this clause (vi) shall be limited to the portion of the Confidential Information as may be required by such Governmental Authority pursuant to such subpoena or other legal process, (vii) as to any such information that is or becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of prohibited disclosure by Agent or the Lenders or the Lender Group Representatives), (viii) to current or prospective assignees or participants, direct or contractual counterparties to any Hedge Agreement and to their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents, provided that prior to receipt of Confidential Information any such current or prospective assignee, participant, current or prospective or pledgee shall have agreed in writing to receive such Confidential Information either subject to the terms of this Section 17.9 or pursuant to confidentiality requirements substantially similar to those contained in this Section 17.9 (and such Person may disclose such Confidential Information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (i) above), (ix) in connection with any litigation or other

 

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adversary proceeding involving parties hereto which such litigation or adversary proceeding involves claims related to the rights or duties of such parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided that, prior to any disclosure to any Person (other than any Loan Party, Agent, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel) under this clause (ix) with respect to litigation involving any Person (other than any Borrower, Agent, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrowers with prior written notice thereof, (x) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar organization, regulatory authority, examiner or nationally recognized ratings agency and (xi) in connection with, and to the extent reasonably necessary for, the exercise of any secured creditor remedy under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document.

 

(b)                                 Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent may disclose information concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to loan syndication and pricing reporting services or in its marketing or promotional materials, with such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications or marketing or promotional materials and may otherwise use the name, logos, and other insignia of any Borrower or the other Loan Parties and the Commitments provided hereunder in any “tombstone” or other advertisements, on its website or in other marketing materials of Agent.

 

(c)                                  The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that Agent or its Affiliates may make available to the Lenders materials or information provided by or on behalf of Borrowers hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities).  The Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders to treat Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” or otherwise at any time filed with the SEC as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws.  All Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor” (or another similar term).  Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” or that are not at any time filed with the SEC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor” (or such other similar term).

 

17.10                 SurvivalAll representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents 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 Agent, Issuing Bank, or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of 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 or unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated.

 

17.11                 Patriot ActEach Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.  In addition, if Agent is required by law or regulation or internal policies to do so, it shall have the right to periodically conduct (a) Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches, and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties and (b) OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties’ senior management and key principals, and each Borrower agrees to cooperate in respect of the conduct of such searches and further agrees that the reasonable costs and charges for such searches shall constitute Lender Group Expenses hereunder and be for the account of Borrowers.

 

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17.12                 IntegrationThis Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.  The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, all Bank Product Agreements, if any, are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of such Bank Product Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayments, acceleration, reduction, increase, or change in the terms of any credit extended hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided in such Bank Product Agreement.

 

17.13                 Parent Borrower as Agent for BorrowersEach Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Parent Borrower as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for all Borrowers which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Borrower that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed Parent Borrower.  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Parent Borrower (a) to provide Agent with all notices with respect to Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and any notice or instruction provided by Parent Borrower shall be deemed to be given by Borrowers hereunder and shall bind each Borrower), (b) to receive notices and instructions from members of the Lender Group (and any notice or instruction provided by any member of the Lender Group to the Parent Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been given to each Borrower), and (c) to take such action as the Parent Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.  It is understood that the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of Borrowers in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Lender Group shall not incur liability to any Borrower as a result hereof.  Each Borrower expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of the Loan Account and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group.  To induce the Lender Group to do so, and in consideration thereof, each Borrower hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify each member of the Lender Group and hold each member of the Lender Group harmless against any and all liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against the Lender Group by any Borrower or by any third party whosoever, arising from or incurred by reason of (i) the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral of Borrowers as herein provided, or (ii) the Lender Group’s relying on any instructions of the Parent Borrower, except that Borrowers will have no liability to the relevant Agent-Related Person or Lender-Related Person under this Section 17.13 with respect to any liability that has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent-Related Person or Lender-Related Person, as the case may be.

 

17.14                 Intercreditor AgreementEach Lender (a) hereby consents to the priority of the Liens securing the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) hereby authorizes and instructs Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

17.15                 Waiver of Rights Under Farm Credit ActEach Borrower, having been represented by legal counsel in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, in particular, in connection with the waiver contained in this Section 17.15, does hereby voluntarily and knowingly waive, relinquish, and agree not to assert at any time, any and all rights that it may have or be afforded under the sections of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 designated as 12 U.S.C. Sections 2199 through 2202e and the implementing Farm Credit Administration regulations as set forth in 12 C.F.R Sections 617.7000 through 617.7630, including those provisions which may afford such Borrower certain rights, and/or impose on any lender to a borrower certain duties, with respect to the collection of any amounts owing hereunder or the foreclosure of any liens securing any such amounts, or which require Agent or any present or future Lender or participant to disclose to a Borrower the nature of any such rights or duties.  This waiver is given by Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of 12 C.F.R. Section 617.7010(c) to induce the Lenders to fund and extend to Borrowers the credit facilities described herein and to induce those Lenders which are Farm Credit Lenders to agree to provide such credit facilities commensurate with their individual commitments as they may exist from time to time.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWERS:

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: Steve Weinberger

 

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 



 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Agent, as Arranger, as Book Runner and as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kathleen Davenport

 

Name: Kathleen Davenport

 

Title:  Director

 



 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

 

This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT (“Assignment Agreement”) is entered into as of                             between                   (“Assignor”) and                          (“Assignee”).  Reference is made to the Credit Agreement described in Annex I hereto (the “Credit Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

1.             In accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 13 of the Credit Agreement, the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, that interest in and to the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents as of the date hereof with respect to the Obligations owing to the Assignor, and Assignor’s portion of the Commitments, all to the extent specified on Annex I.

 

2.             The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim and (ii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, representations or warranties made in or in connection with the Loan Documents, or (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of Borrowers or any Guarantor or the performance or observance by Borrowers or any Guarantor of any of their respective obligations under the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, and (d) represents and warrants that the amount set forth as the Purchase Price on Annex I represents the amount owed by Borrowers to Assignor with respect to Assignor’s share of the Revolving Loans assigned hereunder, as reflected on Assignor’s books and records.

 

3.             The Assignee (a) confirms that it has received copies of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment Agreement; (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, Assignor, or any other Lender, based upon such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking any action under the Loan Documents; (c) confirms that it is an Eligible Transferee; (d) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; [and] (e) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender; [and (f) attaches the forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States certifying as to the Assignee’s status for purposes of determining exemption from United States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee under the Credit Agreement or such other documents as are necessary to indicate that all such payments are subject to such rates at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty.]

 

4.             Following the execution of this Assignment Agreement by the Assignor and Assignee, the Assignor will deliver this Assignment Agreement to the Agent for recording by the Agent. 

 



 

The effective date of this Assignment (the “Settlement Date”) shall be the latest to occur of (a) the date of the execution and delivery hereof by the Assignor and the Assignee, (b) the receipt by Agent for its sole and separate account a processing fee in the amount of $3,500 (if required by the Credit Agreement), (c) the receipt of any required consent of the Agent, and (d) the date specified in Annex I.

 

5.             As of the Settlement Date (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned pursuant to this Assignment Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (b) the Assignor shall, to the extent of the interest assigned pursuant to this Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive the termination of the Credit Agreement, including such assigning Lender’s obligations under Article 15 and Section 17.9(a) of the Credit Agreement.

 

6.             Upon the Settlement Date, Assignee shall pay to Assignor the Purchase Price (as set forth in Annex I).  From and after the Settlement Date, Agent shall make all payments that are due and payable to the holder of the interest assigned hereunder (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to Assignor for amounts which have accrued up to but excluding the Settlement Date and to Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Settlement Date.  On the Settlement Date, Assignor shall pay to Assignee an amount equal to the portion of any interest, fee, or any other charge that was paid to Assignor prior to the Settlement Date on account of the interest assigned hereunder and that are due and payable to Assignee with respect thereto, to the extent that such interest, fee or other charge relates to the period of time from and after the Settlement Date.

 

7.             This Assignment Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by the parties hereto in 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.  This Assignment Agreement may be executed and delivered by telecopier or other facsimile transmission all with the same force and effect as if the same were a fully executed and delivered original manual counterpart.

 

8.             THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 12 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[signature pages follow]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment Agreement and Annex I hereto to be executed by their respective officers, as of the first date written above.

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR],

 

as Assignor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE],

 

as Assignee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED THIS      DAY OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

 

 

ASSOCIATION, a national banking

 

 

association, as Agent, as Issuing Bank and as Swing Lender(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation,

 

 

as Parent Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

](2)

 

 

 


(1)  Include consent of any additional Issuing Bank or Swing Lender.

(2)  Include if Parent Borrower’s consent is required by Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 



 

ANNEX FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

ANNEX I

 

1.

Borrowers: Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), and the Subsidiaries of Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages of the Credit Agreement

 

 

2.

Name and Date of Credit Agreement:

 

 

 

Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner.

 

 

3.

Date of Assignment Agreement:

 

 

4.

Amounts:

 

 

 

a.             Assigned Amount of Revolver Commitment

$

 

 

 

 

b.             Assigned Amount of Revolving Loans

$

 

 

 

5.

Settlement Date:

 

 

 

 

6.

Purchase Price

$

 

 

 

7.

Notice and Payment Instructions, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Assignee:

 

Assignor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

FORM OF BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

 

[see attached]

 



 

Summary Page Borrowing Base Certificate Date Name Inventure Foods, Inc. A/R As of: Inventory As of: Accounts Receivable Balance per Aging Report Assigned To Wells Fargo Capital Finance Less Ineligibles (detailed on page 2) Eligible Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable Availability before Sublimit(s) Net Available Accounts Receivable after Sublimit(s) Inventory Balance Assigned To Wells Fargo Capital Finance Less Ineligibles (detailed on page 3) Eligible Inventory Inventory Availability before Sublimit(s) Available Inventory after Sublimit(s) Net Available after Sublimit(s) and before Reserves Total Collateral Availability Reserves Total Reserves Calculated before the Credit Line Total Collateral Availability Suppressed Availability - Availability after Reserves Total Credit Line 50,000,000.00 Reserves Total Reserves Calculated after the Credit Line Total Availability after Reserves before Loan Balance and LCs Letter of Credit Balance Loan Ledger Balance As of: As of: - Net Availability Authorized Signer Additionally, the undersigned hereby certifies and represents and warrants to the Lender Group on behalf of Borrower that (i) as of the date hereof, each representation or warranty contained in or pursuant to any Loan Document, any agreement, instrument, certificate, document or other writing furnished at any time under or in connection with any Loan Document, and as of the effective date of any advance, continuation or conversion requested above is true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent any representation or warranty expressly related to an earlier date), (ii) each of the covenants and agreements contained in any Loan Document have been performed (to the extent required to be performed on or before the date hereof or each such effective date), (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof, nor will any thereof occur after giving effect to the request above, and (iv) all of the foregoing is true and correct as of the effective date of the calculations set forth above and that such calculations have been made in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement. - - - - - - Summary Inventory Accounts Receivable The undersigned, (“Borrower”), pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of (as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, refinanced, renewed, or extended from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), entered into among Borrower, the lenders signatory thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as the arranger and administrative agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, if any, in such capacity, “Agent”), hereby certifies to Agent that the following items, calculated in accordance with the terms and definitions set forth in the Credit Agreement for such items are true and correct, and that Borrower is in compliance with and, after giving effect to any currently requested Advances, will be in compliance with, the terms, conditions, and provisions of the Credit Agreement.

GRAPHIC

 


 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

FORM OF BANK PRODUCT PROVIDER AGREEMENT

 

[Letterhead of Specified Bank Products Provider]

 

[Date]

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Agent
2450 Colorado Avenue

Suite 3000 West

Santa Monica, California 90404
Attention: Business Finance Division Manager

Fax No.:  310.453.7413

 

Reference hereby is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower” and “Administrative Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Agent”), Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Reference is also made to that certain [describe the Bank Product Agreement or Agreements] (the “Specified Bank Product Agreement [Agreements]”) dated as of           , by and between [Lender or Affiliate of Lender] (the “Specified Bank Products Provider”) and [identify the Loan Party].

 

1.                                      Appointment of Agent.   The Specified Bank Products Provider hereby designates and appoints Agent, and Agent by its signature below hereby accepts such appointment, as its agent under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Specified Bank Products Provider hereby acknowledges that it has reviewed Sections 15.1 through 15.15 and Sections 15.17, 15.18, and 17.5 (collectively such sections are referred to herein as the “Agency Provisions”), including, as applicable, the defined terms used therein.  Specified Bank Products Provider and Agent each agree that the Agency Provisions which govern the relationship, and certain representations, acknowledgements, appointments, rights, restrictions, and agreements, between the Agent, on the one hand, and the Lenders or the Lender Group, on the other hand, shall, from and after the date of this letter agreement also apply to and govern, mutatis mutandis, the relationship between the Agent, on the one hand, and the Specified Bank Product Provider with respect to the Bank Products provided pursuant to the Specified Bank Product Agreement[s], on the other hand.

 

2.                                      Acknowledgement of Certain Provisions of Credit Agreement.  The Specified Bank Products Provider hereby acknowledges that it has reviewed the provisions of Sections 2.4(b)(ii), 14.1, 15, and 17.5 of the Credit Agreement, including, as applicable, the defined terms used therein, and agrees to be bound by the provisions thereof.  Without limiting the generality of any of the foregoing referenced provisions, Specified Bank Product Provider understands and agrees that its rights and benefits under the

 



 

Loan Documents consist solely of it being a beneficiary of the Liens and security interests granted to Agent and the right to share in proceeds of the Collateral to the extent set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

3.                                      Reporting Requirements.   Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount due and payable with respect to any Bank Products.  On a monthly basis (not later than the 10th Business Day of each calendar month) or as more frequently as Agent shall request, the Specified Bank Products Provider agrees to provide Agent with a written report, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, detailing Specified Bank Products Provider’s reasonable determination of the liabilities and obligations (and mark- to-market exposure) of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties in respect of the Bank Products provided by Specified Bank Products Provider pursuant to the Specified Bank Products Agreement[s].  If Agent does not receive such written report within the time period provided above, Agent shall be entitled to assume that the reasonable determination of the liabilities and obligations of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties with respect to the Bank Products provided pursuant to the Specified Bank Products Agreement[s] is zero.

 

4.                                      Bank Product Reserve Conditions. Specified Bank Products Provider further acknowledges and agrees that Agent shall have the right (to the extent permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement), but shall have no obligation to establish, maintain, relax, or release reserves in respect of any of the Bank Product Obligations and that if reserves are established there is no obligation on the part of the Agent to determine or insure whether the amount of any such reserve is appropriate or not (including whether it is sufficient in amount).  If Agent chooses to implement a reserve, Specified Bank Products Provider acknowledges and agrees that Agent shall be entitled to rely on the information in the reports described above to establish the Bank Product Reserve Amount.

 

5.                                      Bank Product Obligations.  From and after the delivery to Agent of this agreement duly executed by Specified Bank Product Provider and the acknowledgement of this agreement by Agent and Administrative Borrower, the obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties to Specified Bank Product Provider in respect of Bank Products evidenced by the Specified Bank Product Agreement[s] shall constitute Bank Product Obligations (and which, in turn, shall constitute Obligations), and Specified Bank Product Provider shall constitute a Bank Product Provider until such time as Specified Bank Products Provider or its Affiliate is no longer a Lender. Specified Bank Products Provider acknowledges that other Bank Products (which may or may not be Specified Bank Products) may exist at any time.

 

6.                                      Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the form and manner provided in Section 11 of the Credit Agreement, and, if to Agent, shall be mailed, sent, or delivered to Agent in accordance with Section 11 in the Credit Agreement, if to Administrative Borrower, shall be mailed, sent, or delivered to Administrative Borrower in accordance with Section 11 in the Credit Agreement, and, if to Specified Bank Products Provider, shall be mailed, sent, or delivered to the address set forth below, or, in each case as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other party.

 

If to Specified Bank Products Provider:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attn:

 

Fax No.

 



 

7.                                      Miscellaneous.  This agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto (including any successor agent pursuant to Section 15.9 of the Credit Agreement); provided, that no Borrower may assign this agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without the other parties’ prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio.  Unless the context of this agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”   This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts.  Each of such counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and all of such counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this letter by telefacsimile or other means of electronic transmission shall be equally effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.

 

8.                                      Governing Law, Etc.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 12 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[signature pages to follow]

 



 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

[SPECIFIED BANK PRODUCTS PROVIDER]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

Acknowledged, accepted, and agreed

as of the date first written above:

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation,

as Parent Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 



 

Acknowledged, accepted, and

agreed as of

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

a national banking association,

as Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT C-1

 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

[on Parent Borrower’s letterhead]

 

To:                             Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 3000 West

Santa Monica, California 90404

Attn:  Business Finance Division Manager

 

Re:                             Compliance Certificate dated                 , 20

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Agent”), Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned officer of Parent Borrower hereby certifies as of the date hereof that:

 

1.                                      The financial information of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries furnished in Schedule 1 attached hereto has been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for year-end audit adjustments and the lack of footnotes), and fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date set forth therein.

 

2.                                      Such officer has reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and has made, or caused to be made under his/her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and financial condition of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.                                      Such review has not disclosed the existence on and as of the date hereof, and the undersigned does not have knowledge of the existence as of the date hereof, of any event or condition that constitutes a Default or Event of Default, except for such conditions or events listed on Schedule 2 attached hereto, in each case specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action Parent Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries have taken, are taking, or propose to take with respect thereto.

 



 

4.                                      Except as set forth on Schedule 3 attached hereto, the representations and warranties of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date.

 

5.                                      [Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the covenant contained in Section 7 of the Credit Agreement as demonstrated on Schedule 4 hereof.](1)

 

[Signature page follows.]

 


(1)  Required only if a Financial Covenant Triggering Event has occurred and continuing as of each month end thereafter.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Compliance Certificate is executed by the undersigned this      day of                , 20   .

 

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC.,

 

a Delaware corporation, as Parent Borrower

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 



 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Financial Information

 



 

SCHEDULE 2

 

Default or Event of Default

 



 

SCHEDULE 3

 

Representations and Warranties

 



 

[SCHEDULE 4

 

Financial Covenants

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

Borrowers’ Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured on a month-end basis, for the 12 month period ending                  , 20   , is    :1.0, which ratio [is/is not] greater than or equal to the ratio set forth in Section 7 of the Credit Agreement for the corresponding period.]

 



 

EXHIBIT L-1

 

FORM OF LIBOR NOTICE

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Agent
under the below referenced Credit Agreement
2450 Colorado Avenue

Suite 3000 West

Santa Monica, California  90404

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference hereby is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Agent”), Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

This LIBOR Notice represents Borrowers’ request to elect the LIBOR Option with respect to outstanding Revolving Loans in the amount of $         (the “LIBOR Rate Advance”)[, and is a written confirmation of the telephonic notice of such election given to Agent].

 

The LIBOR Rate Advance will have an Interest Period of [1, 2, 3, or 6] month(s) commencing on                  .

 

This LIBOR Notice further confirms Borrowers’ acceptance, for purposes of determining the rate of interest based on the LIBOR Rate under the Credit Agreement, of the LIBOR Rate as determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

Parent Borrower represents and warrants that (i) as of the date hereof, the representations and warranties of Parent Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an

 



 

earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date)), (ii) each of the covenants and agreements contained in any Loan Document have been performed (to the extent required to be performed on or before the date hereof or each such effective date), and (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof, nor will any thereof occur after giving effect to the request above.

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation, as Parent Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged by:

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

 

ASSOCIATION, a national banking

 

association, as Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT P-1

 

FORM OF PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is hereby made to (a) that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Borrower”) and the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”) and (b) that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the Subsidiaries of Borrowers parties thereto as “Grantors”, and Agent.

 

All initially capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.  Any terms (whether capitalized or lower case) used in this Perfection Certificate that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term used herein and if such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.  As used herein, the term “Loan Parties” shall mean the “Loan Parties” as that term is defined in the Credit Agreement and “Code” shall mean the “Code” as that term is defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

The undersigned, the          of               (1), hereby certifies (in my capacity as            and not in my individual capacity) to Agent and each of the other members of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers as follows as of November 18, 2015:

 

1.                                      Names.

 

(a)                                 The exact legal name of each Loan Party, as such name appears in its certified certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, or any other organizational document, is set forth in Schedule 1(a).  Each Loan Party is (i) the type of entity disclosed next to its name in Schedule 1(a) and (ii) a registered organization except to the extent disclosed in Schedule 1(a).  Also set forth in Schedule 1(a) is the organizational identification number, if any, of each Loan Party that is a registered organization, the Federal Taxpayer Identification Number of each Loan Party and the jurisdiction of formation of each Loan Party.  Each Loan Party has qualified to do business in the states listed on Schedule 1(a).

 

(b)                                 Set forth in Schedule 1(b) hereto is a list of any other legal names each Loan Party has had in the past five years, together with the date of the relevant name change.

 


(1)                                 Insert appropriate officer(s), as applicable.

 



 

(c)                                  Set forth in Schedule 1(c) is a list of all other names used by each Loan Party in connection with any business or organization to which such Loan Party became the successor by merger, consolidation, acquisition, change in form, nature or jurisdiction of organization or otherwise or on any filings with the Internal Revenue Service, in each case, at any time in the past five years.  Except as set forth in Schedule 1(c), no Loan Party has changed its jurisdiction of organization at any time during the past four months.

 

2.                                      Chief Executive Offices.  The chief executive office of each Loan Party is located at the address set forth in Schedule 2 hereto.

 

3.                                      Real Property.

 

(a)                                 Attached hereto as Schedule 3(a) is a list of all (i) Real Property (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) of each Loan Party, (ii) filing offices for any mortgages encumbering the Real Property or to encumber, the Real Property as of the Closing Date, (iii) common names, addresses and uses of each parcel of Real Property (stating improvements located thereon) and (iv) other information relating thereto required by such Schedule.  Except as described on Schedule 3(a) attached hereto:  (A) no Loan Party has entered into any leases, subleases, tenancies, franchise agreements, licenses or other occupancy arrangements as owner, lessor, sublessor, licensor, franchisor or grantor with respect to any of the real property described on Schedule 3(a) and (B) no Loan Party has any leases which require the consent of the landlord, tenant or other party thereto to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

 

(b)                                 Schedule 3(b) sets forth all third parties (“Bailees”) with possession of any Collateral (including inventory and equipment) of the Loan Parties, including the name and address of such Bailee, a description of the inventory and equipment in such Bailee’s possession and the location of such inventory and equipment (if none please so state).

 

4.                                      Extraordinary Transactions.  Except for those purchases, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, and other transactions described on Schedule 4 attached hereto, all of the Collateral has been originated by each Loan Party in the ordinary course of business or consists of goods which have been acquired by such Loan Party in the ordinary course of business from a person in the business of selling goods of that kind.

 

5.                                      File Search Reports.  Attached hereto as Schedule 5 is a true and accurate summary of certified file search reports from (a) the Uniform Commercial Code filing offices (i) in each jurisdiction of formation identified in Section 1(a) and in each location identified Section 2 with respect to each legal name set forth in Section 1 and (ii) in each jurisdiction described in Schedule 1(c) or Schedule 3 relating to any of the transactions described in Schedule 1(c) or Schedule 4 with respect to each legal name of the person or entity from which each Loan Party purchased or otherwise acquired any assets and (b) each filing office in each real estate recording office identified on Schedule 3(a) for any Real Property Collateral.(2)  A true copy of each financing statement, including judgment and tax liens, bankruptcy and pending lawsuits or other filing identified in such file search reports has been delivered to Agent.

 


(2)                                 Please note that the list of real estate locations that need to be searched shall be determined after Schedule 3(a) is provided.

 

2



 

6.                                      UCC Filings.  The financing statements (duly authorized by each Loan Party constituting the debtor therein), including the indications of the collateral, attached as Schedule 6 relating to the Guaranty and Security Agreement or the Real Property, are in the appropriate forms for filing in the filing offices in the jurisdictions identified in Schedule 6 hereof.

 

7.                                      Schedule of Filings.  Attached hereto as Schedule 7 is a schedule of (i) the appropriate filing offices for the financing statements attached hereto as Schedule 6 and (ii) the appropriate filing offices for the filings described in Schedule 11(c) and (iii) any other actions required to create, preserve, protect and perfect the security interests in the Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) granted, assigned or pledged to Agent pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Loan Document.  No other filings or actions are required to create, preserve, protect and perfect the security interests in the Collateral granted, assigned or pledged to Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

8.                                      Termination Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 8 are the duly authorized termination statements in the appropriate form for filing in each applicable jurisdiction identified in Schedule 8 hereto with respect to each Lien described therein.

 

9.                                      Stock Ownership and Other Equity Interests.  Attached hereto as Schedule 9(a) is a true and correct list of each of all of the authorized, and the issued and outstanding, Equity Interests of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and the record and beneficial owners of such Equity Interests.  Also set forth on Schedule 9(a) is each equity investment of each Loan Party that represents 50% or less of the equity of the entity in which such investment was made.  Attached hereto as Schedule 9(b) is a true and correct organizational chart of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

10.                               Instruments and Chattel Paper.  Attached hereto as Schedule 10 is a true and correct list of all promissory notes, instruments (other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business), tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper and other evidence of Indebtedness held by each Loan Party as of November [  ], 2015 having an aggregate value or face amount in excess of $250,000, including all intercompany notes between or among any two or more Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

11.                               Intellectual Property.

 

(a)                                 Schedule 11(a) provides a complete and correct list of all registered Copyrights (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party, all applications for registration of Copyrights owned by any Loan Party, and all other Copyrights owned by any Loan Party and material to the conduct of the business of any Loan Party.  Schedule 11(a) provides a complete and correct list of all Patents (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party and all applications for Patents owned by any Loan Party.  Schedule 11(a) provides a complete and correct list of all registered Trademarks (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party, all applications for registration of Trademarks owned by any Loan Party, and all other Trademarks owned by any Loan Party and material to the conduct of the business of any Loan Party.

 

(b)                                 Schedule 11(b) provides a complete and correct list of all Intellectual Property Licenses (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) entered into by any Loan Party pursuant to which (i) any Loan Party has provided any license or other rights in Intellectual Property (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned or controlled by such Loan Party to any other Person (other than non-exclusive software licenses granted in the ordinary course of business) or (ii) any Person has granted to any Loan Party any license or other rights in Intellectual Property owned or controlled by such Person that is material to the business of such Loan Party, including any Intellectual Property that is

 

3



 

incorporated in any Inventory, software, or other product marketed, sold, licensed, or distributed by such Loan Party;

 

(c)                                  Attached hereto as Schedule 11(c) in proper form for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office (as applicable) are the filings necessary to preserve, protect and perfect the security interests in the United States Trademarks, United Patents, United States Copyrights and Intellectual Property Licenses set forth on Schedule 11(a) and Schedule 11(b), including duly signed copies of each of the Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement and the Copyright Security Agreement, as applicable.

 

12.                               Commercial Tort Claims.  Attached hereto as Schedule 12 is a true and correct list of all commercial tort claims that exceed $250,000 held by each Loan Party, including a brief description thereof.

 

13.                               Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts.  Attached hereto as Schedule 13 is a true and complete list of all Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts (each as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) maintained by each Loan Party, including the name of each institution where each such account is held, the name of each such account and the name of each entity that holds each account.

 

14.                               Letter-of-Credit Rights.  Attached hereto as Schedule 14 is a true and correct list of all letters of credit issued in favor of any Loan Party, as beneficiary thereunder, having an aggregate value or face amount in excess of $250,000.

 

15.                               Motor Vehicles.  Attached hereto as Schedule 15 is a true and correct list of all motor vehicles and other goods (covered by certificates of title or ownership) and the owner and approximate fair market value of such motor vehicles.

 

16.                               Farm Products.  Attached hereto as Schedule 16 is a true and correct list of all of the locations in the United States of America and any other jurisdiction in which any Loan Party possess any farm products as defined in UCC §9-102(34).

 

17.                               Timber.  Attached hereto as Schedule 17 is a true and correct list of all of the locations in the United States of America and any other jurisdiction in which any Loan Party possess any timber to be cut.

 

18.                               Other Assets:  A Loan Party owns the following kinds of assets:

 

Aircraft:

Yes o No o

 

 

Vessels, boats or ships:

Yes o No o

 

 

Railroad rolling stock:

Yes o No o

 

If the answer is yes to any of these other types of assets, please describe on Schedule 18.

 

[The Remainder of this Page has been intentionally left blank]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Perfection Certificate as of this      day of November, 2015.

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

5



 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

6



 

Schedule 1(a)

 

Legal Names, Etc.

 

Legal Name

 

Type of Entity

 

Registered
Organization
(Yes/No)

 

Organizational
Number(3)

 

Federal Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

Jurisdiction of Formation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(3)                                 If none, so state.

 

7



 

Schedule 1(b)

 

Prior Names

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Prior Name

 

Date of Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8



 

Schedule 1(c)

 

Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Name of Entity

 

Action

 

Date of
Action

 

State of
Formation

 

List of All Other
Names Used on Any
Filings with the
Internal Revenue
Service During Past
Five Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Add Information required by Section 1 to the extent required by Section 1(c) of the Perfection Certificate]

 

9



 

Schedule 2

 

Chief Executive Offices

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Address

 

County

 

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property

 

Entity of
Record

 

Common
Name and
Address

 

Owned,
Leased or
Other
Interest

 

Landlord
/ Owner
if Leased
or Other
Interest

 

Description
of
Lease or
Other
Documents
Evidencing
Interest

 

Purpose/
Use

 

Improvements
Located on
Real
Property

 

Legal
Description

 

Encumbered
or to be
Encumbered
by Mortgage

 

Filing
Office for
Mortgage

 

Option to
Purchase/Right
of First Refusal

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[SEE EXHIBIT A-[ ] ATTACHED HERETO]

 

[YES/NO]

 

[ ]

 

[YES/NO]

 

11



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property (cont.)

 

Required Consents; Loan Party Held Landlord/ Grantor Interests

 

I. Landlord’s / Tenant’s Consent Required

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE LANDLORD’S / TENANT’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED].

 

II. Leases, Subleases, Tenancies, Franchise Agreements, Licenses or Other Occupancy Agreements Pursuant to which any Loan Party holds Landlord’s / Grantor’s Interest

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE ANY LOAN PARTY HOLDS LANDLORD’S / GRANTOR’S INTEREST]

 

12



 

Schedule 3(b)

 

Bailees

 

13



 

Schedule 4

 

Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Description of Transaction Including Parties
Thereto

 

Date of
Transaction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14



 

Schedule 5

 

Certified File Search Reports

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Search Report dated

 

Prepared by

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See attached.

 

15



 

Schedule 6

 

Copy of Financing Statements To Be Filed

 

See attached.

 

16



 

Schedule 7

 

Filings/Filing Offices

 

Type of Filing(4)

 

Entity

 

Applicable Collateral
Document
[Mortgage, Security
Agreement or Other]

 

Jurisdictions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(4)                                 UCC-1 financing statement, fixture filing, mortgage, intellectual property filing or other necessary filing.

 

17



 

Schedule 8

 

Attached hereto is a true copy of each termination statement filing duly acknowledged or otherwise identified by the filing officer.

 

Termination Statement Filings

 

Debtor

 

Jurisdiction

 

Secured Party

 

Type of Collateral

 

UCC-1
File Date

 

UCC-1
File
Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18



 

Schedule 9(a)

 

(a)  Equity Interests of Loan Parties and Subsidiaries

 

Current Legal
Entities Owned

 

Record Owner

 

Certificate No.

 

No. Shares/Interest

 

Percent
Pledged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Other Equity Interests

 

19



 

Schedule 9(b)

 

Organizational Chart

 

20



 

Schedule 10

 

Instruments and Chattel Paper

 

1.                                      Promissory Notes:

 

Entity

 

Principal
Amount

 

Date of Issuance

 

Interest Rate

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.                                      Chattel Paper:

 

21



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks

 

UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24



 

Schedule 11(b)

 

Intellectual Property Licenses

 

LICENSEE

 

LICENSOR

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

REGISTRATION/
APPLICATION
NUMBER, IF
ANY

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25



 

Schedule 11(c)

 

Intellectual Property Filings

 

26



 

Schedule 12

 

Commercial Tort Claims

 

27



 

Schedule 13

 

Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts

 

OWNER

 

TYPE OF ACCOUNT

 

BANK OR
INTERMEDIARY

 

ACCOUNT
NUMBERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28



 

Schedule 14

 

Letter-of-Credit Rights

 

29



 

Schedule 15

 

Motor Vehicles

 

30



 

Schedule 16

 

Farm Products

 

31



 

Schedule 17

 

Timber

 

32



 

Schedule 18

 

Other Assets

 

33



 

FORM OF SUPPLEMENT TO PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

 

Supplement (this “Supplement”), dated as of     , 20  , to the Perfection Certificate, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Perfection Certificate”) by each of the parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become Loan Parties (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”).

 

Reference is hereby made to (a) that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among  the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Borrower”) and the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”) and (b) that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the Subsidiaries of Borrowers parties thereto as “Grantors”, and Agent.

 

All initially capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.  Any terms (whether capitalized or lower case) used in this Perfection Certificate that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term used herein and if such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.  As used herein, the term “Code” shall mean the “Code” as that term is defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement, the Loan Parties must execute and deliver a Perfection Certificate and the execution and delivery of the Perfection Certificate may be accomplished by the execution of this Supplement in favor of Agent, for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers;

 

In accordance with Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned, the          of          (5), hereby certify (in my capacity as            and not in my individual capacity) to Agent and each of the other members of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers as follows as of        , 20  :  [the information in the Perfection Certificate delivered on or prior to the Closing Date is true, correct, and complete on and as of the date hereof.] [Schedule 1(a), “Legal Names, Etc.”, Schedule 1(b), “Prior Names”, Schedule 1(c), “Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names”, Schedule 2, “Chief Executive Offices”, Schedule 3(a), “Real Property”, Schedule 3(b), “Bailees”, Schedule 4, “Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business”,  Schedule 9(a), “Equity Interests”, Schedule 9(b), “Organizational Chart” Schedule 10, “Instruments and Chattel Paper”, Schedule 11(a), “Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks”, Schedule 11(b), “Intellectual Property Licenses”, Schedule 12, “Commercial Tort Claims”, Schedule 13, “Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts”, Schedule 14, “Letter-of-Credit Rights”, Schedule 15, “Motor Vehicles”, Schedule 16, “Farm Products”, Schedule 17, “Timber”, and Schedule 18, “Other Assets” attached hereto supplement Schedule 1(a), Schedule 1(b), Schedule 1(c),

 


(5)           Insert appropriate officer(s), as applicable.

 

34



 

Schedule 2, Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 9(a), Schedule 9(b)Schedule 10, Schedule 11(a), Schedule 11(b), Schedule 12, Schedule 13, Schedule 14, Schedule 15, Schedule 16, Schedule 17, Schedule 18 respectively, to the Perfection Certificate and shall be deemed a part thereof for all purposes of the Perfection Certificate.]

 

The undersigned officers of each of the Loan Parties hereby certify as of the date hereof on behalf of the Loan Parties in their capacity as officers of the Loan Parties and not in their individual capacities that no additional filings or actions are required to create, preserve or perfect the security interests in the Collateral granted, assigned or pledged to Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Perfection Certificate shall remain in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Supplement to Perfection Certificate as of this      day of                 , 20  .

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

35



 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Each of the Guarantors]

 

36



 

Schedule 1(a)

 

Legal Names, Etc.

 

Legal Name

 

Type of Entity

 

Registered
Organization
(Yes/No)

 

Organizational
Number(6)

 

Federal Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

Jurisdiction of Formation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(6)           If none, so state.

 

37



 

Schedule 1(b)

 

Prior Names

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Prior Name

 

Date of Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38



 

Schedule 1(c)

 

Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Name of Entity

 

Action

 

Date of
Action

 

State of
Formation

 

List of All Other
Names Used on Any
Filings with the
Internal Revenue
Service During Past
Five Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Add Information required by Section 1 to the extent required by Section 1(c) of the Perfection Certificate]

 

39



 

Schedule 2

 

Chief Executive Offices

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Address

 

County

 

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property

 

Entity of
Record

 

Common
Name and
Address

 

Owned,
Leased or
Other
Interest

 

Landlord
/ Owner
if Leased
or Other
Interest

 

Description
of
Lease or
Other
Documents
Evidencing
Interest

 

Purpose/
Use

 

Improvements
Located on
Real
Property

 

Legal
Description

 

Encumbered
or to be
Encumbered
by Mortgage

 

Filing
Office for
Mortgage

 

Option to
Purchase/Right
of First Refusal

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[SEE EXHIBIT A-[ ] ATTACHED HERETO]

 

[YES/NO]

 

[ ]

 

[YES/NO]

 

 

41



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property (cont.)

 

Required Consents; Loan Party Held Landlord/ Grantor Interests

 

I. Landlord’s / Tenant’s Consent Required

 

1.         [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE LANDLORD’S / TENANT’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED].

 

II. Leases, Subleases, Tenancies, Franchise Agreements, Licenses or Other Occupancy Agreements Pursuant to which any Loan Party holds Landlord’s / Grantor’s Interest

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE ANY LOAN PARTY HOLDS LANDLORD’S / GRANTOR’S INTEREST

 

42



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property (cont.)

 

Required Consents; Loan Party Held Landlord/ Grantor Interests

 

I. Landlord’s / Tenant’s Consent Required

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE LANDLORD’S / TENANT’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED].

 

II. Leases, Subleases, Tenancies, Franchise Agreements, Licenses or Other Occupancy Agreements Pursuant to which any Loan Party holds Landlord’s / Grantor’s Interest

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE ANY LOAN PARTY HOLDS LANDLORD’S / GRANTOR’S INTEREST]

 

43



 

Schedule 3(b)

 

Bailees

 

44



 

Schedule 4

 

Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Description of Transaction Including Parties
Thereto

 

Date of
 Transaction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45



 

Schedule 9(a)

 

(a)  Equity Interests of Loan Parties and Subsidiaries

 

Current Legal
Entities Owned

 

Record Owner

 

Certificate No.

 

No. Shares/Interest

 

Percent
Pledged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Other Equity Interests

 

46



 

Schedule 9(b)

 

Organizational Chart

 

47



 

Schedule 10

 

Instruments and Chattel Paper

 

1.                                      Promissory Notes:

 

Entity

 

Principal
Amount

 

Date of Issuance

 

Interest Rate

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.                                      Chattel Paper:

 

48



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks

 

UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51



 

Schedule 11(b)

 

Intellectual Property Licenses

 

LICENSEE

 

LICENSOR

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

REGISTRATION/
APPLICATION
NUMBER, IF
ANY

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52



 

Schedule 12

 

Commercial Tort Claims

 

53



 

Schedule 13

 

Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts

 

OWNER

 

TYPE OF ACCOUNT

 

BANK OR
INTERMEDIARY

 

ACCOUNT
NUMBERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54



 

Schedule 14

 

Letter of Credit Rights

 

55



 

Schedule 15

 

Motor Vehicles

 

56



 

Schedule 16

 

Farm Products

 

57



 

Schedule 17

 

Timber

 

58



 

Schedule 18

 

Other Assets

 

59



 

Schedule 1.1

 

As used in the Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

 

ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Account” means an account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Account Debtor” means any Person who is obligated on an Account, chattel paper, or a general intangible.

 

Accounting Changes” means changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successor thereto or any agency with similar functions).

 

Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person whose assets or Equity Interests are acquired by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a Permitted Acquisition; provided, that such Indebtedness (a) is either (i) purchase money Indebtedness or a Capital Lease with respect to Equipment, (ii) mortgage financing with respect to Real Property or (iii) a reimbursement obligation in respect of a fully cash collateralized or back-stopped letters of credit, (b) was in existence prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and (c) was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition.

 

Acquisition” means (a) the purchase or other acquisition by a Person or its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the assets of (or any division or business line of) any other Person, or (b) the purchase or other acquisition (whether by means of a merger, consolidation, or otherwise) by a Person or its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of any other Person.

 

Additional Documents” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5.12 of the Agreement.

 

Affected Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.13(b) of the Agreement.

 

Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Equity Interests, by contract, or otherwise; provided, that, for purposes of the definition of Eligible Accounts and Section 6.10 of the Agreement: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, and (c) each partnership in which a Person is a general partner shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person.

 

Agent” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Agent-Related Persons” means Agent, together with its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

Agent’s Account” means the Deposit Account of Agent identified on Schedule A-1 to this Agreement (or such other Deposit Account of Agent that has been designated as such, in writing, by Agent to Borrowers and the Lenders).

 

Agent’s Liens” means the Liens granted by each Borrower or its Subsidiaries to Agent under the Loan Documents and securing the Obligations.

 



 

Agreement” means the Credit Agreement to which this Schedule 1.1 is attached.

 

Applicable Margin” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, as applicable, the applicable margin set forth in the following table that corresponds to the Average Excess Availability of Borrowers for the most recently completed fiscal month; provided, that for the period from the Closing Date through and including November 30, 2015, the Applicable Margin shall be set at the margin in the row styled “Level II”; provided further, that any time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Applicable Margin shall be set at the margin in the row styled “Level III”:

 

Level

 

Average Excess
Availability

 

Applicable Margin
Relative to Base Rate
Loans (the “Base Rate
Margin”)

 

Applicable Margin
Relative to LIBOR
Rate Loans (the
“LIBOR Rate
Margin”)

I

 

> $33,000,000

 

0.50 percentage points

 

1.50 percentage points

II

 

< $33,000,000 and > $16,000,000

 

0.75 percentage points

 

1.75 percentage points

III

 

< $16,000,000

 

1.00 percentage points

 

2.00 percentage points

 

The Applicable Margin shall be re-determined as of the first day of each fiscal month of Borrowers.

 

Applicable Unused Line Fee Percentage” means, as of any date of determination, the applicable percentage set forth in the following table that corresponds to the Average Revolver Usage (calculated exclusive of Swing Loans) of Borrowers for the most recently completed fiscal month as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, that any time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Applicable Unused Line Fee Percentage shall be set at “Level II”:

 

Level

 

Average Revolver Usage

 

Applicable Unused Line Fee
Percentage

I

 

> $25,000,000

 

0.25 percentage points

II

 

< $25,000,000

 

0.375 percentage points

 

The Applicable Unused Line Fee Percentage shall be re-determined on the first date of each fiscal month by Agent.

 

Application Event” means the occurrence of (a) a failure by Borrowers to repay all of the Obligations in full on the Maturity Date, or (b) an Event of Default and the election by Agent or the Required Lenders to require that payments and proceeds of Collateral be applied pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(iii) of the Agreement.

 

Arranger” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

2



 

Assignee” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(a) of the Agreement.

 

Assignment and Acceptance” means an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Agreement.

 

Authorized Person” means any one of the individuals identified on Schedule A-2 to the Agreement, as such schedule is updated from time to time by written notice from Borrowers to Agent.

 

Availability” means, as of any date of determination, the amount that Borrowers are entitled to borrow as Revolving Loans under Section 2.1 of the Agreement (after giving effect to the then outstanding Revolver Usage and Reserves).

 

Available Revolver Increase Amount” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the result of (a) $10,000,000 minus (b) the aggregate principal amount of Increases to the Revolver Commitments previously made pursuant to Section 2.14 of the Agreement.

 

Average Excess Availability” means, with respect to any period, the sum of the aggregate amount of Excess Availability for each Business Day in such period (calculated as of the end of each respective Business Day) divided by the number of Business Days in such period.

 

Average Revolver Usage” means, with respect to any period, the sum of the aggregate amount of Revolver Usage for each Business Day in such period (calculated as of the end of each respective Business Day) divided by the number of Business Days in such period.

 

Bank Product” means any one or more of the following financial products or accommodations extended to a Borrower or its Subsidiaries by a Bank Product Provider:  (a) credit cards (including commercial cards (including so-called “purchase cards”, “procurement cards” or “p-cards”)), (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) stored value cards, (e) Cash Management Services, or (f) transactions under Hedge Agreements.

 

Bank Product Agreements” means those agreements entered into from time to time by a Borrower or its Subsidiaries with a Bank Product Provider in connection with the obtaining of any of the Bank Products.

 

Bank Product Collateralization” means providing cash collateral (pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to Agent) to be held by Agent for the benefit of the Bank Product Providers (other than the Hedge Providers) in an amount determined by Agent as sufficient to satisfy the reasonably estimated credit exposure with respect to the then existing Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations).

 

Bank Product Obligations” means (a) all obligations, liabilities, reimbursement obligations, fees, or expenses owing by each Borrower and its Subsidiaries to any Bank Product Provider pursuant to or evidenced by a Bank Product Agreement and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, (b) all Hedge Obligations, and (c) all amounts that Agent or any Lender is obligated to pay to a Bank Product Provider as a result of Agent or such Lender purchasing participations from, or executing guarantees or indemnities or reimbursement obligations to, a Bank Product Provider with respect to the Bank Products provided by such Bank Product Provider to a Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided, in order for any item described in clauses (a) (b), or (c) above, as applicable, to constitute “Bank Product Obligations”, if the applicable Bank Product Provider is any Person other than Wells Fargo or its Affiliates, then the applicable Bank Product must have been provided on or after the Closing Date and Agent shall have received a Bank Product Provider Agreement within 10 days after the date of the provision of the applicable Bank Product to a Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

 

3



 

Bank Product Provider” means any Lender or any of its Affiliates, including each of the foregoing in its capacity, if applicable, as a Hedge Provider; provided, that no such Person (other than Wells Fargo or its Affiliates) shall constitute a Bank Product Provider with respect to a Bank Product unless and until Agent receives a Bank Product Provider Agreement from such Person and with respect to the applicable Bank Product within 10 days after the provision of such Bank Product to a Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided; further, that if, at any time, a Lender ceases to be a Lender under the Agreement, then, from and after the date on which it ceases to be a Lender thereunder, neither it nor any of its Affiliates shall constitute Bank Product Providers and the obligations with respect to Bank Products provided by such former Lender or any of its Affiliates shall no longer constitute Bank Product Obligations.

 

Bank Product Provider Agreement” means an agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2 to the Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly executed by the applicable Bank Product Provider, Borrowers, and Agent.

 

Bank Product Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, those reserves that Agent deems necessary or appropriate to establish (based upon the Bank Product Providers’ determination of the liabilities and obligations of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of Bank Product Obligations) in respect of Bank Products then provided or outstanding.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means title 11 of the United States Code, as in effect from time to time.

 

Base Rate” means the greatest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus ½%, (b) the LIBOR Rate (which rate shall be calculated based upon an Interest Period of 1 month and shall be determined on a daily basis), plus 1 percentage point, and (c) the rate of interest announced, from time to time, within Wells Fargo at its principal office in San Francisco as its “prime rate”, with the understanding that the “prime rate” is one of Wells Fargo’s base rates (not necessarily the lowest of such rates) and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publications as Wells Fargo may designate.

 

Base Rate Loan” means each portion of the Revolving Loans that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

 

Base Rate Margin” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Benefit Plan” means a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA) for which any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates has been an “employer” (as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA) within the past six years.

 

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors (or comparable managers) of such Person, or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors (or comparable managers).

 

Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

Book Runner” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Borrower” and “Borrowers” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9(c) of the Agreement.

 

4



 

Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made on the same day by the Lenders (or Agent on behalf thereof), or by Swing Lender in the case of a Swing Loan, or by Agent in the case of an Extraordinary Advance.

 

Borrowing Base” means,

 

(a) during the period from and including July 15 through and including November 14 of each calendar year (“Peak-Season”), as of any date of determination during such period, the result of:

 

(i)            85% of the amount of Eligible Accounts, less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve, plus

 

(ii)           the lowest of

 

(A) $50,000,000,

 

(B) the lesser of (A) the product of 75% multiplied by the value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical accounting practices) of Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory and Eligible By-Products Inventory, in each case, at such time, and (B) the product of 100% multiplied by the Net Recovery Percentage identified in the most recent appraisal of Inventory and Designated Goods ordered and obtained by Agent multiplied by the value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical accounting practices) of Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory and Eligible By-Products Inventory (such determination may be made as to different categories of Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory and Eligible By-Products Inventory based upon the Net Recovery Percentage applicable to such categories) at such time, minus

 

(iii)          the aggregate amount of reserves, if any, established by Agent under Section 2.1(c) of the Agreement;

 

(this clause (a), the “Peak-Season Borrowing Base”), or

 

(b) during the period (x) from and including January 1 through and including July 14 and (y) from and including November 15 through and including December 31 of each calendar year, as of any date of determination during such period (clauses (x) and (y), “Off-Season”), the result of:

 

(i)            85% of the amount of Eligible Accounts, less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve, plus

 

(ii)           the lowest of

 

(A) $40,000,000,

 

(B) the lesser of (A) the product of 65% multiplied by the value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical accounting practices) of Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory and Eligible By-Products Inventory, in each case, at such time, and (B) the product of 85% multiplied by the Net Recovery Percentage identified in the most recent appraisal of Inventory and Designated Goods ordered and obtained by Agent multiplied by the value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers’

 

5



 

historical accounting practices) of Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory and Eligible By-Products Inventory (such determination may be made as to different categories of Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory and Eligible By-Products Inventory) based upon the Net Recovery Percentage applicable to such categories) at such time, minus

 

(iii)          the aggregate amount of reserves, if any, established by Agent under Section 2.1(c) of the Agreement

 

(this clause (b), the “Off-Season Borrowing Base”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Borrowing Base component of Availability shall exclude Eligible By-Products Inventory (whether during Peak-Season Borrowing Base or during Off-Season Borrowing Base) in excess of $2,000,000.

 

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B-1.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which banks are authorized or required to close in the State of California, except that, if a determination of a Business Day shall relate to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term “Business Day” also shall exclude any day on which banks are closed for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the amount of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period that are capital expenditures as determined in accordance with GAAP, whether such expenditures are paid in cash or financed, but excluding, without duplication (a) expenditures made during such period in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets or properties pursuant to Section 2.4(e)(ii) of the Agreement, (b) with respect to the purchase price of assets that are purchased substantially contemporaneously with the trade-in of existing assets during such period, the amount that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such assets for the assets being traded in at such time, (c) expenditures made during such period to consummate one or more Permitted Acquisitions, (d) capitalized software development costs to the extent such costs are deducted from net earnings under the definition of EBITDA for such period, and (e) expenditures during such period that, pursuant to a written agreement, are reimbursed by a third Person (excluding any Borrower or any of its Affiliates).

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means that portion of the obligations under a Capital Lease that is required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Lease” means a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Dominion Period” means the period commencing from the date (a) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or (b) Excess Availability (calculated as of the end such day) is less than the greater of (i) 15% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and (ii) $7,500,000, to the date (x) if such Cash Dominion Period was triggered by clause (a) above, the date that all Events of Default have been cured or waived, and (y) if such Cash Dominion Period was triggered by clause (b) above, such time as Excess Availability has at all times been greater than the greater of (i) 15% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and (ii) $7,500,000 for thirty (30) consecutive days; provided that in no event may a Cash Dominion Period cease to exist or cease to continue more than three (3) times during the term of the Agreement.

 

Cash Equivalents” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued or fully guaranteed by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such

 

6



 

state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), (c) commercial paper maturing no more than 270 days from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit, time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or any United States branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, (e) Deposit Accounts maintained with (i) any bank that satisfies the criteria described in clause (d) above, or (ii) any other bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof so long as the full amount maintained with any such other bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (f) repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (d) of this definition or recognized securities dealer having combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, having a term of not more than seven days, with respect to securities satisfying the criteria in clauses (a) or (d) above, (g) debt securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the criteria described in clause (d) above, and (h) Investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are invested in the types of assets described in clauses (a) through (g) above.

 

Cash Management Services” means any cash management or related services including treasury, depository, return items, overdraft, controlled disbursement,  merchant store value cards, e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, interstate depository network, automatic clearing house transfer (including the Automated Clearing House processing of electronic funds transfers through the direct Federal Reserve Fedline system) and other customary cash management arrangements.

 

CFC” means a controlled foreign corporation (as that term is defined in the IRC).

 

Change of Control” means that:

 

(a)    any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert, shall have acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests of Parent Borrower (or other securities convertible into such Equity Interests) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of all Equity Interests of Parent Borrower entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote for the election of members of the Board of Directors of Parent Borrower;

 

(b)    any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert, shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of Parent Borrower or control over the Equity Interests of such Person entitled to vote for members of the Board of Directors of Parent Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such Equity Interests that such Person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of such Equity Interests;

 

(c)    during any period of 24 consecutive months commencing on or after the Closing Date, the occurrence of a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Parent Borrower such that a majority of the members of such Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors; or

 

(d)    Parent Borrower fails to own and control, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of each other Loan Party, other than a result of a dissolution, liquidation or disposition permitted hereunder;

 

(e)    the occurrence of any “Change of Control” as defined in Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

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Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of the Agreement of:  (a) the adoption or effectiveness of any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application by any Governmental Authority of any law, rule, regulation, guideline or treaty, or (c) the making or issuance by any Governmental Authority of any request, rule, guideline or directive, whether or not having the force of law; provided that notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy or liquidity requirements promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities shall, in each case, be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

Closing Date” means the date of the making of the initial Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit) under the Agreement.

 

Code” means the California Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time.

 

Collateral” means all assets and interests in assets and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in or upon which a Lien is granted by such Person in favor of Agent or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.  For the avoidance of doubt, the term Collateral shall not include any Excluded Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement).

 

Collateral Access Agreement” means a landlord waiver, bailee letter, or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in any Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ books and records, Inventory and Farm Products, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, its Commitment, and, with respect to all Lenders, their Commitments, in each case as such Dollar amounts are set forth beside such Lender’s name under the applicable heading on Schedule C-1 to the Agreement or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender under the Agreement, as such amounts may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments made in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Agreement.

 

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Competitor” means any Person which is a direct competitor of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries if, at the time of a proposed assignment, Agent and the assigning Lender have actual knowledge that such Person is a direct competitor of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries; provided, that in connection with any assignment or participation, the Assignee or Participant with respect to such proposed assignment or participation that is an investment bank, a commercial bank, a finance company, a fund, or other Person which merely has an economic interest in any such direct competitor, and is not itself such a direct competitor of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, shall not be deemed to be a direct competitor for the purposes of this definition.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 to the Agreement delivered by the chief financial officer of Parent Borrower to Agent.

 

Confidential Information” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9(a) of the Agreement.

 

Continuing Director” means (a) any member of the Board of Directors who was a director of Parent Borrower on the Closing Date, and (b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors

 

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after the Closing Date if such individual was approved, appointed or nominated for election to the Board of Directors by a majority of the Continuing Directors.

 

Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, Agent, and the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account).

 

Copyright Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

Curative Equity” means the net amount of common equity contributions (or net proceeds of issuance of common equity by Parent Borrower) received by the Parent Borrower in immediately available funds and which is designated “Curative Equity” by Borrowers under Section 9.3 of the Agreement at the time it is contributed.  For the avoidance of doubt, the forgiveness of antecedent debt (whether Indebtedness, trade payables, or otherwise) shall not constitute Curative Equity.

 

Default” means an event, condition, or default that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any amounts required to be funded by it under the Agreement on the date that it is required to do so under the Agreement (including the failure to make available to Agent amounts required pursuant to a Settlement or to make a required payment in connection with a Letter of Credit Disbursement), (b) notified Borrowers, Agent, or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with all or any portion of its funding obligations under the Agreement, (c) has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under the Agreement or under other agreements generally (as reasonably determined by Agent) under which it has committed to extend credit, (d) failed, within 1 Business Day after written request by Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of the Agreement relating to its obligations to fund any amounts required to be funded by it under the Agreement, (e) otherwise failed to pay over to Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it under the Agreement on the date that it is required to do so under the Agreement, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (f) (i) becomes or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, or custodian or appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or Canada or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

Defaulting Lender Rate” means (a) for the first 3 days from and after the date the relevant payment is due, the Base Rate, and (b) thereafter, the interest rate then applicable to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans (inclusive of the Base Rate Margin applicable thereto).

 

Deposit Account” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Designated Account” means the Deposit Account of Parent Borrower identified on Schedule D-1 to the Agreement (or such other Deposit Account of Parent Borrower located at Designated Account Bank that has been designated as such, in writing, by Borrowers to Agent).

 

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Designated Account Bank” has the meaning specified therefor in Schedule D-1 to the Agreement (or such other bank that is located within the United States that has been designated as such, in writing, by Borrowers to Agent).

 

Designated Goods” means “berries” and “rhubarb” that either constitute Inventory or Farm Products that have been harvested, packaged and stored and ready for sale or processing and are not located or growing on trees, vines or bushes.

 

Dilution” means, as of any date of determination, a percentage, based upon the experience of the immediately prior twelve (12) months, that is the result of dividing the Dollar amount of (a) bad debt write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, credits, or other dilutive items with respect to Borrowers’ Accounts during such period, by (b) Borrowers’ billings with respect to Accounts during such period.

 

Dilution Reserve” means, as of any date of determination, an amount sufficient to reduce the advance rate against Eligible Accounts by 1 percentage point for each percentage point by which Dilution is in excess of 5%.

 

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date.

 

Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars.

 

Drawing Document” means any Letter of Credit or other document presented for purposes of drawing under any Letter of Credit.

 

Earn-Outs” means unsecured liabilities of a Loan Party arising under an agreement to make any deferred payment as a part of the Purchase Price for a Permitted Acquisition, including performance bonuses or consulting payments in any related services, employment or similar agreement, in an amount that is subject to or contingent upon the revenues, income, cash flow or profits (or the like) of the target of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

EBITDA” means, with respect to any fiscal period,

 

(a) Borrowers’ consolidated net earnings (or loss),

 

minus

 

(b)   without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Borrowers for such period to the extent included in determining consolidated net earnings (or loss) for such period:

 

(i)            any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains,

 

(ii)           interest income,

 

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(iii)          exchange, translation or performance gains relating to any hedging transactions or foreign currency fluctuations, and

 

(iv)          income arising by reason of the application of FAS 141R,

 

plus

 

(c)           without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Borrowers for such period to the extent included in determining consolidated net earnings (or loss) for such period:

 

(i)            any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring non-cash losses (excluding write-downs of current assets),

 

(ii)           Interest Expense,

 

(iii)          income taxes,

 

(iv)          depreciation and amortization for such period,

 

(v)           non-cash compensation expense (including deferred non-cash compensation expense), or other non-cash expenses or charges, arising from the sale or issuance of Equity Interests, the granting of stock options, and the granting of stock appreciation rights and similar arrangements (including any repricing, amendment, modification, substitution, or change of any such Equity Interests, stock option, stock appreciation rights, or similar arrangements) minus the amount of any such expenses or charges when paid in cash to the extent not deducted in the computation of net earnings (or loss),

 

(vi)          one time non-cash restructuring charges; provided that add-backs for any charges under this clause (vi), in the aggregate, shall not exceed 10% of EBITDA for any four-fiscal quarter period (calculated before giving effect to any such add-backs and adjustments) and shall be reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(vii)         non-cash exchange, translation, or performance losses relating to any hedging transactions or foreign currency fluctuations,

 

(viii)        non-cash losses on sales of fixed assets or write-downs of fixed or intangible assets,

 

(ix)          Recall Costs; provided that any such Recall Costs under this clause (ix) (A) shall only apply to the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016 and shall be limited to $1,000,000 in the aggregate for such two fiscal periods and (B) shall not be added back to EBITDA under any other clause under this definition of EBITDA for the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016, and

 

(x)           Kettle Snack Co-Pack Costs; provided that any such Kettle Snack Co-Pack Costs under this clause (x) (A) shall only apply to the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016 and shall be limited to $1,750,000 in the aggregate for such two fiscal periods and (B) shall not be added back to

 

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EBITDA under any other clause under this definition of EBITDA for the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016,

 

in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

For the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period of 4 consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Reference Period”), (a) if at any time during such Reference Period (and after the Closing Date), any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made a Permitted Acquisition, EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such Permitted Acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case to be determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act and as interpreted by the staff of the SEC) or in such other manner acceptable to Agent as if any such Permitted Acquisition or adjustment occurred on the first day of such Reference Period, (b) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2015, shall be deemed to be $6,929,880, (c) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2015, shall be deemed to be $4,635,815, and (d) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended September 26, 2015, shall be deemed to be $6,321,995.

 

Eligible Accounts” means those Accounts created by a Borrower in the ordinary course of its business, that arise out of such Borrower’s sale of goods or rendition of services, that comply with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Accounts made in the Loan Documents, and that are not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria set forth below; provided, that such criteria may be revised from time to time by Agent in Agent’s Permitted Discretion to address the results of any due diligence information with respect to Borrowers’ business or assets of which Agent becomes aware after the Closing Date, including field examination performed by (or on behalf of) Agent from time to time after the Closing Date.  In determining the amount to be included, Eligible Accounts shall be calculated net of customer deposits, unapplied cash, taxes, discounts, credits, allowances, and rebates.  Eligible Accounts shall not include the following:

 

(a)  Accounts that the Account Debtor has failed to pay within ninety (90) days of original invoice date or Accounts with selling terms of more than sixty (60) days,

 

(b)  Accounts owed by an Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) where 50% or more of all Accounts owed by that Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) are deemed ineligible under clause (a) above,

 

(c)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is an Affiliate of any Borrower or an employee or agent of any Borrower or any Affiliate of any Borrower,

 

(d)  Accounts arising in a transaction wherein goods are placed on consignment or are sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a sale on approval, a bill and hold, or any other terms by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional,

 

(e)  Accounts that are not payable in Dollars,

 

(f)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor either (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the United States, or (ii) is not organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, or (iii) is the government of any foreign country or sovereign state, or of any state, province, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof, or of any department, agency, public corporation, or other instrumentality thereof, unless (A) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to Agent (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming bank) that has been delivered to Agent and is directly drawable by Agent, (B) the Account is covered by credit insurance in form, substance, and amount, and by an insurer, reasonably satisfactory to Agent or (C) the amount of such Account when aggregated with all other Accounts, the account debtors of which are located within a foreign country and which do not

 

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meet the requirements of clauses (A) or (B) above does not exceed $500,000 (provided that in respect of this clause (C), such account debtors that are located in a foreign country are affiliates of Costco or Wal-Mart, such Accounts are billed and collected by the Loan Parties at a domestic billing location and such Accounts are generated in either of Canada, China, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom and Agent may in its sole discretion elect to exclude such Accounts),

 

(g)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is either (i) the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States (exclusive, however, of Accounts with respect to which Borrowers have complied, to the reasonable satisfaction of Agent, with the Assignment of Claims Act, 31 USC §3727), or (ii) any state of the United States,

 

(h)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a creditor of a Borrower, has or has asserted a right of recoupment or setoff, or has disputed its obligation to pay all or any portion of the Account, to the extent of such claim, right of recoupment or setoff, or dispute,

 

(i)  Accounts with respect to an Account Debtor whose total obligations owing to Borrowers exceed 10% (except in the case of Costco Wholesale Corporation (and its domestic affiliates), 30% and in the case of each of SAM’s Club (and its domestic affiliates (other than Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)), The Kroger Co. (and its domestic affiliates)] and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (and its domestic affiliates (other than SAM’s Club)), 15%) (such percentage, as applied to a particular Account Debtor, being subject to reduction by Agent in its Permitted Discretion if the creditworthiness of such Account Debtor deteriorates) of all Eligible Accounts, to the extent of the obligations owing by such Account Debtor in excess of such percentage; provided, that, in each case, the amount of Eligible Accounts that are excluded because they exceed the foregoing percentage shall be determined by Agent based on all of the otherwise Eligible Accounts prior to giving effect to any eliminations based upon the foregoing concentration limit,

 

(j)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is subject to an Insolvency Proceeding, is not Solvent, has gone out of business, or as to which any Borrower has received notice of an imminent Insolvency Proceeding or a material impairment of the financial condition of such Account Debtor,

 

(k)  Accounts, the collection of which, Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, believes to be doubtful, including by reason of the Account Debtor’s financial condition,

 

(l)  Accounts that are not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Agent’s Lien,

 

(m)  Accounts with respect to which (i) the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor, or (ii) the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed and billed to the Account Debtor,

 

(n)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Entity,

 

(o)  Accounts that represent the right to receive progress payments or other advance billings that are due prior to the completion of performance by the applicable Borrower of the subject contract for goods or services

 

(p)  Accounts owned by a target acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, until the completion of an appraisal (which appraisal shall be conducted by an appraiser acceptable to Agent in its Permitted Discretion, using scope, methodology and sampling procedure acceptable to Agent in its Permitted Discretion) and field examination with respect to such target, in each case, reasonably satisfactory to Agent (which appraisal and field examination may be conducted prior to the closing of such Permitted Acquisition), or

 

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(q)  Accounts which do not comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, whether Federal, state or local (including Food Security Laws and Food Products Laws).

 

Eligible By-Products Inventory” shall mean Inventory and Designated Goods that qualify as Eligible Inventory and consists of Inventory and Designated Goods that are first quality “by-products” that are crumbles, juices or other fruit by-product which occur when Inventory and Designated Goods are cut, cleaned or processed.

 

Eligible Finished Goods Inventory” shall mean Eligible Inventory and consists of first quality finished goods held for sale in the ordinary course of Borrowers’ business.

 

Eligible Inventory” means Inventory or Designated Goods that are (i) finished goods, (ii) raw materials, (iii) by-products or (iv) ingredients, in each case, of a Borrower, that complies with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Inventory made in the Loan Documents, and that is not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria set forth below; provided, that such criteria may be revised from time to time by Agent in Agent’s Permitted Discretion to address the results of any due diligence information with respect to Borrowers’ business or assets of which Agent becomes aware after the Closing Date, including any field examination or appraisal performed by Agent from time to time after the Closing Date.  In determining the amount to be so included, Inventory and Designated Goods shall be valued at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical accounting practices.  An item of Inventory or Designated Goods shall not be included in Eligible Inventory if:

 

(a)  a Borrower does not have good, valid, and marketable title thereto,

 

(b)  a Borrower does not have actual and exclusive possession thereof (either directly or through a bailee or agent of a Borrower),

 

(c)  it is not located at one of the locations in the continental United States set forth on Schedule E-1 to the Agreement (or in-transit from one such location to another such location),

 

(d)  it is in-transit to or from a location of a Borrower (other than in-transit from one location set forth on Schedule E-1 to the Agreement to another location set forth on Schedule E-1 to the Agreement),

 

(e)  it is located on real property leased by a Borrower or in a contract warehouse, in each case, unless it is subject to a Collateral Access Agreement executed by the lessor or warehouseman, as the case may be (provided that in Agent’s Permitted Discretion a Landlord Reserve may satisfy this condition in lieu of a Collateral Access Agreement), and unless it is segregated or otherwise separately identifiable from goods of others, if any, stored on the premises,

 

(f)  it is the subject of a bill of lading or other document of title,

 

(g)  it is not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Agent’s Lien,

 

(h)  it consists of goods returned or rejected by a Borrower’s customers,

 

(i)  it consists of goods that are obsolete or slow moving, Expired Inventory, restrictive or custom items, work-in-process, or goods that constitute spare parts, packaging and shipping materials, supplies used or consumed in Borrowers’ business, bill and hold goods, defective goods, “seconds,” or Inventory or Designated Goods acquired on consignment,

 

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(j)  it is subject to third party trademark, licensing or other proprietary rights, unless Agent is satisfied that such Inventory or Designated Goods can be freely sold by Agent on and after the occurrence of an Event of a Default despite such third party rights,

 

(k)  it is a discontinued product or a component thereof,

 

(l)  it is subject to a recall or similar notice,

 

(m)  it contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, unless Agent is satisfied that (i) they may sell or otherwise dispose such Inventory or Designated Goods without (A) the consent of each applicable licensor, (B) infringing the rights of such licensor, (C) violating any contract with such licensor or (D) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory or Designated Goods under current licensing agreement or (ii) such Inventory and Designated Goods are covered by a valid and enforceable purchase order satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion,

 

(n)  with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in any Loan Document has been breached or is not true in any material respect (without duplication of any materiality or similar qualification in any such covenant, representation or warranty) or which does not conform in any material respects to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority,

 

(o)  it was acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, until the completion of an appraisal and field examination of such Inventory or Designated Goods, in each case, reasonably satisfactory to Agent (which appraisal and field examination may be conducted prior to the closing of such Permitted Acquisition),

 

(p)  it is “poultry” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law) or “livestock” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law),

 

(q)  it is Farm Products, other than “berries” and “rhubarb” that constitute Farm Products that have been harvested, packaged and stored and ready for sale or processing and are not located or growing on trees, vines, bushes, or

 

(r)  it is crops grown (other than Designated Goods), growing or to be grown.

 

Eligible Raw Material Inventory” shall mean Eligible Inventory that consists of goods that are first quality raw materials Inventory or Designated Goods that are frozen and ingredients Inventory or Designated Goods that are frozen.

 

Eligible Transferee” means (a) any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), any Affiliate of any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) and any Related Fund of any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender); and (b) (i) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii) a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country or a political subdivision thereof; provided that (A) (x) such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or (y) such bank is organized under the laws of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of such country, and (B) such bank has total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (d) any other entity (other than a natural person) that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) that extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses including insurance companies, investment or mutual funds and lease financing companies, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; and (f) during the continuation of an Event of Default, any other Person approved by

 

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Agent excluding any Loan Party or Affiliate of a Loan Party; provided that an Eligible Transferee shall not include any “lender” or “secured party” or “agent” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement unless such Person is a Lender on the Closing Date; provided, further that this foregoing prohibition shall not prohibit “lender” or “secured party” or “agent” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement from purchasing 100% (but not less than 100%) of the Obligations as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Employee Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA, (a) that is or within the preceding six (6) years has been sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or (b) to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has, or has had at any time within the preceding six (6) years, any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

Environmental Action” means any written complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other written communication from any Governmental Authority, or any third party involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (a) from any assets, properties, or businesses of any Borrower, any Subsidiary of any Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest, (b) from adjoining properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by any Borrower, any Subsidiary of any Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest.

 

Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on employee health, or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Environmental Liabilities” means all liabilities, monetary obligations, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand, or Remedial Action required, by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

 

Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities.

 

Equipment” means equipment (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Equity Interest” means, with respect to a Person, all of the shares, options, warrants, interests, participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including capital stock (or other ownership or profit interests or units), preferred stock, or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.  Any reference to a specific section of ERISA shall be deemed to be a reference to such section of ERISA and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means (a) any Person subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(b), (b) any trade or business subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes

 

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of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any organization subject to ERISA that is a member of an affiliated service group of which any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a member under IRC Section 414(m), or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any Person subject to ERISA that is a party to an arrangement with any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and whose employees are aggregated with the employees of such Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(o).

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 8 of the Agreement.

 

Excess” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.14 of the Agreement.

 

Excess Availability” means, as of any date of determination, the amount equal to Availability minus the aggregate amount, if any, of all trade payables of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries aged in excess of historical levels with respect thereto and all book overdrafts of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries in excess of historical practices with respect thereto, in each case as determined by Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Hedge Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Obligations of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Hedge Obligation (or any Obligations thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Obligations of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Hedge Obligation. If a Hedge Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Hedge Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Obligation or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

Excluded Taxes” means (i) any tax imposed on the net income or net profits of any Lender or any Participant (including any branch profits taxes), in each case imposed by the jurisdiction (or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof) in which such Lender or such Participant is organized or the jurisdiction (or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof) in which such Lender’s or such Participant’s principal office is located in each case as a result of a present or former connection between such Lender or such Participant and the jurisdiction or taxing authority imposing the tax (other than any such connection arising solely from such Lender or such Participant having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received payment under, or enforced its rights or remedies under the Agreement or any other Loan Document); (ii) taxes resulting from a Lender’s or a Participant’s failure to comply with the requirements of Section 16.2 of the Agreement, (iii) any United States federal withholding taxes that would be imposed on amounts payable to a Foreign Lender based upon the applicable withholding rate in effect at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to the Agreement (or designates a new lending office), except that Indemnified Taxes shall include (A) any amount that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was previously entitled to receive pursuant to Section 16.1 of the Agreement, if any, with respect to such withholding tax at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to the Agreement (or designates a new lending office), and (B) additional United States federal withholding taxes that may be imposed after the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to the Agreement (or designates a new lending office), as a result of a change in law, rule, regulation, order or other decision with respect to any of the foregoing by any Governmental Authority, and (iv) any United States federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Existing Credit Facility” means Borrower(s) credit facilities with (a) U.S. Bank National Association as administrative agent dated as of November 8, 2013 and (b) any and all other loan agreements, capital lease facilities and agreements for debt for borrowed money that are not listed on Schedule 4.14 (as in effect on the Closing Date).

 

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Expired Inventory” means (a) raw material or ingredients or Designated Goods that have passed their expiration date and/or (b) finished goods Inventory or Designated Goods that is within ninety (90) days of its expiration.

 

Extraordinary Advances” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.3(d)(iii) of the Agreement.

 

Farm Credit Lender” means a lending institution organized and existing pursuant to the provisions of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, and under the regulation of the Farm Credit Administration.

 

Farm Products” means “farm products” (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the IRC, as of the date of the Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

Fee Letter” means that certain fee letter, dated as of even date with the Agreement, among Borrowers and Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Financial Covenant Triggering Period” means the period commencing from the date (a) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or (b) Liquidity is less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and (ii) $6,125,000, to the date (x) if such Financial Covenant Triggering Period was triggered by clause (a) above, the date that all Events of Default have been cured or waived, and (y) if such Financial Covenant Triggering Period was triggered by clause (b) above, such time as Liquidity has at all times been greater than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the Maximum Revolver Amount and (ii) $6,125,000 for thirty (30) consecutive days.

 

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any fiscal period and with respect to Borrowers determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Interest Expense paid in cash during such period, (b) scheduled amortization payments in respect of Indebtedness that are required to be paid during such period and (c) all Restricted Payments paid (whether in cash or other property, other than Qualified Equity Interest) during such period.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any fiscal period and with respect to Borrowers determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such period minus the sum of (i) Capital Expenditures paid in cash (to the extent not already incurred in a prior period) or incurred during such period (excluding Capital Expenditures that are financed with proceeds of Indebtedness (but including Capital Expenditures that are financed from proceeds of the Loans under the Agreement)) and (ii) all federal, state, and local and foreign income or franchise taxes paid in cash during such period, to (b) Fixed Charges for such period.

 

For purposes of calculating Fixed Charges for the measurement periods ending prior to November 26, 2016, Fixed Charges for each such measurement period shall be calculated as follows: (i) Interest Expense shall be calculated by taking the amount of such expense for the period from the Closing Date through the last day of the

 

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applicable measurement period and multiplying such amount by 364 and dividing such amount by the number of days that have elapsed from the Closing Date through the last day of the applicable measurement period; (ii) scheduled amortization payments in respect of Indebtedness shall be the greater of (A) the actual scheduled amounts paid on and after the Closing Date and (B) the amounts scheduled to be paid during the one-year period commencing on the Closing Date; and (iii) Restricted Payments shall be calculated as the actual amount of such payments paid on and after the Closing Date.

 

Flood Insurance Laws” mean, collectively, (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (d) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (e) Biggert- Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

Flow of Funds Agreement” means a flow of funds agreement, dated as of even date herewith, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each Loan Party and Agent.

 

Food Security Laws” means all requirements of law relating to food products, including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food Security Act of 1985, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Act, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, 21 CFR § Part 111, and any other applicable comparable U.S. State statutes and all regulations promulgated under each of the foregoing.

 

Food Products” means all of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries’ now owned or hereafter existing or acquired farm products of every kind and nature, including agricultural products, crops and products of crops, wherever located, including (a) “farm products” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law or the Uniform Commercial Code), (b) “poultry” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law), (c) “livestock” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law) and (d) “perishable agricultural commodities” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law).

 

Food Products Grower Arrangement” means any growout contract, marketing agreement or any other contract, agreement or arrangement (written or oral) between any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Food Products Seller.

 

Food Products Laws” means, (a) the Food Security Act, (b) PACA, (c) Packers and Stockyards Act and (d) any other federal, state, or local laws from time to time in effect which regulate any matters pertaining to Food Products, in each case, as the same now exists or may hereafter from time to time be amended, modified, recodified, or supplemented, together with all rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Food Products Notices” means any written notice to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the applicable provisions of any Farms Products Law from (a) any Food Products Seller, (b) any lender to any Food Products Seller or any other person with a Lien on the assets of any Food Products Seller or (c) the Secretary of State (or equivalent official) or other Governmental Authority of any state, commonwealth or political subdivision thereof in which any Food Products purchased by any Loan Party are produced, in any case advising or notifying such Loan Party of the intention of such Food Products Seller or other person to preserve the benefits of any Lien or trust applicable to any assets of any Loan Party established in favor of such Food Products Seller or other person under the provisions of any law or claiming a Lien on any perishable agricultural commodity or any other Food Products which may be or have been purchased by a Loan Party or any related or other assets of such Loan Party.

 

Food Products Payables” means all amounts owed from time to time by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any Food Products Seller in connection with or on account of any Food Products Grower

 

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Arrangement or otherwise for the purchase price of any Food Products or any other agricultural products or services (including poultry and livestock).

 

Food Products Payable Reserve” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of reserves that Agent has established (without duplication of FSA Reserves) in respect of then outstanding Food Products Payables.

 

Food Products Seller” means, individually and collectively, sellers or suppliers of any Food Products or related services to any Loan Party involved in the transaction.

 

Food Security Act” means the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 USC § 1631 et. seq., as the same now exists or may hereafter from time to time be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender or Participant that is not a United States person within the meaning of IRC section 7701(a)(30).

 

FSA Registrations” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 4.31.

 

FSA Reserve” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of reserves that Agent has established (without duplication of Food Products Payable Reserves) in respect of outstanding payables owing by each Borrower to Food Products Sellers, to the extent that such Food Products are purchased by such Borrower subject to Liens created by such sellers and continuing in the Collateral pursuant to any Food Products Law, but only if the holder of such a Lien either (A) notifies any Loan Party, Agent or any Lender that such holder intends to enforce, or shall take any actions (beyond the mere filing of a financing statement against the seller and an “effective financing statement” under the Food Security Act or any other Food Products Law) to enforce, such Lien against any part of the Collateral or (B) takes any action to pursue its remedies against any Loan Party, Agent or any Lender in respect of such Lien.

 

Funding Date” means the date on which a Borrowing occurs.

 

Funding Losses” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.12(b)(ii) of the Agreement.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.

 

Governing Documents” means, with respect to any Person, the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational documents of such Person.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of any nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether at the national, state, territorial, provincial, municipal or any other level, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of, or pertaining to, government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantor” means (a) each Subsidiary of each Borrower (other than those Subsidiaries that are Borrowers) and (b) each other Person that becomes a guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.11 of the Agreement.

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement” means a guaranty and security agreement, dated as of even date with the Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each of the Borrowers and each of the Guarantors to Agent.

 

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Hazardous Materials” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity”, (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

 

Hedge Agreement” means a “swap agreement” as that term is defined in Section 101(53B)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Hedge Obligationsmeans any and all obligations or liabilities, whether absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries arising under, owing pursuant to, or existing in respect of Hedge Agreements entered into with one or more of the Hedge Providers, including any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act, except that the Obligations of any Guarantor (other than the Parent Borrower) shall exclude Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.

 

Hedge Provider” means any Lender or any of its Affiliates; provided, that no such Person (other than Wells Fargo or its Affiliates) shall constitute a Hedge Provider unless and until Agent receives a Bank Product Provider Agreement from such Person and with respect to the applicable Hedge Agreement within 10 days after the execution and delivery of such Hedge Agreement with a Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided further, that if, at any time, a Lender ceases to be a Lender under the Agreement, then, from and after the date on which it ceases to be a Lender thereunder, neither it nor any of its Affiliates shall constitute Hedge Providers and the obligations with respect to Hedge Agreements entered into with such former Lender or any of its Affiliates shall no longer constitute Hedge Obligations.

 

Increase” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.14.

 

Increase Date” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.14.

 

Increase Joinder” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.14.

 

Indebtedness” as to any Person means (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including all obligations under the Term Loan Credit Agreement), (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, or other financial products, (c) all obligations of such Person as a lessee under Capital Leases, (d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed, (e) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of assets (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade practices and, for the avoidance of doubt, other than royalty payments payable in the ordinary course of business in respect of non-exclusive licenses), (f) all monetary obligations of such Person owing under Hedge Agreements (which amount shall be calculated based on the amount that would be payable by such Person if the Hedge Agreement were terminated on the date of determination), (g) any Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, and (h) any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse) any obligation of any other Person that constitutes Indebtedness under any of clauses (a) through (g) above.  For purposes of this definition, (i) the amount of any Indebtedness represented by a guaranty or other similar instrument shall be the lesser of the principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still

 

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outstanding and the maximum amount for which the guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Indebtedness, and (ii) the amount of any Indebtedness which is limited or is non-recourse to a Person or for which recourse is limited to an identified asset shall be valued at the lesser of (A) if applicable, the limited amount of such obligations, and (B) if applicable, the fair market value of such assets securing such obligation.

 

Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.3 of the Agreement.

 

Indemnified Person” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.3 of the Agreement.

 

Indemnified Taxes” means, any Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means an intercompany subordination agreement, dated as of even date with the Agreement, executed and delivered by each Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries, and Agent, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of even date herewith between Agent and Term Loan Agent.

 

Interest Expense” means, for any period, the aggregate of the interest expense of Borrowers for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean, at any time, any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower (other than a Borrower) (i) having total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) in an amount of less than 2.50% of Consolidated Total Assets and (ii) contributing less than 2.50% to EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period; provided, however, that the total assets (as so determined) and EBITDA contribution (as so determined) of all Immaterial Subsidiaries shall not exceed 5.00% of Consolidated Total Assets or 5.00% of EBITDA, as the case may be, for such Test Period.  In the event that the total assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries exceed 5.00% of Consolidated Total Assets or the total contribution to EBITDA of all Immaterial Subsidiaries exceeds 5.00% of EBITDA, as the case may be, for any relevant Test Period, (i) the Borrowers shall designate one or more Subsidiaries as no longer constituting Immaterial Subsidiaries until such 5.00% threshold is met and (ii) to the extent not otherwise excluded as a Loan Party, such Subsidiaries designated as no longer constituting Immaterial Subsidiaries shall comply with Sections 5.11 and 5.12.  No Person shall be an Immaterial Subsidiary, unless it is also an “immaterial subsidiary” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

Interest Period” means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, a period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan (or the continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan or the conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan) and ending 1, 2, 3, or 6 months thereafter or, if agreed to by all Lenders, 12 months thereafter; provided, that (a) interest shall accrue at the applicable rate based upon the LIBOR Rate from and including the first day of each Interest Period to, but excluding, the day on which any Interest Period expires, (b) any Interest Period that would end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (c) with respect to an Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period), the Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12 months after the date on which the Interest Period began, as applicable, and (d) Borrowers may not elect an Interest Period which will end after the Maturity Date.

 

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Inventory” means any “inventory” (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Inventory Reserves means, as of any date of determination, (a) Landlord Reserves, and (b) those reserves that Agent deems necessary or appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion and subject to Section 2.1(c), to establish and maintain (including reserves for slow moving Inventory and Designated Goods and Inventory and Designated Goods shrinkage) with respect to Eligible Inventory (or Eligible Finished Goods Inventory, Eligible Raw Material Inventory or Eligible By-Products Inventory) or the Maximum Revolver Amount.

 

Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances, capital contributions (excluding (a) commission, travel, and similar advances to officers and employees of such Person made in the ordinary course of business, and (b) bona fide accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business), or acquisitions of Indebtedness, Equity Interests, or all or substantially all of the assets of such other Person (or of any division or business line of such other Person), and any other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustment for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs, or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

 

IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.  Any reference to a specific section of the IRC shall be deemed to be a reference to such section of the IRC and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the International Standby Practices 1998 (International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590) and any subsequent revision thereof adopted by the International Chamber of Commerce on the date such Letter of Credit is issued.

 

Issuer Document” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, a letter of credit application, a letter of credit agreement, or any other document, agreement or instrument entered into (or to be entered into) by a Borrower in favor of Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

Issuing Bank” means Wells Fargo or any other Lender that, at the request of Borrowers and with the consent of Agent, agrees, in such Lender’s sole discretion, to become an Issuing Bank for the purpose of issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Agreement, and Issuing Bank shall be a Lender.

 

Kettle Snack Co-Pack Costs” means any incremental costs or expenses, whether in cash or non-cash, or lost sales or margin, related to the use of third-party co-packing or other one-time production or distribution arrangements for Boulder Canyon or other Kettle Snack Products.

 

Landlord Reserve” means, as to each location at which a Borrower has Inventory or Farm Products or books and records located and as to which a Collateral Access Agreement has not been received by Agent, a reserve in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the number of months’ rent for which the landlord, bailee, warehouseman, or similar party will have, under applicable law, a Lien in the Inventory or Farm Products of such Borrower to secure the payment of rent or other amounts under the lease or other storage or bailment arrangement relative to such location, or (b) 3 months’ rent under the lease or other storage or bailment arrangement relative to such location.

 

Lender” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to the Agreement, shall include Issuing Bank and the Swing Lender, and shall also include any other Person made a party to the Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Agreement and “Lenders” means each of the Lenders or any one or more of them.

 

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Lender Group” means each of the Lenders (including Issuing Bank and the Swing Lender) and Agent, or any one or more of them.

 

Lender Group Expenses” means all (a) costs or expenses (including taxes and insurance premiums) required to be paid by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents that are paid, advanced, or incurred by the Lender Group, (b) documented out-of-pocket fees or charges paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the Lender Group’s transactions with each Borrower and its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents, including, photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches, filing fees, recording fees, publication, real estate surveys, real estate title policies and endorsements, and environmental audits, (c) Agent’s customary fees and charges imposed or incurred in connection with any background checks or OFAC/PEP searches related to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (d) Agent’s customary fees and charges (as adjusted from time to time) with respect to the disbursement of funds (or the receipt of funds) to or for the account of any Borrower (whether by wire transfer or otherwise), together with any out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, (e) customary charges imposed or incurred by Agent resulting from the dishonor of checks payable by or to any Loan Party, (f) reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Lender Group to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan Documents, or during the continuance of an Event of Default, in gaining possession of, maintaining, handling, preserving, storing, shipping, selling, preparing for sale, or advertising to sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof, irrespective of whether a sale is consummated, (g) field examination, appraisal, and valuation fees and expenses of Agent related to any field examinations, appraisals, or valuation to the extent of the fees and charges (and up to the amount of any limitation) provided in Section 2.10 of the Agreement, (h) Agent’s reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys’ fees and expenses) relative to third party claims or any other lawsuit or adverse proceeding paid or incurred, whether in enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, Agent’s Liens in and to the Collateral, or the Lender Group’s relationship with any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (i) Agent’s reasonable documented costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys’ fees and due diligence expenses) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering (including travel, meals, and lodging), syndicating (including CUSIP, DXSyndicate™, SyndTrak or other communication costs incurred in connection with a syndication of the loan facilities), or amending, waiving, or modifying the Loan Documents, and (j) Agent’s and each Lender’s reasonable documented costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors fees and expenses) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors fees and expenses incurred in connection with a “workout,” a “restructuring,” or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether a lawsuit or other adverse proceeding is brought, or in taking any enforcement action or any Remedial Action with respect to the Collateral.

 

Lender Group Representatives” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9 of the Agreement.

 

Lender-Related Person” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender, together with such Lender’s Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

Letter of Credit” means a letter of credit (as that term is defined in the Code) issued by Issuing Bank.

 

Letter of Credit Collateralization” means either (a) providing cash collateral (pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to Agent, including provisions that specify that the Letter of Credit Fees and all commissions, fees, charges and expenses provided for in Section 2.11(k) of the Agreement (including any fronting fees) will continue to accrue while the Letters of Credit are outstanding) to be held by Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in an amount equal to 105% of the then existing Letter of Credit Usage, (b) delivering to

 

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Agent documentation executed by all beneficiaries under the Letters of Credit, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and Issuing Bank, terminating all of such beneficiaries’ rights under the Letters of Credit, or (c) providing Agent with a standby letter of credit, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, from a commercial bank acceptable to Agent (in its sole discretion) in an amount equal to 105% of the then existing Letter of Credit Usage (it being understood that the Letter of Credit Fee and all fronting fees set forth in the Agreement will continue to accrue while the Letters of Credit are outstanding and that any such fees that accrue must be an amount that can be drawn under any such standby letter of credit).

 

Letter of Credit Disbursement” means a payment made by Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

Letter of Credit Exposure” means, as of any date of determination with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage on such date.

 

Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Indemnified Costs” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.11(f) of the Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Related Person” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.11(f) of the Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Usage” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

LIBOR Deadline” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.12(b)(i) of the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Notice” means a written notice in the form of Exhibit L-1 to the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Option” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.12(a) of the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Rate” means with respect to an Interest Period the rate per annum determined by Agent to be the offered rate for deposits in Dollars with a term equivalent to such Interest Period appearing on the page of the Reuters Screen which displays an average of the London interbank offered rate administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) 2 Business Days prior to the commencement of the requested Interest Period, for a term, and in an amount, comparable to the Interest Period and the amount of the LIBOR Rate Loan requested (whether as an initial LIBOR Rate Loan or as a continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan or as a conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan) by Borrowers in accordance with the Agreement (and, if any such rate is below zero, the LIBOR Rate shall be deemed to be zero), which determination shall be made by Agent and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

 

LIBOR Rate Loan” means each portion of a Revolving Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

 

LIBOR Rate Margin” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, lien (statutory or other), security interest, or other security arrangement and any other preference, priority, or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, including any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any

 

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synthetic or other financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing and any lien arising under any Food Products Law.

 

Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) Excess Availability, plus (b) up to $2,000,000 in Qualified Cash (in each case, calculated as of the end of each date of determination).

 

Loan” shall mean any Revolving Loan, Swing Loan or Extraordinary Advance made (or to be made) hereunder.

 

Loan Account” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.9 of the Agreement.

 

Loan Documents” means the Agreement, the Control Agreements, the Copyright Security Agreement, any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Fee Letter, the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, any Issuer Documents, the Letters of Credit, the Mortgages, the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, any note or notes executed by Borrowers in connection with the Agreement and payable to any member of the Lender Group, and any other instrument or agreement entered into, now or in the future, by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any member of the Lender Group in connection with the Agreement.

 

Loan Party” means any Borrower or any Guarantor.

 

Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect in the business, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or financial condition of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries ability to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are parties or of the Lender Group’s ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral (other than as a result of as a result of an action taken or not taken that is solely in the control of Agent), or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of Agent’s Liens with respect to all or a material portion of the Collateral.

 

Material Contract” means, with respect to any Person, (a) each contract or agreement to which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party involving aggregate consideration payable to or by such Person or such Subsidiary of $10,000,000 or more (other than purchase orders in the ordinary course of the business of such Person or such Subsidiary and other than contracts that by their terms may be terminated by such Person or Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business upon less than 60 days’ notice without penalty or premium), (b) all written Food Product Grower Arrangements that allow for extended payment terms of more than 30 days, (c) license arrangements with T.G.I. Fridays of Minnesota; Seattle’s Best Coffee LLC; Nathan’s Famous Systems Inc.; Jamba Juice Company; Vidalia Brands Inc. and Miles Willard Technologies, LLP and (d) all other contracts or agreements, the loss of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Maturity Date” means November 17, 2020.

 

Maximum Available Amount” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.1(a) of the Agreement.

 

Maximum Revolver Amount” means $50,000,000, decreased by the amount of reductions in the Commitments made in accordance with Section 2.4(c) of the Agreement.

 

Moody’s” has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of Cash Equivalents.

 

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Mortgages” means, individually and collectively, one or more mortgages, deeds of trust, or deeds to secure debt, executed and delivered by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in favor of Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, that encumber the Real Property Collateral.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA with respect to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has an obligation to contribute or has any liability, contingent or otherwise or could be assessed withdrawal liability assuming a complete withdrawal from any such multiemployer plan.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” means with respect to any sale or disposition by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of assets, the amount of cash proceeds received (directly or indirectly) from time to time (whether as initial consideration or through the payment of deferred consideration) by or on behalf of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, in connection therewith after deducting therefrom only (i) the amount of any Indebtedness secured by any Permitted Lien on any asset (other than (A) Indebtedness owing to Agent or any Lender under the Agreement or the other Loan Documents and (B) Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset) which is required to be, and is, repaid in connection with such sale or disposition, (ii) reasonable fees, commissions, and expenses related thereto and required to be paid by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such sale or disposition, (iii) taxes paid or payable to any taxing authorities by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such sale or disposition, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are, at the time of receipt of such cash, actually paid or payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and are properly attributable to such transaction; and (iv) all amounts that are set aside as a reserve (A) for adjustments in respect of the purchase price of such assets, (B) for any liabilities associated with such sale or casualty, to the extent such reserve is required by GAAP, and (C) for the payment of unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold or otherwise disposed of at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale or other disposition, to the extent that in each case the funds described above in this clause (iv) are (x) deposited into escrow with a third party escrow agent or set aside in a separate Deposit Account that is subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Agent and (y) paid to Agent as a prepayment of the applicable Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(e) of the Agreement at such time when such amounts are no longer required to be set aside as such a reserve.

 

Net Recovery Percentage” means, as of any date of determination, the percentage of the book value of Borrowers’ Inventory and Designated Goods, as applicable, that is estimated to be recoverable in an orderly liquidation of such Inventory and Designated Goods, as applicable, net of all associated costs and expenses of such liquidation, such percentage to be determined as to each category of Inventory and Designated Goods and to be as specified in the most recent appraisal received by Agent from an appraisal company selected by Agent.

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 14.2(a) of the Agreement.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender” means each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

 

Notification Event” means (a) the occurrence of a “reportable event” described in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived by applicable regulations issued by the PBGC, (b) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC or any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan administrator, (e) any other event or condition that would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan, (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to the IRC or

 

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ERISA in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan or the existence of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien, (g) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan (other than any withdrawal that would not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.12), (h) any event or condition that results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections of ERISA, (i) any event or condition that results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate or to appoint a trustee to administer a Multiemployer Plan under ERISA, (j) any Pension Plan being in “at risk status” within the meaning of IRC Section 430(i), (k) any Multiemployer Plan being in “endangered status” or “critical status” within the meaning of IRC Section 432(b) or the determination that any Multiemployer Plan is or is expected to be insolvent or in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (l) with respect to any Pension Plan, any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurring a substantial cessation of operations within the meaning of ERISA Section 4062(e), (m) an “accumulated funding deficiency” within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA) or the failure of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan to meet the minimum funding standards within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA), in each case, whether or not waived, (n) the filing of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standards within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA) with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (o) the failure to make by its due date a required payment or contribution with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (p) any event that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a liability by a Loan Party pursuant to Title I of ERISA or the excise tax provisions of the IRC relating to Employee Benefit Plans or any event that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title IV of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC, or (q) any of the foregoing is reasonably likely to occur in the following 30 days.

 

Obligations” means (a) all loans (including the Revolving Loans (inclusive of Extraordinary Advances and Swing Loans)), debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), reimbursement or indemnification obligations with respect to Letters of Credit (irrespective of whether contingent), premiums, liabilities (including all amounts charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the Agreement), obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), Lender Group Expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), guaranties, and all covenants and duties of any other kind and description owing by any Loan Party arising out of, under, pursuant to, in connection with, or evidenced by the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all other expenses or other amounts that Borrowers are required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents or by law or otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents, and (b) all Bank Product Obligations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of Borrowers under the Loan Documents include the obligation to pay (i) the principal of the Revolving Loans, (ii) interest accrued on the Revolving Loans, (iii) the amount necessary to reimburse Issuing Bank for amounts paid or payable pursuant to Letters of Credit, (iv) Letter of Credit commissions, fees (including fronting fees) and charges, (v) Lender Group Expenses, (vi) fees payable under the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and (vii) indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.  Any reference in the Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

OFAC” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

Off-Season” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base.

 

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Off-Season Borrowing Base” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base.

 

Originating Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(e) of the Agreement.

 

Overadvance” means, as of any date of determination, that the Revolver Usage is greater than any of the limitations set forth in Section 2.1 or Section 2.11.

 

PACA” means the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, as amended, 7 USC § 499a et. seq., as the same now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

 

Packers and Stockyards Act” means the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended, 7 USC § 181 et. seq., as the same now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

 

Parent Borrower” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Participant” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(e) of the Agreement.

 

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(i) of the Agreement.

 

Patent Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

Patriot Act” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 4.13 of the Agreement.

 

Payment Conditions” shall mean, at the time of determination with respect to a Permitted Acquisition, that:

 

(a)           no Default or Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of the consummation of such Acquisition,

 

(b)           Excess Availability , at all times during the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the date of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition on a pro forma basis, and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Permitted Acquisition (and including in such calculation any Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit to be made or issued in connection therewith), in each case is not less than (i) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a pro forma basis is equal to or greater than 1.10 to 1.00 for the trailing 12 month period most recently ended for which financial statements are required to have been delivered to Agent pursuant to Section 5.1, the greater of (A) 17.5% of the Maximum Revolver Amount, and (B) $8,750,000, and (ii) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries is less than 1.10 to 1.00 for the trailing 12 month period most recently ended for which financial statements are required to have been delivered to Agent pursuant to Section 5.1, the greater of (A) 22.5% of the Maximum Revolver Amount, and (B) $11,250,000, and

 

(c)           Parent Borrower shall have delivered to Agent an officer’s certificate certifying compliance with the conditions described in clauses (a) and (b) of this definition.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary (including for purposes of clause (b) above), an asset or property acquired in connection with such Permitted Acquisition shall not be included in the Borrowing Base until the Administrative Agent shall have completed a satisfactory appraisals and field exams (at the sole cost and expense of the Borrowers) and shall have received a satisfactory (in form and substance) Borrowing Base Certificate.

 

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PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.

 

Peak-Season” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base.

 

Peak-Season Borrowing Base” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base.

 

Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Sections 412 or 430 of the Code sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit P-1 to the Agreement.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition so long as:

 

(a)  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the proposed Acquisition and the proposed Acquisition is consensual,

 

(b)  no Indebtedness will be incurred, assumed, or would exist with respect to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such Acquisition, other than Indebtedness permitted under clauses (f), (g), (m) or (u) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness and no Liens will be incurred, assumed, or would exist with respect to the assets of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such Acquisition other than Permitted Liens,

 

(c)  Borrowers have provided Agent with written confirmation, supported by reasonably detailed calculations, that on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such proposed Acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case, determined as if the combination had been accomplished at the beginning of the relevant period; such eliminations and inclusions to be mutually and reasonably agreed upon by Borrowers and Agent) created by adding the historical combined financial statements of Borrowers (including the combined financial statements of any other Person or assets that were the subject of a prior Permitted Acquisition during the relevant period) to the historical consolidated financial statements of the Person to be acquired (or the historical financial statements related to the assets to be acquired) pursuant to the proposed Acquisition, Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (i) would have been in pro forma compliance with the financial covenant in Section 7 of the Agreement (whether or not then in effect) for the fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the proposed date of consummation of such proposed Acquisition, and (ii) are projected to be in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 7 of the Agreement (whether or not then in effect) for each of the 4 fiscal quarters in the period ended one year after the proposed date of consummation of such proposed Acquisition,

 

(d)  Borrowers have provided Agent with its due diligence package relative to the proposed Acquisition, including forecasted balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements of the Person or assets to be acquired, all prepared on a basis consistent with such Person’s (or assets’) historical financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions for the 1 year period following the date of the proposed Acquisition, on a quarter by quarter basis), in form and substance (including as to scope and underlying assumptions) reasonably satisfactory to Agent,

 

(e)  the Payment Conditions are satisfied on a pro forma basis,

 

(f)  Borrowers have provided Agent with written notice of the proposed Acquisition at least 15 Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed Acquisition and, not later than 5 Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed Acquisition, copies of the acquisition agreement and

 

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other material documents relative to the proposed Acquisition, which agreement and documents must be reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(g)  the assets being acquired (other than a de minimis amount of assets in relation to Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ total assets), or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired, are useful in or engaged in, as applicable, the business of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries or a business reasonably related thereto,

 

(h)  the assets being acquired are located within the United States or Canada or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired is organized in a jurisdiction located within the United States or Canada,

 

(i)  the subject assets or Equity Interests, as applicable, are being acquired directly by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party, and, in connection therewith, the applicable Loan Party shall have complied with Section 5.11 or 5.12 of the Agreement, as applicable, of the Agreement and, in the case of an acquisition of Equity Interests, the applicable Loan Party shall have demonstrated to Agent that the new Loan Parties have received consideration sufficient to make the joinder documents binding and enforceable against such new Loan Parties,

 

(j)  such Acquisition was not preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for Equity Interest by, or proxy initiated by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interest by, or proxy contest initiated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, and

 

(k)  the Purchase Price payable in respect of all Permitted Acquisitions (including the proposed Acquisition and including deferred payment obligations) shall not exceed $10,000,000 (the “Purchase Price Limit”) in the aggregate during the term of the Agreement; provided that for purposes of this clause (k), the Purchase Price consideration funded with the net proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower (including any consideration comprised of Qualified Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower) shall be excluded when determining whether the Purchase Price Limit would be exceeded.

 

Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.

 

Permitted Dispositions” means:

 

(a) sales, abandonment, or other dispositions of Equipment that is substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete or no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business and leases or subleases of Real Property not useful in the conduct of the business of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,

 

(b) sales of Inventory and Farm Products to buyers in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c) the use or transfer of money or Cash Equivalents in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of the Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

 

(d) the licensing, on a non-exclusive basis, of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business,

 

(e) the granting of Permitted Liens,

 

(f) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof,

 

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(g) any involuntary loss, damage or destruction of property,

 

(h) any involuntary condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, or confiscation or requisition of use of property,

 

(i) the leasing or subleasing of assets of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,

 

(j) the sale or issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Parent Borrower and the sale or issuance of Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to a Borrower or another Subsidiary,

 

(k) (i) the lapse of registered patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent not economically desirable in the conduct of its business or (ii) the abandonment of patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business so long as (in each case under clauses (i) and (ii)), (A) with respect to copyrights, such copyrights are not material revenue generating copyrights, and (B) such lapse is not materially adverse to the interests of the Lender Group,

 

(l)  the making of Restricted Payments that are expressly permitted to be made pursuant to the Agreement,

 

(m)  the making of Permitted Investments,

 

(n) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result therefrom, transfers of assets (i) from any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to a Loan Party, and (ii) from any Subsidiary of any Borrower that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary of any Borrower,

 

(o) dispositions of assets acquired by Borrowers and their Subsidiaries pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition consummated within 12 months of the date of the proposed disposition so long as (i) the consideration received for the assets to be so disposed is at least equal to the fair market value of such assets, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the Subsidiary effecting the disposition, (ii) the assets to be so disposed are not necessary or economically desirable in connection with the business of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, and (iii) the assets to be so disposed are readily identifiable as assets acquired pursuant to the subject Permitted Acquisition, and

 

(p)  sales or dispositions of assets (other than Accounts, Inventory, Farm Products, Equity Interests of Subsidiaries of any Borrower) not otherwise permitted in clauses (a) through (o) above so long as made at fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the Subsidiary effecting the disposition, and the aggregate fair market value of all assets disposed of would not exceed $2,500,000 in any fiscal year (including the proposed disposition) and $5,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of the Agreement.

 

Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

(a)  Indebtedness evidenced by the Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

 

(b)  Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 4.14 to the Agreement and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness,

 

(c)  Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness,

 

(d)  endorsement of instruments or other payment items for deposit,

 

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(e)  Indebtedness consisting of (i) unsecured guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, completion guarantee and similar obligations; (ii) unsecured guarantees arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations to purchasers in connection with Permitted Dispositions; and (iii) unsecured guarantees with respect to Indebtedness of any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, to the extent that the Person that is obligated under such guaranty could have incurred such underlying Indebtedness,

 

(f)  unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower that is incurred on the date of the consummation of a Permitted Acquisition solely for the purpose of consummating such Permitted Acquisition so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) such unsecured Indebtedness is not incurred for working capital purposes, (iii) such unsecured Indebtedness does not mature prior to the date that is 180-days after the Maturity Date, (iv) such unsecured Indebtedness does not amortize until 180-days after the Maturity Date, (v) such unsecured Indebtedness does not provide for the payment of interest thereon in cash or Cash Equivalents prior to the date that is 180-days after the Maturity Date, and (vi) such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to Agent,

 

(g)  Acquired Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time,

 

(h)  Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business under performance, surety, statutory, or appeal bonds,

 

(i)  Indebtedness owed to any Person providing property, casualty, liability, or other insurance to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as the amount of such Indebtedness is not in excess of the amount of the unpaid cost of, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of, such insurance for the year in which such Indebtedness is incurred and such Indebtedness is outstanding only during such year,

 

(j)  the incurrence by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under Hedge Agreements that are incurred for the bona fide purpose of hedging the interest rate, commodity, or foreign currency risks associated with Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes; provided that if such Indebtedness constitutes Term Loan Obligations, such Indebtedness shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(k)  Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, commercial cards (including so-called “purchase cards”, “procurement cards” or “p-cards”), or Cash Management Services; provided that if such Indebtedness constitutes Term Loan Obligations, such Indebtedness shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(l)  unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower owing to former employees, officers, or directors (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the repurchase by such Borrower of the Equity Interests of Parent Borrower that has been issued to such Persons, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed $750,000, and (iii) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(m)  unsecured Indebtedness owing to sellers of assets or Equity Interests to a Loan Party that is incurred by the applicable Loan Party in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions so long as (i) the aggregate principal amount for all such unsecured Indebtedness does not exceed $750,000 at any one time outstanding, (ii) is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, and (iii) is otherwise on terms and conditions (including all economic terms and the absence of covenants) reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

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(n)  contingent liabilities in respect of any indemnification obligation, adjustment of purchase price, non-compete, or similar obligation of any Loan Party incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(o)  Indebtedness composing Permitted Investments,

 

(p)  unsecured Indebtedness incurred in respect of netting services, overdraft protection, and other like services, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business,

 

(q)  unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower owing to employees, former employees, officers, former officers, directors, or former directors (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the redemption by such Borrower of the Equity Interests of Parent Borrower that has been issued to such Persons, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed $750,000, and (iii) such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(r)  unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in respect of Earn-Outs owing to sellers of assets or Equity Interests to such Borrower or its Subsidiaries that is incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions so long as such unsecured Indebtedness is on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(s)  Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding for all Subsidiaries of each Borrower that are CFCs; provided, that such Indebtedness is not directly or indirectly recourse to any of the Loan Parties or of their respective assets,

 

(t)  accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount, or the payment of interest in kind, in each case, on Indebtedness that otherwise constitutes Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(u)  Subordinated Indebtedness, the aggregate outstanding amount of which does not exceed $5,000,000,

 

(v)  any other unsecured Indebtedness incurred by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed $3,000,000 at any one time, and

 

(w)  Indebtedness in respect of the Term Loan Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $121,000,000, so long as such Indebtedness and the holders thereof are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Permitted Intercompany Advances” means loans made by (a) a Loan Party to another Loan Party, (b) a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (c) a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party to a Loan Party, so long as the parties thereto are party to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (d) a Loan Party to a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party so long as (i) the aggregate amount of all such loans (by type, not by the borrower) does not exceed $250,000 outstanding at any one time and (ii) at the time of the making of such loan, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom.

 

Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents,

 

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(b) Investments in negotiable instruments deposited or to be deposited for collection in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c) advances made in connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, including prepaid crop purchases,

 

(d) Investments received in settlement of amounts due to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of Insolvency Proceedings involving an account debtor or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries,

 

(e) Investments owned by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule P-1 to the Agreement,

 

(f) guarantees permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(g) Permitted Intercompany Advances,

 

(h) Equity Interests or other securities acquired in connection with the satisfaction or enforcement of Indebtedness or claims due or owing to a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (in bankruptcy of customers or suppliers or otherwise outside the ordinary course of business) or as security for any such Indebtedness or claims,

 

(i) deposits of cash made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of operating leases,

 

(j) (i) non-cash loans and advances to employees, officers, and directors of a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of purchasing Equity Interests in Parent Borrower so long as the proceeds of such loans are used in their entirety to purchase such Equity Interests in Parent Borrower, and (ii) loans and advances to employees and officers of a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for any other business purpose and in an aggregate amount not to exceed $750,000 at any one time,

 

(k) Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(l) Investments in the form of capital contributions and the acquisition of Equity Interests made by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party (other than capital contributions to or the acquisition of Equity Interests of Parent Borrower),

 

(m) Investments resulting from entering into (i) Bank Product Agreements, or (ii) agreements relative to Indebtedness that is permitted under clause (j) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(n) equity Investments by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary of such Loan Party which is required by law to maintain a minimum net capital requirement or as may be otherwise required by applicable law,

 

(o) Investments held by a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and were in existence on the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and

 

(p) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, any other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 during the term of the Agreement.

 

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Permitted Liens” means

 

(a) Liens granted to, or for the benefit of, Agent to secure the Obligations,

 

(b) Liens for unpaid taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that either (i) are not yet delinquent, or (ii) do not have priority over Agent’s Liens and the underlying taxes, assessments, or charges or levies are the subject of Permitted Protests,

 

(c) judgment Liens arising solely as a result of the existence of judgments, orders, or awards that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.3 of the Agreement,

 

(d) Liens set forth on Schedule P-2 to the Agreement; provided, that to qualify as a Permitted Lien, any such Lien described on Schedule P-2 to the Agreement shall only secure the Indebtedness that it secures on the Closing Date and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof,

 

(e) the interests of lessors under operating leases and licensors under license agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (so long as, in the case of exclusive licenses, title to the licensed property is not transferred as a matter of law),

 

(f) purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent that such Liens or interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and so long as (i) such Lien attaches only to the asset purchased or acquired and the proceeds thereof and the other assets financed pursuant to this clause (f) by the lender providing such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness, and (ii) such Lien only secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire the asset purchased or acquired and the other assets financed pursuant to this clause (f) by the lender providing such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof,

 

(g) Liens arising by operation of law in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers (including suppliers’ statutory Liens arising under Food Products Laws), incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens either (i) are for sums not yet delinquent, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests,

 

(h) Liens on amounts deposited to secure any Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries obligations in connection with worker’s compensation or other unemployment insurance,

 

(i) Liens on amounts deposited to secure any Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries obligations in connection with the making or entering into of bids, tenders, or leases in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money,

 

(j) Liens on amounts deposited to secure any Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries reimbursement obligations with respect to surety or appeal bonds obtained in the ordinary course of business,

 

(k) with respect to any Real Property, easements, rights of way, and zoning restrictions that do not materially interfere with or impair the use or operation thereof,

 

(l) licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business (so long as, in the case of exclusive licenses, title to the licensed property is not transferred as a matter of law),

 

(m) Liens that are replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is the subject of permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness,

 

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(n) rights of setoff or bankers’ liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such Deposit Accounts in the ordinary course of business,

 

(o) Liens granted in the ordinary course of business on the unearned portion of insurance premiums securing the financing of insurance premiums to the extent the financing is permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods,

 

(q) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition,

 

(r) Liens assumed by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that secure Acquired Indebtedness,

 

(s) other Liens which do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money or letters of credit and as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $1,000,000,

 

(t) Liens securing Indebtedness described in clause (w) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, so long as such Liens and the holders thereof are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, and

 

(u) Liens against assets of CFCs to secure Indebtedness described in clause (s) of the Permitted Indebtedness definition and as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $2,500,000.

 

Permitted Protest” means the right of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to protest any Lien (other than any Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on such Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ books and records in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by such Borrower or its Subsidiary, as applicable, in good faith, and (c) Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Agent’s Liens.

 

Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations), incurred after the Closing Date and at the time of, or within 120 days after, the acquisition of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition cost thereof, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $15,000,000.

 

Person” means natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

 

Platform” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9(c) of the Agreement.

 

Post-Increase Revolver Lenders” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.14 of the Agreement.

 

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Pre-Increase Revolver Lenders” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.14 of the Agreement.

 

Projections” means Borrowers’ forecasted (a) balance sheets, (b) profit and loss statements, and (c) cash flow statements, all prepared on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions.

 

Pro Rata Share” means, as of any date of determination:

 

(a)  with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make all or a portion of the Revolving Loans, with respect to such Lender’s right to receive payments of interest, fees, and principal with respect to the Revolving Loans, and with respect to all other computations and other matters related to the Commitments or the Revolving Loans, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Revolving Loan Exposure of such Lender by (ii) the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders,

 

(b)  with respect to a Lender’s obligation to participate in the Letters of Credit, with respect to such Lender’s obligation to reimburse Issuing Bank, and with respect to such Lender’s right to receive payments of Letter of Credit Fees, and with respect to all other computations and other matters related to the Letters of Credit, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Revolving Loan Exposure of such Lender by (ii) the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders; provided, that if all of the Revolving Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments have been terminated, but Letters of Credit remain outstanding, Pro Rata Share under this clause shall be determined as if the Commitments had not been terminated and based upon the Commitments as they existed immediately prior to their termination, and

 

(c)  with respect to all other matters and for all other matters as to a particular Lender (including the indemnification obligations arising under Section 15.7 of the Agreement), the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Revolving Loan Exposure of such Lender by (ii) the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by assignments permitted pursuant to Section 13.1; provided, that if all of the Loans have been repaid in full, all Letters of Credit have been made the subject of Letter of Credit Collateralization, and all Commitments have been terminated, Pro Rata Share under this clause shall be determined as if the Revolving Loan Exposures had not been repaid, collateralized, or terminated and shall be based upon the Revolving Loan Exposures as they existed immediately prior to their repayment, collateralization, or termination.

 

Protective Advances” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.3(d)(i) of the Agreement.

 

Purchase Price” means, with respect to any Acquisition, an amount equal to the aggregate consideration, whether cash, property or securities (including the fair market value of any Equity Interests of Parent Borrower issued in connection with such Acquisition and including the maximum amount of Earn-Outs), paid or delivered by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition (whether paid at the closing thereof or payable thereafter and whether fixed or contingent), but excluding therefrom (a) any cash of the seller and its Affiliates used to fund any portion of such consideration and (b) any cash or Cash Equivalents acquired in connection with such Acquisition.

 

Qualified Cash” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries that is in Deposit Accounts or in Securities Accounts, or any combination thereof, and which such Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts are (i) the subject of Control Agreements and are maintained by a branch office of a bank or securities intermediary located within the United States or (ii) maintained by a branch office of Agent and Agent has a first-priority, perfected security interest therein.

 

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Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Hedge Obligation, each Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Obligation or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Hedge Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Qualified Equity Interest” means and refers to (a) any Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower that is not a Disqualified Equity Interest and (b) any Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) issued by a Subsidiary to Parent Borrower or another Loan Party in connection with its formation and acquisition (in the case of a Permitted Acquisition).

 

Real Property” means any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and the improvements thereto.

 

Real Property Collateral” means (a) the Real Property identified on Schedule R-1 to the Agreement, (b) any Real Property hereafter acquired by any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries with a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000 and (c) to the extent not included in clauses (a) and (b), the Real Property subject to the Mortgages required to be delivered pursuant to Schedule 3.1 and Schedule 3.6.

 

Recall Costs” means any costs or expenses, whether in cash or non-cash, related to the recall of Fresh Frozen or related products as announced on April 23, 2015, including co-packing arrangement costs, excess distribution or storage costs, impairment charges, legal and regulatory expenses, lost sales or higher expense impact on EBITDA, fines, slotting expenses, buy out of competitor inventory and any other cost or expense that is reasonably attributable to such recall.

 

Receivable Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, those reserves that Agent deems necessary or appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion and subject to Section 2.1(c), to establish and maintain (including reserves for rebates, discounts, warranty claims, and returns) with respect to the Eligible Accounts or the Maximum Revolver Amount.

 

Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

 

Reference Period” has the meaning set forth in the definition of EBITDA.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness” means refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness so long as:

 

(a) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the principal amount of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, other than by the amount of premiums paid thereon and the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and by the amount of unfunded commitments with respect thereto,

 

(b) such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity (measured as of the refinancing, renewal, or extension) of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, nor are they on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are or could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders,

 

(c) if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, renewal, or extension must include

 

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subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Lender Group as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness, and

 

(d) the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended is not recourse to any Person that is liable on account of the Obligations other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, renewed, or extended.

 

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(h) of the Agreement.

 

Registered Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(h) of the Agreement.

 

Related Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered, advised or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.

 

Remedial Action” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials required by Environmental Laws.

 

Replacement Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.13(b) of the Agreement.

 

Report” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 15.16 of the Agreement.

 

Required Availability” means that the Liquidity exceeds $10,000,000.

 

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having or holding more than 50% of the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders; provided, that (i) the Revolving Loan of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Required Lenders and (ii) at any time there are 2 or more Lenders, “Required Lenders” must include at least 2 Lenders (who are not Affiliates of one another).

 

Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, those reserves (other than Receivable Reserves, Bank Product Reserves, Inventory Reserves, FSA Reserves and Food Products Payable Reserves) that Agent deems necessary or appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion and subject to Section 2.1(c), to establish and maintain (including, but not limited to, reserves with respect to (a) sums that any Borrower or its Subsidiaries are required to pay under any Section of the Agreement or any other Loan Document (such as taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay, and (b) amounts owing by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries to any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any of the Collateral, which Lien or trust, in the Permitted Discretion of Agent likely would have a priority superior to Agent’s Liens (such as Liens or trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or other taxes where given priority under applicable law) in and to such item of the Collateral) with respect to the Borrowing Base or the Maximum Revolver Amount.

 

Restricted Payment” means to (a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution, directly or indirectly, on account of Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Parent Borrower) or to the direct or indirect holders of Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower in their capacity as such (other than dividends or

 

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distributions payable in Qualified Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower, or (b) purchase, redeem, make any sinking fund or similar payment, or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Parent Borrower but excluding any Equity Interests deemed repurchased upon a cashless exercise of options or warrants) any Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower, and (c) make any payment to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options, or other rights to acquire Equity Interests of Parent Borrower now or hereafter outstanding, and (d) make, or cause or suffer to permit any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to make, any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Indebtedness not permitted by the subordination terms for such Indebtedness.

 

Revolver Usage” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the amount of outstanding Revolving Loans (inclusive of Swing Loans and Protective Advances), plus (b) the amount of the Letter of Credit Usage.

 

Revolving Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination (a) prior to the termination of the Commitments, the amount of such Lender’s Commitment, and (b) after the termination of the Commitments, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans of such Lender.

 

Revolving Loans” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.1(a) of the Agreement.

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory that is, or whose government is,  the subject or target of any Sanctions.

 

Sanctioned Entity” means (a) a country or a government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government, (d) a Person resident in or determined to be resident in a country, in each case, that is subject to a country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any EU member state, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person controlled by any such Person.

 

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

S&P” has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of Cash Equivalents.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.

 

Securities Account” means a securities account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Settlement” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.3(e)(i) of the Agreement.

 

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Settlement Date” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.3(e)(i) of the Agreement.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, that (a) at fair valuations, the sum of such Person’s debts (including contingent liabilities) is less than all of such Person’s assets, (b) such Person is not engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for which the remaining assets of such Person are unreasonably small in relation to the business or transaction or for which the property remaining with such Person is an unreasonably small capital, and (c) such Person has not incurred and does not intend to incur, or reasonably believe that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise), and (d) such Person is “solvent” or not “insolvent”, as applicable within the meaning given those terms and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

Specified Financial Covenant” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 9.3(a) of the Agreement.

 

Standard Letter of Credit Practice” means, for Issuing Bank, any domestic or foreign law or letter of credit practices applicable in the city in which Issuing Bank issued the applicable Letter of Credit or, for its branch or correspondent, such laws and practices applicable in the city in which it has advised, confirmed or negotiated such Letter of Credit, as the case may be, in each case, (a) which letter of credit practices are of banks that regularly issue letters of credit in the particular city, and (b) which laws or letter of credit practices are required or permitted under ISP or UCP, as chosen in the applicable Letter of Credit.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries incurred from time to time that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations and (a) that is only guaranteed by the Guarantors, (b) that is not subject to scheduled amortization, redemption, sinking fund or similar payment and does not have a final maturity, in each case, on or before the date that is six months after the Maturity Date, (c) that does not include any financial covenants or any covenant or agreement that is more restrictive or onerous on any Loan Party in any material respect than any comparable covenant in the Agreement and is otherwise on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, (d) shall be limited to cross-payment default and cross-acceleration to designated “senior debt” (including the “Obligations”), and (e) the terms and conditions of the subordination are reasonably acceptable to Agent.

 

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which that Person directly or indirectly owns or controls the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity.

 

Supermajority Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having or holding more than 66 2/3% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders; provided, that (i) the Revolving Loan Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Required Lenders and (ii) at any time there are 2 or more Lenders, “Supermajority Lenders” must include at least 2 Lenders (who are not Affiliates of one another).

 

Swing Lender” means Wells Fargo or any other Lender that, at the request of Borrowers and with the consent of Agent agrees, in such Lender’s sole discretion, to become the Swing Lender under Section 2.3(b) of the Agreement.

 

Swing Loan” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.3(b) of the Agreement.

 

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Swing Loan Exposure” means, as of any date of determination with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Swing Loans on such date.

 

Taxes” means any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.

 

Tax Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 14.2(a) of the Agreement.

 

Term Loan Agent” mean BSP Agency, LLC.

 

Term Loan Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Parent Borrower, the Lenders (as defined therein) party thereto, and Term Loan Agent, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the Agreement, and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents” means the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement and any documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with any amendment, supplement, restatement, replacement or refinancing thereof, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement, this Agreement, and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Term Loan Maturity Date” “ means “Maturity Date” as such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

Term Loan Obligations” means “Obligations” as such term is defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

Term Loan Priority Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Test Period” shall mean, on any date of determination, the period of twelve consecutive months (taken as one accounting period) of the Borrowers then most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Agreement.

 

Trademark Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

UCP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits 2007 Revision, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 and any subsequent revision thereof adopted by the International Chamber of Commerce on the date such Letter of Credit is issued.

 

United States” means the United States of America.

 

Unused Line Fee” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.10(b) of the Agreement.

 

Voidable Transfer” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.8 of the Agreement.

 

Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.

 

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Withdrawal Liability” means liability with respect 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.

 

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EX-10.2 3 a15-23825_1ex10d2.htm EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 18, 2015, among the Persons listed on the signature pages hereof as “Grantors” and those additional entities that hereafter become parties hereto by executing the form of Joinder attached hereto as Annex 1 (each, a “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement of even date herewith (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Agent, Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, Agent has agreed to act as agent for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement and this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Lender Group to enter into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to induce the Bank Product Providers to enter into the Bank Product Agreements, and to induce the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers to make financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Bank Product Agreements, (a) each Grantor (other than any Borrower) has agreed to guaranty the Guarantied Obligations, and (b) each Grantor has agreed to grant to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, a continuing security interest in and to the Collateral in order to secure the prompt and complete payment, observance and performance of, among other things, the Secured Obligations; and

 

WHEREAS, each Grantor (other than any Borrower) is a Subsidiary of a Borrower and, as such, will benefit by virtue of the financial accommodations extended to Borrowers by the Lender Group.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the recitals made above and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Definitions; Construction.

 

(a)                                 All initially capitalized terms used herein (including in the preamble and recitals hereof) without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement (including Schedule 1.1 thereto).  Any terms (whether capitalized or lower case) used in this Agreement that are

 



 

defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term used herein and if such term is defined differently in different Divisions of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Division 9 of the Code shall govern.  In addition to those terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)                                     Account” means an account (as that term is defined in Division 9 of the Code).

 

(ii)                                  Account Debtor” means an account debtor (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(iii)                               Activation Instruction” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(iv)                              Agent” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

(v)                                 Agent’s Lien” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(vi)                              Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

(vii)                           Bank Product Obligations” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(viii)                        Bank Product Provider” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(ix)                              Books” means books and records (including each Grantor’s Records indicating, summarizing, or evidencing such Grantor’s assets (including the Collateral) or liabilities, each Grantor’s Records relating to such Grantor’s business operations or financial condition, and each Grantor’s goods or General Intangibles related to such information).

 

(x)                                 Borrower” and “Borrowers” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(xi)                              Cash Dominion Period” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xii)                           Cash Equivalents” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xiii)                        CFC” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xiv)                       Chattel Paper” means chattel paper (as that term is defined in the Code), and includes tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper.

 

(xv)                          Code” means the California Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law,

 

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any or all of the attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies with respect to Agent’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of California, the term “Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies.

 

(xvi)                       Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.

 

(xvii)                    Collections” means all cash, checks, notes, instruments, and other items of payment (including insurance proceeds, cash proceeds of asset sales, rental proceeds, and tax refunds).

 

(xviii)                 Commercial Tort Claims” means commercial tort claims (as that term is defined in the Code), and includes those commercial tort claims listed on Schedule 1.

 

(xix)                       Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

(xx)                          Control Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xxi)                       Controlled Account” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(xxii)                    Controlled Account Agreements” means those certain cash management agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, each of which is executed and delivered by a Grantor, Agent, and one of the Controlled Account Banks.

 

(xxiii)                 Controlled Account Bank” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(xxiv)                Copyrights” means any and all rights in any works of authorship, including (A) copyrights and moral rights, (B) copyright registrations and recordings thereof and all applications in connection therewith including those listed on Schedule 2, (C) income, license fees, royalties, damages, and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future infringements thereof, (D) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof, and (E) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding thereto throughout the world.

 

(xxv)                   Copyright Security Agreement” means each Copyright Security Agreement executed and delivered by Grantors, or any of them, and Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

 

(xxvi)                Credit Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(xxvii)             Deposit Account” means a deposit account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxviii)          Equipment” means equipment (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxix)                Equity Interests” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

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(xxx)                   Event of Default” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xxxi)                Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

(xxxii)             Farm Products” means farm products (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxxiii)          Fixtures” means fixtures (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxxiv)         Foreclosed Grantor” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2(i)(iii).

 

(xxxv)            General Intangibles” means general intangibles (as that term is defined in the Code), and includes payment intangibles, software, contract rights, rights to payment, rights under Hedge Agreements (including the right to receive payment on account of the termination (voluntarily or involuntarily) of such Hedge Agreements), rights arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action, goodwill, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Licenses, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, including Intellectual Property Licenses, infringement claims, pension plan refunds, pension plan refund claims, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims, interests in a partnership or limited liability company which do not constitute a security under Division 8 of the Code, and any other personal property other than Commercial Tort Claims, money, Accounts, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, goods, Investment Property, Negotiable Collateral, and oil, gas, or other minerals before extraction.

 

(xxxvi)         Grantor” and “Grantors” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

(xxxvii)      Guarantied Obligations” means all of the Obligations (including any Bank Product Obligations) now or hereafter existing, whether for principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), Lender Group Expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), or otherwise, and any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider (or any of them) in enforcing any rights under the any of the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guarantied Obligations shall include all amounts that constitute part of the Guarantied Obligations and would be owed by any Borrower to Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider but for the fact that they are unenforceable or

 

4



 

not allowable, including due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization, other Insolvency Proceeding or similar proceeding involving any Borrower or any guarantor; provided that, anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing notwithstanding, the Guarantied Obligations shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligation.

 

(xxxviii)   Guarantor” means each Grantor other than Borrowers.

 

(xxxix)         Guaranty” means the guaranty set forth in Section 2 hereof.

 

(xl)                              Insolvency Proceeding” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xli)                           Intellectual Property” means any and all Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, trade secrets, know-how, inventions (whether or not patentable), algorithms, software programs (including source code and object code), processes, product designs, industrial designs, blueprints, drawings, data, customer lists, URLs and domain names, specifications, documentations, reports, catalogs, literature, and any other forms of technology or proprietary information of any kind, including all rights therein and all applications for registration or registrations thereof.

 

(xlii)                        Intellectual Property Licenses” means, with respect to any Person (the “Specified Party”), (A) any licenses or other similar rights provided to the Specified Party in or with respect to Intellectual Property owned or controlled by any other Person, and (B) any licenses or other similar rights provided to any other Person in or with respect to Intellectual Property owned or controlled by the Specified Party, in each case, including (x) any software license agreements (other than license agreements for commercially available off-the-shelf software that is generally available to the public which have been licensed to a Grantor pursuant to end-user licenses), (y) the license agreements listed on Schedule 3, and (z) the right to use any of the licenses or other similar rights described in this definition in connection with the enforcement of the Lender Group’s rights under the Loan Documents.

 

(xliii)                     Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xliv)                    Inventory” means inventory (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xlv)                       Investment Property” means (A) any and all investment property (as that term is defined in the Code), and (B) any and all of the following (regardless of whether classified as investment property under the Code):  all Pledged Interests, Pledged Operating Agreements, and Pledged Partnership Agreements.

 

(xlvi)                    Joinder” means each Joinder to this Agreement executed and delivered by Agent and each of the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto, in substantially the form of Annex 1.

 

(xlvii)                 Lender Group” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xlviii)              Lender” and “Lenders” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(xlix)                    Loan Document” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

5



 

(l)                                     Negotiable Collateral” means letters of credit, letter-of-credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts and documents (as each such term is defined in the Code).

 

(li)                                  Obligations” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lii)                               Parent Borrower” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(liii)                            Patents” means patents and patent applications, including (A) the patents and patent applications listed on Schedule 4, (B) all continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, re-examinations, reissues, and renewals thereof and improvements thereon, (C) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future infringements thereof, (D) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof, and (E) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding thereto throughout the world.

 

(liv)                           Patent Security Agreement” means each Patent Security Agreement executed and delivered by Grantors, or any of them, and Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B.

 

(lv)                              Permitted Investments” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lvi)                           Permitted Liens” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lvii)                        Person” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lviii)                     Pledged Companies” means each Person listed on Schedule 5 as a “Pledged Company”, together with each other Person, all or a portion of whose Equity Interests are acquired or otherwise owned by a Grantor after the Closing Date.

 

(lix)                           Pledged Interests” means all of each Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to all of the Equity Interests now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, regardless of class or designation, including in each of the Pledged Companies (subject to the limits on the pledge of Equity Interests issued by CFCs, as set forth in the Credit Agreement), and all substitutions therefor and replacements thereof, all proceeds thereof and all rights relating thereto, also including any certificates representing the Equity Interests, the right to receive any certificates representing any of the Equity Interests, all warrants, options, share appreciation rights and other rights, contractual or otherwise, in respect thereof and the right to receive all dividends, distributions of income, profits, surplus, or other compensation by way of income or liquidating distributions, in cash or in kind, and all cash, instruments, and other property from time to time received, receivable, or otherwise distributed in respect of or in addition to, in substitution of, on account of, or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing.

 

(lx)                              Pledged Interests Addendum” means a Pledged Interests Addendum substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

(lxi)                           Pledged Notes” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 6(i).

 

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(lxii)                        Pledged Operating Agreements” means all of each Grantor’s rights, powers, and remedies under the limited liability company operating agreements of each of the Pledged Companies that are limited liability companies.

 

(lxiii)                     Pledged Partnership Agreements” means all of each Grantor’s rights, powers, and remedies under the partnership agreements of each of the Pledged Companies that are partnerships.

 

(lxiv)                    Proceeds” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.

 

(lxv)                       PTO” means the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

(lxvi)                    Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Grantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant guaranty, keepwell, or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

(lxvii)                 Real Property” means any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor or any Subsidiary of any Grantor and the improvements thereto.

 

(lxviii)              Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

 

(lxix)                    Rescission” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(lxx)                       Secured Obligations” means each and all of the following:  (A) all of the present and future obligations of each of the Grantors arising from, or owing under or pursuant to, this Agreement (including the Guaranty), the Credit Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents, (B) all Bank Product Obligations, and (C) all other Obligations of each Borrower and all other Indebtedness of each Guarantor under the Loan Documents (including, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), reasonable attorneys fees and expenses and any interest, fees, or expenses that accrue after the filing of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any Insolvency Proceeding);  provided that, anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing notwithstanding, the Secured Obligations of the Guarantors shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligation.

 

(lxxi)                    Securities Account” means a securities account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(lxxii)                 Security Interest” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.

 

(lxxiii)              Supporting Obligations” means supporting obligations (as such term is defined in the Code), and includes letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, documents, General Intangibles, instruments or Investment Property.

 

(lxxiv)             Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Grantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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(lxxv)                Term Loan Obligations” means those obligations owing to Term Loan Agent pursuant to the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

(lxxvi)             Term Loan Agent” means BSP Agency, LLC or its successor in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

 

(lxxvii)          Term Loan Priority Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(lxxviii)       Trademarks” means any and all trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, registered service marks and service mark applications, including (A) the trade names, registered trademarks, trademark applications, registered service marks and service mark applications listed on Schedule 6, (B) all renewals thereof, (C) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past or future infringements or dilutions thereof, (D) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements and dilutions thereof, (E) the goodwill of each Grantor’s business symbolized by the foregoing or connected therewith, and (F) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding thereto throughout the world.

 

(lxxix)             Trademark Security Agreement” means each Trademark Security Agreement executed and delivered by Grantors, or any of them, and Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D.

 

(lxxx)                URL” means “uniform resource locator,” an internet web address.

 

(lxxxi)             VIN” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5(h).

 

(b)                                 Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole (including the Schedules to this Agreement) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Agreement to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein).  The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties.  Any reference herein to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Secured Obligations or the Guarantied Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including the Letter of Credit Fee and the Unused Line Fee) and are unpaid, (b) in the case of contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, providing Letter of Credit Collateralization, (c) in the case of obligations with respect to Bank Products (other than Hedge Obligations), providing Bank Product Collateralization, (d) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Secured Obligations or Guarantied Obligations for which a claim or

 

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demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Secured Obligations or Guarantied Obligations, (e) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other Secured Obligations or Guarantied Obligations (as the case may be) (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Hedge Agreements provided by Hedge Providers) other than (i) unasserted contingent indemnification obligations, (ii) any Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or cash collateralized, and (iii) any Hedge Obligations that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Hedge Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid, and (f) the termination of all of the Commitments of the Lenders.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.  Any requirement of a writing contained herein shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.

 

(c)                                  All of the Schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                                      Guaranty.

 

(a)                                 In recognition of the direct and indirect benefits to be received by Guarantors from the proceeds of the Revolving Loans, the issuance of the Letters of Credit, and the entering into of the Bank Product Agreements and by virtue of the financial accommodations to be made to Borrowers, each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety the full and prompt payment when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, of all of the Guarantied Obligations.  If any or all of the Obligations constituting Guarantied Obligations becomes due and payable, each of the Guarantors, unconditionally and irrevocably, and without the need for demand, protest, or any other notice or formality, promises to pay such indebtedness to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, together with any and all expenses (including Lender Group Expenses) that may be incurred by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider in demanding, enforcing, or collecting any of the Guarantied Obligations (including the enforcement of any collateral for such Guarantied Obligations or any collateral for the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty).  If claim is ever made upon Agent or any other member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment of or on account of any or all of the Guarantied Obligations and any of Agent or any other member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider repays all or part of said amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree, or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property, or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee with any such claimant (including any Borrower or any Guarantor), then and in each such event, each of the Guarantors agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement, or compromise shall be binding upon the Guarantors, notwithstanding any revocation (or purported revocation) of this Guaranty or other instrument evidencing any liability of any Grantor, and the Guarantors shall be and remain liable to the aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

 

(b)                                 Additionally, each of the Guarantors unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the payment of any and all of the Guarantied Obligations to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, whether or not due or payable by any Loan Party upon the occurrence of any of the Events of Default specified in Section 8.4 or 8.5 of the Credit Agreement, and irrevocably and

 

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unconditionally promises to pay such indebtedness to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, without the requirement of demand, protest, or any other notice or other formality, in lawful money of the United States.

 

(c)                                  The liability of each of the Guarantors hereunder is primary, absolute, and unconditional, and is independent of any security for or other guaranty of the Guarantied Obligations, whether executed by any other Guarantor or by any other Person, and the liability of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be affected or impaired by (i) any payment on, or in reduction of, any such other guaranty or undertaking, (ii) any dissolution, termination, or increase, decrease, or change in personnel by any Grantor, (iii) any payment made to Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider on account of the Obligations which Agent, such other member of the Lender Group, or such Bank Product Provider repays to any Grantor pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding (or any settlement or compromise of any claim made in such a proceeding relating to such payment), and each of the Guarantors waives any right to the deferral or modification of its obligations hereunder by reason of any such proceeding, or (iv) any action or inaction by Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider, or (v) any invalidity, irregularity, avoidability, or unenforceability of all or any part of the Obligations or of any security therefor.

 

(d)                                 This Guaranty includes all present and future Guarantied Obligations including any under transactions continuing, compromising, extending, increasing, modifying, releasing, or renewing the Guarantied Obligations, changing the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof, or creating new or additional Guarantied Obligations after prior Guarantied Obligations have been satisfied in whole or in part.  To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Guarantor hereby waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future Guarantied Obligations.  If such a revocation is effective notwithstanding the foregoing waiver, each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that (i) no such revocation shall be effective until written notice thereof has been received by Agent, (ii) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations in existence on the date of receipt by Agent of such written notice (including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof), (iii) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider in existence on the date of such revocation, (iv) no payment by any Guarantor, any Borrower, or from any other source, prior to the date of Agent’s receipt of written notice of such revocation shall reduce the maximum obligation of such Guarantor hereunder, and (v) any payment by any Borrower or from any source other than such Guarantor subsequent to the date of such revocation shall first be applied to that portion of the Guarantied Obligations as to which the revocation is effective and which are not, therefore, guarantied hereunder, and to the extent so applied shall not reduce the maximum obligation of such Guarantor hereunder.  This Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor, its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Agent (for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers) and its successors, transferees, or assigns.

 

(e)                                  The guaranty by each of the Guarantors hereunder is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.  The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other Guarantor or Grantor or any other Person and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against one or more of the Guarantors whether or not action is brought against any other Guarantor or Grantor or any other Person and whether or not any other Guarantor or Grantor or any other Person be joined in any such action or actions.  Each of the Guarantors waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof.  Any payment by any Grantor or other circumstance which operates to toll any

 

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statute of limitations as to any Grantor shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each of the Guarantors.

 

(f)                                   Each of the Guarantors authorizes Agent, the other members of the Lender Group, and the Bank Product Providers without notice or demand, and without affecting or impairing its liability hereunder, from time to time to:

 

(i)                                     change the manner, place, or terms of payment of, or change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate, or alter:  (A) any of the Obligations (including any increase or decrease in the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest or fees thereon); or (B) any security therefor or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof, and this Guaranty shall apply to the Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed, or altered;

 

(ii)                                  take and hold security for the payment of the Obligations and sell, exchange, release, impair, surrender, realize upon, collect, settle, or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations or any of the Guarantied Obligations (including any of the obligations of all or any of the Guarantors under this Guaranty) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, or any offset on account thereof;

 

(iii)                               exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against any Grantor;

 

(iv)                              release or substitute any one or more endorsers, guarantors, any Grantor, or other obligors;

 

(v)                                 settle or compromise any of the Obligations, any security therefor, or any liability (including any of those of any of the Guarantors under this Guaranty) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of any Grantor to its creditors;

 

(vi)                              apply any sums by whomever paid or however realized to any liability or liabilities of any Grantor to Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider regardless of what liability or liabilities of such Grantor remain unpaid;

 

(vii)                           consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission, or default under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Bank Product Agreement, or any of the instruments or agreements referred to herein or therein, or otherwise amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Bank Product Agreement, or any of such other instruments or agreements; or

 

(viii)                        take any other action that could, under otherwise applicable principles of law, give rise to a legal or equitable discharge of one or more of the Guarantors from all or part of its liabilities under this Guaranty.

 

(g)                                  It is not necessary for Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider to inquire into the capacity or powers of any of the Guarantors or the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on their behalf, and any Obligations made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.

 

(h)                                 Each Guarantor jointly and severally guarantees that the Guarantied Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any law, regulation, or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider with respect thereto.  The obligations

 

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of each Guarantor under this Guaranty are independent of the Guarantied Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce such obligations, irrespective of whether any action is brought against any other Guarantor or whether any other Guarantor is joined in any such action or actions.  The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defense it may now or hereafter have in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

 

(i)                                     any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(ii)                                  any change in the time, manner, or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guarantied Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including any increase in the Guarantied Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit;

 

(iii)                               any taking, exchange, release, or non-perfection of any Lien in and to any Collateral, or any taking, release, amendment, waiver of, or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guarantied Obligations;

 

(iv)                              the existence of any claim, set-off, defense, or other right that any Guarantor may have at any time against any Person, including Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider;

 

(v)                                 any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any security therefor;

 

(vi)                              any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider including any defense based upon an impairment or elimination of such Guarantor’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of such Guarantor against any other Grantor or any guarantors or sureties;

 

(vii)                           any change, restructuring, or termination of the corporate, limited liability company, or partnership structure or existence of any Grantor; or

 

(viii)                        any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor or any other guarantor or surety.

 

(i)                                     Waivers

 

(i)                                     Each of the Guarantors waives any right (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) to require Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider to (i) proceed against any other Grantor or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from any other Grantor or any other Person, or (iii) protect, secure, perfect, or insure any security interest or Lien on any property subject thereto or exhaust any right to take any action against any other Grantor, any other Person, or any collateral, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in any member of the Lender Group’s or any Bank Product Provider’s power whatsoever.  Each of the Guarantors waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Grantor or any other Person, other than payment of the Guarantied Obligations to the extent of such payment, based on or arising out of the disability of any Grantor or any other Person, or the validity, legality, or unenforceability of the

 

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Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Grantor other than payment of the Obligations to the extent of such payment.  Agent may, at the election of the Required Lenders, foreclose upon any Collateral held by Agent by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales or other dispositions, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable or otherwise fails to comply with applicable law or may exercise any other right or remedy Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider may have against any Grantor or any other Person, or any security, in each case, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any of the Guarantors hereunder except to the extent the Guarantied Obligations have been paid.

 

(ii)                                  Each of the Guarantors waives all presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation, or incurring of new or additional Obligations or other financial accommodations.  Each of the Guarantors waives notice of any Default or Event of Default under any of the Loan Documents.  Each of the Guarantors assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of each Grantor’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 which each of the Guarantors assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that neither Agent nor any of the other members of the Lender Group nor any Bank Product Provider shall have any duty to advise any of the Guarantors of information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

(iii)                               To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives:  (A) any right to assert against any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider, any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which each Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against any Borrower or any other party liable to any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider; (B) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any security therefor; (C) any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider including any defense based upon an impairment or elimination of such Guarantor’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of such Guarantor against any Borrower or other guarantors or sureties; and (D) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guarantied Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to such Guarantor’s liability hereunder.

 

(iv)                              No Guarantor will exercise any rights that it may now or hereafter acquire against any Grantor or any other guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty, including any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider against any Grantor or any other guarantor or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including the right to take or receive from any Grantor or any other guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security solely on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all of the Guarantied Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash and all of the Commitments have been terminated.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and shall forthwith be paid to Agent to be credited and applied to the Guarantied Obligations and all other amounts payable under this

 

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Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, or to be held as Collateral for any Guarantied Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Guaranty, no Guarantor may exercise any rights of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or other similar rights against, and may not proceed or seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of, any other Grantor (the “Foreclosed Grantor”), including after payment in full of the Obligations, if all or any portion of the Obligations have been satisfied in connection with an exercise of remedies in respect of the Equity Interests of such Foreclosed Grantor whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(v)                                 Each of the Guarantors hereby acknowledges and affirms that it understands that to the extent the Guarantied Obligations are secured by Real Property located in California, Guarantors shall be liable for the full amount of the liability hereunder notwithstanding the foreclosure on such Real Property by trustee sale or any other reason impairing such Guarantor’s right to proceed against any Loan Party.  In accordance with Section 2856 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, each of the Guarantors hereby waives until such time as the Guarantied Obligations have been paid in full:

 

(1)                                 all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution and any other rights and defenses that are or may become available to the Guarantors by reason of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899, and 3433 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction;

 

(2)                                 all rights and defenses that the Guarantors may have because the Guarantied Obligations are secured by Real Property located in California, meaning, among other things, that:  (A) Agent, the other members of the Lender Group, and the Bank Product Providers may collect from the Guarantors without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by any Borrower or any other Grantor, and (B) if Agent, on behalf of the Lender Group, forecloses on any Real Property collateral pledged by any Borrower or any other Grantor, (1) the amount of the Guarantied Obligations may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price, and (2) the Lender Group may collect from the Guarantors even if, by foreclosing on the Real Property collateral, Agent or the other members of the Lender Group have destroyed or impaired any right the Guarantors may have to collect from any other Grantor, it being understood that this is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses the Guarantors may have because the Guarantied Obligations are secured by Real Property (including, without limitation, any rights or defenses based upon Sections 580a, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction); and

 

(3)                                 all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by Agent, the other members of the Lender Group, and the Bank Product Providers, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for the Guarantied Obligations, has destroyed Guarantors’ rights of subrogation and reimbursement against any Grantor by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction or otherwise.

 

(vi)                              Each of the Guarantors represents, warrants, and agrees that each of the waivers set forth above is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences and that if any of such waivers are determined to be contrary to any applicable law or public policy, such waivers shall be effective to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

(j)                                    Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from

 

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time to time by each other Grantor to guaranty and otherwise honor all Obligations in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 2(j) for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 2(j), or otherwise under the Loan Documents, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount).  The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 2(j) shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations.  Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 2(j) constitute, and this Section 2(j) shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Grantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

3.                                      Grant of Security.  Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group and each of the Bank Product Providers, to secure the Secured Obligations (whether now existing or hereafter arising), a continuing security interest (hereinafter referred to as the “Security Interest”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title, and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located (the “Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of such Grantor’s Accounts;

 

(b)                                 all of such Grantor’s Books;

 

(c)                                  all of such Grantor’s Chattel Paper;

 

(d)                                 all of such Grantor’s Commercial Tort Claims;

 

(e)                                  all of such Grantor’s Deposit Accounts;

 

(f)                                   all of such Grantor’s Equipment;

 

(g)                                  all of such Grantor’s Farm Products;

 

(h)                                 all of such Grantor’s Fixtures;

 

(i)                                     all of such Grantor’s General Intangibles;

 

(j)                                    all of such Grantor’s Inventory;

 

(k)                                 all of such Grantor’s Investment Property;

 

(l)                                     all of such Grantor’s Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Licenses;

 

(m)                             all of such Grantor’s Negotiable Collateral (including all of such Grantor’s Pledged Notes);

 

(n)                                 all of such Grantor’s Pledged Interests (including all of such Grantor’s Pledged Operating Agreements and Pledged Partnership Agreements);

 

(o)                                 all of such Grantor’s Securities Accounts;

 

(p)                                 all of such Grantor’s Supporting Obligations;

 

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(q)                                 all of such Grantor’s money, Cash Equivalents, or other assets of such Grantor that now or hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of Agent (or its agent or designee) or any other member of the Lender Group; and

 

(r)                                    all of the proceeds (as such term is defined in the Code) and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance or Commercial Tort Claims covering or relating to any or all of the foregoing, and any and all Accounts, Books, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, Equipment, Farm Products, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Inventory, Investment Property, Intellectual Property, Negotiable Collateral, Pledged Interests, Securities Accounts, Supporting Obligations, money, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, lease, license, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, the proceeds of any award in condemnation with respect to any of the foregoing, any rebates or refunds, whether for taxes or otherwise, and all proceeds of any such proceeds, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof, and all proceeds of any loss of, damage to, or destruction of the above, whether insured or not insured, and, to the extent not otherwise included, any indemnity, warranty, or guaranty payable by reason of loss or damage to, or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing (the “Proceeds”).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Proceeds” includes whatever is receivable or received when Investment Property or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected, or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to any Grantor or Agent from time to time with respect to any of the Investment Property.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the term “Collateral” shall not include any of the following (the “Excluded Collateral”): (i) voting Equity Interests of any CFC, solely to the extent that such Equity Interests represent more than 65% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of such CFC (which pledge, if reasonably requested by Agent, shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of such Subsidiary); or (ii) any rights or interest in any contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement covering real or personal property of any Grantor if under the terms of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement, or applicable law with respect thereto, the grant of a security interest or lien therein is prohibited as a matter of law or under the terms of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement and such prohibition or restriction has not been waived or the consent of the other party to such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement has not been obtained (provided, that, (A) the foregoing exclusions of this clause (ii) shall in no way be construed (1) to apply to the extent that any described prohibition or restriction is ineffective under Section 9406, 9407, 9408, or 9409 of the Code or other applicable law, or (2) to apply to the extent that any consent or waiver has been obtained that would permit Agent’s Lien to attach notwithstanding the prohibition or restriction on the pledge of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement and (B) the foregoing exclusions of clauses (i) and (ii) shall in no way be construed to limit, impair, or otherwise affect any of Agent’s, any other member of the Lender Group’s or any Bank Product Provider’s continuing security interests in and liens upon any rights or interests of any Grantor in or to (1) monies due or to become due under or in connection with any described contract, lease, permit, license, license agreement, or Equity Interests (including any Accounts or Equity Interests), or (2) any proceeds from the sale, license, lease, or other dispositions of any such contract, lease, permit, license, license agreement, or Equity Interests); or (iii) any United States intent-to-use trademark applications to the extent that, and solely during the period in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law, provided that upon submission and acceptance by the PTO of an amendment to allege use pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1060(a) (or any successor provision), such intent-to-use trademark application shall be considered Collateral.

 

4.                                      Security for Secured Obligations.  The Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which

 

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constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the Lender Group, the Bank Product Providers or any of them, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable (in whole or in part) as a claim in an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor due to the existence of such Insolvency Proceeding.  Further, the Security Interest created hereby encumbers each Grantor’s right, title, and interest in all Collateral, whether now owned by such Grantor or hereafter acquired, obtained, developed, or created by such Grantor and wherever located.

 

5.                                      Grantors Remain Liable.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) each of the Grantors shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, including the Pledged Operating Agreements and the Pledged Partnership Agreements, and to perform all of the duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group of any of the rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under such contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and (c) none of the members of the Lender Group shall have any obligation or liability under such contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall any of the members of the Lender Group be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Grantors thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.  Until an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document, Grantors shall have the right to possession and enjoyment of the Collateral for the purpose of conducting the ordinary course of their respective businesses, subject to and upon the terms hereof and of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is the intention of the parties hereto that record and beneficial ownership of the Pledged Interests, including all voting, consensual, dividend, and distribution rights, shall remain in the applicable Grantor until (i) the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default and (ii) Agent has notified the applicable Grantor of Agent’s election to exercise such rights with respect to the Pledged Interests pursuant to Section 16.

 

6.                                      Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce Agent to enter into this Agreement for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, each Grantor makes the following representations and warranties to the Lender Group which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the Closing Date, and shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the date of the making of each Revolving Loan (or other extension of credit under the Credit Agreement) made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Revolving Loan (or such other extension of credit) (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 The name (within the meaning of Section 9503 of the Code) and jurisdiction of organization of each Grantor and each of its Subsidiaries is set forth on Schedule 7 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).

 

(b)                                 The chief executive office of each Grantor and each of its Subsidiaries is located at the address indicated on Schedule 7 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).

 

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(c)                                  Each Grantor’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ tax identification numbers and organizational identification numbers, if any, are identified on Schedule 7 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).

 

(d)                                 As of the Closing Date, no Grantor and no Subsidiary of a Grantor holds any commercial tort claims that exceed $250,000 in amount, except as set forth on Schedule 1.

 

(e)                                  Set forth on Schedule 9 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time subject to Section 7(k)(iii) with respect to Controlled Accounts and provided that Grantors comply with Section 7(c) hereof) is a listing of all of Grantors’ and their Subsidiaries’ Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, including, with respect to each bank or securities intermediary (a) the name and address of such Person, and (b) the account numbers of the Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts maintained with such Person.

 

(f)                                   Schedule 8 sets forth all Real Property owned by any of the Grantors as of the Closing Date.

 

(g)                                  As of the Closing Date: (i) Schedule 2 provides a complete and correct list of all registered Copyrights owned by any Grantor, all applications for registration of Copyrights owned by any Grantor, and all other Copyrights owned by any Grantor and material to the conduct of the business of any Grantor; (ii) Schedule 3 provides a complete and correct list of all Intellectual Property Licenses entered into by any Grantor pursuant to which (A) any Grantor has provided any license or other rights in Intellectual Property owned or controlled by such Grantor to any other Person (other than non-exclusive software licenses granted in the ordinary course of business) or (B) any Person has granted to any Grantor any license or other rights in Intellectual Property owned or controlled by such Person that is material to the business of such Grantor, including any Intellectual Property that is incorporated in any Inventory or Farm Products, software, or other product marketed, sold, licensed, or distributed by such Grantor; (iii) Schedule 4 provides a complete and correct list of all Patents owned by any Grantor and all applications for Patents owned by any Grantor; and (iv) Schedule 6 provides a complete and correct list of all registered Trademarks owned by any Grantor, all applications for registration of Trademarks owned by any Grantor, and all other Trademarks owned by any Grantor and material to the conduct of the business of any Grantor.

 

(h)                                 (i) (A) each Grantor owns exclusively or holds licenses in all Intellectual Property that is necessary in or material to the conduct of its business, and (B) all employees and contractors of each Grantor who were involved in the creation or development of any Intellectual Property for such Grantor that is necessary in or material to the business of such Grantor have signed agreements containing assignment of Intellectual Property rights to such Grantor and obligations of confidentiality;

 

(ii)                                  to each Grantor’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry, no Person has infringed or misappropriated or is currently infringing or misappropriating any Intellectual Property rights owned by such Grantor, in each case, that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(iii)                               to each Grantor’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry, all registered Copyrights, registered Trademarks, and issued Patents that are owned by such Grantor and necessary in or material to the conduct of its business are valid, subsisting and enforceable and in compliance with all legal requirements, filings, and payments and other actions that are required to maintain such Intellectual Property in full force and effect; and

 

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(iv)                              each Grantor has taken reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of and to otherwise protect and enforce its rights in all trade secrets owned by such Grantor that are necessary in or material to the conduct of the business of such Grantor;

 

(i)                                     This Agreement creates a valid security interest in the Collateral of each Grantor, to the extent a security interest therein can be created under the Code, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations.  Except to the extent a security interest in the Collateral cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Code, all filings and other actions necessary or desirable to perfect and protect such security interest have been duly taken or will have been taken upon the filing of financing statements listing each applicable Grantor, as a debtor, and Agent, as secured party, in the jurisdictions listed next to such Grantor’s name on Schedule 11 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).  Upon the making of such filings, Agent shall have a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral of each Grantor (or, with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, second priority subject to the Liens of the Term Loan Agent securing the Term Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) to the extent such security interest can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement.  Upon filing of any Copyright Security Agreement with the United States Copyright Office, filing of any Patent Security Agreement and any Trademark Security Agreement with the PTO, and the filing of appropriate financing statements in the jurisdictions listed on Schedule 11, all action necessary or desirable to protect and perfect the Security Interest in and on each Grantor’s Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights has been taken and such perfected Security Interest is enforceable as such as against any and all creditors of and purchasers from any Grantor.  All action by any Grantor necessary to protect and perfect such security interest on each item of Collateral has been duly taken.

 

(j)                                    (i) Except for the Security Interest created hereby, each Grantor is and will at all times be the sole holder of record and the legal and beneficial owner, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, of the Pledged Interests indicated on Schedule 5 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents) as being owned by such Grantor and, when acquired by such Grantor, any Pledged Interests acquired after the Closing Date; (ii) all of the Pledged Interests are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the Pledged Interests constitute or will constitute the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Pledged Companies of such Grantor identified on Schedule 5 as supplemented or modified by any Pledged Interests Addendum or any Joinder to this Agreement; (iii) such Grantor has the right and requisite authority to pledge, the Investment Property pledged by such Grantor to Agent as provided herein; (iv) all actions necessary or desirable to perfect and establish the first priority (or, with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, second priority subject only to the Liens of the Term Loan Agent securing the Term Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) of, or otherwise protect, Agent’s Lien in the Investment Property, and the proceeds thereof, have been duly taken, upon (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement; (B) the taking of possession by Agent (or its agent or designee, including the Term Loan Agent, as bailee pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement) of any certificates representing the Pledged Interests, together with undated powers (or other documents of transfer acceptable to Agent) endorsed in blank by the applicable Grantor; (C) the filing of financing statements in the applicable jurisdiction set forth on Schedule 11 for such Grantor with respect to the Pledged Interests of such Grantor that are not represented by certificates, and (D) with respect to any Securities Accounts, the delivery of Control Agreements with respect thereto; and (v) each Grantor has delivered to and deposited with Agent all certificates representing the Pledged Interests owned by such Grantor to the extent such Pledged Interests are represented by certificates, and undated powers (or other documents of transfer acceptable to Agent) endorsed in blank with respect to such certificates. None of the Pledged Interests owned or held by such Grantor has been issued or transferred in violation of any securities registration, securities disclosure, or similar laws of any jurisdiction to which such issuance or transfer may be subject.

 

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(k)                                 No consent, approval, authorization, or other order or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required (i) for the grant of a Security Interest by such Grantor in and to the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or for the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement by such Grantor, or (ii) for the exercise by Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement with respect to the Investment Property or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with such disposition of Investment Property by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally and except for consents, approvals, authorizations, or other orders or actions that have been obtained or given (as applicable) and that are still in force.  Except as specified on Schedule 3 (as such schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents, no Intellectual Property License of any Grantor that is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business requires any consent of any other Person that has not been obtained in order for such Grantor to grant the security interest granted hereunder in such Grantor’s right, title or interest in or to such Intellectual Property License.

 

(h)                                 Schedule 12 sets forth all motor vehicles owned by Grantors as of the Closing Date, by model, model year, and vehicle identification number (“VIN”).

 

(i)                                     There is no default, breach, violation, or event of acceleration existing under any promissory note (as defined in the Code) constituting Collateral and pledged hereunder (each a “Pledged Note”) and no event has occurred or circumstance exists which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default, breach, violation, or event of acceleration under any Pledged Note that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No Grantor that is an obligee under a Pledged Note has waived any default, breach, violation, or event of acceleration under such Pledged Note except in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past credit practices.

 

(j)                                    As to all limited liability company or partnership interests, issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that the Pledged Interests issued pursuant to such agreement (A) are not dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or in securities markets, (B) do not constitute investment company securities, and (C) are not held by such Grantor in a Securities Account.  In addition, none of the Pledged Operating Agreements, the Pledged Partnership Agreements, or any other agreements governing any of the Pledged Interests issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, provide that such Pledged Interests are securities governed by Division 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction.

 

7.                                      Covenants.  Each Grantor, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees with Agent that from and after the date of this Agreement and until the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 23:

 

(a)                                 Possession of Collateral.  In the event that any Collateral, including Proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, Investment Property, or Chattel Paper having an aggregate value or face amount of $250,000 or more for all such Negotiable Collateral, Investment Property, or Chattel Paper, the Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days after acquisition thereof), notify Agent thereof, and if and to the extent that perfection or priority of Agent’s Lien is dependent on or enhanced by possession, the applicable Grantor, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, shall execute such other documents and instruments as shall be requested by Agent or, if applicable, endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral, Investment Property, or Chattel Paper to Agent, (or its agent or designee, including the Term Loan Agent, as bailee pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement) together with such

 

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undated powers (or other relevant document of transfer acceptable to Agent) endorsed in blank as shall be requested by Agent, and shall do such other acts or things deemed necessary or desirable by Agent to protect Agent’s Lien therein;

 

(b)                                 Chattel Paper.

 

(i)                                     Promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, each Grantor shall take all steps reasonably necessary to grant Agent control of all electronic Chattel Paper in accordance with the Code and all “transferable records” as that term is defined in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act and Section 201 of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction, to the extent that the aggregate value or face amount of such electronic Chattel Paper equals or exceeds $250,000; and

 

(ii)                                  If any Grantor retains possession of any Chattel Paper or instruments (which retention of possession shall be subject to the extent permitted hereby and by the Credit Agreement), promptly upon the request of Agent, such Chattel Paper and instruments shall be marked with the following legend: “This writing and the obligations evidenced or secured hereby are subject to the Security Interest of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Agent for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers”;

 

(c)                                  Control Agreements.

 

(i)                                     Except to the extent otherwise excused by Section 7(k)(iv), each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Control Agreement (which may include a Controlled Account Agreement), from each bank maintaining a Deposit Account or Securities Account for such Grantor;

 

(ii)                                  Except to the extent otherwise excused by Section 7(k)(iv), each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Control Agreement, from each issuer of uncertificated securities, securities intermediary, or commodities intermediary issuing or holding any financial assets or commodities to or for any Grantor, or maintaining a Securities Account for such Grantor; and

 

(iii)                               Except to the extent otherwise excused by Section 7(k)(iv), each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Control Agreement with respect to all of such Grantor’s investment property;

 

(d)                                 Letter-of-Credit Rights.  If the Grantors (or any of them) are or become the beneficiary of letters of credit having a face amount or value of $250,000 or more in the aggregate, then the applicable Grantor or Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days after becoming a beneficiary), notify Agent thereof and, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, enter into a tri-party agreement with Agent and the issuer or confirming bank with respect to letter-of-credit rights assigning such letter-of-credit rights to Agent all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, directing all payments thereunder to Agent’s Account;

 

(e)                                  Commercial Tort Claims.  If the Grantors (or any of them) obtain Commercial Tort Claims having a value, or involving an asserted claim, in the amount of $250,000 or more in the aggregate for all Commercial Tort Claims, then the applicable Grantor or Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of obtaining such Commercial Tort Claim), notify Agent upon incurring or otherwise obtaining such Commercial Tort Claims and, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, amend Schedule 1 to describe such Commercial Tort Claims in a manner that reasonably identifies such Commercial Tort Claims and which is otherwise

 

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reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and hereby authorizes the filing of additional financing statements or amendments to existing financing statements describing such Commercial Tort Claims, and agrees to do such other acts or things deemed necessary or desirable by Agent to give Agent a first priority, perfected security interest in any such Commercial Tort Claim;

 

(f)                                   Government Contracts.  Other than Accounts and Chattel Paper the aggregate value of which does not at any one time exceed $500,000, if any Account or Chattel Paper arises out of a contract or contracts with the United States of America or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of the creation thereof) notify Agent thereof and, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, execute any instruments or take any steps reasonably required by Agent in order that all moneys due or to become due under such contract or contracts shall be assigned to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and shall provide written notice thereof under the Assignment of Claims Act or other applicable law;

 

(g)                                  Intellectual Property.

 

(i)                                     Upon the request of Agent, in order to facilitate filings with the PTO and the United States Copyright Office, each Grantor shall execute and deliver to Agent one or more Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, or Patent Security Agreements to further evidence Agent’s Lien on such Grantor’s Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights, and the General Intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(ii)                                  Each Grantor shall have the duty, with respect to Intellectual Property that is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business (as determined by such Grantor in its reasonable business judgment), to protect and diligently enforce and defend at such Grantor’s expense such Intellectual Property to the extent that such Grantor, in its reasonable business judgment, determines it is necessary and appropriate to do so, including (A) to diligently enforce and defend, including promptly suing for infringement, misappropriation, or dilution and to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution, and filing for opposition, interference, and cancellation against conflicting Intellectual Property rights of any Person, (B) to prosecute diligently any trademark application or service mark application that is part of the Trademarks pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination of this Agreement, (C) to prosecute diligently any patent application that is part of the Patents pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination of this Agreement, (D) to take all reasonable and necessary action to preserve and maintain all of such Grantor’s Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, and its rights therein, including paying all maintenance fees and filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, and affidavits of noncontestability, and (E) to require all employees, consultants, and contractors of each Grantor who were involved in the creation or development of such Intellectual Property to sign agreements containing assignment of Intellectual Property rights and obligations of confidentiality.  Each Grantor further agrees not to abandon any Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property License that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business.  Each Grantor hereby agrees to take the steps described in this Section 7(g)(ii) with respect to all new or acquired Intellectual Property to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is now or later becomes entitled that is, as determined by such Grantor in its reasonable business judgment, necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business;

 

(iii)                               Grantors acknowledge and agree that the Lender Group shall have no duties with respect to any Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Licenses of any Grantor.  Without limiting the generality of this Section 7(g)(iii), Grantors acknowledge and agree that no member of the Lender Group shall be under any obligation to take any steps necessary to preserve rights in the Collateral

 

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consisting of Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Licenses against any other Person, but any member of the Lender Group may do so at its option from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, and all expenses incurred in connection therewith (including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and other professionals) shall be for the sole account of Borrowers and shall be chargeable to the Loan Account;

 

(iv)                              On each date on which a Compliance Certificate is to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement in respect of a fiscal quarter (or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, more frequently if requested by Agent), each Grantor shall provide Agent with a written report of all new Patents, Trademarks or Copyrights that are registered or the subject of pending applications for registrations, and of all Intellectual Property Licenses that are material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, in each case, which were acquired, registered, or for which applications for registration were filed by any Grantor during the prior period and any statement of use or amendment to allege use with respect to intent-to-use trademark applications.  In the case of such registrations or applications therefor, which were acquired by any Grantor, each such Grantor shall file the necessary documents with the appropriate Governmental Authority identifying the applicable Grantor as the owner (or as a co-owner thereof, if such is the case) of such Intellectual Property.  In each of the foregoing cases, the applicable Grantor shall promptly cause to be prepared, executed, and delivered to Agent supplemental schedules to the applicable Loan Documents to identify such Patent, Trademark and Copyright registrations and applications therefor (with the exception of Trademark applications filed on an intent-to-use basis for which no statement of use or amendment to allege use has been filed) and Intellectual Property Licenses as being subject to the security interests created thereunder;

 

(v)                                 Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, in no event shall any Grantor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee, or designee, file an application for the registration of any Copyright with the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in another country without giving Agent written notice thereof at least five (5) Business Days prior to such filing and complying with Section 7(g)(i). Upon receipt from the United States Copyright Office of notice of registration of any Copyright, each Grantor shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such receipt) notify (but without duplication of any notice required by Section 7(g)(v)) Agent of such registration by delivering, or causing to be delivered, to Agent, documentation sufficient for Agent to perfect Agent’s Lien on such Copyright.  If any Grantor acquires from any Person any Copyright registered with the United States Copyright Office or an application to register any Copyright with the United States Copyright Office, such Grantor shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such acquisition) notify Agent of such acquisition and deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Agent, documentation sufficient for Agent to perfect Agent’s Lien on such Copyright.  In the case of such Copyright registrations or applications therefor which were acquired by any Grantor, each such Grantor shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such acquisition) file the necessary documents with the appropriate Governmental Authority identifying the applicable Grantor as the owner (or as a co-owner thereof, if such is the case) of such Copyrights;

 

(vi)                              Each Grantor shall take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of, and to otherwise protect and enforce its rights in, the Intellectual Property that is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, including, as applicable (A) protecting the secrecy and confidentiality of its confidential information and trade secrets by having and enforcing a policy requiring all current employees, consultants, licensees, vendors and contractors with access to such information to execute appropriate confidentiality agreements; (B) taking actions reasonably necessary to ensure that no trade secret falls into the public domain; and (C) protecting the secrecy and confidentiality of the source code of all software programs (other than open source software) and applications of which it is the owner

 

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or licensee by having and enforcing a policy requiring any licensees (or sublicensees) of such source code to enter into license agreements with commercially reasonable use and non-disclosure restrictions; and

 

(vii)                           No Grantor shall enter into any Intellectual Property License material to the conduct of the business under which Grantor receives any license or rights in any Intellectual Property of any other Person unless such Grantor has used commercially reasonable efforts to permit the assignment of or grant of a security interest in such Intellectual Property License (and all rights of Grantor thereunder) to Agent (and any transferees of Agent);

 

(h)                                 Investment Property.

 

(i)                                     If any Grantor shall acquire, obtain, receive or become entitled to receive any Pledged Interests after the Closing Date, it shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of acquiring or obtaining such Collateral) deliver to Agent a duly executed Pledged Interests Addendum identifying such Pledged Interests;

 

(ii)                                  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, following the request of Agent, all sums of money and property paid or distributed in respect of the Investment Property that are received by any Grantor shall be held by the Grantors in trust for the benefit of Agent segregated from such Grantor’s other property, and such Grantor shall deliver it forthwith to Agent in the exact form received;

 

(iii)                               Each Grantor shall promptly deliver to Agent a copy of each material notice or other material communication received by it in respect of any Pledged Interests;

 

(iv)                              No Grantor shall make or consent to any amendment or other modification or waiver with respect to any Pledged Interests, Pledged Operating Agreement, or Pledged Partnership Agreement, or enter into any agreement or permit to exist any restriction with respect to any Pledged Interests if the same is prohibited pursuant to the Loan Documents;

 

(v)                                 Each Grantor agrees that it will cooperate with Agent in obtaining all necessary approvals and making all necessary filings under federal, state, local, or foreign law to effect the perfection of the Security Interest on the Investment Property or, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to effect any sale or transfer thereof; and

 

(vi)                              As to all limited liability company or partnership interests, issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, each Grantor hereby covenants that the Pledged Interests issued pursuant to such agreement (A) are not and shall not be dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or in securities markets, (B) do not and will not constitute investment company securities, and (C) are not and will not be held by such Grantor in a Securities Account.  In addition, none of the Pledged Operating Agreements, the Pledged Partnership Agreements, or any other agreements governing any of the Pledged Interests issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, provides or shall provide that such Pledged Interests are securities governed by Division 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction.

 

(i)                                     Real Property; Fixtures.  Each Grantor covenants and agrees that upon the acquisition of any fee interest or leasehold interest in Real Property having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000 it will promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days of acquisition) notify Agent of the acquisition of such Real Property and will grant to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, a first priority Mortgage (or, with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, a second priority Mortgage subject only to the Liens of the Term Loan Agent with

 

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respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, securing the Term Loan Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) on each fee interest in Real Property (other than any such Real Property is encumbered by a Permitted Lien and does not secure the Term Loan Obligations) now or hereafter owned by such Grantor and shall deliver such other documentation and opinions, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, in connection with the grant of such Mortgage as Agent shall request in its Permitted Discretion, including title insurance policies, financing statements, fixture filings and environmental audits and such Grantor shall pay all recording costs, intangible taxes and other fees and costs (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred in connection therewith.  Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of the Collateral shall remain personal property regardless of the manner of its attachment or affixation to real property;

 

(j)                                    Transfers and Other Liens.  Grantors shall not (i) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, or (ii) create or permit to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral of any Grantor, except for Permitted Liens.  The inclusion of Proceeds in the Collateral shall not be deemed to constitute Agent’s consent to any sale or other disposition of any of the Collateral except as expressly permitted in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

 

(k)                                 Controlled Accounts; Controlled Investments.

 

(i)                                     Each Grantor shall (A) establish and maintain cash management services of a type and on terms reasonably satisfactory to Agent at one or more of the banks set forth on Schedule 10 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents) (each a “Controlled Account Bank”), and shall take reasonable steps to ensure that all of its and its Subsidiaries’ Account Debtors forward payment of the amounts owed by them directly to such Controlled Account Bank, and (B) deposit or cause to be deposited promptly, and in any event no later than the first Business Day after the date of receipt thereof, all of their Collections (including those sent directly by their Account Debtors to a Grantor) into a bank account of such Grantor (each, a “Controlled Account”) at one of the Controlled Account Banks.

 

(ii)                                  Each Grantor shall establish and maintain Controlled Account Agreements with Agent and the applicable Controlled Account Bank, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent.  Each such Controlled Account Agreement shall provide, among other things, that (A) the Controlled Account Bank will comply with any instructions originated by Agent directing the disposition of the funds in such Controlled Account without further consent by the applicable Grantor, (B) the Controlled Account Bank waives, subordinates, or agrees not to exercise any rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against the applicable Controlled Account other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the administration of such Controlled Account and for returned checks or other items of payment, and (C) upon the instruction of Agent (an “Activation Instruction”), the Controlled Account Bank will forward by daily sweep all amounts in the applicable Controlled Account to the Agent’s Account.  Agent agrees not to issue an Activation Instruction with respect to the Controlled Accounts unless a Cash Dominion Period has occurred and is continuing at the time such Activation Instruction is issued.  Agent agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to rescind an Activation Instruction (the “Rescission”) if: (1) the Cash Dominion Period upon which such Activation Instruction was issued has been waived in writing in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and (2) no additional Cash Dominion Period has occurred and is continuing prior to the date of the Rescission or is reasonably expected to occur on or immediately after the date of the Rescission; provided, that, in no event shall Agent be obligated to rescind an Activation Instruction on more than three (3) occasions.

 

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(iii)                               So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers may amend Schedule 10 to add or replace a Controlled Account Bank or Controlled Account and shall upon such addition or replacement provide to Agent an amended Schedule 10; provided, however, that (A) such prospective Controlled Account Bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and (B) prior to the time of the opening of such Controlled Account, the applicable Grantor and such prospective Controlled Account Bank shall have executed and delivered to Agent a Controlled Account Agreement.  Each Grantor shall close any of its Controlled Accounts (and establish replacement Controlled Account accounts in accordance with the foregoing sentence) as promptly as practicable and in any event within forty-five (45) days after notice from Agent that the operating performance, funds transfer, or availability procedures or performance of the Controlled Account Bank with respect to Controlled Account Accounts or Agent’s liability under any Controlled Account Agreement with such Controlled Account Bank is no longer acceptable in Agent’s reasonable judgment; and

 

(iv)                              Other than (i) an aggregate amount of not more than $25,000 at any one time, in the case of Grantors and their Subsidiaries, and (ii) amounts deposited into Deposit Accounts specially and exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for any Grantor’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees, no Grantor will, and no Grantor will permit its Subsidiaries to, make, acquire, or permit to exist Permitted Investments consisting of cash, Cash Equivalents, or amounts credited to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts unless Grantor or its Subsidiary, as applicable, and the applicable bank or securities intermediary have entered into Control Agreements with Agent governing such Permitted Investments in order to perfect (and further establish) Agent’s Lien in such Permitted Investments;

 

(l)                                     Name, Etc.  No Grantor will, nor will any Grantor permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its name, organizational identification number, jurisdiction of organization or organizational identity; provided, that Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries may change its name upon at least 10 days prior written notice to Agent of such change.

 

(m)                             Motor Vehicles.  Promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, with respect to all goods covered by a certificate of title owned by any Grantor, such Grantor shall deliver to Agent or Agent’s designee, the certificates of title for all such goods and promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after request by Agent, such Grantor shall take all actions necessary to cause such certificates to be filed (with the Agent’s Lien noted thereon) in the appropriate state motor vehicle filing office; and

 

(n)                                 Pledged Notes. Grantors (i) will not (A) waive or release any obligation of any Person that is obligated under any of the Pledged Notes, (B) take or omit to take any action or knowingly suffer or permit any action to be omitted or taken, the taking or omission of which would result in any right of offset against sums payable under the Pledged Notes, or (C) other than Permitted Dispositions, assign or surrender their rights and interests under any of the Pledged Notes or terminate, cancel, modify, change, supplement or amend the Pledged Notes except in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past credit practices, and (ii) shall provide to Agent copies of all material written notices (including notices of default) given or received with respect to the Pledged Notes promptly after giving or receiving such notice.

 

8.                                      Relation to Other Security Documents.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be read and construed with the other Loan Documents referred to below in the manner so indicated.

 

(a)                                 Credit Agreement. In the event of any conflict between any provision in this Agreement and a provision in the Credit Agreement, such provision of the Credit Agreement shall control.

 

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(b)                                 Patent, Trademark, Copyright Security Agreements.  The provisions of the Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, and Patent Security Agreements are supplemental to the provisions of this Agreement, and nothing contained in the Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, or the Patent Security Agreements shall limit any of the rights or remedies of Agent hereunder.  In the event of any conflict between any provision in this Agreement and a provision in a Copyright Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement or Patent Security Agreement, such provision of this Agreement shall control.

 

9.                                      Further Assurances.

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at its own expense, such Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect the Security Interest granted hereby, to create, perfect or protect the Security Interest purported to be granted hereby or to enable Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any of the Collateral.

 

(b)                                 Each Grantor authorizes the filing by Agent of financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such Grantor will execute and deliver to Agent such other instruments or notices, as Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the Security Interest granted or purported to be granted hereby.

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor authorizes Agent at any time and from time to time to file, transmit, or communicate, as applicable, financing statements and amendments (i) describing the Collateral as “all personal property of debtor” or “all assets of debtor” or words of similar effect, (ii) describing the Collateral as being of equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, or (iii) that contain any information required by part 5 of Division 9 of the Code for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance.  Each Grantor also hereby ratifies any and all financing statements or amendments previously filed by Agent in any jurisdiction.

 

(d)                                 Each Grantor acknowledges that it is not authorized to file any financing statement or amendment or termination statement with respect to any financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement without the prior written consent of Agent, subject to such Grantor’s rights under Section 9509(d)(2) of the Code.

 

10.                               Agent’s Right to Perform Contracts, Exercise Rights, etc.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent (or its designee) (a) may proceed to perform any and all of the obligations of any Grantor contained in any contract, lease, or other agreement and exercise any and all rights of any Grantor therein contained as fully as such Grantor itself could, (b) shall have the right to use any Grantor’s rights under Intellectual Property Licenses in connection with the enforcement of Agent’s rights hereunder (to the extent that the Grantors are not prohibited by the express terms of such Intellectual Property Licenses from sublicensing their rights thereunder), including the right to prepare for sale and sell any and all Inventory, Farm Products and Equipment now or hereafter owned by any Grantor and now or hereafter covered by such licenses, and (c) shall have the right to request that any Equity Interests that are pledged hereunder be registered in the name of Agent or any of its nominees.

 

11.                               Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints Agent its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or otherwise, at such time as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to take any action and to execute any instrument which Agent may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including:

 

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(a)                                 to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in connection with the Accounts or any other Collateral of such Grantor;

 

(b)                                 to receive and open all mail addressed to such Grantor and to notify postal authorities to change the address for the delivery of mail to such Grantor to that of Agent (provided that, upon removing Collateral from such mail, Agent shall forward such mail to such Grantor);

 

(c)                                  to receive, indorse, and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents, Negotiable Collateral or Chattel Paper;

 

(d)                                 to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings which Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral of such Grantor or otherwise to enforce the rights of Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

 

(e)                                  to repair, alter, or supply goods, if any, necessary to fulfill in whole or in part the purchase order of any Person obligated to such Grantor in respect of any Account of such Grantor;

 

(f)                                   to use any Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Licenses (to the extent that such Grantor is not prohibited by the express terms of such Intellectual Property Licenses from sublicensing its rights thereunder) of such Grantor, including but not limited to any labels, Patents, Trademarks, trade names, URLs, domain names, industrial designs, Copyrights, or advertising matter, in preparing for sale, advertising for sale, or selling Inventory or other Collateral and to collect any amounts due under Accounts, contracts or Negotiable Collateral of such Grantor; and

 

(g)                                  Agent, on behalf of the Lender Group or the Bank Product Providers, shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to bring suit in its own name to enforce the Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Licenses (to the extent that the Grantors are not prohibited by the express terms of such Intellectual Property Licenses from sublicensing their rights thereunder) and, if Agent shall commence any such suit, the appropriate Grantor shall, at the request of Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all proper documents reasonably required by Agent in aid of such enforcement.

 

To the extent permitted by law, each Grantor hereby ratifies all that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated.

 

12.                               Agent May Perform.  If any Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein upon Agent’s written demand, Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the reasonable expenses of Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable, jointly and severally, by Grantors.

 

13.                               Agent’s Duties.  The powers conferred on Agent hereunder are solely to protect Agent’s interest in the Collateral, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and shall not impose any duty upon Agent to exercise any such powers.  Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its actual possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral.  Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its actual possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Agent accords its own property.

 

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14.                               Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles and Negotiable Collateral.  At any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent or Agent’s designee may (a) notify Account Debtors of any Grantor that the Accounts, General Intangibles, Chattel Paper or Negotiable Collateral of such Grantor have been assigned to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, or that Agent has a security interest therein, and (b) collect the Accounts, General Intangibles and Negotiable Collateral of any Grantor directly, and any collection costs and expenses shall constitute part of such Grantor’s Secured Obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

15.                               Disposition of Pledged Interests by Agent.  None of the Pledged Interests existing as of the date of this Agreement are, and none of the Pledged Interests hereafter acquired on the date of acquisition thereof will be, registered or qualified under the various federal or state securities laws of the United States and disposition thereof after an Event of Default may be restricted to one or more private (instead of public) sales in view of the lack of such registration.  Each Grantor understands that in connection with such disposition, Agent may approach only a restricted number of potential purchasers and further understands that a sale under such circumstances may yield a lower price for the Pledged Interests than if the Pledged Interests were registered and qualified pursuant to federal and state securities laws and sold on the open market.  Each Grantor, therefore, agrees that:  (a) if Agent shall, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, sell or cause the Pledged Interests or any portion thereof to be sold at a private sale, Agent shall have the right to rely upon the advice and opinion of any nationally recognized brokerage or investment firm (but shall not be obligated to seek such advice and the failure to do so shall not be considered in determining the commercial reasonableness of such action) as to the best manner in which to offer the Pledged Interest or any portion thereof for sale and as to the best price reasonably obtainable at the private sale thereof; and (b) such reliance shall be conclusive evidence that Agent has handled the disposition in a commercially reasonable manner.

 

16.                               Voting and Other Rights in Respect of Pledged Interests.

 

(a)                                 Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, (i) Agent may, at its option, and with two (2) Business Days prior notice to any Grantor, and in addition to all rights and remedies available to Agent under any other agreement, at law, in equity, or otherwise, exercise all voting rights, or any other ownership or consensual rights (including any dividend or distribution rights) in respect of the Pledged Interests owned by such Grantor, but under no circumstances is Agent obligated by the terms of this Agreement to exercise such rights, and (ii) if Agent duly exercises its right to vote any of such Pledged Interests, each Grantor hereby appoints Agent, such Grantor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and IRREVOCABLE PROXY to vote such Pledged Interests in any manner Agent deems advisable for or against all matters submitted or which may be submitted to a vote of shareholders, partners or members, as the case may be.  The power-of-attorney and proxy granted hereby is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.

 

(b)                                 For so long as any Grantor shall have the right to vote the Pledged Interests owned by it, such Grantor covenants and agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of Agent, vote or take any consensual action with respect to such Pledged Interests which would materially adversely affect the Agent’s Lien against such Pledged Interests.

 

17.                               Remedies.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(a)                                 Agent may, and, at the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein, in the other Loan Documents, or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Code or any other applicable law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor expressly agrees that, in any such event, Agent without demand of performance or other demand,

 

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advertisement or notice of any kind (except a notice specified below of time and place of public or private sale) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, advertisements and notices are hereby expressly waived to the maximum extent permitted by the Code or any other applicable law), may take immediate possession of all or any portion of the Collateral and (i) require Grantors to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its own expense and upon request of Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by Agent and make it available to Agent at one or more locations where such Grantor regularly maintains Inventory or Farm Products, and (ii) without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit, and upon such other terms as Agent may deem commercially reasonable.  Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notification of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notification by mail to the applicable Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification and specifically such notification shall constitute a reasonable “authenticated notification of disposition” within the meaning of Section 9611 of the Code.  Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notification of sale having been given.  Agent may adjourn any public sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.  Each Grantor agrees that (A) the internet shall constitute a “place” for purposes of Section 9610(b) of the Code and (B) to the extent notification of sale shall be required by law, notification by mail of the URL where a sale will occur and the time when a sale will commence at least ten (10) days prior to the sale shall constitute a reasonable notification for purposes of Section 9611(b) of the Code.  Each Grantor agrees that any sale of Collateral to a licensor pursuant to the terms of a license agreement between such licensor and a Grantor is sufficient to constitute a commercially reasonable sale (including as to method, terms, manner, and time) within the meaning of Section 9610 of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Agent is hereby granted a license or other right to use, without liability for royalties or any other charge, each Grantor’s Intellectual Property, including but not limited to, any labels, Patents, Trademarks, trade names, URLs, domain names, industrial designs, Copyrights, and advertising matter, whether owned by any Grantor or with respect to which any Grantor has rights under license, sublicense, or other agreements (including any Intellectual Property License to the extent that the Grantor that is the licensee thereunder is not prohibited by its express terms from granting sublicenses of its rights thereunder), as it pertains to the Collateral, in preparing for sale, advertising for sale and selling any Collateral, and each Grantor’s rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements shall inure to the benefit of Agent.

 

(c)                                  Agent may, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein, in the other Loan Documents, or otherwise available to it under applicable law and without the requirement of notice to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (which notice is hereby expressly waived to the maximum extent permitted by the Code or any other applicable law), (i) with respect to any Grantor’s Deposit Accounts in which Agent’s Lien are perfected by control under Section 9104 of the Code, instruct the bank maintaining such Deposit Account for the applicable Grantor to pay the balance of such Deposit Account to or for the benefit of Agent, and (ii) with respect to any Grantor’s Securities Accounts in which Agent’s Lien are perfected by control under Section 9106 of the Code, instruct the securities intermediary maintaining such Securities Account for the applicable Grantor to (A) transfer any cash in such Securities Account to or for the benefit of Agent, or (B)  liquidate any financial assets in such Securities Account that are customarily sold on a recognized market and transfer the cash proceeds thereof to or for the benefit of Agent.

 

(d)                                 Any cash held by Agent as Collateral and all cash proceeds received by Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied against the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in the Credit Agreement. In the event the

 

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proceeds of Collateral are insufficient to satisfy all of the Secured Obligations in full, each Grantor shall remain jointly and severally liable for any such deficiency.

 

(e)                                  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that the Secured Obligations arise out of a commercial transaction, and agrees that if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing Agent shall have the right to an immediate writ of possession without notice of a hearing.  Agent shall have the right to the appointment of a receiver for the properties and assets of each Grantor, and each Grantor hereby consents to such rights and such appointment and hereby waives any objection such Grantor may have thereto or the right to have a bond or other security posted by Agent.

 

18.                               Remedies Cumulative.  Each right, power, and remedy of Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider as provided for in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any Bank Product Agreement now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power, or remedy provided for in this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Bank Product Agreements or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by Agent, any other member of the Lender Group, or any Bank Product Provider, of any one or more of such rights, powers, or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by Agent, such other member of the Lender Group or such Bank Product Provider of any or all such other rights, powers, or remedies.

 

19.                               Marshaling. Agent shall not be required to marshal any present or future collateral security (including but not limited to the Collateral) for, or other assurances of payment of, the Secured Obligations or any of them or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and in respect of such collateral security and other assurances of payment shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies, however existing or arising.  To the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby agrees that it will not invoke any law relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of Agent’s rights and remedies under this Agreement or under any other instrument creating or evidencing any of the Secured Obligations or under which any of the Secured Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Secured Obligations is secured or payment thereof is otherwise assured, and, to the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby irrevocably waives the benefits of all such laws.

 

20.                               Indemnity and Expenses.

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor agrees to indemnify Agent and the other members of the Lender Group from and against all claims, lawsuits and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) growing out of or resulting from this Agreement (including enforcement of this Agreement) or any other Loan Document to which such Grantor is a party to the extent and in the manner provided in Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement, which is incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.  This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Secured Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Grantors, jointly and severally, shall, upon demand, pay to Agent (or Agent, may charge to the Loan Account) all the Lender Group Expenses which Agent may incur in connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or, upon an Event of Default, the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Agent hereunder or (iv) the failure by any Grantor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

 

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21.                               Merger, Amendments; Etc. THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by any Grantor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent and each Grantor to which such amendment applies.

 

22.                               Addresses for Notices. All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the form and manner and delivered to Agent at its address specified in the Credit Agreement, and to any of the Grantors at their respective addresses specified in the Credit Agreement or herein, as applicable, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other party.

 

23.                               Continuing Security Interest: Assignments under Credit Agreement.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been paid in full in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Commitments have expired or have been terminated, (ii) be binding upon each Grantor, and their respective successors and assigns, and (iii) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Agent, and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (iii), any Lender may, in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise. Upon payment in full of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the expiration or termination of the Commitments, the Guaranty made and the Security Interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantors or any other Person entitled thereto. At such time, upon Borrowers’ request, Agent will authorize the filing of appropriate termination statements to terminate such Security Interest.  No transfer or renewal, extension, assignment, or termination of this Agreement or of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other instrument or document executed and delivered by any Grantor to Agent nor any additional Revolving Loans or other loans made by any Lender to Borrowers, nor the taking of further security, nor the retaking or re-delivery of the Collateral to Grantors, or any of them, by Agent, nor any other act of the Lender Group or the Bank Product Providers, or any of them, shall release any Grantor from any obligation, except a release or discharge executed in writing by Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement.  Agent shall not by any act, delay, omission or otherwise, be deemed to have waived any of its rights or remedies hereunder, unless such waiver is in writing and signed by Agent and then only to the extent therein set forth.  A waiver by Agent of any right or remedy on any occasion shall not be construed as a bar to the exercise of any such right or remedy which Agent would otherwise have had on any other occasion.

 

(b)                                 If any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider repays, refunds, restores, or returns in whole or in part, any payment or property (including any proceeds of Collateral) previously paid or transferred to such member of the Lender Group or such Bank Product Provider in full or partial satisfaction of any Secured Obligation or on account of any other obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement, because the payment, transfer, or the incurrence of the obligation so satisfied is asserted or declared to be void, voidable, or otherwise recoverable under any law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable obligations or transfers

 

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(each, a “Voidable Transfer”), or because such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to do so on the reasonable advice of its counsel in connection with a claim that the payment, transfer, or incurrence is or may be a Voidable Transfer, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to repay, restore, or return (including pursuant to a settlement of any claim in respect thereof), and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider related thereto, (i) the liability of the Loan Parties with respect to the amount or property paid, refunded, restored, or returned will automatically and immediately be revived, reinstated, and restored and will exist and (ii) Agent’s Lien securing such liability shall be effective, revived, and remain in full force and effect, in each case, as fully as if such Voidable Transfer had never been made.  If, prior to any of the foregoing, (A) Agent’s Lien shall have been released or terminated or (B) any provision of this Agreement shall have been terminated or cancelled, Agent’s Lien, or such provision of this Agreement, shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any Loan Party in respect of such liability or any Collateral securing such liability; provided, however, that the Agent’s Lien shall be reinstated only if the Voidable Transfer affects a member of the Lender Group or a Bank Product Provider.

 

24.                               Survival.  All representations and warranties made by the Grantors in this Agreement 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 Agent, Issuing Lender, or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of 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 the Credit Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.

 

25.                               CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.

 

(a)                                 THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

 

(b)                                 THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND.  EACH GRANTOR AND AGENT WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 25(b).

 

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(c)                                  TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH GRANTOR AND AGENT HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”).  EACH GRANTOR AND AGENT REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)                                 EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  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 AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY GRANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(e)                                  NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY GRANTOR AGAINST THE AGENT, THE SWING LENDER, ANY OTHER LENDER, ISSUING LENDER, OR THE UNDERLYING ISSUER, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, AND EACH GRANTOR HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

(f)                                   IN THE EVENT ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING IS FILED IN A COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (THE “COURT”) BY OR AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CLAIM AND THE WAIVER SET FORTH IN SECTION 25(c) ABOVE IS NOT ENFORCEABLE IN SUCH PROCEEDING, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

 

(i)                                     WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MATTERS SPECIFIED IN SUBCLAUSE (ii) BELOW, ANY CLAIM SHALL BE DETERMINED BY A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 638 THROUGH 645.1.  THE PARTIES INTEND THIS GENERAL REFERENCE AGREEMENT TO BE SPECIFICALLY ENFORCEABLE.  VENUE FOR THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING SHALL BE IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

 

(ii)                                  THE FOLLOWING MATTERS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING: (A) NON-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF ANY

 

34



 

SECURITY INTERESTS IN REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (B) EXERCISE OF SELF-HELP REMEDIES (INCLUDING SET-OFF OR RECOUPMENT), (C) APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER, AND (D) TEMPORARY, PROVISIONAL, OR ANCILLARY REMEDIES (INCLUDING WRITS OF ATTACHMENT, WRITS OF POSSESSION, TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS, OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIONS).  THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO EXERCISE OR OPPOSE ANY OF THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES DESCRIBED IN CLAUSES (A) - (D) AND ANY SUCH EXERCISE OR OPPOSITION DOES NOT WAIVE THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO PARTICIPATE IN A REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER MATTER.

 

(iii)                               UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY PARTY, THE PARTIES SHALL SELECT A SINGLE REFEREE, WHO SHALL BE A RETIRED JUDGE OR JUSTICE.  IF THE PARTIES DO NOT AGREE UPON A REFEREE WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SUCH WRITTEN REQUEST, THEN, ANY PARTY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THE COURT TO APPOINT A REFEREE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 640(B).  THE REFEREE SHALL BE APPOINTED TO SIT WITH ALL OF THE POWERS PROVIDED BY LAW.  PENDING APPOINTMENT OF THE REFEREE, THE COURT SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO ISSUE TEMPORARY OR PROVISIONAL REMEDIES.

 

(iv)                              EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE REFEREE SHALL DETERMINE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING IS CONDUCTED INCLUDING THE TIME AND PLACE OF HEARINGS, THE ORDER OF PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE, AND ALL OTHER QUESTIONS THAT ARISE WITH RESPECT TO THE COURSE OF THE REFERENCE PROCEEDING.  ALL PROCEEDINGS AND HEARINGS CONDUCTED BEFORE THE REFEREE, EXCEPT FOR TRIAL, SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT A COURT REPORTER, EXCEPT WHEN ANY PARTY SO REQUESTS A COURT REPORTER AND A TRANSCRIPT IS ORDERED, A COURT REPORTER SHALL BE USED AND THE REFEREE SHALL BE PROVIDED A COURTESY COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPT.  THE PARTY MAKING SUCH REQUEST SHALL HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO ARRANGE FOR AND PAY THE COSTS OF THE COURT REPORTER, PROVIDED THAT SUCH COSTS, ALONG WITH THE REFEREE’S FEES, SHALL ULTIMATELY BE BORNE BY THE PARTY WHO DOES NOT PREVAIL, AS DETERMINED BY THE REFEREE.

 

(v)                                 THE REFEREE MAY REQUIRE ONE OR MORE PREHEARING CONFERENCES.  THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DISCOVERY, AND THE REFEREE SHALL OVERSEE DISCOVERY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF DISCOVERY, AND SHALL ENFORCE ALL DISCOVERY ORDERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS ANY TRIAL COURT JUDGE IN PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

 

(vi)                              THE REFEREE SHALL APPLY THE RULES OF EVIDENCE APPLICABLE TO PROCEEDINGS AT LAW IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND SHALL DETERMINE ALL ISSUES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL BE EMPOWERED TO ENTER EQUITABLE AS WELL AS LEGAL RELIEF AND RULE ON ANY MOTION WHICH WOULD BE AUTHORIZED IN A TRIAL, INCLUDING MOTIONS FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT OR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.  THE REFEREE SHALL REPORT HIS OR HER DECISION, WHICH REPORT SHALL ALSO INCLUDE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.  THE REFEREE SHALL ISSUE A DECISION AND PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, SECTION 644, THE REFEREE’S DECISION SHALL BE ENTERED BY THE COURT AS A JUDGMENT IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF THE ACTION HAD BEEN TRIED BY THE COURT.  THE FINAL

 

35



 

JUDGMENT OR ORDER FROM ANY APPEALABLE DECISION OR ORDER ENTERED BY THE REFEREE SHALL BE FULLY APPEALABLE AS IF IT HAS BEEN ENTERED BY THE COURT.

 

(vii)                 THE PARTIES RECOGNIZE AND AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS RESOLVED IN A GENERAL REFERENCE PROCEEDING PURSUANT HERETO WILL BE DECIDED BY A REFEREE AND NOT BY A JURY.  AFTER CONSULTING (OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT) WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR OWN CHOICE, EACH PARTY HERETO KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND FOR THEIR MUTUAL BENEFIT AGREES THAT THIS REFERENCE PROVISION SHALL APPLY TO ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THEM THAT ARISES OUT OF OR IS RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

26.                               New Subsidiaries.  Pursuant to Section 5.11 of the Credit Agreement, certain Subsidiaries (whether by acquisition or creation) of any Grantor are required to enter into this Agreement by executing and delivering in favor of Agent a Joinder to this Agreement in substantially the form of Annex 1.  Upon the execution and delivery of Annex 1 by any such new Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor and Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor and Grantor herein.  The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Guarantor or Grantor as a party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any Guarantor or Grantor hereunder.  The rights and obligations of each Guarantor and Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor or Grantor hereunder.

 

27.                               Agent.  Each reference herein to any right granted to, benefit conferred upon or power exercisable by the “Agent” shall be a reference to Agent, for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group and each of the Bank Product Providers.

 

28.                               Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.  The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis.

 

(b)                                 Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in that jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.  Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

 

(c)                                  Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only.  Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against any member of the Lender Group or any Grantor, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  This Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and

 

36



 

interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

 

29.                               Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, for so long as the Intercreditor Agreement remains in effect, the Liens, security interests and rights granted pursuant to this Agreement shall have the priority agreed to in, and shall be subject to the terms of (and the exercise of any right or remedy by Agent hereunder shall be subject to the terms and conditions of), the Intercreditor Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.  For so long as the Intercreditor Agreement remains in effect, the delivery of any Term Loan Priority Collateral to the Term Loan Agent as required by the Intercreditor Agreement shall satisfy any delivery requirement with respect to such Collateral hereunder.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

37



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

GRANTORS:

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

 Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 



 

AGENT:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Agent

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kathleen Davenport

 

Name:

Kathleen Davenport

 

Title:

Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

ANNEX 1 TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
FORM OF JOINDER

 

Joinder No.          (this “Joinder”), dated as of                         20   , to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”), by and among each of the parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become parties thereto (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each, individually, a “Grantor”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), in its capacity as agent for the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Agent, Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Joinder shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis; and

 

WHEREAS, Grantors have entered into the Guaranty and Security Agreement in order to induce the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers to make certain financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Bank Product Agreements; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.11 of the Credit Agreement and Section 26 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, certain Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties, must execute and deliver certain Loan Documents, including the Guarantor and Security Agreement, and the joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement by the undersigned new Grantor or Grantors (collectively, the “New Grantors”) may be accomplished by the execution of this Joinder in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers; and

 

WHEREAS, each New Grantor (a) is a Subsidiary of a Borrower and, as such, will benefit by virtue of the financial accommodations extended to Borrowers by the Lender Group or the Bank Product Providers and (b) by becoming a Grantor will benefit from certain rights granted to the Grantors pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents and the Bank Product Agreements;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each New Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      In accordance with Section 26 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, each New Grantor, by its signature below, becomes a “Grantor” and “Guarantor” under the Guaranty and Security Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a “Grantor” and

 



 

“Guarantor” and each New Grantor hereby (a) agrees to all of the terms and provisions of the Guaranty and Security Agreement applicable to it as a “Grantor” or “Guarantor” thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a “Grantor” or “Guarantor” thereunder are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that are already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each New Grantor hereby (a) jointly and severally unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety the full and prompt payment when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, of all of the Guarantied Obligations, and (b) unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest in and to all of such New Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral.  Each reference to a “Grantor” or “Guarantor” in the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall be deemed to include each New Grantor.  The Guaranty and Security Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                                      Schedule 1, “Commercial Tort Claims”, Schedule 2, “Copyrights”, Schedule 3, “Intellectual Property Licenses”, Schedule 4, “Patents”, Schedule 5, “Pledged Companies”, Schedule 6, “Trademarks”, Schedule 7, Name; Chief Executive Office; Tax Identification Numbers and Organizational Numbers, Schedule 8, “Owned Real Property”, Schedule 9, “Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts”, Schedule 10, “Controlled Account Banks”, Schedule 11, “List of Uniform Commercial Code Filing Jurisdictions”, and Schedule 12, “Motor Vehicles” attached hereto supplement Schedule 1, Schedule 2, Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 5, Schedule 6, Schedule 7, Schedule 8, Schedule 9, Schedule 10, Schedule 11, and Schedule 12 respectively, to the Guaranty and Security Agreement and shall be deemed a part thereof for all purposes of the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

3.                                      Each New Grantor authorizes Agent at any time and from time to time to file, transmit, or communicate, as applicable, financing statements and amendments thereto (i) describing the Collateral as “all personal property of debtor” or “all assets of debtor” or words of similar effect, (ii) describing the Collateral as being of equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, or (iii) that contain any information required by part 5 of Division 9 of the Code for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance.  Each New Grantor also hereby ratifies any and all financing statements or amendments previously filed by Agent in any jurisdiction in connection with the Loan Documents.

 

4.                                      Each New Grantor represents and warrants to Agent, the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers that this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by such New Grantor and constitutes its legal, valid, and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

5.                                      This Joinder is a Loan Document.  This Joinder may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Joinder.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Joinder by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Joinder.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Joinder by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Joinder but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Joinder.

 

6.                                      The Guaranty and Security Agreement, as supplemented hereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

 



 

7.                                      THIS JOINDER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

NEW GRANTORS:

[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENT:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO JOINDER NO.          TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Copyright Security Agreement”) is made this     day of            , 20  , by and among Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Agent, Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the members of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers are willing to make the financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Bank Product Agreements, but only upon the condition, among others, that Grantors shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, Grantors are required to execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, this Copyright Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantors hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINED TERMS.  All initially capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Copyright Security Agreement shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

2.                                      GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN COPYRIGHT COLLATERAL.  Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit each member of the Lender Group and each of the Bank Product Providers, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest (referred to in this Copyright Security Agreement as the “Security Interest”) in all of such

 



 

Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (collectively, the “Copyright Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of such Grantor’s Copyrights and Copyright Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I;

 

(b)                                 all renewals or extensions of the foregoing; and

 

(c)                                  all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement of any Copyright or any Copyright exclusively licensed under any Intellectual Property License, including the right to receive damages, or the right to receive license fees, royalties, and other compensation under any Copyright Intellectual Property License.

 

3.                                      SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  This Copyright Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Copyright Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the other members of the Lender Group, the Bank Product Providers or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

4.                                      SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Interest granted pursuant to this Copyright Security Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of Agent with respect to the Security Interest in the Copyright Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Copyright Security Agreement and the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall control.

 

5.                                      AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT.  Grantors shall give Agent prior written notice of no less than five (5) Business Days before filing any additional application for registration of any copyright and prompt notice in writing of any additional copyright registrations granted therefor after the date hereof. Without limiting Grantors’ obligations under this Section, Grantors hereby authorize Agent unilaterally to modify this Copyright Security Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any future United States registered copyrights or applications therefor of each Grantor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Copyright Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

 

6.                                      COUNTERPARTS.  This Copyright Security Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Copyright Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Copyright Security Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement but the failure to deliver an

 

3



 

original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Copyright Security Agreement.

 

7.                                      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THIS COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Copyright Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

 

 

AGENT:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

SCHEDULE I
TO
COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS

 

Grantor

 

Country

 

Copyright

 

Registration No.

 

Registration Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright Licenses

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Patent Security Agreement”) is made this     day of            , 20  , by and among the Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Agent, Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the members of Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers are willing to make the financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Bank Product Agreements, but only upon the condition, among others, that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, Grantors are required to execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, this Patent Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINED TERMS.  All initially capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Patent Security Agreement shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

2.                                      GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL. Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit each member of the Lender Group and each of the Bank Product Providers, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest (referred to in this Patent Security Agreement as the “Security Interest”) in all of such Grantor’s

 



 

right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (collectively, the “Patent Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of its Patents and Patent Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I;

 

(b)                                 all divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, or extensions of the foregoing; and

 

(c)                                  all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement of any Patent or any Patent exclusively licensed under any Intellectual Property License, including the right to receive damages, or right to receive license fees, royalties, and other compensation under any Patent Intellectual Property License.

 

3.                                      SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  This Patent Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Patent Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the other members of the Lender Group, the Bank Product Providers or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

4.                                      SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Interest granted pursuant to this Patent Security Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of Agent with respect to the Security Interest in the Patent Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Patent Security Agreement and the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall control.

 

5.                                      AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT.  If any Grantor shall obtain rights to any new patent application or issued patent or become entitled to the benefit of any patent application or patent for any divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue, or reexamination of any existing patent or patent application, the provisions of this Patent Security Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. Grantors shall give prompt notice in writing to Agent with respect to any such new patent rights.  Without limiting Grantors’ obligations under this Section, Grantors hereby authorize Agent unilaterally to modify this Patent Security Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any such new patent rights of each Grantor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Patent Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

 

6.                                      COUNTERPARTS.  This Patent Security Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Patent Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Patent Security Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart

 

3



 

of this Patent Security Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Patent Security Agreement.

 

7.                                      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THIS PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Patent Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENT:

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

SCHEDULE I
to

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Patents

 

Grantor

 

Country

 

Patent

 

Application/
Patent No.

 

Filing Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patent Licenses

 



 

EXHIBIT C

 

PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM

 

This Pledged Interests Addendum, dated as of                     , 20      (this “Pledged Interests Addendum”), is delivered pursuant to Section 7 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement referred to below.  The undersigned hereby agrees that this Pledged Interests Addendum may be attached to that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”), made by the undersigned, together with the other Grantors named therein, to WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Agent.  Initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Pledged Interests Addendum shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.  The undersigned hereby agrees that the additional interests listed on Schedule I shall be and become part of the Pledged Interests pledged by the undersigned to Agent in the Guaranty and Security Agreement and any pledged company set forth on Schedule I shall be and become a “Pledged Company” under the Guaranty and Security Agreement, each with the same force and effect as if originally named therein.

 

This Pledged Interests Addendum is a Loan Document.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum.  If the undersigned delivers an executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission, the undersigned shall also deliver an original executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Pledged Interests Addendum.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement of the undersigned are true and correct as to the Pledged Interests listed herein on and as of the date hereof.

 

THIS PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Pledged Interests Addendum to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[                                         ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

SCHEDULE I
TO

PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM

 

Pledged Interests

 

Name of Grantor

 

Name of Pledged
Company

 

Number of
Shares/Units

 

Class of
Interests

 

Percentage
of Class
Owned

 

Certificate

Nos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Trademark Security Agreement”) is made this     day of            , 20  , by and among Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), in its capacity as agent for the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), Agent, Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, and Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the members of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers are willing to make the financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Bank Product Agreements, but only upon the condition, among others, that Grantors shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2015 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, Grantors are required to execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, this Trademark Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINED TERMS.  All initially capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Trademark Security Agreement shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

2.                                      GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN TRADEMARK COLLATERAL.  Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit each member of the Lender Group and each of the Bank Product Providers, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest (referred to in this Trademark Security Agreement as the “Security Interest”) in all of such

 



 

Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (collectively, the “Trademark Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of its Trademarks and Trademark Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I;

 

(b)                                 all goodwill of the business connected with the use of, and symbolized by, each Trademark and each Trademark Intellectual Property License; and

 

(c)                                  all products and proceeds (as that term is defined in the Code) of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future (i) infringement or dilution of any Trademark or any Trademarks exclusively licensed under any Intellectual Property License, including right to receive any damages, (ii) injury to the goodwill associated with any Trademark, or (iii) right to receive license fees, royalties, and other compensation under any Trademark Intellectual Property License.

 

3.                                      SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  This Trademark Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Trademark Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the other members of the Lender Group, the Bank Product Providers or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

4.                                      SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Interest granted pursuant to this Trademark Security Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of Agent with respect to the Security Interest in the Trademark Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Trademark Security Agreement and the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall control.

 

5.                                      AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT.  If any Grantor shall obtain rights to any new trademarks, the provisions of this Trademark Security Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. Grantors shall give prompt notice in writing to Agent with respect to any such new trademarks or renewal or extension of any trademark registration. Without limiting Grantors’ obligations under this Section, Grantors hereby authorize Agent unilaterally to modify this Trademark Security Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any such new trademark rights of each Grantor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Trademark Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

 

6.                                      COUNTERPARTS.  This Trademark Security Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Trademark Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Trademark Security Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this

 

4



 

Trademark Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Trademark Security Agreement.

 

7.                                      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THIS TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

5



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Trademark Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENT:

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

SCHEDULE I
to

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Trademark Registrations/Applications

 

Grantor

 

Country

 

Mark

 

Application/
Registration No.

 

App/Reg Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade Names

 

Common Law Trademarks

 

Trademarks Not Currently In Use

 

Trademark Licenses

 


EX-10.3 4 a15-23825_1ex10d3.htm EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC,

 

as Administrative Agent,

 

THE LENDERS THAT ARE PARTIES HERETO

 

as the Lenders,

 

and

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC. and

 

THE OTHER BORROWER(S) FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

 

as Borrowers

 

Dated as of November 18, 2015

 

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

1

 

 

 

 

1.1

Definitions

1

 

1.2

Accounting Terms

1

 

1.3

Code

1

 

1.4

Construction

1

 

1.5

Time References

2

 

1.6

Schedules and Exhibits

2

 

 

 

 

2.

LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT

2

 

 

 

 

2.1

Term Loans; Incremental Term Loans

2

 

2.2

[Reserved]

5

 

2.3

Procedures

5

 

2.4

Payments; Reductions of Commitments; Prepayments

6

 

2.5

Promise to Pay; Promissory Notes

10

 

2.6

Interest Rates; Rates, Payments, and Calculations

11

 

2.7

Crediting Payments

12

 

2.8

Designated Account

12

 

2.9

Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of Obligations

12

 

2.10

Fees

12

 

2.11

[Reserved]

12

 

2.12

LIBOR Option

13

 

2.13

Capital Requirements

15

 

2.14

[Reserved]

16

 

2.15

Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers

16

 

 

 

 

3.

CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT

18

 

 

 

 

3.1

Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of Credit

18

 

3.2

Conditions Precedent to a Subsequent Extension of Credit

18

 

3.3

Maturity

18

 

3.4

Effect of Maturity

18

 

3.5

Early Termination by Borrowers

18

 

 

 

 

4.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

18

 

 

 

 

4.1

Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries

19

 

4.2

Due Authorization; No Conflict

19

 

4.3

Governmental Consents

19

 

4.4

Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens

20

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

Title to Assets; No Encumbrances

20

 

4.6

Litigation

20

 

4.7

Compliance with Laws

20

 

4.8

No Material Adverse Effect

21

 

4.9

Solvency

21

 

4.10

Employee Benefits

21

 

4.11

Environmental Condition

22

 

4.12

Complete Disclosure

22

 

4.13

Patriot Act

22

 

4.14

Indebtedness

23

 

4.15

Payment of Taxes

23

 

4.16

Margin Stock

23

 

4.17

Governmental Regulation

23

 

4.18

OFAC

23

 

4.19

Employee and Labor Matters

23

 

4.20

Leases

24

 

4.21

[Reserved]

24

 

4.22

[Reserved]

24

 

4.23

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

24

 

4.24

Inventory and Farm Products Records

24

 

4.25

[Reserved]

24

 

4.26

Material Contracts

24

 

4.27

Food Security Act

25

 

4.28

Food Products Laws

25

 

4.29

Food Security Laws

25

 

4.30

Immaterial Subsidiaries

25

 

 

 

 

5.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

25

 

 

 

 

5.1

Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates

25

 

5.2

Reporting

25

 

5.3

Existence

25

 

5.4

Maintenance of Properties

25

 

5.5

Taxes

26

 

5.6

Insurance

26

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

5.7

Inspection

26

 

5.8

Compliance with Laws

27

 

5.9

Environmental

27

 

5.10

Disclosure Updates

27

 

5.11

Formation of Subsidiaries

27

 

5.12

Further Assurances

28

 

5.13

Lender Meetings

29

 

5.14

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

29

 

5.15

[Reserved]

29

 

5.16

Food Security Act

29

 

5.17

Food Products Laws

29

 

5.18

Material Contracts

30

 

5.20

Compliance with ERISA and the IRC

30

 

5.21

Flood Hazard Insurance

30

 

 

 

 

6.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

30

 

 

 

 

6.1

Indebtedness

30

 

6.2

Liens

31

 

6.3

Restrictions on Fundamental Changes

31

 

6.4

Disposal of Assets

31

 

6.5

Nature of Business

31

 

6.6

Prepayments and Amendments

31

 

6.7

Restricted Payments

32

 

6.8

Accounting Methods

33

 

6.9

Investments

33

 

6.10

Transactions with Affiliates

33

 

6.11

Use of Proceeds

33

 

6.12

Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests

34

 

6.13

Inventory and Farm Products with Bailees

34

 

6.14

Restrictive Agreements

34

 

6.15

Hedge Agreements

34

 

6.16

Bank Products

34

 

6.17

Compliance with Governmental Regulations

34

 

iii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

6.18

Employee Benefits

35

 

6.19

Immaterial Subsidiaries

35

 

 

 

 

7.

FINANCIAL COVENANTS

35

 

 

 

 

7.1

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

35

 

7.2

Total Leverage Ratio

36

 

 

 

 

8.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

36

 

 

 

 

8.1

Payments

36

 

8.2

Covenants

36

 

8.3

Judgments

37

 

8.4

Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc.

37

 

8.5

Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.

37

 

8.6

Default Under Other Agreements

37

 

8.7

Representations, etc.

37

 

8.8

Guaranty

38

 

8.9

Security Documents

38

 

8.10

Loan Documents

38

 

8.11

Change of Control

38

 

8.12

ERISA

38

 

8.13

Conditions Subsequent

38

 

 

 

 

9.

RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

38

 

 

 

 

9.1

Rights and Remedies

38

 

9.2

Remedies Cumulative

39

 

9.3

Curative Equity

39

 

9.4

Intercreditor Agreement

40

 

 

 

 

10.

WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION

40

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

Demand; Protest; etc.

40

 

10.2

The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral

40

 

10.3

Indemnification

40

 

 

 

 

11.

NOTICES

41

 

 

 

12.

CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION

42

 

 

 

13.

ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS

44

 

 

 

 

13.1

Assignments and Participations

44

 

13.2

Successors

47

 

iv



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

14.

AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS

47

 

 

 

 

14.1

Amendments and Waivers

47

 

14.2

Replacement of Certain Lenders

49

 

14.3

No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies

50

 

 

 

 

15.

AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP

50

 

 

 

 

15.1

Appointment and Authorization of Agent

50

 

15.2

Delegation of Duties

51

 

15.3

Liability of Agent

51

 

15.4

Reliance by Agent

51

 

15.5

Notice of Default or Event of Default

52

 

15.6

Credit Decision

52

 

15.7

Costs and Expenses; Indemnification

52

 

15.8

Agent in Individual Capacity

53

 

15.9

Successor Agent

53

 

15.10

Lender in Individual Capacity

54

 

15.11

Collateral Matters

54

 

15.12

Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments

55

 

15.13

Agency for Perfection

56

 

15.14

Payments by Agent to the Lenders

56

 

15.15

Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents

56

 

15.16

[Reserved]

56

 

15.17

Several Obligations; No Liability

56

 

15.18

[Reserved]

57

 

 

 

 

16.

WITHHOLDING TAXES

57

 

 

 

 

16.1

Payments

57

 

16.2

Exemptions

57

 

16.3

Reductions

58

 

16.4

Refunds

59

 

 

 

 

17.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

59

 

 

 

 

17.1

Effectiveness

59

 

17.2

Section Headings

59

 

17.3

Interpretation

59

 

17.4

Severability of Provisions

59

 

17.5

[Reserved]

60

 

v



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

17.6

Debtor-Creditor Relationship

60

 

17.7

Counterparts; Electronic Execution

60

 

17.8

Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations

60

 

17.9

Confidentiality

60

 

17.10

Survival

62

 

17.11

Patriot Act

62

 

17.12

Integration

62

 

17.13

Parent Borrower as Agent for Borrowers

62

 

17.14

Intercreditor Agreement

63

 

17.15

Waiver of Rights Under Farm Credit Act

63

 

vi



 

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A-1

 

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit B

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit C-1

 

Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit L-1

 

Form of LIBOR Notice

Exhibit P-1

 

Form of Perfection Certificate

 

 

 

Schedule A-1

 

Agent’s Account

Schedule A-2

 

Authorized Persons

Schedule C-1

 

Commitments

Schedule D-1

 

Designated Account

Schedule E-1

 

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

Schedule P-1

 

Permitted Investments

Schedule P-2

 

Permitted Liens

Schedule R-1

 

Real Property Collateral

Schedule 1.1

 

Definitions

Schedule 3.1

 

Conditions Precedent

Schedule 4.1(b)

 

Capitalization of Borrowers

Schedule 4.1(c)

 

Capitalization of Borrowers’ Subsidiaries

Schedule 4.1(d)

 

Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Calls

Schedule 4.6

 

Litigation

Schedule 4.10

 

Employee Benefits

Schedule 4.11

 

Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.14

 

Permitted Indebtedness

Schedule 4.23

 

Location of Inventory and Farm Products

Schedule 4.26

 

Material Contracts

Schedule 5.1

 

Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates

Schedule 5.2

 

Collateral Reporting

Schedule 5.12

 

Mortgage Requirements

Schedule 6.5

 

Nature of Business

Schedule 8.13

 

Conditions Subsequent

 

vii



 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into as of November 18, 2015, by and among the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (each of such lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”, as that term is hereinafter further defined), BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Borrower”), and the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages hereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to hereinafter each individually as a “Borrower”, and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”).

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

 

1.1                               Definitions.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings specified therefor on Schedule 1.1.

 

1.2                               Accounting Terms.  All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if Borrowers notify Agent that Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Agent notifies Borrowers that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Agent and Borrowers agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of the Lenders and Borrowers after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the date of this Agreement and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by the Required Lenders, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred.  When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto.  Whenever the term “Borrowers” is used in respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood to mean Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and the financial covenant contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159  (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof, and (b) the term “unqualified opinion” as used herein to refer to opinions or reports provided by accountants shall mean an opinion or report that is (i) unqualified, and (ii) does not include any explanation, supplemental comment, or other comment concerning the ability of the applicable Person to continue as a going concern or concerning the scope of the audit.

 

1.3                               Code.  Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.

 

1.4                               Construction.  Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where

 



 

otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole (including the schedules to this Agreement or such other Loan Document) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein).  The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties.  Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document and are unpaid, (b) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations and (c) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.  Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.

 

1.5                               Time References.  Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in New York, New York on such day.  For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including”; provided that, with respect to a computation of fees or interest payable to Agent or any Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.

 

1.6                               Schedules and Exhibits.  All of the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                                      LOANS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

 

2.1                               Term Loans; Incremental Term Loans.

 

(a)                                 Term Loan.

 

(i)                                     Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Lender agrees (severally, not jointly or jointly and severally) to make a term loan (the “Loan”) to Borrowers on the Closing Date in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment, which Loan shall be disbursed to the Borrowers pursuant to written instructions of the Parent Borrower to Agent. From and after the Closing Date, the principal amount of the Loan shall be repaid on the following dates and in the following amounts:

 

2



 

Date

 

Installment Amount

 

March 26, 2016

 

$212,500

 

June 25, 2016

 

$212,500

 

September 24, 2016

 

$212,500

 

December 31, 2016

 

$212,500

 

April 1, 2017

 

$212,500

 

July 1, 2017

 

$212,500

 

September 30, 2017

 

$212,500

 

December 30, 2017

 

$212,500

 

March 31, 2018

 

$212,500

 

June 30, 2018

 

$212,500

 

September 29, 2018

 

$212,500

 

December 29, 2018

 

$212,500

 

March 30, 2019

 

$212,500

 

June 29, 2019

 

$212,500

 

September 28, 2019

 

$212,500

 

December 28, 2019

 

$212,500

 

March 28, 2020

 

$212,500

 

June 27, 2020

 

$212,500

 

September 26, 2020

 

$212,500

 

Maturity Date

 

The remaining outstanding principal amount of the Loan

 

 

(ii)                                  Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1 and paid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  The outstanding principal amount of the Loans, together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, shall constitute Obligations and shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which they are declared due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Incremental Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers shall have the right, at any time and from time to time (but not to exceed three (3) increases in

 

3



 

the aggregate) prior to the date that is eighteen months following the Closing Date, to incur additional Indebtedness under this Agreement in the form of an increase to the Commitments of the Lenders hereunder or one or more new tranches of term loans (each an “Incremental Facility”) by an aggregate amount of up to $25,000,000.  The following terms and conditions shall apply to each Incremental Facility:  (i) the loans made under any such Incremental Facility shall constitute Obligations and shall be secured and guaranteed with the other Obligations on a pari passu basis, (ii) if the initial all-in yield (including interest rate margins, any interest rate floors, original issue discount and upfront fees (based on the lesser of a four-year average life to maturity or the remaining life to maturity), but excluding reasonable and customary arrangement, structuring and underwriting fees with respect to such Incremental Facility) applicable to any Incremental Facility exceeds by more than 0.50% per annum the corresponding all-in yield (determined on the same basis) applicable to the Loan, the then outstanding initial Loans, or any outstanding prior Incremental Facility (each, an “Existing Facility” and the amount of such excess above 0.50% being referred to herein as the “Yield Differential”), then the Applicable Margin with respect to each Existing Facility, as the case may be, shall automatically be increased by the Yield Differential, effective upon the making of such Incremental Facility (it being agreed that to the extent the all-in-yield with respect to such Incremental Facility is greater than the all-in-yield of an Existing Facility solely as a result of a higher LIBOR floor, then the increased interest rate applicable to an Existing Facility shall be effected solely by increasing the LIBOR floor applicable thereto). (iii) any such Incremental Facility shall have a maturity date no sooner than the Maturity Date and a weighted average life to maturity no shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of the Loan, respectively, (iv) any such Incremental Facility shall be entitled to the same voting rights as the existing Loan and shall be entitled to receive proceeds of prepayments on the same basis as the existing Loan, (v) any such Incremental Facility shall be obtained from existing Lenders or from other banks, financial institutions or investment funds, in each case in accordance with the terms set forth below, (vi) any such Incremental Facility shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (vii) the proceeds of any Incremental Facility will be used to finance Permitted Acquisitions and to finance Capital Expenditures (viii) the Borrower shall execute a promissory note in favor of any new Lender or any existing Lender requesting a promissory note whose Commitment hereunder is increased as provided in Section 2.5(b), (ix) each of the conditions set forth on Schedule 3.1 and Section 3.6 shall have been satisfied, (x) the Agent shall have received (A) an opinion or opinions (including, if reasonably requested by the Agent, local counsel opinions) of counsel for the Loan Parties, addressed to the Agent and the Lenders, in form and substance acceptable to the Agent, (B) any authorizing corporate documents as the Agent may reasonably request and (C) a duly executed Notice of Borrowing, and (xi) the Agent shall have received from the Borrowers updated Projections and an officer’s certificate, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, demonstrating or certifying that, (y) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 are true, correct and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the closing date of any such Incremental Facility, and (z) after giving effect to any such Incremental Facility on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrower will be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7 and no Default or Event of Default shall exist.  Participation in the Incremental Facility shall be offered first to each of the existing Lenders on a pro rata basis, but each such Lender shall have no obligation to provide all or any portion of the Incremental Facility.  If the amount of the Incremental Facility requested by the Borrowers shall exceed the commitments which the existing Lenders are willing to provide with respect to such Incremental Facility, then the Borrowers may invite other banks, financial institutions and investment funds reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to join this Agreement as Lenders hereunder for the portion of such Incremental Facility not taken by existing Lenders, provided that such other banks, financial institutions and investment funds shall enter into such joinder agreements to give effect thereto as the Agent may reasonably request.  The Agent is authorized to enter into, on behalf of the Lenders, any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document as may be necessary to incorporate the terms of any new Incremental Facility therein.

 

4



 

2.2                               [Reserved].

 

2.3                               Procedures.

 

(a)                                 [Reserved].

 

(b)                                 [Reserved].

 

(c)                                  [Reserved].

 

(d)                                 [Reserved].

 

(e)                                  [Reserved].

 

(f)                                   [Reserved].

 

(g)                                  Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.4(b)(iii), if for any reason any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments made by Borrowers to Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit or any proceeds of Collateral that would otherwise be remitted hereunder to the Defaulting Lender, and, in the absence of such transfer to the Defaulting Lender, Agent shall transfer any such payments (A) first, to each Non-Defaulting Lender ratably in accordance with their Commitments (but, in each case, only to the extent that such Defaulting Lender’s portion of a funding obligation was funded by such other Non-Defaulting Lender), (B) second, to a suspense account maintained by Agent, the proceeds of which shall be retained by Agent and may be made available for any funding obligations of such Defaulting Lender hereunder, and (C) third, from and after the date on which all other Obligations have been paid in full, to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with tier (I) of Section 2.4(b)(iii).  Solely for the purposes of voting or consenting to matters with respect to the Loan Documents (including the calculation of Pro Rata Share in connection therewith) and for the purpose of calculating the fee payable under Section 2.10(b), such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” and such Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be zero; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii).  The provisions of this Section 2.3(g) shall remain effective with respect to such Defaulting Lender until the earlier of (y) the date on which all of the Non-Defaulting Lenders, Agent and Borrowers shall have waived, in writing, the application of this Section 2.3(g) to such Defaulting Lender, or (z) the date on which such Defaulting Lender makes payment of all amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, pays to Agent all amounts owing by Defaulting Lender in respect of the amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder, and, if requested by Agent, provides adequate assurance of its ability to perform its future obligations hereunder.  The operation of this Section 2.3(g) shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Commitment of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by any Borrower of its duties and obligations hereunder to Agent or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender.  Any failure by a Defaulting Lender to fund amounts that it was obligated to fund hereunder shall constitute a material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle Borrowers, at their option, upon written notice to Agent, to arrange for a substitute Lender to assume the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, such substitute Lender to be reasonably acceptable to Agent.  In connection with the arrangement of such a substitute Lender, the Defaulting Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder, and agrees to execute and deliver a completed form of Assignment and Acceptance in favor of the substitute Lender (and agrees that it shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such document if it fails to do so) subject only to being paid its share of the outstanding Obligations, including all interest, fees, and other amounts that may be due and payable in respect thereof); provided, that any such assumption of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall

 

5



 

not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any of the Lender Group’s or Borrowers’ rights or remedies against any such Defaulting Lender arising out of or in relation to such failure to fund.  In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.3(g) and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of this Section 2.3(g) shall control and govern.

 

(h)                                 [Reserved].

 

2.4                               Payments; Reductions of Commitments; Prepayments.

 

(a)                                 Payments by Borrowers.

 

(i)                                     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrowers shall be made to Agent’s Account for the account of the Lender Group and shall be made in immediately available funds, no later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein.  Any payment received by Agent later than 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed to have been received (unless Agent, in its sole discretion, elects to credit it on the date received) on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue until such following Business Day.

 

(ii)                                  Unless Agent receives notice from Borrowers prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders that Borrowers will not make such payment in full as and when required, Agent may assume that Borrowers have made (or will make) such payment in full to Agent on such date in immediately available funds and Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender.  If and to the extent Borrowers do not make such payment in full to Agent on the date when due, each Lender severally shall repay to Agent on demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date repaid.

 

(b)                                 Apportionment and Application.

 

(i)                                     So long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing, and, except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, all principal and interest payments received by Agent shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders (according to the unpaid principal balance of the Obligations to which such payments relate held by each Lender) and all payments of fees and expenses received by Agent (other than fees or expenses that are for Agent’s separate account) shall be apportioned ratably among the Lenders having a Pro Rata Share of the type of Commitment or Obligation to which a particular fee or expense relates.

 

(ii)                                  Subject to Section 2.4(b)(v) and Section 2.4(e), all payments to be made hereunder by Borrowers shall be remitted to Agent and all such payments, and all proceeds of Collateral received by Agent, shall be applied, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, to reduce the balance of the Loans outstanding and, thereafter, to Borrowers (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.

 

(iii)                               At any time that an Application Event has occurred and is continuing and except as otherwise provided herein with respect to Defaulting Lenders, all payments remitted to Agent and all proceeds of Collateral received by Agent shall be applied as follows:

 

6



 

(A)                               first, to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or expense reimbursements) or indemnities then due to Agent under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

 

(B)                               second, to pay any fees or premiums then due to Agent under the Loan Documents until paid in full,

 

(C)                               third, ratably, to pay any Lender Group Expenses (including cost or expense reimbursements) or indemnities then due to any of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, until paid in full,

 

(D)                               fourth, ratably, to pay any fees or premiums then due to any of the Lenders under the Loan Documents until paid in full,

 

(E)                                fifth, ratably, to pay interest accrued in respect of the Loans until paid in full,

 

(F)                                 sixth, ratably to pay the principal of all Loans until paid in full,

 

(G)                               seventh, ratably to pay any other Obligations until paid in full, and

 

(H)                              eighth, to Borrowers (to be wired to the Designated Account) or such other Person entitled thereto under applicable law.

 

(iv)                              Agent promptly shall distribute to each Lender, pursuant to the applicable wire instructions received from each Lender in writing, such funds as it may be entitled to receive.

 

(v)                                 In each instance, so long as no Application Event has occurred and is continuing, Section 2.4(b)(ii) shall not apply to any payment made by Borrowers to Agent and specified by Borrowers to be for the payment of specific Obligations then due and payable (or prepayable) under any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(vi)                              For purposes of Section 2.4(b)(iii), “paid in full” of a type of Obligation means payment in cash or immediately available funds of all amounts owing on account of such type of Obligation, including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, default interest, interest on interest, and expense reimbursements, irrespective of whether any of the foregoing would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

(vii)                           In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 2.4 and any other provision contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such provisions be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other.  In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, if the conflict relates to the provisions of Section 2.3(g) and this Section 2.4, then the provisions of Section 2.3(g) shall control and govern, and if otherwise, then the terms and provisions of this Section 2.4 shall control and govern

 

(viii)                        If one (1) or more LIBOR Rate Loans are outstanding along with Base Rate Loans, all payments from Borrowers applied to the Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(a), Section 2.4(d) or Section 2.4(e), shall be applied first to the principal amount of the Base Rate Loans outstanding, and then to the principal amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans, and if there is more than one (1) LIBOR Rate

 

7



 

Loan outstanding, the payments shall be applied to the LIBOR Rate Loans in the order of occurrence of the last date of the Interest Period for such Loans.

 

(c)                                  Termination of Commitments.  The Commitments shall terminate on the Closing Date.

 

(d)                                 Optional Prepayments.  On or after the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date, Borrowers may prepay the principal of any Loan at any time in whole or in part, upon at least three Business Days’ prior written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, or written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) on the day of prepayment in the case of Base Rate Loans, to Agent before 12:00 noon (New York City time); provided, however, that each partial prepayment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $2,000,000.  Agent shall promptly advise the Lenders of any notice given (and the contents thereof) pursuant to this Section 2.4(d).  Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day) and the principal amount of each Borrowing (or portion thereof) to be prepaid and shall commit Borrowers to prepay such Borrowing by the amount stated therein on the date stated therein. All prepayments under this Section 2.4(d) shall be subject to Section 2.4(g) and Section 2.12(b) but otherwise without premium or penalty.  All prepayments under this Section 2.4(d) shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

(e)                                  Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(i)                                     Equity Issuance.  So long as no Event of Default (as defined herein and as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) has occurred and is continuing, within 1 Business Day of the date of issuance by any Borrower of any of its Equity Interests (other than an issuance to another Borrower or an Excluded Equity Issuance and other than receipt by any Borrower of the proceeds of any Curative Equity pursuant to Section 9.3), Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Borrower in connection with such issuance.  Within 1 Business Day of receipt by any Borrower of the proceeds of any Curative Equity pursuant to Section 9.3, Borrowers shall (A) if the Curative Equity will cure a breach of the covenant in Section 7.2, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Borrower in connection with such Curative Equity, (B) if the Curative Equity will cure a breach of the covenant in Section 7.1 but there has been no breach of the covenant contained in Section 7 in the ABL Credit Agreement, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Borrower in connection with such Curative Equity and (C) if the Curative Equity will cure a breach of the covenant in Section 7.1 and there was a breach of the covenant contained in Section 7 in the ABL Credit Agreement, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Borrower in connection with such Curative Equity.

 

(ii)                                  Dispositions.  Within 1 Business Day of the date of receipt by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of the Net Cash Proceeds of any voluntary or involuntary sale or disposition by such Borrower or any such other Loan Party of Term Loan Priority Collateral (including insurance proceeds and proceeds from casualty losses or condemnations) (but excluding proceeds from Excluded Equity Issuances and dispositions which qualify as Permitted Dispositions under clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), (j), (k), (l), (m) and (n) of the Permitted Dispositions definition), Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds (including condemnation awards and payments in lieu thereof) received

 

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by such Person in connection with such sales or dispositions; provided that, in any single calendar year, Borrowers may exclude up $500,000 of such Net Cash Proceeds due under this Section 2.4(e)(ii); provided, further, that so long as (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (B) Borrowers shall have given Agent prior written notice of Borrowers’ intention to apply such monies to the cost of replacement of the properties or assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition or the cost of purchase or construction of other assets useful in the business of Borrowers or any other Loan Party, (C) the monies are held in a Term Collateral Proceeds Account in accordance with Section 2.4(e)(vi), and (D) such Borrower or such other Loan Party, as applicable, complete such replacement, purchase, or construction within 270 days after the initial receipt of such monies, then the Loan Party whose assets were the subject of such disposition shall have the option to apply such monies to the cost of replacement of the assets that are the subject of such sale or disposition unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such replacement, purchase, or construction being made or completed, in which case, any amounts remaining in the Deposit Account referred to in clause (C) above shall be paid to Agent and applied in accordance with Section 2.4(f).  Nothing contained in this Section 2.4(e)(ii) shall permit any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to sell or otherwise dispose of any assets other than in accordance with Section 6.4.

 

(iii)                               Extraordinary Receipts.  So long as no Event of Default (as defined herein and as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) has occurred and is continuing, within five (5) Business Days of the date of receipt by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Extraordinary Receipt, which, when aggregated with the Net Cash Proceeds of all other Extraordinary Receipts received during the fiscal year in which such date occurs (such aggregate Net Cash Proceeds the “Aggregate Net Cash Proceeds”), exceeds $500,000 (the “Extraordinary Receipts Threshold”), Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of the Aggregate Net Cash Proceeds in excess of the Extraordinary Receipts Threshold.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default (as defined herein and as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of any refund of Taxes received by any Borrower or any other Loan Party during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

 

(iv)                              Indebtedness.  So long as no Event of Default (as defined herein and as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) has occurred and is continuing, within five (5) Business Days of the date of incurrence by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness), Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such incurrence.  The provisions of this Section 2.4(e)(iv) shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such incurrence otherwise prohibited by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

(v)                                 Excess Cash Flow. So long as no Event of Default (as defined herein and as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) has occurred and is continuing, after the end of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016), within five (5) Business Days after the earlier to occur of (x) the delivery of the financial statements and related Compliance Certificate for such fiscal year and (y) the date on which the financial statements and the related Compliance Certificate for such fiscal year are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, Borrowers shall make mandatory principal prepayments of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.4(f) in an amount equal to (A) (i) 50% of such Excess Cash Flow if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such fiscal year is greater than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00 or (y) 25% of such Excess Cash Flow if the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is less than 3.25

 

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to 1.00 minus (B) the aggregate amount of all optional prepayments of Loans during such fiscal year, solely to the extent that such prepayments are not funded with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, any equity issuance, any casualty proceeds, any condemnation proceeds or any other proceeds that would not be included in EBITDA.

 

(vi)                              Proceeds. All proceeds of a mandatory prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.4(e) will be deposited into a Term Collateral Proceeds Account (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), including proceeds from an asset sale that are to be reinvested.  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and therefore any mandatory prepayments cannot be made pursuant to Section 2.4(e), the relevant Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow shall be deposited with Agent until such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived at which time the required mandatory prepayments can be made.

 

(f)                                   Application of Payments. Each payment pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i) and each prepayment pursuant to Section 2.4(e)(i) through Section 2.4(e)(v) shall, (A) so long as no Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans until paid in full and (B) if an Application Event shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied in the manner set forth in Section 2.4(b)(iii).

 

(g)                                  Call Protection.  In the event that, (i) on or after the Closing Date and before the first anniversary of the Closing Date, Borrowers make any voluntary prepayment of all or any portion of the Loans under Section 2.4(d) or make any mandatory prepayment of all or any portion of the Loans under Section 2.4(e) (with the exception of Section 2.4(e)(v)), Borrowers shall pay to Agent for the ratable account of each of the applicable Lenders whose Loans are so prepaid the Make-Whole Premium in connection therewith, or (ii) on or after the first anniversary of the Closing Date, Borrowers make any voluntary prepayment of all or any portion of the Loans under Section 2.4(d) or make any mandatory prepayment of all or any portion of the Loans under Section 2.4(e) (with the exception of Section 2.4(e)(v)), Borrowers shall pay to Agent for the ratable account of each of the applicable Lenders whose Loans are so prepaid or repaid a prepayment premium in the amount of (A) 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans so prepaid if such prepayment occurs on or after the first anniversary of the Closing Date and prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, (B) 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans so prepaid if such prepayment occurs on or after the second anniversary of the Closing Date and prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, and (C) 0.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans so prepaid if such prepayment occurs on or after the third anniversary of the Closing Date (such applicable premium, the “Call Premium”).  Such applicable amount shall be due and payable on the date of prepayment (whether or not an Event of Default is occurring and prior to and after acceleration of the Loans) and shall be a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any applicable amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in Section 14.2.

 

(h)                                 Application Among Loans.  If one (1) or more LIBOR Rate Loans are outstanding along with Base Rate Loans, all payments from Borrowers applied to the Loans pursuant to Section 2.4(a), Section 2.4(d), Section 2.4(e), or Section 2.4(f), shall be applied first to the principal amount of the Base Rate Loans outstanding, and then to the principal amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans, and if there is more than one (1) LIBOR Rate Loan outstanding, the payments shall be applied to the LIBOR Rate Loans in the order of occurrence of the last date of the Interest Period for such Loans.

 

2.5                               Promise to Pay; Promissory Notes.

 

(a)                                 Borrowers agree to pay the Lender Group Expenses on the earlier of (i) the first day of the month following the date on which the applicable Lender Group Expenses were first incurred or (ii) the date on which demand therefor is made by Agent (it being acknowledged and agreed that any

 

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charging of such costs, expenses or Lender Group Expenses to the Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.6(d) shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this subclause (ii)).  Borrowers promise to pay all of the Obligations (including principal, interest, premiums, if any, fees, costs, and expenses (including Lender Group Expenses)) in full on the Maturity Date or, if earlier, on the date on which the Obligations become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  Borrowers agree that their obligations contained in the first sentence of this Section 2.5(a) shall survive payment or satisfaction in full of all other Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Any Lender may request that any portion of its Commitments or the Loans made by it be evidenced by one or more promissory notes.  In such event, Borrowers shall execute and deliver to such Lender the requested promissory notes payable to the order of such Lender in a form furnished by Agent and reasonably satisfactory to Borrowers.  Thereafter, the portion of the Commitments and Loans evidenced by such promissory notes and interest thereon shall at all times be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein.

 

2.6                               Interest Rates; Rates, Payments, and Calculations.

 

(a)                                 Interest Rates.  Except as provided in Section 2.6(c), all Obligations that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest as follows: each Loan which is a (x) LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate plus the LIBOR Rate Margin and (y) Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin.

 

(b)                                 [Reserved].

 

(c)                                  Default Rate.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default and at the election of Agent or the Required Lenders, all Obligations that have been charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the terms hereof shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to 2 percentage points above the per annum rate otherwise applicable thereunder.

 

(d)                                 Payment.  Except to the extent provided to the contrary in Section 2.10 or Section 2.12(a), (i) (x) all interest on Base Rate Loans and all other fees payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the first day of each month and (y) all interest on LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder shall be due and payable, in arrears, on the last day of each Interest Period therefor and, in the case of any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loans of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at three month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period (this clause (y) “LIBOR Interest Payment Date”) and (ii) all costs and expenses payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, and all Lender Group Expenses shall be due and payable on the earlier of (x) the first day of the month following the date on which the applicable costs, expenses, or Lender Group Expenses were first incurred or (y) the date on which demand therefor is made by Agent (it being acknowledged and agreed that any charging of such costs, expenses or Lender Group Expenses to the Loan Account pursuant to the provisions of the following sentence shall be deemed to constitute a demand for payment thereof for the purposes of this subclause (y)).

 

(e)                                  Computation.  All interest and fees chargeable under the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a 360 day year, in each case, for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which the interest or fees accrue.  In the event the Base Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the rates of interest hereunder based upon the Base Rate automatically and immediately shall be increased or decreased by an amount equal to such change in the Base Rate.

 

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(f)                                   Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate.  In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable.  Borrowers and the Lender Group, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if such rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrowers are and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum amount as is allowed by law, and payment received from Borrowers in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess.

 

2.7                               Crediting PaymentsThe receipt of any payment item by Agent shall not be required to be considered a payment on account unless such payment item is a wire transfer of immediately available federal funds made to Agent’s Account or unless and until such payment item is honored when presented for payment.  Should any payment item not be honored when presented for payment, then Borrowers shall be deemed not to have made such payment and interest shall be calculated accordingly.  Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any payment item shall be deemed received by Agent only if it is received into Agent’s Account on a Business Day on or before 1:30 p.m.  If any payment item is received into Agent’s Account on a non-Business Day or after 1:30 p.m. on a Business Day (unless Agent, in its sole discretion, elects to credit it on the date received), it shall be deemed to have been received by Agent as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day.

 

2.8                               Designated AccountAgent is authorized to make the Loans under this Agreement based upon telephonic or other instructions received from anyone purporting to be an Authorized Person or, without instructions, if pursuant to Section 2.6(d).  Borrowers agree to establish and maintain the Designated Account with the Designated Account Bank for the purpose of receiving the proceeds of the Loans requested by Borrowers and made by Agent or the Lenders hereunder.  Unless otherwise agreed by Agent and Borrowers, any Loan requested by Borrowers and made by Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be made to the Designated Account.

 

2.9                               Maintenance of Loan Account; Statements of ObligationsAgent shall maintain an account on its books in the name of Borrowers (the “Loan Account”) on which Borrowers will be charged with all Loans made by Agent or the Lenders to Borrowers or for Borrowers’ account and with all other payment Obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including, accrued interest, fees and expenses, and Lender Group Expenses.  In accordance with Section 2.7, the Loan Account will be credited with all payments received by Agent from Borrowers or for Borrowers’ account.  Agent shall make available to Borrowers monthly statements regarding the Loan Account, including the principal amount of the Loans, interest accrued hereunder, fees accrued or charged hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and a summary itemization of all charges and expenses constituting Lender Group Expenses accrued hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and each such statement, absent manifest error, shall be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate and constitute an account stated between Borrowers and the Lender Group unless, within 30 days after Agent first makes such a statement available to Borrowers, Borrowers shall deliver to Agent written objection thereto describing the error or errors contained in such statement.

 

2.10                        FeesBorrowers shall pay to Agent, for the account of Agent, as and when due and payable under the terms of the Fee Letter, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

2.11                        [Reserved].

 

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2.12                        LIBOR Option.

 

(a)                                 Interest and Interest Payment Dates.  In lieu of having interest charged at the rate based upon the Base Rate, Borrowers shall have the option, subject to Section 2.12(b) below (the “LIBOR Option”) to have interest on all or a portion of the Loans be charged (whether at the time when made (unless otherwise provided herein), upon conversion from a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan, or upon continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan) at a rate of interest based upon the LIBOR Rate.  Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be payable on the earliest of (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided, that, subject to the following clauses (ii) and (iii), in the case of any Interest Period greater than 3 months in duration, interest shall be payable at 3 month intervals after the commencement of the applicable Interest Period and on the last day of such Interest Period), (ii) the date on which all or any portion of the Obligations are accelerated pursuant to the terms hereof, or (iii) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.  On the last day of each applicable Interest Period, unless Borrowers have properly exercised the LIBOR Option with respect thereto, the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan automatically shall convert to the interest rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans of the same type hereunder.  At any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the written election of Agent (which notice Agent may elect to give or not give in its discretion unless Agent is directed to give such notice by the Required Lenders, in which case, it shall give the notice to Borrowers) or the Required Lenders, Borrowers no longer shall have the option to request that Loans bear interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate.

 

(b)                                 LIBOR Election.

 

(i)                                     Borrowers may, at any time and from time to time, so long as Borrowers have not received a notice from Agent (which notice Agent may elect to give or not give in its discretion unless Agent is directed to give such notice by the Required Lenders, in which case, it shall give the notice to Borrowers), after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to terminate the right of Borrowers to exercise the LIBOR Option during the continuance of such Event of Default, elect to exercise the LIBOR Option by notifying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. at least 1 Business Day prior to the commencement of the proposed Interest Period (the “LIBOR Deadline”).  Notice of Borrowers’ election of the LIBOR Option for a permitted portion of the Loans and an Interest Period pursuant to this Section shall be made by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice received by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline, or by telephonic notice received by Agent before the LIBOR Deadline (to be confirmed by delivery to Agent of a LIBOR Notice received by Agent prior to 5:00 p.m. on the same day).  Promptly upon its receipt of each such LIBOR Notice, Agent shall provide a copy thereof to each of the affected Lenders.

 

(ii)                                  Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on Borrowers.  In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, each Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders harmless against any loss, cost, or expense actually incurred by Agent or any Lender as a result of (A) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (B) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (C) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any LIBOR Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, or expenses, “Funding Losses”).  A certificate of Agent or a Lender delivered to Borrowers setting forth in reasonable detail any amount or amounts that Agent or such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Borrowers shall pay such amount to Agent or the Lender, as applicable, within 30 days of the date of its receipt of such certificate.  If a payment of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period would result in a Funding Loss, Agent may, in its sole discretion at the request of Borrowers, hold the amount of such payment as cash collateral in support of the Obligations until the last day of such Interest Period and apply such amounts to the payment of the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan on such last day, it being agreed that Agent has no obligation to so defer the application of payments

 

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to any LIBOR Rate Loan and that, in the event that Agent does not defer such application, Borrowers shall be obligated to pay any resulting Funding Losses.

 

(iii)                               Unless Agent, in its sole discretion, agrees otherwise, Borrowers shall have not more than seven (7) LIBOR Rate Loans in effect at any given time.  Borrowers may only exercise the LIBOR Option for proposed LIBOR Rate Loans of at least $500,000.

 

(c)                                  Conversion.  Borrowers may convert LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans at any time; provided, that in the event that LIBOR Rate Loans are converted or prepaid on any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, including as a result of any prepayment through the required application by Agent of any payments or proceeds of Collateral in accordance with Section 2.4(b) or for any other reason, including early termination of the term of this Agreement or acceleration of all or any portion of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, each Borrower shall indemnify, defend, and hold Agent and the Lenders and their Participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses in accordance with Section 2.12 (b)(ii).

 

(d)                                 Special Provisions Applicable to LIBOR Rate.

 

(i)                                     The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by Agent with respect to any Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to such Lender of maintaining or obtaining any eurodollar deposits or increased costs, in each case, due to changes in applicable law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable Interest Period, including any Changes in Law (including any changes in tax laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income tax laws)) and changes in the reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors, which additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding or maintaining loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate.  In any such event, the affected Lender shall give Borrowers and Agent notice of such a determination and adjustment and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and, upon its receipt of the notice from the affected Lender, Borrowers may, by notice to such affected Lender (A) require such Lender to furnish to Borrowers a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for adjusting such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such adjustment, or (B) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender with respect to which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under Section 2.12(b)(ii)).

 

(ii)                                  In the event that any change in market conditions or any Change in Law shall at any time after the date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of any Lender, make it unlawful or impractical for such Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, such Lender shall give notice of such changed circumstances to Agent and Borrowers and Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and (y) in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender that are outstanding, the date specified in such Lender’s notice shall be deemed to be the last day of the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender thereafter shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (z) Borrowers shall not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option until such Lender determines that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.

 

(e)                                  No Requirement of Matched Funding.  Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither Agent, nor any Lender, nor any of their Participants, is required actually to acquire eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at the LIBOR Rate.

 

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2.13                        Capital Requirements.

 

(a)                                 If, after the date hereof, any Lender determines that (i) any Change in Law regarding capital or reserve requirements for banks or bank holding companies, or (ii) compliance by such Lender, or their respective parent bank holding companies, with any guideline, request or directive of any Governmental Authority regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements (whether or not having the force of law), has the effect of reducing the return on such Lender’s, or such holding companies’ capital as a consequence of such Lender’s commitments hereunder to a level below that which such Lender, or such holding companies could have achieved but for such Change in Law or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s, or such holding companies’ then existing policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements and assuming the full utilization of such entity’s capital) by any amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then such Lender may notify Borrowers and Agent thereof.  Following receipt of such notice, Borrowers agree to pay such Lender on demand the amount of such reduction of return of capital as and when such reduction is determined, payable within 30 days after presentation by such Lender of a statement in the amount and setting forth in reasonable detail such Lender’s calculation thereof and the assumptions upon which such calculation was based (which statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error).  In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any reductions in return incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies Borrowers of such Change in Law giving rise to such reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that if such claim arises by reason of the Change in Law that is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(b)                                 If any Lender requests additional or increased costs referred to in Section 2.12(d)(i) or amounts under Section 2.13(a) or sends a notice under Section 2.12(d)(ii) relative to changed circumstances (such Lender, an “Affected Lender”), then such Affected Lender shall use reasonable efforts to promptly designate a different one of its lending offices or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices or branches, if (i) in the reasonable judgment of such Affected Lender, such designation or assignment would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or would eliminate the illegality or impracticality of funding or maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) in the reasonable judgment of such Affected Lender, such designation or assignment would not subject it to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to it.  Borrowers agree to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Affected Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.  If, after such reasonable efforts, such Affected Lender does not so designate a different one of its lending offices or assign its rights to another of its offices or branches so as to eliminate Borrowers’ obligation to pay any future amounts to such Affected Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or to enable Borrowers to obtain LIBOR Rate Loans, then Borrowers (without prejudice to any amounts then due to such Affected Lender under Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable) may, unless prior to the effective date of any such assignment the Affected Lender withdraws its request for such additional amounts under Section 2.12(d)(i) or Section 2.13(a), as applicable, or indicates that it is no longer unlawful or impractical to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans, may substitute a Lender reasonably acceptable to Agent to purchase the Obligations owed to such Affected Lender and such Affected Lender’s commitments hereunder (a “Replacement Lender”), and if such Replacement Lender agrees to such purchase, such Affected Lender shall assign to the Replacement Lender its Obligations and commitments, and upon such purchase by the Replacement Lender, which such Replacement Lender shall be deemed to be a “Lender” for purposes of this Agreement and such Affected Lender shall cease to be a “Lender” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the protection of Sections 2.12(d), and 2.13 shall be available to each Lender regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment, guideline, treaty or other change or condition which shall have occurred or been imposed, so long as it shall be customary for lenders affected thereby to comply therewith.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, no Lender shall demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.13 if it shall not at the time be the general policy or practice of such Lender (as the case may be) to demand such compensation in similar circumstances under comparable provisions of other credit agreements, if any.

 

2.14                        [Reserved].

 

2.15                        Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers.  Each Borrower is accepting joint and several liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by the Lender Group under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of the other Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations.

 

(a)                                 Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrowers, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including any Obligations arising under this Section 2.15), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each Borrower without preferences or distinction among them.

 

(b)                                 If and to the extent that any Borrower shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event the other Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation until such time as all of the Obligations are paid in full.

 

(c)                                  The Obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section 2.15 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full recourse Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the provisions of this Agreement (other than this Section 2.15(d)) or any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

(d)                                 Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of any Loans issued under or pursuant to this Agreement, notice of the occurrence of any Default, Event of Default, or of any demand for any payment under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by Agent or Lenders under or in respect of any of the Obligations, any requirement of diligence or to mitigate damages and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement).  Each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by Agent or Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by Agent or Lenders in respect of any of the Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of any Agent or Lender with respect to the failure by any Borrower to comply with any of

 

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its respective Obligations, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.15 afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its Obligations under this Section 2.15, it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain unsatisfied, the Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.15 shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance.  The Obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.15 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any other Borrower or any Agent or Lender.

 

(e)                                  Each Borrower represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that such Borrower is currently informed of the financial condition of Borrowers and of all other circumstances which a diligent inquiry would reveal and which bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations.  Each Borrower further represents and warrants to Agent and Lenders that such Borrower has read and understands the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents.  Each Borrower hereby covenants that such Borrower will continue to keep informed of Borrowers’ financial condition and of all other circumstances which bear upon the risk of nonpayment or nonperformance of the Obligations.

 

(f)                                   The provisions of this Section 2.15 are made for the benefit of Agent, each member of the Lender Group, and their respective successors and assigns, and may be enforced by it or them from time to time against any or all Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of Agent, any member of the Lender Group, or any of their successors or assigns first to marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy.  The provisions of this Section 2.15 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied.  If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or otherwise, the provisions of this Section 2.15 will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

 

(g)                                  Each Borrower hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its rights of contribution or subrogation against any other Borrower with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any payments made by it to Agent or Lenders with respect to any of the Obligations or any collateral security therefor until such time as all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash.  Any claim which any Borrower may have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to any Agent or any member of the Lender Group hereunder are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations and, in the event of any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceeding under the laws of any jurisdiction relating to any Borrower, its debts or its assets, whether voluntary or involuntary, all such Obligations shall be paid in full in cash before any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be made to any other Borrower therefor.

 

(h)                                 Each Borrower hereby agrees that after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, such Borrower will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any indebtedness of any other Borrower owing to such Borrower until the Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, such Borrower shall collect, enforce or receive any amounts in respect of such indebtedness, such amounts shall be collected,

 

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enforced and received by such Borrower as trustee for Agent, and such Borrower shall deliver any such amounts to Agent for application to the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(b).

 

3.                                      CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.

 

3.1                               Conditions Precedent to the Initial Extension of CreditThe obligation of each Lender to make the initial extensions of credit provided for hereunder is subject to the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Agent and each Lender, of each of the conditions precedent set forth on Schedule 3.1 (the making of such initial extensions of credit by a Lender being conclusively deemed to be its satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent).

 

3.2                               Conditions Precedent to a Subsequent Extension of Credit.  If an Incremental Facility is requested, all conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b) shall have been satisfied.

 

3.3                               MaturityThis Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the Maturity Date (unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of this Agreement).

 

3.4                               Effect of MaturityOn the Maturity Date, all of the Obligations immediately shall become due and payable without notice or demand and Borrowers shall be required to repay all of the Obligations in full.  No termination of the obligations of the Lender Group (other than payment in full of the Obligations) shall relieve or discharge any Loan Party of its duties, obligations, or covenants hereunder or under any other Loan Document and Agent’s Liens in the Collateral shall continue to secure the Obligations and shall remain in effect until all Obligations have been paid in full.  When all of the Obligations have been paid in full, Agent will, at Borrowers’ sole expense, execute and deliver any termination statements, lien releases, discharges of security interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable, in recordable form) as are reasonably necessary to release, as of record, Agent’s Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed by Agent.

 

3.5                               Early Termination by BorrowersBorrowers have the option, at any time upon 10 Business Days prior written notice to Agent, to terminate this Agreement by repaying to Agent all of the Obligations in full.  The foregoing notwithstanding, (a) Borrowers may rescind termination notices relative to proposed payments in full of the Obligations with the proceeds of third party Indebtedness if the closing for such issuance or incurrence does not happen on or before the date of the proposed termination (in which case, a new notice shall be required to be sent in connection with any subsequent termination), and (b) Borrowers may extend the date of termination at any time with the consent of Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

4.                                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

In order to induce the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement, each Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the Lender Group which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the Closing Date and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

 

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4.1                               Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

 

(a)                                 Each Loan Party (i) is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) is qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(b)                                 Set forth on Schedule 4.1(b) (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement) is a complete and accurate description of the authorized Equity Interests of each Borrower, by class, and, as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of each such class that are issued and outstanding.  No Borrower is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its Equity Interests or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of its Equity Interests.

 

(c)                                  Set forth on Schedule 4.1(c) (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement) is a complete and accurate list of the Loan Parties’ direct and indirect Subsidiaries, showing: (i) the number of shares of each class of common and preferred Equity Interests authorized for each of such Subsidiaries, and (ii) the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned directly or indirectly by Parent Borrower.  All of the outstanding Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(d)                                 Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(d), there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of any Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument.

 

4.2                               Due Authorization; No Conflict.

 

(a)                                 As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Loan Party.

 

(b)                                 As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, (ii) violate any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or violate any provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, which violation could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material agreement of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries where any such conflict, breach or default could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any assets of any Loan Party, other than Permitted Liens, or (v) require any approval of any holder of Equity Interests of a Loan Party or any approval or consent of any Person under any material agreement of any Loan Party, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except, in the case of material agreements, for consents or approvals, the failure to obtain could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.3                               Governmental ConsentsThe execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or

 

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approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority, other than (a) filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Agent for filing or recordation, as of the Closing Date and (b) registrations, consents, approvals, notices, or other actions (i) that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect, (ii) that are listed on Schedule 4.3 or (iii) the failure of which to be obtained or made could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.4                               Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens.

 

(a)                                 Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.

 

(b)                                 Agent’s Liens are validly created, perfected (other than (i) in respect of motor vehicles that are subject to a certificate of title, (ii) money, (iii) letter-of-credit rights (other than supporting obligations, (iv) commercial tort claims (other than those that, by the terms of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, are required to be perfected), and (v) any Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts not subject to a Control Agreement as permitted by Section 7(k)(iv) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and subject only to the filing of financing statements, the recordation of the Copyright Security Agreement, and the recordation of the Mortgages, in each case, in the appropriate filing offices), and first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, Liens in respect of the ABL Credit Agreement (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), permitted purchase money Liens, or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases.

 

4.5                               Title to Assets; No EncumbrancesEach of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries has (a) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in Real Property), (b) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (c) good and marketable title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective assets reflected in their most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements to the extent permitted hereby.  All of such assets are free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.

 

4.6                               Litigation.

 

(a)                                 There are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, after due inquiry, threatened in writing against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                 Schedule 4.6(b) sets forth a complete and accurate description, with respect to each of the actions, suits, or proceedings with asserted liabilities in excess of, or that could reasonably be expected to result in liabilities in excess of, $500,000 that, as of the Closing Date, is pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, after due inquiry, threatened against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, of (i) the parties to such actions, suits, or proceedings, (ii) the nature of the dispute that is the subject of such actions, suits, or proceedings, (iii) the procedural status, as of the Closing Date, with respect to such actions, suits, or proceedings, and (iv) whether any liability of the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries in connection with such actions, suits, or proceedings is covered by insurance.

 

4.7                               Compliance with LawsNo Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) in violation of any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, or codes (including Environmental Laws, Food

 

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Security Laws, and Food Products Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, agreements, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.8                               No Material Adverse EffectAll historical financial statements relating to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries that have been delivered by Borrowers to Agent have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects, the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial condition as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended.  Since December 27, 2014, no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.

 

4.9                               Solvency.

 

(a)                                 Each Loan Party is Solvent.

 

(b)                                 No transfer of property is being made by any Loan Party and no obligation is being incurred by any Loan Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of such Loan Party.

 

4.10                        Employee Benefits.

 

(a)                                 Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time, without the consent of Agent, to include retirement and severance plans that are required by a Governmental Authority outside of the United States so long as such updated Schedule is delivered together with written notice thereof to Agent), no Loan Party, none of their Subsidiaries, nor any of their ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plan.

 

(b)                                 Each Loan Party and each of the ERISA Affiliates has complied in all material respects with ERISA, the IRC and all applicable laws regarding each Benefit Plan

 

(c)                                  Each Benefit Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial compliance with ERISA, the IRC, all applicable laws and the terms of each such Benefit Plan.

 

(d)                                 Each Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the IRC has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or an application for such letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service.  To the best knowledge of each Loan Party and the ERISA Affiliates after due inquiry, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification.

 

(e)                                  No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has been incurred or is expected by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Pension Plan.

 

(f)                                   No Notification Event exists or has occurred in the past six (6) years.

 

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(g)                                  No Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to any Benefit Plan, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities that may not be terminated by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without material liability.

 

(h)                                 No Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has provided any security under Section 436 of the IRC.

 

4.11                        Environmental ConditionExcept as set forth on Schedule 4.11, (a) to each Borrower’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been used by a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries, or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such disposal, production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any material respect, of any applicable Environmental Law, (b) to each Borrower’s knowledge, after due inquiry, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) to each Loan Party’s knowledge, no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, and (d) to each Loan Party’s knowledge, no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective facilities or operations is subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree, or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.12                        Complete DisclosureAll factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrowers’ industry) furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender (including all information contained in the Schedules hereto or in the other Loan Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and all other such factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrowers’ industry) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in writing to Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate, in all material respects, on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided.  The Projections delivered to Agent on September 21, 2015 represent, and as of the date on which any other Projections are delivered to Agent, such additional Projections represent, Borrowers’ good faith estimate, on the date such Projections are delivered, of the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ future performance for the periods covered thereby based upon assumptions believed by Borrowers to be reasonable at the time of the delivery thereof to Agent (it being understood that such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and no assurances can be given that such Projections will be realized, and although reflecting Borrowers’ good faith estimate, projections or forecasts based on methods and assumptions which Borrowers believed to be reasonable at the time such Projections were prepared, are not to be viewed as facts, and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ materially from projected or estimated results).

 

4.13                        Patriot ActTo the extent applicable, each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with the (a) 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 (b) Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act

 

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of 2001) (the “Patriot Act”).  No part of the proceeds of the loans made hereunder will be used by any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates, 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.

 

4.14                        IndebtednessSet forth on Schedule 4.14 is a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date that is to remain outstanding immediately after giving effect to the closing hereunder on the Closing Date and such Schedule accurately sets forth the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness as of the Closing Date.

 

4.15                        Payment of TaxesExcept as otherwise permitted under Section 5.5, all tax returns and reports of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges shown on such tax returns to be due and payable and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective assets, income, businesses and franchises that are due and payable have been paid when due and payable.  Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries have made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all taxes not yet due and payable.  No Borrower knows of any proposed tax assessment against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary diligently, in good faith, and by appropriate proceedings; provided such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

 

4.16                        Margin StockNo Loan Party nor any of 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 any Margin Stock.  No part of the proceeds of the loans made to Borrowers will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors.

 

4.17                        Governmental RegulationNo Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable.  No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

4.18                        OFACNo Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director, officer, employee, agent or Affiliate of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary is in violation of any of the country or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC.  No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, (b) has its assets located in Sanctioned Entities, or (c) derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities.  No proceeds of any loan made hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity.

 

4.19                        Employee and Labor MattersThere is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened against any Borrower or its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding pending or threatened against any

 

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Borrower or its Subsidiaries which arises out of or under any collective bargaining agreement and that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown, stoppage or similar action or grievance pending or threatened in writing against any Borrower or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, or (iii) to the knowledge of any Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries and no union organizing activity taking place with respect to any of the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries.  None of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or similar state law, which remains unpaid or unsatisfied.  The hours worked and payments made to employees of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable legal requirements, except to the extent such violations could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  All material payments due from any Borrower or its Subsidiaries on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of Borrowers, except where the failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.20                        LeasesEach Loan Party and its Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases material to their business and to which they are parties or under which they are operating, and, subject to Permitted Protests, all of such leases are valid and subsisting and no default by the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiaries exists under any of them.

 

4.21                        [Reserved].

 

4.22                        [Reserved].

 

4.23                        Location of Inventory and Farm Products.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.14), other than inventory and Farm Products having an aggregate value of $500,000 or less (or such higher dollar amount as provided for in the ABL Credit Agreement at any time during the term hereof), the inventory or Farm Products of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries is not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party and is located only at, or in-transit between, the locations identified on Schedule 4.23 (as such Schedule may be updated pursuant to Section 5.14).

 

4.24                        Inventory and Farm Products Records.  Each Loan Party keeps correct and accurate records itemizing and describing the type, quality, and quantity of its and its Subsidiaries’ inventory and Farm Products and the book value thereof.

 

4.25                        [Reserved].

 

4.26                        Material Contracts.  Set forth on Schedule 4.26 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time in accordance herewith) is a list reasonably identifying the Material Contracts of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date or the most recent date on which Borrowers provided the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.1, as applicable; provided, however, that Borrowers may amend Schedule 4.26 to add additional Material Contracts so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Agent on the date that Borrowers provide the Compliance Certificate.  Except for matters which, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Material Contract (other than those that have expired at the end of their normal terms or have been terminated by one or more parties thereto in accordance with their terms other than as a result of a default thereunder) (a) is in full force and effect and is binding upon and enforceable against the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiary and, to each Borrowers’ knowledge, after due inquiry, each other Person that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms, (b) has not been otherwise amended or

 

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modified (other than amendments or modifications permitted by Section 6.6(b)), and (c) is not in default due to the action or inaction of the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiary.

 

4.27                        Food Security Act.  Borrowers have registered, as contemplated by the Food Security Act, with the Secretary of State of each State in which farm products purchased by any Borrower are produced and which has established, or hereafter establishes, a central filing system (as defined in the Food Security Act) as a buyer of farm products produced in such State (such registrations, “FSA Registrations”) and each FSA Registration is in full force and effect.

 

4.28                        Food Products Laws.  Borrowers are in compliance in all material respects with all Food Products Notices delivered pursuant to Food Products Laws.

 

4.29                        Food Security Laws.  Borrowers are in compliance in all material respects with all Food Security Laws that are applicable to their business, including the manufacture, storage, transportation, import, export, sale and distribution of their products.

 

4.30                        Immaterial Subsidiaries No Immaterial Subsidiary (a) owns any assets (other than assets of a de minimis nature), (b) has any liabilities (other than liabilities of a de minimis nature), or (c) engages in any business activity.

 

5.                                      AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

5.1                               Financial Statements, Reports, CertificatesBorrowers (a) will deliver to Agent, with copies to each Lender, each of the financial statements, reports, and other items set forth on Schedule 5.1 no later than the times specified therein, (b) agree that no Subsidiary of a Loan Party will have a fiscal year different from that of Parent Borrower, (c) agree to maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrowers to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (d) agree that they will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, (i) keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to their and their Subsidiaries’ sales, and (ii) maintain their billing systems and practices substantially as in effect as of the Closing Date and as modified from time to time as permitted under the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

5.2                               Reporting.  Borrowers (a) will deliver to Agent (and if so requested by Agent, with copies for each Lender) each of the reports set forth on Schedule 5.2 at the times specified therein, and (b) agree to use commercially reasonable efforts in cooperation with Agent to facilitate and implement a system of electronic collateral reporting in order to provide electronic reporting of each of the items set forth on such Schedule.

 

5.3                               Existence.  Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.3 or Section 6.4, each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, good standing with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business and any rights, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses.

 

5.4                               Maintenance of Properties.  Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve all of its assets that are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business

 

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in good working order and condition, ordinary wear, tear, casualty, and condemnation and Permitted Dispositions excepted.

 

5.5                               Taxes.  Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all material governmental assessments and taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses, or franchises, except to the extent that the validity of such governmental assessment or tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest.

 

5.6                               Insurance.  Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at Borrowers’ expense, (a) maintain insurance respecting each of each Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets wherever located, covering liabilities, losses or damages as are customarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in same or similar businesses and similarly situated and located and (b) obtain flood insurance in such total amount as Agent may from time to time reasonably require and in any event no less than the amount required by Flood Insurance Laws, if at any time the area in which any improvements located on any mortgaged property is designated a “flood hazard area” in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), and otherwise comply with the Flood Insurance Laws.  All such policies of insurance shall be with financially sound and reputable insurance companies acceptable to Agent and in such amounts as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated and located and, in any event, in amount, adequacy, and scope reasonably satisfactory to Agent (it being agreed that the amount, adequacy, and scope of the policies of insurance of Borrowers in effect as of the Closing Date are acceptable to Agent). Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, all property insurance policies covering the Collateral are to be made payable to Agent for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders, as their interests may appear, in case of loss, pursuant to a standard loss payable endorsement with a standard noncontributory “lender” or “secured party” clause and are to contain such other provisions as Agent may reasonably require to fully protect the Lenders’ interest in the Collateral and to any payments to be made under such policies.  All certificates of property and general liability insurance are to be delivered to Agent, with the lender loss payable (but only in respect of Collateral) and additional insured endorsements in favor of Agent and shall provide for not less than 30 days (10 days in the case of non-payment) prior written notice to Agent of the exercise of any right of cancellation.  If any Borrower or its Subsidiaries fails to maintain such insurance, Agent may arrange for such insurance, but at Borrowers’ expense and without any responsibility on Agent’s part for obtaining the insurance, the solvency of the insurance companies, the adequacy of the coverage, or the collection of claims.  Borrowers shall give Agent prompt notice of any loss exceeding $500,000 covered by their or their Subsidiaries’ casualty or business interruption insurance.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, Agent shall have the sole right to file claims under any property and general liability insurance policies in respect of the Collateral, to receive, receipt and give acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder, and to execute any and all endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments or other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.

 

5.7                               Inspection.

 

(a)                                 Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent, any Lender, and each of their respective duly authorized representatives or agents to visit any of its properties and inspect any of its assets or books and records, to examine and make copies of its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances, and accounts with, and to be advised as to the same by, its officers and employees (provided an authorized representative of a Borrower shall be allowed to be present) at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent or any Lender, as applicable, may designate and, so long as no

 

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Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with reasonable prior notice to Borrowers and during regular business hours.

 

(b)                                 Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent and each of its duly authorized representatives or agents to conduct appraisals and valuations at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent may designate.  So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Agent agrees to provide Borrowers with a copy of the report for any such valuation upon request by Borrowers so long as (i) such report exists, (ii) the third person employed by Agent to perform such valuation consents to such disclosure, and (iii) Borrowers execute and deliver to Agent a non-reliance letter reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

5.8                               Compliance with LawsEach Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority (including all Food Security Laws, Food Products Laws and ERISA), other than laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.9                               Environmental.  Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)                                 Keep any property either owned or operated by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens,

 

(b)                                 Comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent reasonably requests in writing,

 

(c)                                  Promptly notify Agent of any release of which any Borrower has knowledge of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said release or otherwise to come into compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Environmental Law, and

 

(d)                                 Promptly, but in any event within 5 Business Days of its receipt thereof, provide Agent with written notice of any of the following:  (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of a Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against a Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order from a Governmental Authority.

 

5.10                        Disclosure UpdatesEach Borrower will, promptly and in no event later than 5 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify Agent if any written information, exhibit, or report furnished to Agent or the Lenders contained, at the time it was furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made.  The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, any notification pursuant to the foregoing provision will not cure or remedy the effect of the prior untrue statement of a material fact or omission of any material fact nor shall any such notification have the effect of amending or modifying this Agreement or any of the Schedules hereto.

 

5.11                        Formation of Subsidiaries.  Each Borrower will, at the time that any Loan Party forms any direct or indirect Subsidiary or acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary after the Closing Date, within 10 days of such formation or acquisition (or such later date as permitted by Agent in its sole discretion) (a) cause such new Subsidiary to provide to Agent a joinder to the Guaranty and Security

 

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Agreement, together with such other security agreements (including mortgages with respect to any Real Property owned in fee of such new Subsidiary with a fair market value greater than $1,000,000), as well as appropriate financing statements (and with respect to all property subject to a mortgage, fixture filings), all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent (including being sufficient to grant Agent a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in and to the assets of such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary); provided, that the joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and such other security agreements shall not be required to be provided to Agent with respect to any Subsidiary of any Borrower that is a CFC, (b) provide, or cause the applicable Loan Party to provide, to Agent a pledge agreement (or an addendum to the Guaranty and Security Agreement) and appropriate certificates and powers or financing statements, pledging all of the direct or beneficial ownership interest in such new Subsidiary in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent; provided, that only 65% of the total outstanding voting Equity Interests of any first tier Subsidiary of a Borrower that is a CFC (and none of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of such CFC) shall be required to be pledged (which pledge, if reasonably requested by Agent, shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of such Subsidiary), and (c) provide to Agent all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which, in its opinion, is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above (including policies of title insurance, surveys or other documentation with respect to all Real Property owned in fee and subject to a mortgage, including flood insurance).  Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 shall constitute a Loan Document.  To the extent any item of property that is not Collateral on the Closing Date, is subsequently included in the definition of Collateral, then Agent and Lenders shall request and receive such documents, agreements and instruments as they reasonably request in order to include such items of property in Collateral.

 

5.12                        Further Assurances.  Subject to the requirements set forth in Schedule 5.12, each Borrower will, and will cause each of the other Loan Parties to, at any time upon the reasonable request of Agent, execute or deliver to Agent any and all financing statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, opinions of counsel, title policies, surveys, evidence of flood insurance and all other documents (the “Additional Documents”) that Agent may reasonably request in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to create, perfect, and continue perfected or to better perfect Agent’s Liens in all of the assets of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired, tangible or intangible, real or personal), to create and perfect Liens in favor of Agent in any Real Property acquired by any Borrower or any other Loan Party with a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000 and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any Subsidiary of a Borrower that is a CFC.  To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, if any Borrower or any other Loan Party refuses or fails to execute or deliver any reasonably requested Additional Documents within a reasonable period of time following the request to do so, each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby authorizes Agent to execute any such Additional Documents in the applicable Loan Party’s name and authorizes Agent to file such executed Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office.  In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including all of the outstanding capital Equity Interests of each direct and indirect subsidiary of Parent Borrower (subject to exceptions and limitations contained in the Loan Documents with respect to CFCs).  To the extent any item of property that is not Collateral on the Closing Date, is subsequently included in the definition of Collateral, then Agent and Lenders shall request and receive such documents, agreements and instruments as they reasonably request in order to include such items of property in Collateral.

 

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5.13                        Lender Meetings.  Borrowers will, within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of Parent Borrower, at the request of Agent or of the Required Lenders and upon reasonable prior notice, hold a meeting (at a mutually agreeable location and time or, at the option of Agent, by conference call) with all Lenders who choose to attend such meeting at which meeting shall be reviewed the financial results of the previous fiscal year and the financial condition of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and the projections presented for the current fiscal year of Parent Borrower.

 

5.14                        Location of Inventory and Farm Products.  Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep its inventory and Farm Products only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.23 (other than inventory or Farm Products having an aggregate value of $500,000 or less (or such higher dollar amount as provided for in the ABL Credit Agreement at any time during the term hereof) and are not stored with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party (other than in accordance with Section 6.13) and is located only at, or in-transit between in the ordinary course of business, the locations identified in Schedule 4.23) and their chief executive offices only at the locations identified on Schedule 4.23); provided, that Borrowers may amend Schedule 4.23 so long as such amendment occurs by written notice to Agent not less than 10 days prior to the date on which such inventory and Farm Products are moved to such new location or such chief executive office is relocated and so long as such new location is within the United States or Canada; provided, however, that inventory of a CFC may be located outside the United States.

 

5.15                        [Reserved].

 

5.16                        Food Security Act.  Borrowers will maintain their FSA Registrations where applicable and will cooperate fully with Agent in its efforts to obtain and analyze any information with respect to filings of “effective financing statements” or notices to Borrowers under the Food Security Act.  Borrowers will issue joint checks to growers or suppliers and their respective secured parties or otherwise obtain a release of such secured party’s Lien in accordance with the Food Security Act.

 

5.17                        Food Products Laws.

 

(a)                                 So long as Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries purchase agricultural products from Food Products Sellers, Borrowers shall monitor the receipt of notices of Liens and/or trusts on their assets under any Food Products Law and provide prompt written notice thereof to Agent upon receipt thereof.

 

(b)                                 [reserved].

 

(c)                                  Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall comply at all times with all existing and future Food Products Notices during their period of effectiveness under any Food Products Law, including directions to make payments to the Food Products Sellers by issuing payment instruments directly to the secured party with respect to any assets of the Food Products Sellers or jointly payable to the Food Products Sellers and any secured party with respect to the assets of such Food Products Sellers, as specified in the Food Products Notice, so as to terminate or release the Lien on any Food Products maintained by such Food Products Sellers or any secured party with respect to the assets of such Food Products Sellers under any Food Products Law.

 

(d)                                 In the event any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries receives a Food Products Notice, such Person shall pay the related invoice within the payment terms specified therein and notify Agent of such receipt; provided, however, that such invoice may remain unpaid if, and only so long as (A) appropriate legal or administrative action has been commenced in good faith and is being diligently pursued or defended by such Person, (B) adequate reserves with respect to such contest are maintained on

 

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the books of such Loan Party, in accordance with GAAP, (C) such Person shall promptly pay or discharge such contested invoice and all additional charges, interest, penalties, and expenses, if any, and shall deliver to Agent evidence reasonably acceptable to Agent of such payment, if such contest is terminated or discontinued adversely to such Person or the conditions set forth in this Section 5.17(d) are no longer met, and (D) Agent has not advised such Person in writing that it reasonably believes that nonpayment thereof could reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.18                        Material Contracts.  Contemporaneously with the delivery of each Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.1 in respect of any calendar month, each Borrower will provide Agent with copies of (a) each Material Contract entered into since the delivery of the previous Compliance Certificate, and (b) each material amendment or modification of any Material Contract entered into since the delivery of the previous Compliance Certificate.

 

5.20                        Compliance with ERISA and the IRC. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 5.8, (a) comply in all material respects with applicable provisions of ERISA and the IRC with respect to all Benefit Plans, (b) without the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders, not take any action or fail to take action the result of which could result in a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurring a material liability to the PBGC or to a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA)(other than to pay contributions or premiums payable in the ordinary course), (c) allow any facts or circumstances to exist with respect to one or more Benefit Plans that, in the aggregate, reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (d) not participate in any prohibited transaction that could result in other than a de minimis civil penalty excise tax, fiduciary liability or correction obligation under ERISA or the IRC, (e) operate each Benefit Plan in such a manner that will not incur any material tax liability under the IRC (including Section 4980B of the IRC), and (e) furnish to Agent upon Agent’s written request such additional information about any Benefit Plan for which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate could reasonably expect to incur any material liability.  With respect to each Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Loan Parties, the Loan Parties and the ERISA Affiliates shall (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any Lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of the IRC and of ERISA, and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to ERISA.

 

5.21                        Flood Hazard Insurance.With respect to each parcel of Real Property subject to a Mortgage, Agent has received (a) such flood hazard certifications, notices and confirmations thereof, and effective flood hazard insurance policies as are described in Schedule 5.12 (after giving effect to any extension of time in Schedule 3.6) with respect to Real Property collateral, (b) all flood hazard insurance policies required hereunder shall remain in full force and effect, and the premiums thereon shall be paid in full at all times, and (c) except as Borrowers have previously given written notice thereof to Agent, there has been no redesignation of any real property into or out of a special flood hazard area.

 

6.                                      NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

6.1                               IndebtednessEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except for Permitted Indebtedness.

 

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6.2                               Liens.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.

 

6.3                               Restrictions on Fundamental Changes.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)                                 other than in order to consummate a Permitted Acquisition, enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its Equity Interests, except for (i) any merger between Loan Parties, provided, that a Borrower must be the surviving entity of any such merger to which it is a party (and in case of any merger between Parent Borrower and any other Borrower, Parent Borrower must be the surviving entity of any such merger), (ii) any merger between a Loan Party and a Subsidiary of such Loan Party that is not a Loan Party so long as such Loan Party is the surviving entity of any such merger, and (iii) any merger between Subsidiaries of any Borrower, in each case that are not Loan Parties,

 

(b)                                 liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), except for (i) the liquidation or dissolution of non-operating Subsidiaries of any Borrower with nominal assets and nominal liabilities, (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Loan Party (other than any Borrower) or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries so long as all of the assets (including any interest in any Equity Interests) of such liquidating or dissolving Loan Party or Subsidiary are transferred to a Loan Party that is not liquidating or dissolving, or (iii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary of any Borrower that is not a Loan Party so long as all of the assets of such liquidating or dissolving Subsidiary are transferred to a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not liquidating or dissolving and the Equity Interests of which (or any portion thereof) is subject to a Lien in favor of Agent, or

 

(c)                                  suspend or cease operating a substantial portion of its or their business, except as permitted pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above or in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 6.4.

 

6.4                               Disposal of AssetsOther than Permitted Dispositions or transactions expressly permitted by Sections 6.3 or 6.9, each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to convey, sell, lease (including sale/leaseback transactions), license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into an agreement to convey, sell, lease (including sale/leaseback transactions), license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of) any of its or their assets.

 

6.5                               Nature of Business.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any change in the nature of its or their business as described in Schedule 6.5 or acquire any properties or assets that are not reasonably related to the conduct of such business activities; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent any Borrower and its Subsidiaries from engaging in any business that is reasonably related or ancillary to its or their business.

 

6.6                               Prepayments and Amendments.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)                                 Except in connection with Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1; provided that any Refinancing Indebtedness of the ABL Credit Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and shall not have a maturity date prior to the maturity date of (or have shorter weighted average life to maturity than) the ABL Credit Agreement on the Closing Date,

 

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(i)                                     mandatorily or optionally prepay, redeem, defease, purchase, or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, other than (A) the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, (B) Permitted Intercompany Advances, (C) subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, (i) payments, repayments and reborrowings under the ABL Credit Agreement (and other Loan Documents (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement)) of ABL Obligations, including reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) and repayment of Hedge Obligations (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) and/or (ii) any other voluntary or mandatory prepayments under the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement and the other ABL Documents as in effect on the Closing Date and as amended or restated during the term hereof in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement including any payments of the ABL Obligations from ABL Priority Collateral or proceeds thereof, or (D) payment or prepayment of other secured Indebtedness (other than ABL Obligations) that becomes due as a result of the sale or transfer of, or casualty or condemnation event with respect to, the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if (in the case of a sale or transfer) such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and such Indebtedness is repaid on or prior to three (3) Business Days after the receipt of proceeds therefrom, or

 

(ii)                                  make any payment on account of Indebtedness that has been contractually subordinated in right of payment or security to the Obligations if such payment is not permitted at such time under the subordination terms and conditions.

 

(b)                                 Directly or indirectly, amend, modify, or change any of the terms or provisions of

 

(i)                                     any agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning Permitted Indebtedness other than (A) the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, (B) Permitted Intercompany Advances, (C) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (c), (h), (j) and (k) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness and (D) the ABL Documents in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(ii)                                  (A) any Food Product Grower Arrangement except to the extent that such amendment, modification, or change could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interest of any Loan Party or the Lenders or (B) any other Material Contract (other than any Food Product Grower Arrangement) except to the extent that such amendment, modification, or change could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect (for the avoidance of doubt, Borrowers may terminate agreements with Seattle’s Best Coffee LLC and Miles Willard Technologies, LLP), or

 

(iii)                               the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries if the effect thereof, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

6.7                               Restricted PaymentsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any Restricted Payment; provided, that, so long as it is permitted by law, and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom,

 

(a)                                 Parent Borrower may make distributions to former employees, officers, or directors of Parent Borrower (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) on account of redemptions of Equity Interests of Parent Borrower held by such Persons, provided, that the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments made by Parent Borrower during the term of this Agreement plus the amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (l) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, does not exceed $750,000 in the aggregate, and

 

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(b)                                 Parent Borrower may make distributions to former employees, officers, or directors of Parent Borrower (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing), solely in the form of forgiveness of Indebtedness of such Persons owing to Parent Borrower on account of repurchases of the Equity Interests of Parent Borrower held by such Persons; provided that such Indebtedness being forgiven was incurred by such Persons solely to acquire Equity Interests of Parent Borrower.

 

6.8                               Accounting MethodsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to modify or change its fiscal year (other than upon 30-days’ prior written notice to Agent and subject to providing Agent with reasonably requested documents, including financial statements (including any stub year financials)) or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP).

 

6.9                               Investments.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment except for Permitted Investments.

 

6.10                        Transactions with Affiliates.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except for :

 

(a)                                 transactions (other than the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, or advisory fees) between such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Affiliate of such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, so long as such transactions (i) are fully disclosed to Agent prior to the consummation thereof, if they involve one or more payments by such Borrower or its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions, and (ii) are no less favorable, taken as a whole, to such Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate,

 

(b)                                 so long as it has been approved by such Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s Board of Directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, any indemnity provided for the benefit of directors (or comparable managers) of such Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary,

 

(c)                                  so long as it has been approved by such Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s Board of Directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, the payment of reasonable compensation, severance, or employee benefit arrangements to employees, officers, and outside directors of such Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practice, and

 

(d)                                 transactions permitted by Section 6.3 or Section 6.7, or any Permitted Intercompany Advance.

 

6.11                        Use of ProceedsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to use the proceeds of any loan made hereunder for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to repay, in full, the outstanding principal, accrued interest, and accrued fees and expenses owing under or in connection with the Existing Credit Facility, and (ii) to pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, in each case, as set forth in the Funds Flow Agreement, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions hereof, for their lawful and permitted purposes (including that no part of the proceeds of the loans made to Borrowers will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to

 

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extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors).

 

6.12                        Limitation on Issuance of Equity Interests.  Except for the issuance or sale of Qualified Equity Interests by Parent Borrower, each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell or enter into any agreement or arrangement for the issuance or sale of any of its Equity Interests.

 

6.13                        Inventory and Farm Products with Bailees.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party to store its inventory and Farm Products at any time with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar party, unless, in each case, it has complied with the requirements set forth in Section 6.13 of the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date and amended and restated during the term hereof in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

6.14                        Restrictive Agreements.  Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries 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 Parent 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 Equity Interests, to make or repay loans or advances to Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary, to guarantee the Obligations of Borrowers or any other Subsidiary or to transfer any of its property or assets to Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by law, by this Agreement, any other Loan Document (including the Intercreditor Agreement), or the ABL Documents in effect on the date hereof or, so long as such restrictions or conditions are no more onerous than those imposed under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents.

 

6.15                        Hedge AgreementsEach Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Hedge Agreements, other than Hedge Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

 

6.16                        Bank Products.  Excluding Wells Fargo and excluding the accounts held at U.S. Bank National Association as of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties will not maintain depository relationships with other financial institutions such that the aggregate cash and other property deposited in all such accounts with all such institutions exceeds $250,000 for more than five (5) business days.

 

6.17                        Compliance with Governmental Regulations.

 

(a)                                 The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, (i) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation or list of any Governmental Authority of the United States (including, without limitation, the OFAC list) that prohibits or limits the Lenders or the Agent from making any advance or extension of credit to the Borrowers or from otherwise conducting business with the Loan Parties, or (b) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of the identity of the Loan Parties as may be requested by the Lenders or the Agent at any time to enable the Lenders or the Agent to verify the identity of the Loan Parties or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the Patriot Act at 31 U.S.C. Section 5318.

 

(b)                                 The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiary to, use any Loan or the proceeds of any Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any Loan or the proceeds of any Loan to any Sanctioned Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person

 

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(including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Agent, any Lender or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

(c)                                  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, use any Loan or the proceeds therefrom for any purpose that would violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and any similar anti-corruption legislation or laws in any other jurisdiction.

 

6.18                        Employee Benefits.

 

(a)                                 Terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Pension Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC.

 

(b)                                 Fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Benefit Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable Law, any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to pay if such failure could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                                  Permit to exist, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan which exceeds $50,000 with respect to all Pension Plans in the aggregate.

 

(d)                                 Acquire, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to a Loan Party or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (i) any Pension or (ii) any Multiemployer Plan.

 

(e)                                  Contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan not set forth on Schedule 4.10.

 

(f)                                   Amend, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to amend, a Pension Plan resulting in a material increase in current liability such that a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Plan under the IRC.

 

6.19                        Immaterial Subsidiaries.  Borrowers will not permit any Immaterial Subsidiary to (a) own any assets (other than assets of a de minimis nature), (b) have any liabilities (other than liabilities of a de minimis nature), or (c) engage in any business activity.

 

7.                                      FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

 

Each Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

7.1                               Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  Commencing with the first fiscal quarter of 2016, Borrowers will have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter for the four (4) quarters then ended, of at least 1.1:1.0.

 

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7.2                               Total Leverage Ratio.  Borrowers will have a Total Leverage Ratio, measured at the end of each fiscal quarter during the period below, of not more than the ratio set forth opposite such date below:

 

Fiscal Quarters Ending

 

Ratio

 

March 26, 2016 through September 24, 2016

 

5.00:1.00

 

September 25, 2016 through December 31, 2016

 

4.75:1.00

 

January 1, 2017 through April 1, 2017

 

4.50:1.00

 

April 2, 2017 through July 1, 2017

 

4.25:1.00

 

July 2, 2017 through September 30, 2017

 

4.00:1.00

 

October 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018

 

3.75:1.00

 

April 1, 2018 and thereafter

 

3.50:1.00

 

 

8.                                      EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”) under this Agreement:

 

8.1                               Payments.  If Borrowers fail to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, (a) all or any portion of the Obligations consisting of interest, fees, or charges due the Lender Group, reimbursement of Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts (other than any portion thereof constituting principal) constituting Obligations (including any portion thereof that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), and such failure continues for a period of 3 Business Days or (b) all or any portion of the principal of the Loans;

 

8.2                               Covenants.  If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries:

 

(a)                                 fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of (i) Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 (solely if any Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization), 5.6, 5.7 (solely if any Borrower refuses to allow Agent or its representatives or agents to visit any Borrower’s properties, inspect its assets or books or records, examine and make copies of its books and records, or discuss Borrowers’ affairs, finances, and accounts with officers and employees of any

 

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Borrower), 5.10, 5.11, 5.13, or 5.14, 5.16, 5.17 and 5.20 of this Agreement, (ii) Section 6 of this Agreement, (iii) Section 7 of this Agreement, or (iv) Section 7 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement;

 

(b)                                 fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of Sections 5.3, (other than if any Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organizations), 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, 5.12, 5.18 and 5.21 of this Agreement and such failure continues for a period of 10 days (or, for a period of 3 days in the case of Section 5.18) after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of any Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrowers by Agent; or

 

(c)                                  fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement, or in any of the other Loan Documents, in each case, other than any such covenant or agreement that is the subject of another provision of this Section 8 (in which event such other provision of this Section 8 shall govern), and such failure continues for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of any Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrowers by Agent;

 

8.3                               Judgments.  If one or more judgments, orders, or awards for the payment of money involving an aggregate amount of $500,000, or more (except to the extent fully covered (other than to the extent of customary deductibles) by insurance pursuant to which the insurer has not denied coverage) is entered or filed against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to any of their respective assets, and either (a) there is a period of 30 consecutive days at any time after the entry of any such judgment, order, or award during which (i) the same is not discharged, satisfied, vacated, or bonded pending appeal, or (ii) a stay of enforcement thereof is not in effect, or (b) enforcement proceedings are commenced upon such judgment, order, or award;

 

8.4                               Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc.  If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

8.5                               Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.  If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary) and any of the following events occur: (a) such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary) consents to the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, such Loan Party or its Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Subsidiary), or (e) an order for relief shall have been issued or entered therein;

 

8.6                               Default Under Other Agreements.  If there is a default under the ABL Credit Agreement or in one or more other agreements to which a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with one or more third Persons relative to a Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness involving an aggregate amount of $750,000 or more, and such default (a) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (b) results in a right by such third Person, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of such Loan Party’s or its Subsidiary’s obligations thereunder;

 

8.7                               Representations, etc.  If any warranty, representation, certificate, statement, or Record made herein or in any other Loan Document or delivered in writing to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document proves to be untrue in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are

 

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qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of the date of issuance or making or deemed making thereof;

 

8.8                               Guaranty.  If the obligation of any Guarantor under the guaranty contained in the Guaranty and Security Agreement is limited or terminated by operation of law or by such Guarantor (other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement);

 

8.9                               Security Documents.  If the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, except to the extent of Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, Liens in respect of the ABL Credit Agreement (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), permitted purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases, first priority Lien on the Collateral covered thereby, except (a) as a result of a disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (b) with respect to Collateral the aggregate value of which, for all such Collateral, does not exceed at any time, $500,000, or (c) as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent;

 

8.10                        Loan Documents.  The validity or enforceability of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason (other than solely as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent) be declared to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall deny that such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document; or

 

8.11                        Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur, whether directly or indirectly.

 

8.12                        ERISA. The occurrence of any of the following events:  (a) any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate fails to make full payment when due of all amounts which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions, installments, or otherwise to or with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, and such failure could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $50,000, (b) an accumulated funding deficiency or funding shortfall in excess of $50,000 occurs or exists, whether or not waived, with respect to any Pension Plan, individually or in the aggregate, (c) a Notification Event, which could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $50,000, either individually or in the aggregate, or (d) any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate completely or partially withdraws from one or more Multiemployer Plans and incurs Withdrawal Liability in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate, or fails to make any Withdrawal Liability payment when due.

 

8.13                        Conditions Subsequent.  The failure by Borrowers to perform or cause to be performed any of the conditions subsequent set forth on Schedule 8.13 as and when required by the terms thereof (unless such date is extended, in writing, by Agent, which Agent may do without obtaining the consent of the other members of the Lender Group).

 

9.                                      RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

 

9.1                               Rights and RemediesUpon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Agent may, and, at the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall (in each case under clauses (a) or (b) by written notice to Borrowers), in addition to any other rights or remedies provided for hereunder or under any other Loan Document or by applicable law, do any one or more of the following:

 

(a)                                 declare the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations, whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the

 

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other Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be immediately due and payable and Borrowers shall be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or further notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower;

 

(b)                                 declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately be terminated together with any obligation of any Lender to make Loans; and

 

(c)                                  exercise all other rights and remedies available to Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, under applicable law, or in equity; provided, that, with respect to an Event of Default occurring after the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2016 resulting solely from failure of Borrowers to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7, neither Agent nor the Required Lenders may exercise the foregoing remedies in this Section 9.1 until the date that is the earlier of (1) 10 Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for the applicable fiscal month and (2) the date that Agent receives notice that there will not be a Curative Equity contribution made for such fiscal month.

 

The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, in addition to the remedies set forth above, without any notice to Borrowers or any other Person or any act by the Lender Group, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Obligations, inclusive of the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations, whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable and Borrowers shall automatically be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrowers.

 

9.2                               Remedies CumulativeThe rights and remedies of the Lender Group under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative.  The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity.  No exercise by the Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver.  No delay by the Lender Group shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it.

 

9.3                               Curative Equity.

 

(g)                                  Subject to the limitations set forth in clause (e) below, Borrowers may cure (and shall be deemed to have cured) an Event of Default arising out of a breach of any of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7 (the “Specified Financial Covenant”) if they receive the cash proceeds of an investment of Curative Equity within 10 Business Days after the date on which the Specified Financial Covenants are first required to be tested pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

(h)                                 Borrowers shall promptly notify Agent of its receipt of any proceeds of Curative Equity (and shall immediately apply the same to the payment of the Obligations in the manner specified in Section 2.4(e)(i)).

 

(i)                                     Any investment of Curative Equity shall be in immediately available funds.

 

(j)                                    Upon delivery of a certificate by Borrowers to Agent as to the amount of the proceeds of such Curative Equity and that such amount (i) has been applied in accordance with clause (b) above, and (ii) is in an amount equal to or greater than the amount required by clause (e) below, then any Event of Default that occurred and is continuing from a breach of any of the Specified Financial

 

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Covenants shall be deemed cured with no further action required by the Required Lenders.  Prior to the date of the delivery of a certificate conforming to the requirements of this Section, any Event of Default that has occurred as a result of a breach of any of the Specified Financial Covenants shall be deemed to be continuing.  In the event Borrowers do not cure all financial covenant violations as provided in this Section 9.3, the existing Event(s) of Default shall continue unless waived in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance herewith.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing or this Agreement, (i) Borrowers’ rights under this Section 9.3 may (A) not be exercised on or prior to the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2016, (B) be exercised not more than three (3) times during the term of this Agreement, (C) not be exercised twice within any 180 day period, (D) not be exercised if the amount of the proposed investment of Curative Equity, together with the amount of all prior investments of Curative Equity, exceeds $10,000,000, (E) not be exercised if the amount of the proposed investment of Curative Equity exceeds $2,000,000, (ii) the Curative Equity contributed in any fiscal quarter shall be no greater than the amount required to cause Borrowers to be in compliance with the Specified Financial Covenants as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and (iii) the Curative Equity shall be disregarded for all purposes under the Loan Documents other than curing the breach of the Specified Financial Covenants for such fiscal quarter, including for purposes of determining EBITDA for any pricing, financial covenant based conditions or any baskets with respect to the covenants contained in this Agreement and there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness with the proceeds of any Curative Equity for determining compliance with the any of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7 or for any other purpose under the Loan Documents, including determining any pricing, financial covenant based conditions or baskets with respect to the covenants contained in this Agreement, in each case in the quarter in which such Curative Equity is used, but shall be added to EBITDA solely for purposes of calculating compliance with the Specified Financial Covenant.

 

9.4                               Intercreditor Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Lender acknowledges that the Liens granted to Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents, and the exercise of any right or remedy by Agent or the Lenders thereunder, are subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

 

10.                               WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.

 

10.1                        Demand; Protest; etc.  Each Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by the Lender Group on which any Borrower may in any way be liable.

 

10.2                        The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral.  Each Borrower hereby agrees that:  (a) so long as Agent complies with its obligations, if any, under the Code, the Lender Group shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for:  (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrowers.

 

10.3                        Indemnification.  Each Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold the Agent-Related Persons, the Lender-Related Persons, and each Participant (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, liabilities, fines, costs, penalties, and damages, and all reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts, or consultants and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this indemnification (as and

 

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when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution and delivery (provided that Borrowers shall not be liable for costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any Lender (other than BSP Agency and its Affiliates) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering or syndicating the Loan Documents), enforcement, performance, or administration (including any restructuring or workout with respect hereto) of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the monitoring of Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents (provided, that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall not extend to (i) disputes solely between or among the Lenders that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party, or (ii) disputes solely between or among the Lenders and their respective Affiliates that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party; it being understood and agreed that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall extend to Agent (but not the Lenders) relative to disputes between or among Agent on the one hand, and one or more Lenders, or one or more of their Affiliates, on the other hand, or (iii) any Taxes or any costs attributable to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 16), (b) with respect to any actual or prospective investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the making of any Loans or issuance hereunder, or the use of the proceeds of the Loans provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto, and (c) in connection with or arising out of any presence or release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, to or from any assets or properties owned, leased or operated by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental Actions, Environmental Liabilities or Remedial Actions related in any way to any such assets or properties of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (each and all of the foregoing, the “Indemnified Liabilities”).  The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, no Borrower shall have any obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section 10.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction determines pursuant to a final nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents.  This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment in full of the Obligations.  If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which Borrowers were required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by Borrowers with respect thereto.  WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON.

 

11.                               NOTICES.

 

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email addresses as a party may designate in accordance herewith), or telefacsimile.  In the case of notices or demands to any Borrower or Agent, as the case may be, they shall be sent to the respective address set forth below:

 

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If to any Borrower:

c/o Parent Borrower

Inventure Foods, Inc.

5415 East High Street, Suite 350

Phoenix, Arizona 85054

Attn: Steve Weinberger

Fax No.: 602.522.2690

 

with copies to:

DLA Piper LLP (US)

2525 East Camelback Road, Suite 1000

Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Attn:  Gregory R. Hall

Fax No.:  480.606.5528

 

If to Agent:

BSP Agency, LLC

9 West 57th Street, Suite 4920

New York, New York 10019

 

Attn: Steven Crino

Fax No.:  212.588.6701

 

 

with copies to:

King & Spalding LLP

100 N Tryon Street

Suite 3900

Charlotte, NC 28202

Attn: Bryant Gatrell

Fax No.:  704.503.2622

 

Any party hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other party.  All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section 11, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail; provided, that (a) notices sent by overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received, (b) notices by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient) and (c) notices by electronic mail shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgment).

 

12.                               CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.

 

(a)                                 THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS

 

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PRINCIPLES THEREOF, BUT INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

 

(b)                                 THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND.  EACH BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12(b).

 

(c)                                  TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”).  EACH BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)                                 EACH BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  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 AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(e)                                  NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY LOAN PARTY AGAINST AGENT, ANY LENDER, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY

 

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SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR LOSSES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

13.                               ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.

 

13.1                        Assignments and Participations.

 

(a)                                 (i)                                     Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (a)(ii) below, any Lender may assign and delegate all or any portion of its rights and duties under the Loan Documents (including the Obligations owed to it and its Commitments) to one or more assignees so long as such prospective assignee is an Eligible Transferee (each, an “Assignee”), with the prior written consent (such consent not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

 

(A)                               Borrowers; provided, that no consent of Borrowers shall be required (1)  if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (2) in connection with an assignment to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate (other than natural persons) of a Lender; provided further, that Borrowers shall be deemed to have consented to a proposed assignment unless they object thereto by written notice to Agent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof; and

 

(B)                               Agent.

 

(ii)                                  Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)                               no assignment may be made (i) to a Competitor, or (ii) to a natural person,

 

(B)                               no assignment may be made to a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party,

 

(C)                               the amount of the Commitments and the other rights and obligations of the assigning Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to Agent) shall be in a minimum amount (unless waived by Agent) of $5,000,000 (except such minimum amount shall not apply to (I) an assignment or delegation by any Lender to any other Lender, an Affiliate of any Lender, or a Related Fund of such Lender or (II) a group of new Lenders, each of which is an Affiliate of each other or a Related Fund of such new Lender to the extent that the aggregate amount to be assigned to all such new Lenders is at least $5,000,000),

 

(D)                               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,

 

(E)                                the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent an Assignment and Acceptance; provided, that Borrowers and Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with the assigning Lender in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until written

 

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notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses, and related information with respect to the Assignee, have been given to Borrowers and Agent by such Lender and the Assignee,

 

(F)                                 unless waived by Agent, the assigning Lender or Assignee has paid to Agent, for Agent’s separate account, a processing fee in the amount of $3,500, and

 

(G)                               the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to Agent an administrative questionnaire in a form approved by Agent.

 

(b)                                 From and after the date that Agent receives the executed Assignment and Acceptance and, if applicable, payment of the required processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall be a “Lender” and shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights (except with respect to Section 10.3) and be released from any future obligations under this Agreement (and in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto and thereto); provided, that nothing contained herein shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive the termination of this Agreement, including such assigning Lender’s obligations under Section 15 and Section 17.9(a).

 

(c)                                  By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the Assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows:  (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (ii) such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Borrower or the performance or observance by any Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto, (iii) such Assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance, (iv) such Assignee will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement, (v) such Assignee appoints and authorizes Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to Agent, by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, and (vi) such Assignee agrees that it will perform all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

(d)                                 Immediately upon Agent’s receipt of the required processing fee, if applicable, and delivery of notice to the assigning Lender pursuant to Section 13.1(b), this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom.  The Commitment allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Lender pro tanto.

 

(e)                                  Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks, financial institutions, or other Persons (a “Participant”) participating interests in all or any portion of its

 

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Obligations, its Commitment, and the other rights and interests of that Lender (the “Originating Lender”) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, that (i) the Originating Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Participant receiving the participating interest in the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and interests of the Originating Lender hereunder shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and the Originating Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) Borrowers, Agent, and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with the Originating Lender in connection with the Originating Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iv) no Lender shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the Participant has the right to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment to, or consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement or of any other Loan Document would (A) extend the final maturity date of the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (B) reduce the interest rate applicable to the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (C) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or guaranties (except to the extent expressly provided herein or in any of the Loan Documents) supporting the Obligations hereunder in which such Participant is participating, (D) postpone the payment of, or reduce the amount of, the interest or fees payable to such Participant through such Lender (other than a waiver of default interest), or (E) decreases the amount or postpones the due dates of scheduled principal repayments or prepayments or premiums payable to such Participant through such Lender, (v) no participation shall be sold to a natural person, (vi) no participation shall be sold to a Loan Party or an Affiliate of a Loan Party, (vii) no participations shall be sold to any “lender”, “secured party” or “agent” under the ABL Credit Agreement unless such Person is a Lender on the Closing Date, and (viii) all amounts payable by Borrowers hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation, except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement.  The rights of any Participant only shall be derivative through the Originating Lender with whom such Participant participates and no Participant shall have any rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any direct rights as to the other Lenders, Agent, Borrowers, the Collateral, or otherwise in respect of the Obligations.  No Participant shall have the right to participate directly in the making of decisions by the Lenders among themselves.

 

(f)                                   In connection with any such assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation or any grant of a security interest in, or pledge of, its rights under and interest in this Agreement, a Lender may, subject to the provisions of Section 17.9,  disclose all documents and information which it now or hereafter may have relating to any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses.

 

(g)                                  Any other provision in this Agreement notwithstanding, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Bank or U.S. Treasury Regulation 31 CFR §203.24, and such Federal Reserve Bank, any central bank, the Farm Credit Funding Corp. or to any entity organized under the Farm Credit Act and such Person may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

 

(h)                                 Agent (as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrowers) shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, a register (the “Register”) on which it enters the name and address of each Lender as the registered owner of the Commitments and Loan (and the principal amount thereof and stated interest

 

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thereon) held by such Lender (each, a “Registered Loan”).  Other than in connection with an assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its portion of the Commitments and Loan to an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender (i) a Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide) and (ii) any assignment or sale of all or part of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register, together with the surrender of the registered note, if any, evidencing the same duly endorsed by (or accompanied by a written instrument of assignment or sale duly executed by) the holder of such registered note, whereupon, at the request of the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s), one or more new registered notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s).  Prior to the registration of assignment or sale of any Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any evidencing the same), Borrowers shall treat the Person in whose name such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) is registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving all payments thereon and for all other purposes, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  In the case of any assignment by a Lender of all or any portion of its Commitments and Loan to an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender, and which assignment is not recorded in the Register, the assigning Lender, on behalf of Borrowers, shall maintain a register comparable to the Register.

 

(i)                                     In the event that a Lender sells participations in the Registered Loan, such Lender, as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of Borrowers, shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) a register on which it enters the name of all participants in the Registered Loans held by it (and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of such Registered Loans that is subject to such participations) (the “Participant Register”).  A Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide).  Any participation of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register.

 

(j)                                    Agent shall make a copy of the Register (and each Lender shall make a copy of its Participant Register in the event it is required to have one) available for review by Borrowers from time to time as Borrowers may reasonably request.

 

13.2                        SuccessorsThis Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, that no Borrower may assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without the Lenders’ prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio.  No consent to assignment by the Lenders shall release any Borrower from its Obligations.  A Lender may assign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and its rights and duties hereunder and thereunder pursuant to Section 13.1 and, except as expressly required pursuant to Section 13.1, no consent or approval by any Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.

 

14.                               AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.

 

14.1                        Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a)                                 No amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than the Fee Letter), and no consent with respect to any departure by any Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent at the written request of the Required Lenders) and the Loan Parties that are party thereto and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective, but only in the specific instance and for the

 

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specific purpose for which given; provided, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all of the Lenders directly affected thereby and all of the Loan Parties that are party thereto, do any of the following:

 

(i)                                     increase the amount of or extend the expiration date of any Commitment of any Lender,

 

(ii)                                  postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document,

 

(iii)                               reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any Loan or other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (except in connection with the waiver of applicability of Section 2.6(c) (which waiver shall be effective with the written consent of the Required Lenders) but including the Make-Whole Premium and any applicable Call Premium)),

 

(iv)                              amend, modify, or eliminate this Section or any provision of this Agreement providing for consent or other action by all Lenders or all affected Lenders,

 

(v)                                 amend, modify, or eliminate Section 3.1,

 

(vi)                              amend, modify, or eliminate this Section 14.1 or Section 15.11,

 

(vii)                           [reserved],

 

(viii)                        amend, modify, or eliminate the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share”,

 

(ix)                              contractually subordinate any of Agent’s Liens or subordinate the Obligations (other than as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement),

 

(x)                                 other than in connection with a merger, liquidation, dissolution or sale of such Person expressly permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents, release any Borrower or any Guarantor from any obligation for the payment of money or consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower or any Guarantor of any of its rights or duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or

 

(xi)                              amend, modify, or eliminate any of the provisions of Section 2.4(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) or Section 2.4(f);

 

(b)                                 No amendment, waiver, modification, or consent shall amend, modify, waive, or eliminate,

 

(i)                                     the definition of, or any of the terms or provisions of, the Fee Letter, without the written consent of Agent and Borrowers (and shall not require the written consent of any of the Lenders),

 

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(ii)                                  any provision of Section 15 pertaining to Agent, or any other rights or duties of Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of Agent, Borrowers, and the Required Lenders;

 

(c)                                  [Reserved];

 

(d)                                 [Reserved];

 

(e)                                  [Reserved];

 

(f)                                   Anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) any amendment, modification, elimination, waiver, consent, termination, or release of, or with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the relationship of the Lender Group among themselves, and that does not affect the rights or obligations of any Borrower, shall not require consent by or the agreement of any Loan Party, and (ii) any amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent of or with respect to any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be entered into without the consent of, or over the objection of, any Defaulting Lender other than any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii) that affect such Lender.

 

(g)                                  Anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrowers and Agent may, without the input or consent of any other Lender, effect amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents if Agent and Borrowers have jointly identified an ambiguity, mistake, defect, inconsistency, obvious error or any error or omission of a technical nature or any necessary or desirable administrative change, in each case, in any provision of any Loan Document, then Agent and Borrowers shall be permitted to amend such provision without the consent of any Lender, and the resulting amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the Required Lenders do not provide to Agent written notice of their objection to such amendment within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice of such amendment and guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents executed by any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement may be in a form reasonably determined by Agent and may be amended, supplemented or waived without the consent of any Lender if such amendment, supplement or waiver is delivered in order to (x) comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (y) cure ambiguities, omissions, mistakes or defects or (z) cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

14.2                        Replacement of Certain Lenders.

 

(a)                                 If (i) any action to be taken by the Lender Group or Agent hereunder requires the consent, authorization, or agreement of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby and if such action has received the consent, authorization, or agreement of the Required Lenders but not of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby, or (ii) any Lender makes a claim for compensation under Section 16, then Borrowers or Agent, upon at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice, may permanently replace any Lender that failed to give its consent, authorization, or agreement (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) or any Lender that made a claim for compensation (a “Tax Lender”) with one or more Replacement Lenders, and the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder.  Such notice to replace the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given.

 

(b)                                 Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and

 

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Acceptance, subject only to the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, being repaid in full its share of the outstanding Obligations relating to its Commitments (without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever, but including  all interest, fees and other amounts that may be due in payable in respect thereof (for the avoidance of doubt, such assignment shall not be deemed to be a voluntary prepayment for purposes of determining the applicability of Section 2.4(g))).  If the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such replacement, Agent may, but shall not be required to, execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance in the name of and on behalf of the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, and irrespective of whether Agent executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance, the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance.  The replacement of any Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 13.1.  Until such time as one or more Replacement Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Non-Consenting Lender or Tax Lender, as applicable, shall remain obligated to make the Non-Consenting Lender’s or Tax Lender’s, as applicable, Pro Rata Share of Loans.

 

14.3                        No Waivers; Cumulative RemediesNo failure by Agent or any Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Agent or any Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof.  No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated.  No waiver by Agent or any Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Agent’s and each Lender’s rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrowers of any provision of this Agreement.  Agent’s and each Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Agent or any Lender may have.

 

15.                               AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.

 

15.1                        Appointment and Authorization of AgentEach Lender hereby designates and appoints BSP Agency as its agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to execute and deliver each of the other Loan Documents on its behalf and to take such other action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Agent agrees to act as agent for and on behalf of the Lenders on the conditions contained in this Section 15.  Any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document notwithstanding, Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with reference to Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law.  Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only a representative relationship between independent contracting parties.  Each Lender hereby further authorizes Agent to act as the secured party under each of the Loan Documents that create a Lien on any item of Collateral.  Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions that Agent expressly is entitled to take or assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of

 

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the foregoing, or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides rights or powers to Agent, Lenders agree that Agent shall have the right to exercise the following powers as long as this Agreement remains in effect:  (a) maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Obligations, the Collateral, payments and proceeds of Collateral, and related matters, (b) execute or file any and all financing or similar statements or notices, amendments, renewals, supplements, documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan Documents, (c) make Loans, for itself or on behalf of Lenders, as provided in the Loan Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute payments and proceeds of the Collateral as provided in the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts and cash management arrangements as Agent deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the Loan Documents for the foregoing purposes, (f) perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lender Group with respect to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the Obligations, the Collateral, or otherwise related to any of same as provided in the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

15.2        Delegation of Duties.  Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney in fact that it selects as long as such selection was made without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

15.3        Liability of Agent.  None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any officer or director thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lenders to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the books and records or properties of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

 

15.4        Reliance by Agent.  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrowers or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent.  Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and until such instructions are received, Agent shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable.  If Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders

 

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and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.

 

15.5        Notice of Default or Event of Default.  Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and expenses required to be paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders and, except with respect to Events of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge, unless Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or Borrowers referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”  Agent promptly will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of Default of which Agent has actual knowledge.  If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such Lender promptly shall notify the other Lenders and Agent of such Event of Default.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving any notices to its Participants, if any.  Subject to Section 15.4, Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 9; provided, that unless and until Agent has received any such request, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable.

 

15.6        Credit Decision.  Each Lender acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of any Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such due diligence, documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of each Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrowers.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of each Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document.  Except for notices, reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.  Each Lender acknowledges that Agent does not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis  with any credit or other information with respect to any Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their respective business, legal, financial or other affairs, and irrespective of whether such information came into Agent’s or its Affiliates’ or representatives’ possession before or after the date on which such Lender became a party to this Agreement.

 

15.7        Costs and Expenses; Indemnification.  Agent may incur and pay Lender Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses, fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors, consultants, and appraisers, costs of collection by outside collection agencies, auctioneer fees and expenses, and costs of security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the Collateral, whether or not Borrowers are obligated to reimburse Agent or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. 

 

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Agent is authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from payments or proceeds of the Collateral received by Agent to reimburse Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders.  In the event Agent is not reimbursed for such costs and expenses by Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to Agent such Lender’s ratable thereof.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each of the Lenders, on a ratable basis, shall indemnify and defend the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of Borrowers to do so) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct nor shall any Lender be liable for the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make a Loan or other extension of credit hereunder.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon demand for such Lender’s ratable share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including attorneys, accountants, advisors, and consultants fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrowers.  The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

15.8        Agent in Individual Capacity.  BSP Agency and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire Equity Interests in, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Document as though BSP Agency were not Agent hereunder, and, in each case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group.  The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, BSP Agency or its Affiliates may receive information regarding a Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Document that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver Agent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

15.9        Successor Agent.  Agent may resign as Agent upon 30 days (10 days if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) prior written notice to the Lenders (unless such notice is waived by the Required Lenders) and Borrowers (unless such notice is waived by Borrowers).  If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall be entitled, with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned), appoint a successor Agent for the Lenders.  If no successor Agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and Borrowers, a successor Agent.  Agent’s resignation shall be effective upon the earlier of (a) 30 days from the date of Agent’s resignation or (b) the appointment of a successor agent and execution of agency transfer documents.  If Agent has materially breached or failed to perform any material provision of this Agreement or of applicable law, the Required Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace Agent with a successor Agent from among the Lenders with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrowers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned).  In any such event, upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor Agent and the retiring Agent’s appointment, powers, and duties as Agent shall be terminated.  After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 15 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was

 

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Agent under this Agreement.  If no successor Agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above.

 

15.10      Lender in Individual Capacity.  Any Lender and its respective Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire Equity Interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with any Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Document as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group.  The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, such Lender and its respective Affiliates may receive information regarding a Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Document that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver such Lender will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), such Lender shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

15.11      Collateral Matters.

 

(a)           The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize Agent to release any Lien on any Collateral (i) upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by Borrowers of all of the Obligations, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and if Borrowers certify to Agent that the sale or disposition is permitted under Section 6.4 (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property in which no Borrower or its Subsidiaries owned any interest at the time Agent’s Lien was granted nor at any time thereafter, (iv) constituting property leased or licensed to a Borrower or its Subsidiaries under a lease or license that has expired or is terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (v) in connection with a credit bid or purchase authorized under this Section 15.11.  The Loan Parties and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, to (a) consent to the sale of, credit bid, or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale or other disposition thereof conducted under the provisions of the Code, including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the Code, or (c) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any other sale or foreclosure conducted or consented to by Agent in accordance with applicable law in any judicial action or proceeding or by the exercise of any legal or equitable remedy.  In connection with any such credit bid or purchase, (i) the Obligations owed to the Lenders shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims being estimated for such purpose if the fixing or liquidation thereof would not impair or unduly delay the ability of Agent to credit bid or purchase at such sale or other disposition of the Collateral and, if such contingent or unliquidated claims cannot be estimated without impairing or unduly delaying the ability of Agent to credit bid at such sale or other disposition, then such claims shall be disregarded, not credit bid, and not entitled to any interest in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase) and the Lenders whose Obligations are credit bid shall be entitled to receive interests (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase (or in the Equity Interests of the any entities that are used to consummate such credit bid or purchase), and (ii) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, may accept non-cash consideration, including debt and equity securities issued by any entities

 

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used to consummate such credit bid or purchase and in connection therewith Agent may reduce the Obligations owed to the Lenders (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) based upon the value of such non-cash consideration.  Except as provided above, Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral without the prior written authorization of (y) if the release is of all or substantially all of the Collateral, all of the Lenders, or (z) otherwise, the Required Lenders.  Upon request by Agent or Borrowers at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing Agent’s authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 15.11; provided, that (1) anything to the contrary contained in any of the Loan Documents notwithstanding, Agent shall not be required to execute any document or take any action necessary to evidence such release on terms that, in Agent’s opinion, could expose Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Lien without recourse, representation, or warranty, and (2) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly released) upon (or obligations of Borrowers in respect of) any and all interests retained by any Borrower, including, the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.  Each Lender further hereby irrevocably authorize Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to subordinate any Lien granted to or held by Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien on such property if such Permitted Lien secures Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness.

 

(b)           Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders (i) to verify or assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, (ii) to verify or assure that Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, (iii) to verify or assure that any particular items of Collateral meet the eligibility criteria applicable in respect thereof or (iv) to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given Agent’s own interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders and that Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender as to any of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

 

15.12      Restrictions on Actions by Lenders; Sharing of Payments.

 

(a)           Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, without the express written consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the written request of Agent, set off against the Obligations, any amounts owing by such Lender to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any deposit accounts of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries now or hereafter maintained with such Lender.  Each of the Lenders further agrees that it shall not, unless specifically requested to do so in writing by Agent, take or cause to be taken any action, including, the commencement of any legal or equitable proceedings to enforce any Loan Document against any Borrower or any Guarantor or to foreclose any Lien on, or otherwise enforce any security interest in, any of the Collateral.

 

(b)           If, at any time or times any Lender shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, setoff, or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations, except for any such proceeds or payments received by such Lender from Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) payments from Agent in excess of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all such distributions by Agent, such Lender promptly shall (A) turn the same over to Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to Agent, or in immediately available funds, as applicable, for the account of all of the Lenders and for application to the Obligations in accordance

 

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with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, or (B) purchase, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the Obligations owed to the other Lenders so that such excess payment received shall be applied ratably as among the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Share; provided, that to the extent that such excess payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases of participations shall be rescinded in whole or in part, as applicable, and the applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall be returned to such purchasing party, but without interest except to the extent that such purchasing party is required to pay interest in connection with the recovery of the excess payment.

 

15.13      Agency for PerfectionAgent hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent (and each Lender hereby accepts such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 8 or Article 9, as applicable, of the Code can be perfected by possession or control.  Should any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Agent’s request therefor shall deliver possession or control of such Collateral to Agent or in accordance with Agent’s instructions.

 

15.14      Payments by Agent to the Lenders.  All payments to be made by Agent to the Lenders shall be made by bank wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to such wire transfer instructions as each party may designate for itself by written notice to Agent.  Concurrently with each such payment, Agent shall identify whether such payment (or any portion thereof) represents principal, premium, fees, or interest of the Obligations.

 

15.15      Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents.  Each member of the Lender Group authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each member of the Lender Group agrees that any action taken by Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating to the Collateral and the exercise by Agent of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders.

 

15.16      [Reserved].

 

15.17      Several Obligations; No Liability.  Notwithstanding that certain of the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or in favor of Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of Agent (if any) to make any credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint) obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their respective Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective Commitments.  Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business, assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other Lender.  Except as provided in Section 15.7, no member of the Lender Group shall have any liability for the acts of any other member of the Lender Group.  No Lender shall be responsible to any Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other Lender to fulfill its obligations to make credit available hereunder, nor to advance for such Lender or on its behalf, nor to take any other action on behalf of such Lender hereunder or in connection with the financing contemplated herein.

 

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15.18      [Reserved].

 

16.                               WITHHOLDING TAXES.

 

16.1        Payments.  All payments made by Borrowers hereunder or under any note or other Loan Document will be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense.  In addition, all such payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any present or future Indemnified Taxes, and in the event any deduction or withholding of Indemnified Taxes is required, Borrowers shall comply with the next sentence of this Section 16.1.  If any Indemnified Taxes are so levied or imposed, Borrowers agree to pay the full amount of such Indemnified Taxes and such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement, any note, or Loan Document, including any amount paid pursuant to this Section 16.1 after withholding or deduction for or on account of any Indemnified Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein.  Borrowers will furnish to Agent as promptly as possible after the date the payment of any Indemnified Tax is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by Borrowers.  Borrowers agree to pay any present or future stamp, value added or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges, or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance, recordation, or filing of, or otherwise with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

16.2        Exemptions.

 

(a)           If a Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption or reduction from United States withholding tax, such Lender or Participant agrees with and in favor of Agent, to deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) one of the following before receiving its first payment under this Agreement:

 

(i)            if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption from United States withholding tax pursuant to the portfolio interest exception, (A) a statement of the Lender or Participant, signed under penalty of perjury, that it is not a (I) a “bank” as described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the IRC, (II) a 10% shareholder of Parent Borrower (within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the IRC), or (III) a controlled foreign corporation related to Borrowers within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the IRC, and (B) a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8IMY (with proper attachments);

 

(ii)           if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim an exemption from, or a reduction of, withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN;

 

(iii)          if such Lender or Participant is entitled  to claim that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of such Lender, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(iv)          if such Lender or Participant is entitled to claim that interest paid under this Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because such Lender or Participant serves as an intermediary, a properly completed and executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY (with proper attachments); or

 

(v)           a properly completed and executed copy of any other form or forms, including IRS Form W-9, as may be required under the IRC or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, United States withholding or backup withholding tax.

 

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(b)           Each Lender or Participant shall provide new forms (or successor forms) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and to promptly notify Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.  Each Lender, on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender hereunder, and each Participant, on or prior to the date on which such Participant acquires a participation hereunder, and in each case, from time to time thereafter, either upon the request of the Parent Borrower or Agent or upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered documentation, shall furnish to the Parent Borrower and Agent any documentation that is required under FATCA to enable Borrowers or Agent to determine and  execute its obligations, duties and liabilities with respect to FATCA, including but not limited to any taxes it may be required to withhold in respect of FATCA.

 

(c)           If a Lender or Participant claims an exemption from withholding tax in a jurisdiction other than the United States, such Lender or such Participant agrees with and in favor of Agent, to deliver to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) any such form or forms, as may be required under the laws of such jurisdiction as a condition to exemption from, or reduction of, foreign withholding or backup withholding tax before receiving its first payment under this Agreement, but only if such Lender or such Participant is legally able to deliver such forms, provided, that nothing in this Section 16.2(c) shall require a Lender or Participant to disclose any information that it deems to be confidential (including without limitation, its tax returns).  Each Lender and each Participant shall provide new forms (or successor forms) upon the expiration or obsolescence of any previously delivered forms and to promptly notify Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

 

(d)           If a Lender or Participant claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax and such Lender or Participant sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender or Participant, such Lender or Participant agrees to notify Agent (or, in the case of a sale of a participation interest, to the Lender granting the participation only) of  the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of Obligations of Borrowers to such Lender or Participant.  To the extent of such percentage amount, Agent will treat such Lender’s or such Participant’s documentation provided pursuant to Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c) as no longer valid.  With respect to such percentage amount, such Participant or Assignee may provide new documentation, pursuant to Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c), if applicable.  Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of this Section 16 with respect to its participation in any portion of the Commitments and the Obligations so long as such Participant complies with the obligations set forth in this Section 16 with respect thereto.

 

16.3        Reductions.

 

(a)           If a Lender or a Participant is subject to an applicable withholding tax, Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, the Lender granting the participation) may withhold from any payment to such Lender or such Participant an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.  If the forms or other documentation required by Section 16.2(a) or 16.2(c) are not delivered to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation), then Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation) may withhold from any payment to such Lender or such Participant not providing such forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

 

(b)           If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation) did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender or any

 

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Participant due to a failure on the part of the Lender or any Participant (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify Agent (or such Participant failed to notify the Lender granting the participation) of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason) such Lender shall indemnify and hold Agent harmless (or, in the case of a Participant, such Participant shall indemnify and hold the Lender granting the participation harmless) for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation), as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender granting the participation only) under this Section 16, together with all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses).  The obligation of the Lenders and the Participants under this subsection shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

16.4        Refunds.  If Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes to which Borrowers have paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 16, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, it shall pay over such refund to Borrowers (but only to the extent of payments made, or additional amounts paid, by Borrowers under this Section 16 with respect to Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such a refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the applicable Governmental Authority with respect to such a refund); provided, that Borrowers, upon the request of Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to Borrowers (plus any penalties, interest or other charges, imposed by the applicable Governmental Authority, other than such penalties, interest or other charges imposed as a result of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Agent hereunder) to Agent or such Lender in the event Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 16 shall not be construed to require Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information which it deems confidential) to Borrowers or any other Person.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 16.4, in no event will Agent or any Lender be required to pay any amount to Borrowers pursuant to this Section 16.4 the payment of which would place Agent or such Lender in a less favorable net after-Tax position than Agent or such Lender would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.

 

17.                               GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

17.1        Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by each Borrower, Agent, and each Lender whose signature is provided for on the signature pages hereof.

 

17.2        Section Headings.  Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only.  Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

 

17.3        Interpretation.  Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against the Lender Group or any Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

 

17.4        Severability of Provisions.  Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

 

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17.5        [Reserved].

 

17.6        Debtor-Creditor Relationship.  The relationship between the Lenders and Agent, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, is solely that of creditor and debtor.  No member of the Lender Group has (or shall be deemed to have) any fiduciary relationship or duty to any Loan Party arising out of or in connection with the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, and there is no agency or joint venture relationship between the members of the Lender Group, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, by virtue of any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein.

 

17.7        Counterparts; Electronic Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.  The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis.

 

17.8        Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations.

 

(a)           If any member of the Lender Group repays, refunds, restores, or returns in whole or in part, any payment or property (including any proceeds of Collateral) previously paid or transferred to such member of the Lender Group in full or partial satisfaction of any Obligation or on account of any other obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document because the payment, transfer, or the incurrence of the obligation so satisfied is asserted or declared to be void, voidable, or otherwise recoverable under any law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable obligations or transfers (each, a “Voidable Transfer”), or because such member of the Lender Group elects to do so on the reasonable advice of its counsel in connection with a claim that the payment, transfer, or incurrence is or may be a Voidable Transfer, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such member of the Lender Group elects to repay, restore, or return (including pursuant to a settlement of any claim in respect thereof), and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such member of the Lender Group related thereto, (i) the liability of the Loan Parties with respect to the amount or property paid, refunded, restored, or returned will automatically and immediately be revived, reinstated, and restored and will exist and (ii) Agent’s Liens securing such liability shall be effective, revived, and remain in full force and effect, in each case, as fully as if such Voidable Transfer had never been made.  If, prior to any of the foregoing, (A) Agent’s Liens shall have been released or terminated or (B) any provision of this Agreement shall have been terminated or cancelled, Agent’s Liens, or such provision of this Agreement, shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any Loan Party in respect of such liability or any Collateral securing such liability.

 

(b)           [Reserved].

 

17.9        Confidentiality.

 

(a)           Agent and Lenders each individually (and not jointly or jointly and severally) agree that material, non-public information regarding Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, their operations,

 

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assets, and existing and contemplated business plans (“Confidential Information”) shall be treated by Agent and the Lenders in a confidential manner, and shall not be disclosed by Agent and the Lenders to Persons who are not parties to this Agreement, except:  (i) to attorneys for and other advisors, accountants, auditors, and consultants to any member of the Lender Group  and to employees, directors and officers of any member of the Lender Group (the Persons in this clause (i), “Lender Group Representatives”) on a “need to know” basis in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and on a confidential basis, (ii) to Subsidiaries and Affiliates of any member of the Lender Group, provided that any such Subsidiary or Affiliate shall have agreed to receive such information hereunder subject to the terms of this Section 17.9, (iii) as may be required by regulatory authorities so long as such authorities are informed of the confidential nature of such information, (iv) as may be required by statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation; provided that (x) prior to any disclosure under this clause (iv), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrowers with prior notice thereof, to the extent that it is practicable to do so and to the extent that the disclosing party is permitted to provide such prior notice to Borrowers pursuant to the terms of the applicable statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation and (y) any disclosure under this clause (iv) shall be limited to the portion of the Confidential Information as may be required by such statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation, (v) as may be agreed to in advance in writing by Borrowers, (vi) as requested or required by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any subpoena or other legal process, provided, that, (x) prior to any disclosure under this clause (vi) the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrowers with prior written notice thereof, to the extent that it is practicable to do so and to the extent that the disclosing party is permitted to provide such prior written notice to Borrowers pursuant to the terms of the subpoena or other legal process and (y) any disclosure under this clause (vi) shall be limited to the portion of the Confidential Information as may be required by such Governmental Authority pursuant to such subpoena or other legal process, (vii) as to any such information that is or becomes generally available to the public (other than as a result of prohibited disclosure by Agent or the Lenders or the Lender Group Representatives), (viii) to current or prospective assignees or participants, direct or contractual counterparties to any Hedge Agreement and to their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents, provided that prior to receipt of Confidential Information any such current or prospective assignee, participant, current or prospective or pledgee shall have agreed in writing to receive such Confidential Information either subject to the terms of this Section 17.9 or pursuant to confidentiality requirements substantially similar to those contained in this Section 17.9 (and such Person may disclose such Confidential Information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (i) above), (ix) in connection with any litigation or other adversary proceeding involving parties hereto which such litigation or adversary proceeding involves claims related to the rights or duties of such parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided that, prior to any disclosure to any Person (other than any Loan Party, Agent, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel) under this clause (ix) with respect to litigation involving any Person (other than any Borrower, Agent, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrowers with prior written notice thereof, (x) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar organization, regulatory authority, examiner or nationally recognized ratings agency and (xi) in connection with, and to the extent reasonably necessary for, the exercise of any secured creditor remedy under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document.

 

(b)           Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent may disclose information concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to loan syndication and pricing reporting services or in its marketing or promotional materials, with such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications or marketing or promotional materials and may otherwise use the name, logos, and other insignia of any Borrower or the other Loan Parties and the Commitments provided hereunder in any “tombstone” or other advertisements, on its website or in other marketing materials of Agent.

 

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(c)           The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that Agent or its Affiliates may make available to the Lenders materials or information provided by or on behalf of Borrowers hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities).  The Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders to treat Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” or otherwise at any time filed with the SEC as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws.  All Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor” (or another similar term).  Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” or that are not at any time filed with the SEC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor” (or such other similar term).

 

17.10      Survival.  All representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of 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 or unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated.

 

17.11      Patriot Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.  In addition, if Agent is required by law or regulation or internal policies to do so, it shall have the right to periodically conduct (a) Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches, and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties and (b) OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual  background checks for the Loan Parties’ senior management and key principals, and each Borrower agrees to cooperate in respect of the conduct of such searches and further agrees that the reasonable costs and charges for such searches shall constitute Lender Group Expenses hereunder and be for the account of Borrowers.

 

17.12      Integration.  This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

 

17.13      Parent Borrower as Agent for Borrowers.  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Parent Borrower as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for all Borrowers, which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Agent shall have received prior written notice signed by each Borrower that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed Parent Borrower.  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Parent Borrower (a) to provide Agent with all notices with respect to Loans obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and any notice or instruction provided by Parent Borrower shall be deemed to be given by Borrowers hereunder and shall bind each Borrower), (b) to receive notices and instructions from members of the Lender Group (and any

 

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notice or instruction provided by any member of the Lender Group to the Parent Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been given to each Borrower), and (c) to take such action as the Parent Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Loans and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.  It is understood that the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of Borrowers in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Lender Group shall not incur liability to any Borrower as a result hereof.  Each Borrower expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of the Loan Account and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group.  To induce the Lender Group to do so, and in consideration thereof, each Borrower hereby jointly and severally agrees to indemnify each member of the Lender Group and hold each member of the Lender Group harmless against any and all liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against the Lender Group by any Borrower or by any third party whosoever, arising from or incurred by reason of (i) the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral of Borrowers as herein provided, or (ii) the Lender Group’s relying on any instructions of the Parent Borrower, except that Borrowers will have no liability to the relevant Agent-Related Person or Lender-Related Person under this Section 17.13 with respect to any liability that has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent-Related Person or Lender-Related Person, as the case may be.

 

17.14      Intercreditor Agreement.  Each Lender (a) hereby consents to the priority of the Liens securing the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) hereby agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) hereby authorizes and instructs Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

17.15      Waiver of Rights Under Farm Credit Act.  Each Borrower, having been represented by legal counsel in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, in particular, in connection with the waiver contained in this Section 17.15, does hereby voluntarily and knowingly waive, relinquish, and agree not to assert at any time, any and all rights that it may have or be afforded under the sections of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 designated as 12 U.S.C. Sections 2199 through 2202e and the implementing Farm Credit Administration regulations as set forth in 12 C.F.R. Sections 617.7000 through 617.7630, including those provisions which may afford such Borrower certain rights, and/or impose on any lender to a borrower certain duties, with respect to the collection of any amounts owing hereunder or the foreclosure of any liens securing any such amounts, or which require Agent or any present or future Lender or participant to disclose to a Borrower the nature of any such rights or duties.  This waiver is given by Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of 12 C.F.R. Section 617.7010(c) to induce the Lenders to fund and extend to Borrowers the credit facilities described herein and to induce those Lenders which are Farm Credit Lenders to agree to provide such credit facilities commensurate with their individual commitments as they may exist from time to time.

 

[Signature pages to follow.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWERS:

 

 

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC.,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC.,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC.,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY,

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC,

 

a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC.,

 

an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC.,

 

an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC.,

 

an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC.,

 

a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name: 

Steve Weinberger

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Agent

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PECM STRATEGIC FUNDING L.P.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By: PECM Strategic Funding GP, L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

By: PECM Strategic Funding GP Ltd., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By: 

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRIFFIN-BENEFIT STREET PARTNERS

 

BDC CORP, as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BENEFIT STREET PARTNERS SMA-C L.P., as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

PROVIDENCE DEBT FUND III L.P.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By: Providence Debt Fund III GP L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By: Providence Debt Fund III Ultimate GP Ltd., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BENEFIT STREET PARTNERS CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND SPV LLC,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

By: Benefit Street Partners Capital Opportunity Fund L.P., its managing member

 

 

 

 

By: Benefit Street Partners Capital Opportunity Fund GP L.P., its general partner

 

 

 

 

By: Benefit Street Partners Capital Opportunity Fund Ultimate GP LLC, its general partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

 



 

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

 

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

 

Name: 

Bryan Martoken

 

 

Title: 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

 



 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT

 

This ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT (“Assignment Agreement”) is entered into as of                               between                                  (“Assignor”) and                                       (“Assignee”).  Reference is made to the Credit Agreement described in Annex I hereto (the “Credit Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

1.                                      In accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 13 of the Credit Agreement, the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, that interest in and to the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents as of the date hereof with respect to the Obligations owing to the Assignor, and Assignor’s portion of the Commitments, all to the extent specified on Annex I.

 

2.                                      The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim and (ii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, representations or warranties made in or in connection with the Loan Documents, or (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of Borrowers or any Guarantor or the performance or observance by Borrowers or any Guarantor of any of their respective obligations under the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, and (d) represents and warrants that the amount set forth as the Purchase Price on Annex I represents the amount owed by Borrowers to Assignor with respect to Assignor’s share of the Revolving Loans assigned hereunder, as reflected on Assignor’s books and records.

 

3.                                      The Assignee (a) confirms that it has received copies of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment Agreement; (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon Agent, Assignor, or any other Lender, based upon such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking any action under the Loan Documents; (c) confirms that it is an Eligible Transferee; (d) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; [and] (e) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender; [and (f) attaches the forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States certifying as to the Assignee’s status for purposes of determining exemption from United States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee under the Credit Agreement or such other documents as are necessary to indicate that all such payments are subject to such rates at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty.]

 

4.                                      Following the execution of this Assignment Agreement by the Assignor and Assignee, the Assignor will deliver this Assignment Agreement to the Agent for recording by the Agent.

 



 

The effective date of this Assignment (the “Settlement Date”) shall be the latest to occur of (a) the date of the execution and delivery hereof by the Assignor and the Assignee, (b) the receipt by Agent for its sole and separate account a processing fee in the amount of $3,500 (if required by the Credit Agreement), (c) the receipt of any required consent of the Agent, and (d) the date specified in Annex I.

 

5.                                      As of the Settlement Date (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned pursuant to this Assignment Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (b) the Assignor shall, to the extent of the interest assigned pursuant to this Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall release any assigning Lender from obligations that survive the termination of the Credit Agreement, including such assigning Lender’s obligations under Article 15 and Section 17.9(a) of the Credit Agreement.

 

6.                                      Upon the Settlement Date, Assignee shall pay to Assignor the Purchase Price (as set forth in Annex I).  From and after the Settlement Date, Agent shall make all payments that are due and payable to the holder of the interest assigned hereunder (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to Assignor for amounts which have accrued up to but excluding the Settlement Date and to Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Settlement Date.  On the Settlement Date, Assignor shall pay to Assignee an amount equal to the portion of any interest, fee, or any other charge that was paid to Assignor prior to the Settlement Date on account of the interest assigned hereunder and that are due and payable to Assignee with respect thereto, to the extent that such interest, fee or other charge relates to the period of time from and after the Settlement Date.

 

7.                                      This Assignment Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by the parties hereto in 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.  This Assignment Agreement may be executed and delivered by telecopier or other facsimile transmission all with the same force and effect as if the same were a fully executed and delivered original manual counterpart.

 

8.                                      THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 12 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[signature pages follow]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment Agreement and Annex I hereto to be executed by their respective officers, as of the first date written above.

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR],

 

as Assignor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE],

 

as Assignee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED THIS      DAY OF

 

 

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation,

 

as Administrative Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 



 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

](1)

 


(1)  Include if Parent Borrowers’ consent is required by Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 



 

ANNEX FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

ANNEX I

 

1.

Borrowers: Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), and the Subsidiaries of Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages of the Credit Agreement

 

 

2.

Name and Date of Credit Agreement:

 

 

 

Credit Agreement dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, and BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BSP”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group.

 

 

3.

Date of Assignment Agreement:

 

 

 

 

4.

Amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

a.                                      Assigned Amount of Revolver Commitment

$

 

 

 

 

b.                                      Assigned Amount of Revolving Loans

$

 

 

 

5.

Settlement Date:

 

 

 

 

6.

Purchase Price

$

 

 

7.

Notice and Payment Instructions, etc.

 

 

 

Assignee:

 

Assignor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

FORM OF

NOTICE OF BORROWING

 

TO:

BSP Agency, LLC, as Administrative Agent

 

 

RE:

Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, and BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BSP”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement)

 

 

DATE:

[              , 20  ]

 

Pursuant to Section [2.1(a)] [and/or] [2.1(b)] of the Credit Agreement, the Borrowers hereby request the following (the “Proposed Borrowing”):

 

[Term Loan be made as follows:](1)

 

Date

 

Amount

 

Interest
Rate
(Alternate Base Rate/
LIBOR Rate)

 

Interest
Period
(one, two, three or six
months
— for LIBOR Rate only)

Closing Date

 

$

[     ]

 

 

 

 

 

[Incremental Facility be made as follows:](2)

 

Date

 

Amount

 

Interest
Rate
(Alternate Base Rate/
LIBOR Rate)(3)

 

Interest
Period
(one, two, three or six
months
— for LIBOR Rate only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)  Only to be used on the Closing Date

(2)  Only to be used in connection with an Incremental Facility issued pursuant to Section 2.1(b).

(3)  LIBOR Rate is only available if this Notice of Borrowing is provided to the Administrative Agent not later than one Business Day prior to the date of the requested borrowing.

 



 

The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on the date hereof and will be true on the date of the Proposed Borrowing:

 

(a)                                 The representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Credit Agreement and in the Loan Documents and which are contained in any certificate furnished at any time under or in connection with the Credit Agreement shall be (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, true and correct and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, true and correct in all material respects, in each case on and as of the date of the Proposed Borrowing as if made on and as of such date except for any representation or warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date.

 

(b)                                 No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the Proposed Borrowing or after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing unless such Default or Event of Default shall have been waived in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)                                  If an Incremental Facility is requested, all conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b) of the Credit Agreement shall have been satisfied.

 

This Notice of Borrowing may, upon execution, be delivered by facsimile or electronic mail, which shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original signature.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 



 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT C-1

 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

[on Parent Borrower’s letterhead]

 

To:                             BSP Agency, LLC

9 West 57th Street, Suite 4920

New York, New York 10019

Attn: Steven Crino

 

Re:                             Compliance Certificate dated                 , 20

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), and BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BSP”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Agent”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned officer of Parent Borrower hereby certifies as of the date hereof that:

 

1.                                      The financial information of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries furnished in Schedule 1 attached hereto has been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for year-end audit adjustments and the lack of footnotes), and fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date set forth therein.

 

2.                                      Such officer has reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and has made, or caused to be made under his/her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and financial condition of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.                                      Such review has not disclosed the existence on and as of the date hereof, and the undersigned does not have knowledge of the existence as of the date hereof, of any event or condition that constitutes a Default or Event of Default, except for such conditions or events listed on Schedule 2 attached hereto, in each case specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action Parent Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries have taken, are taking, or propose to take with respect thereto.

 



 

4.                                      Except as set forth on Schedule 3 attached hereto, the representations and warranties of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date.

 

5.                                      Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Credit Agreement as demonstrated on Schedule 4 hereof.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Compliance Certificate is executed by the undersigned this      day of                , 20   .

 

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC.,

 

a Delaware corporation, as Parent Borrower

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 



 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Financial Information

 



 

SCHEDULE 2

 

Default or Event of Default

 



 

SCHEDULE 3

 

Representations and Warranties

 



 

SCHEDULE 4

 

Financial Covenants

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

 

Borrowers’ Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured as of the fiscal quarter ended              , 20   for the four (4) fiscal quarters then ended , is    :1.0, which ratio [is/is not] greater than or equal to the ratio set forth in Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement for the corresponding period.

 

Total Leverage Ratio

 

Borrowers’ Total Leverage Ratio, measured as of fiscal quarter ended                 , 20   , is    :1.0, which ratio [is/is not] greater than or equal to the ratio set forth in Section 7.2 of the Credit Agreement for the corresponding period.

 



 

EXHIBIT L-1

 

FORM OF LIBOR NOTICE

 

BSP Agency, LLC, as Agent
under the below referenced Credit Agreement
9 West 57th Street, Suite 4920

New York, New York 10019

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference hereby is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”), and BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BSP”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Agent”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

This LIBOR Notice represents Borrowers’ request to elect the LIBOR Option with respect to outstanding Revolving Loans in the amount of $         (the “LIBOR Rate Advance”)[, and is a written confirmation of the telephonic notice of such election given to Agent].

 

The LIBOR Rate Advance will have an Interest Period of [1, 2, 3, or 6] month(s) commencing on                            .

 

This LIBOR Notice further confirms Borrowers’ acceptance, for purposes of determining the rate of interest based on the LIBOR Rate under the Credit Agreement, of the LIBOR Rate as determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

Parent Borrower represents and warrants that (i) as of the date hereof, the representations and warranties of Borrowers contained in the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof, as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any

 



 

representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date)), (ii) each of the covenants and agreements contained in any Loan Document have been performed (to the extent required to be performed on or before the date hereof or each such effective date), and (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date hereof, nor will any thereof occur after giving effect to the request above.

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation, as Parent Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged by:

 

 

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT P-1

 

FORM OF PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is hereby made to (a) that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BSP”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Borrower”) and the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”) and (b) that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of November 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the Subsidiaries of Borrowers parties thereto as “Grantors”, and Agent.

 

All initially capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.  Any terms (whether capitalized or lower case) used in this Perfection Certificate that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term used herein and if such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.  As used herein, the term “Loan Parties” shall mean the “Loan Parties” as that term is defined in the Credit Agreement and “Code” shall mean the “Code” as that term is defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

The undersigned, the          of                , hereby certifies (in my capacity as            and not in my individual capacity)(1) to Agent and each of the other members of the Lender Group as follows as of November 18, 2015:

 

1.                                      Names.

 

(a)                                 The exact legal name of each Loan Party, as such name appears in its certified certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, or any other organizational document, is set forth in Schedule 1(a).  Each Loan Party is (i) the type of entity disclosed next to its name in Schedule 1(a) and (ii) a registered organization except to the extent disclosed in Schedule 1(a).  Also set forth in Schedule 1(a) is the organizational identification number, if any, of each Loan Party that is a registered organization, the Federal Taxpayer Identification Number of each Loan Party and the jurisdiction of formation of each Loan Party.  Each Loan Party has qualified to do business in the states listed on Schedule 1(a).

 

(b)                                 Set forth in Schedule 1(b) hereto is a list of any other legal names each Loan Party has had in the past five years, together with the date of the relevant name change.

 


(1)  Insert appropriate officer(s), as applicable.

 



 

(c)                                  Set forth in Schedule 1(c) is a list of all other names used by each Loan Party in connection with any business or organization to which such Loan Party became the successor by merger, consolidation, acquisition, change in form, nature or jurisdiction of organization or otherwise or on any filings with the Internal Revenue Service, in each case, at any time in the past five years.  Except as set forth in Schedule 1(c), no Loan Party has changed its jurisdiction of organization at any time during the past four months.

 

2.                                      Chief Executive Offices.  The chief executive office of each Loan Party is located at the address set forth in Schedule 2 hereto.

 

3.                                      Real Property.

 

(a)                                 Attached hereto as Schedule 3(a) is a list of all (i) Real Property (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) of each Loan Party, (ii) filing offices for any mortgages encumbering the Real Property or to encumber, the Real Property as of the Closing Date, (iii) common names, addresses and uses of each parcel of Real Property (stating improvements located thereon) and (iv) other information relating thereto required by such Schedule.  Except as described on Schedule 3(a) attached hereto:  (A) no Loan Party has entered into any leases, subleases, tenancies, franchise agreements, licenses or other occupancy arrangements as owner, lessor, sublessor, licensor, franchisor or grantor with respect to any of the real property described on Schedule 3(a) and (B) no Loan Party has any leases which require the consent of the landlord, tenant or other party thereto to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

 

(b)                                 Schedule 3(b) sets forth all third parties (“Bailees”) with possession of any Collateral (including inventory and equipment) of the Loan Parties, including the name and address of such Bailee, a description of the inventory and equipment in such Bailee’s possession and the location of such inventory and equipment (if none please so state).

 

4.                                      Extraordinary Transactions.  Except for those purchases, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, and other transactions described on Schedule 4 attached hereto, all of the Collateral has been originated by each Loan Party in the ordinary course of business or consists of goods which have been acquired by such Loan Party in the ordinary course of business from a person in the business of selling goods of that kind.

 

5.                                      File Search Reports.  Attached hereto as Schedule 5 is a true and accurate summary of certified file search reports from (a) the Uniform Commercial Code filing offices (i) in each jurisdiction of formation identified in Section 1(a) and in each location identified Section 2 with respect to each legal name set forth in Section 1 and (ii) in each jurisdiction described in Schedule 1(c) or Schedule 3 relating to any of the transactions described in Schedule 1(c) or Schedule 4 with respect to each legal name of the person or entity from which each Loan Party purchased or otherwise acquired any assets and (b) each filing office in each real estate recording office identified on Schedule 3(a) for any Real Property Collateral.  A true copy of each financing statement, including judgment and tax liens, bankruptcy and pending lawsuits or other filing identified in such file search reports has been delivered to Agent.

 

6.                                      UCC Filings.  The financing statements (duly authorized by each Loan Party constituting the debtor therein), including the indications of the collateral, attached as Schedule 6 relating to the Guaranty and Security Agreement or the Real Property, are in the appropriate forms for filing in the filing offices in the jurisdictions identified in Schedule 6 hereof.

 

7.                                      Schedule of Filings.  Attached hereto as Schedule 7 is a schedule of (i) the appropriate filing offices for the financing statements attached hereto as Schedule 6 and (ii) the

 

2



 

appropriate filing offices for the filings described in Schedule 11(c) and (iii) any other actions required to create, preserve, protect and perfect the security interests in the Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) granted, assigned or pledged to Agent pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Loan Document.  No other filings or actions are required to create, preserve, protect and perfect the security interests in the Collateral granted, assigned or pledged to Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

8.                                      Termination Statements.  Attached hereto as Schedule 8 are the duly authorized termination statements in the appropriate form for filing in each applicable jurisdiction identified in Schedule 8 hereto with respect to each Lien described therein.

 

9.                                      Stock Ownership and Other Equity Interests.  Attached hereto as Schedule 9(a) is a true and correct list of each of all of the authorized, and the issued and outstanding, Equity Interests of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and the record and beneficial owners of such Equity Interests.  Also set forth on Schedule 9(a) is each equity investment of each Loan Party that represents 50% or less of the equity of the entity in which such investment was made.  Attached hereto as Schedule 9(b) is a true and correct organizational chart of Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

10.                               Instruments and Chattel Paper.  Attached hereto as Schedule 10 is a true and correct list of all promissory notes, instruments (other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business), tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper and other evidence of Indebtedness held by each Loan Party as of November 18, 2015 having an aggregate value or face amount in excess of $250,000, including all intercompany notes between or among any two or more Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

11.                               Intellectual Property.

 

(a)                                 Schedule 11(a) provides a complete and correct list of all registered Copyrights (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party, all applications for registration of Copyrights owned by any Loan Party, and all other Copyrights owned by any Loan Party and material to the conduct of the business of any Loan Party.  Schedule 11(a) provides a complete and correct list of all Patents (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party and all applications for Patents owned by any Loan Party.  Schedule 11(a) provides a complete and correct list of all registered Trademarks (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned by any Loan Party, all applications for registration of Trademarks owned by any Loan Party, and all other Trademarks owned by any Loan Party and material to the conduct of the business of any Loan Party.

 

(b)                                 Schedule 11(b) provides a complete and correct list of all Intellectual Property Licenses (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) entered into by any Loan Party pursuant to which (i) any Loan Party has provided any license or other rights in Intellectual Property (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) owned or controlled by such Loan Party to any other Person (other than non-exclusive software licenses granted in the ordinary course of business) or (ii) any Person has granted to any Loan Party any license or other rights in Intellectual Property owned or controlled by such Person that is material to the business of such Loan Party, including any Intellectual Property that is incorporated in any Inventory, software, or other product marketed, sold, licensed, or distributed by such Loan Party;

 

(c)                                  Attached hereto as Schedule 11(c) in proper form for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office (as applicable) are the filings necessary to preserve, protect and perfect the security interests in the United States Trademarks, United Patents, United States Copyrights and Intellectual Property Licenses set forth on Schedule 11(a) and

 

3



 

Schedule 11(b), including duly signed copies of each of the Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement and the Copyright Security Agreement, as applicable.

 

12.                               Commercial Tort Claims.  Attached hereto as Schedule 12 is a true and correct list of all commercial tort claims that exceed $250,000 held by each Loan Party, including a brief description thereof.

 

13.                               Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts.  Attached hereto as Schedule 13 is a true and complete list of all Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts (each as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) maintained by each Loan Party, including the name of each institution where each such account is held, the name of each such account and the name of each entity that holds each account.

 

14.                               Letter-of-Credit Rights.  Attached hereto as Schedule 14 is a true and correct list of all letters of credit issued in favor of any Loan Party, as beneficiary thereunder, having an aggregate value or face amount in excess of $250,000.

 

15.                               Motor Vehicles.  Attached hereto as Schedule 15 is a true and correct list of all motor vehicles and other goods (covered by certificates of title or ownership) and the owner and approximate fair market value of such motor vehicles.

 

16.                               Farm Products.  Attached hereto as Schedule 16 is a true and correct list of all of the locations in the United States of America and any other jurisdiction in which any Loan Party possess any farm products as defined in UCC §9-102(34).

 

17.                               Timber.  Attached hereto as Schedule 17 is a true and correct list of all of the locations in the United States of America and any other jurisdiction in which any Loan Party possess any timber to be cut.

 

18.                               Other Assets:  A Loan Party owns the following kinds of assets:

 

Aircraft:

Yes o   No o

 

 

Vessels, boats or ships:

Yes o   No o

 

 

Railroad rolling stock:

Yes o   No o

 

If the answer is yes to any of these other types of assets, please describe on Schedule 18.

 

[The Remainder of this Page has been intentionally left blank]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Perfection Certificate as of this      day of November    , 2015.

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

5



 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

6



 

Schedule 1(a)

 

Legal Names, Etc.

 

Legal Name

 

Type of Entity

 

Registered
Organization
(Yes/No)

 

Organizational
Number
(2)

 

Federal Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

Jurisdiction of Formation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(2)                                 If none, so state.

 

7



 

Schedule 1(b)

 

Prior Names

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Prior Name

 

Date of Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8



 

Schedule 1(c)

 

Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Name of Entity

 

Action

 

Date of
Action

 

State of
Formation

 

List of All Other
Names Used on Any
Filings with the
Internal Revenue
Service During Past
Five Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Add Information required by Section 1 to the extent required by Section 1(c) of the Perfection Certificate]

 

9



 

Schedule 2

 

Chief Executive Offices

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Address

 

County

 

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property

 

Entity of
Record

 

Common
Name and
Address

 

Owned,
Leased or
Other
Interest

 

Landlord
/ Owner
if Leased
or Other
Interest

 

Description
of
Lease or
Other
Documents
Evidencing
Interest

 

Purpose/
Use

 

Improvements
Located on
Real
Property

 

Legal
Description

 

Encumbered
or to be
Encumbered
by Mortgage

 

Filing
Office for
Mortgage

 

Option to
Purchase/Right
of First Refusal

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[SEE EXHIBIT A-[ ] ATTACHED HERETO]

 

[YES/NO]

 

[ ]

 

[YES/NO]

 

11



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property (cont.)

 

Required Consents; Loan Party Held Landlord/ Grantor Interests

 

I. Landlord’s / Tenant’s Consent Required

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE LANDLORD’S / TENANT’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED].

 

II. Leases, Subleases, Tenancies, Franchise Agreements, Licenses or Other Occupancy Agreements Pursuant to which any Loan Party holds Landlord’s / Grantor’s Interest

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE ANY LOAN PARTY HOLDS LANDLORD’S / GRANTOR’S INTEREST]

 

12



 

Schedule 3(b)

 

Bailees

 

13



 

Schedule 4

 

Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Description of Transaction Including Parties
Thereto

 

Date of
Transaction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14



 

Schedule 5

 

Certified File Search Reports

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Search Report dated

 

Prepared by

 

Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See attached.

 

15



 

Schedule 6

 

Copy of Financing Statements To Be Filed

 

See attached.

 

16



 

Schedule 7

 

Filings/Filing Offices

 

Type of Filing(3)

 

Entity

 

Applicable Collateral
Document
[Mortgage, Security
Agreement or Other]

 

Jurisdictions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(3)                                 UCC-1 financing statement, fixture filing, mortgage, intellectual property filing or other necessary filing.

 

17



 

Schedule 8

 

Attached hereto is a true copy of each termination statement filing duly acknowledged or otherwise identified by the filing officer.

 

Termination Statement Filings

 

Debtor

 

Jurisdiction

 

Secured Party

 

Type of Collateral

 

UCC-1
File Date

 

UCC-1
File
Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18



 

Schedule 9(a)

 

(a)  Equity Interests of Loan Parties and Subsidiaries

 

Current Legal
Entities Owned

 

Record Owner

 

Certificate No.

 

No. Shares/Interest

 

Percent
Pledged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Other Equity Interests

 

19



 

Schedule 9(b)

 

Organizational Chart

 

20



 

Schedule 10

 

Instruments and Chattel Paper

 

1.                                      Promissory Notes:

 

Entity

 

Principal
Amount

 

Date of Issuance

 

Interest Rate

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.                                      Chattel Paper:

 

21



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks

 

UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24



 

Schedule 11(b)

 

Intellectual Property Licenses

 

LICENSEE

 

LICENSOR

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

REGISTRATION/
APPLICATION
NUMBER, IF
ANY

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25



 

Schedule 11(c)

 

Intellectual Property Filings

 

26



 

Schedule 12

 

Commercial Tort Claims

 

27



 

Schedule 13

 

Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts

 

OWNER

 

TYPE OF ACCOUNT

 

BANK OR
INTERMEDIARY

 

ACCOUNT
NUMBERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28



 

Schedule 14

 

Letter-of-Credit Rights

 

29



 

Schedule 15

 

Motor Vehicles

 

30



 

Schedule 16

 

Farm Products

 

31



 

Schedule 17

 

Timber

 

32



 

Schedule 18

 

Other Assets

 

33



 

FORM OF SUPPLEMENT TO PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

 

Supplement (this “Supplement”), dated as of               , 20     , to the Perfection Certificate, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Perfection Certificate”) by each of the parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become Loan Parties (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”).

 

Reference is hereby made to (a) that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November [       ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”), Wells Fargo, as the sole arranger, Wells Fargo, as the sole book runner, Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent Borrower”) and the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”) and (b) that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of November [     ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”) by and among Borrowers, the Subsidiaries of Borrowers parties thereto as “Grantors”, and Agent.

 

All initially capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.  Any terms (whether capitalized or lower case) used in this Perfection Certificate that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term used herein and if such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.  As used herein, the term “Code” shall mean the “Code” as that term is defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement, the Loan Parties must execute and deliver a Perfection Certificate and the execution and delivery of the Perfection Certificate may be accomplished by the execution of this Supplement in favor of Agent, for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers;

 

In accordance with Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned, the          of          (4), hereby certify (in my capacity as            and not in my individual capacity) to Agent and each of the other members of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers as follows as of        , 20  :  [the information in the Perfection Certificate delivered on or prior to the Closing Date is true, correct, and complete on and as of the date hereof.] [Schedule 1(a), “Legal Names, Etc.”, Schedule 1(b), “Prior Names”, Schedule 1(c), “Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names”, Schedule 2, “Chief Executive Offices”, Schedule 3(a), “Real Property”, Schedule 3(b), “Bailees”, Schedule 4, “Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business”,  Schedule 9(a), “Equity Interests”, Schedule 9(b), “Organizational Chart” Schedule 10, “Instruments and Chattel Paper”, Schedule 11(a), “Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks”, Schedule 11(b), “Intellectual Property Licenses”, Schedule 12, “Commercial Tort Claims”, Schedule 13, “Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts”,

 


(4)                                 Insert appropriate officer(s), as applicable.

 

34



 

Schedule 14, “Letter-of-Credit Rights”, Schedule 15, “Motor Vehicles”, Schedule 16, “Farm Products”, Schedule 17, “Timber”, and Schedule 18, “Other Assets” attached hereto supplement Schedule 1(a), Schedule 1(b), Schedule 1(c), Schedule 2, Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 9(a), Schedule 9(b)Schedule 10, Schedule 11(a), Schedule 11(b), Schedule 12, Schedule 13, Schedule 14, Schedule 15, Schedule 16, Schedule 17, Schedule 18 respectively, to the Perfection Certificate and shall be deemed a part thereof for all purposes of the Perfection Certificate.]

 

The undersigned officers of each of the Loan Parties hereby certify as of the date hereof on behalf of the Loan Parties in their capacity as officers of the Loan Parties and not in their individual capacities that no additional filings or actions are required to create, preserve or perfect the security interests in the Collateral granted, assigned or pledged to Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Perfection Certificate shall remain in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Supplement to Perfection Certificate as of this          day of                    , 20     .

 

 

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

35



 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Each of the Guarantors]

 

36



 

Schedule 1(a)

 

Legal Names, Etc.

 

Legal Name

 

Type of Entity

 

Registered
Organization
(Yes/No)

 

Organizational
Number
(5)

 

Federal Taxpayer
Identification Number

 

Jurisdiction of Formation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(5)                                 If none, so state.

 

37



 

Schedule 1(b)

 

Prior Names

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Prior Name

 

Date of Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38



 

Schedule 1(c)

 

Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Name of Entity

 

Action

 

Date of
Action

 

State of
Formation

 

List of All Other
Names Used on Any
Filings with the
Internal Revenue
Service During Past
Five Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Add Information required by Section 1 to the extent required by Section 1(c) of the Perfection Certificate]

 

39



 

Schedule 2

 

Chief Executive Offices

 

Loan
Party/Subsidiary

 

Address

 

County

 

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property

 

Entity of
Record

 

Common
Name and
Address

 

Owned,
Leased or
Other
Interest

 

Landlord
/ Owner
if Leased
or Other
Interest

 

Description
of
Lease or
Other
Documents
Evidencing
Interest

 

Purpose/
Use

 

Improvements
Located on
Real
Property

 

Legal
Description

 

Encumbered
or to be
Encumbered
by Mortgage

 

Filing
Office for
Mortgage

 

Option to
Purchase/Right
of First Refusal

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[ ]

 

[SEE EXHIBIT A-[ ] ATTACHED HERETO]

 

[YES/NO]

 

[ ]

 

[YES/NO]

 

41



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property (cont.)

 

Required Consents; Loan Party Held Landlord/ Grantor Interests

 

I. Landlord’s / Tenant’s Consent Required

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE LANDLORD’S / TENANT’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED].

 

II. Leases, Subleases, Tenancies, Franchise Agreements, Licenses or Other Occupancy Agreements Pursuant to which any Loan Party holds Landlord’s / Grantor’s Interest

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE ANY LOAN PARTY HOLDS LANDLORD’S / GRANTOR’S INTEREST

 

42



 

Schedule 3(a)

 

Real Property (cont.)

 

Required Consents; Loan Party Held Landlord/ Grantor Interests

 

I. Landlord’s / Tenant’s Consent Required

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE LANDLORD’S / TENANT’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED].

 

II. Leases, Subleases, Tenancies, Franchise Agreements, Licenses or Other Occupancy Agreements Pursuant to which any Loan Party holds Landlord’s / Grantor’s Interest

 

1.  [LIST EACH LEASE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT WHERE ANY LOAN PARTY HOLDS LANDLORD’S / GRANTOR’S INTEREST]

 

43



 

Schedule 3(b)

 

Bailees

 

44



 

Schedule 4

 

Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business

 

Loan Party/Subsidiary

 

Description of Transaction Including Parties
Thereto

 

Date of
Transaction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45



 

Schedule 9(a)

 

(a)  Equity Interests of Loan Parties and Subsidiaries

 

Current Legal
Entities Owned

 

Record Owner

 

Certificate No.

 

No. Shares/Interest

 

Percent
Pledged

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Other Equity Interests

 

46



 

Schedule 9(b)

 

Organizational Chart

 

47



 

Schedule 10

 

Instruments and Chattel Paper

 

1.             Promissory Notes:

 

Entity

 

Principal
Amount

 

Date of Issuance

 

Interest Rate

 

Maturity Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.             Chattel Paper:

 

48



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks

 

UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COPYRIGHTS

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TITLE

 

REGISTRATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

APPLICATION NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PATENTS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50



 

Schedule 11(a)

 

Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (cont.)

 

UNITED STATES TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER TRADEMARKS:

 

Registrations:

 

OWNER

 

REGISTRATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications:

 

OWNER

 

APPLICATION
NUMBER

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

TRADEMARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51



 

Schedule 11(b)

 

Intellectual Property Licenses

 

LICENSEE

 

LICENSOR

 

COUNTRY/STATE

 

REGISTRATION/
APPLICATION
NUMBER, IF
ANY

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52



 

Schedule 12

 

Commercial Tort Claims

 

53



 

Schedule 13

 

Commodities Accounts, Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts

 

OWNER

 

TYPE OF ACCOUNT

 

BANK OR
INTERMEDIARY

 

ACCOUNT
NUMBERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54



 

Schedule 14

 

Letter of Credit Rights

 

55



 

Schedule 15

 

Motor Vehicles

 

56



 

Schedule 16

 

Farm Products

 

57



 

Schedule 17

 

Timber

 

58



 

Schedule 18

 

Other Assets

 

59



 

Schedule 1.1

 

As used in the Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

 

ABL Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

ABL Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Parent Borrower, the Lenders (as defined therein) party thereto, and ABL Agent, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

ABL Documents” means the ABL Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as such term is defined in the ABL Credit Agreement and any documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with any amendment, supplement, restatement, replacement or refinancing thereof, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement, this Agreement, and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

ABL Obligations” means “Obligations” as such term is defined in the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Account” means an account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Accounting Changes” means changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successor thereto or any agency with similar functions).

 

Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person whose assets or Equity Interests are acquired by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a Permitted Acquisition; provided, that such Indebtedness (a) is (i) purchase money Indebtedness, (ii) a Capital Lease with respect to Equipment, (iii) mortgage financing with respect to Real Property, or (iv) reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, (b) was in existence prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and (c) was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition.

 

Acquisition” means (a) the purchase or other acquisition by a Person or its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the assets of (or any division or business line of) any other Person, or (b) the purchase or other acquisition (whether by means of a merger, consolidation, or otherwise) by a Person or its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of any other Person.

 

Additional Documents” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5.12 of the Agreement.

 

Affected Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.13(b) of the Agreement.

 

Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct the

 



 

management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Equity Interests, by contract, or otherwise; provided, that, for purposes of Section 6.10 of the Agreement: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, and (c) each partnership in which a Person is a general partner shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person.

 

Agent” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Agent-Related Persons” means Agent, together with its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

Agent’s Account” means the Deposit Account of Agent identified on Schedule A-1 to this Agreement (or such other Deposit Account of Agent that has been designated as such, in writing, by Agent to Borrowers and the Lenders).

 

Agent’s Liens” means the Liens granted by each Borrower or any other Loan Party to Agent under the Loan Documents and securing the Obligations.

 

Agreement” means the Credit Agreement to which this Schedule 1.1 is attached.

 

Applicable Margin” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, as applicable, the applicable margin set forth in the following table that corresponds to the Total Leverage Ratio of Borrowers for the most recently completed fiscal month; provided, that for the period from the Closing Date through and including the date that the financial statements and Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1 for the fiscal quarter ending on or about December 31, 2016 has been delivered to the Agent, the Applicable Margin shall be set at the margin in the row styled “Level II”; provided further, that any time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Applicable Margin shall be set at the margin in the row styled “Level II”:

 

Level

 

Total Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Margin
Relative to Base Rate
Loans (the “Base Rate
Margin”)

 

Applicable Margin
Relative to LIBOR
Rate Loans (the
“LIBOR Rate
Margin”)

 

I

 

<3.25 to 1.00

 

5.50

%

6.50

%

II

 

>3.25 to 1.00

 

6.00

%

7.00

%

 

Subject to the foregoing terms, each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective with respect to all Loans outstanding on and after the first Business Day following delivery to Agent of the financial statements required by Section 5.1 and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1 indicating such change until the date immediately preceding the next date of delivery of such financial statements and Compliance Certificate indicating another such change; provided that if Borrowers fail to deliver any such financial statement or Compliance Certificate as and when required to be delivered under Section 5.1, the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in excess of 3.25 to 1.00 (solely for purposes of this definition) during the period

 

2



 

from the date on which such financial statement or certificate was required to be delivered until such financial statement or certificate is actually delivered.  In the event that any financial statements or Compliance Certificate is shown to be, or is acknowledged in writing to be, inaccurate, and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period than the Applicable Margin applied for such period, then Borrowers shall promptly deliver to Agent a corrected certificate for such period and (i) in the event of a higher Applicable Margin, Borrowers shall promptly (and, in any event, within ten Business Days after such inaccuracy is discovered) pay to Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such higher Applicable Margin for such period, or (ii) in the event of a lower Applicable Margin, the each Lender shall either (x) promptly (and in any event, within ten Business Days after such inaccuracy is discovered) pay to Borrowers the additional interest paid by Borrowers as a result of such lower Applicable Margin for such period, or (y) reduce the next payments that are due and owing from Borrowers hereunder by such amount.

 

Application Event” means the occurrence of (a) a failure by Borrowers to repay all of the Obligations in full on the Maturity Date, or (b) an Event of Default and the election by Agent or the Required Lenders to require that payments and proceeds of Collateral be applied pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(iii) of the Agreement.

 

Assignee” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(a) of the Agreement.

 

Assignment and Acceptance” means an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Agreement.

 

Authorized Person” means any one of the individuals identified on Schedule A-2 to the Agreement, as such schedule is updated from time to time by written notice from Borrowers to Agent.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means title 11 of the United States Code, as in effect from time to time.

 

Base Rate” means the greatest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus ½%, (b) the LIBOR Rate (which rate shall be calculated based upon an Interest Period of 1 month and shall be determined on a daily basis), plus 1 percentage point, and (c) the rate of interest announced, from time to time, within Wells Fargo at its principal office in San Francisco as its “prime rate”, with the understanding that the “prime rate” is one of Wells Fargo’s base rates (not necessarily the lowest of such rates) and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publications as Wells Fargo may designate.

 

Base Rate Loan” means each portion of the Loans that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

 

Base Rate Margin” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA, (a) that is or within the preceding six (6) years has been sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or (b) to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has, or has had at any time within the preceding six (6) years, any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

3



 

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors (or comparable managers) of such Person, or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors (or comparable managers).

 

Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

Borrower” and “Borrowers” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9(c) of the Agreement.

 

Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of Loans made on the same day by the Lenders (or Agent on behalf thereof).

 

BSP Agency” means BSP Agency, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which banks are authorized or required to close in the State of New York, except that, if a determination of a Business Day shall relate to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term “Business Day” also shall exclude any day on which banks are closed for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

Call Premium” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.4(g) of the Agreement.

 

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the amount of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period that are capital expenditures as determined in accordance with GAAP, whether such expenditures are paid in cash or financed, but excluding, without duplication (a) expenditures made during such period in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets or properties pursuant to Section 2.4(e)(ii) of the Agreement, (b) with respect to the purchase price of assets that are purchased substantially contemporaneously with the trade-in of existing assets during such period, the amount that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such assets for the assets being traded in at such time, (c) expenditures made during such period to consummate one or more Permitted Acquisitions, (d) capitalized software development costs to the extent such costs are deducted from net earnings under the definition of EBITDA for such period and (e) expenditures during such period that, pursuant to a written agreement, are reimbursed by a third Person (excluding any Borrower or any of its Affiliates).

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means that portion of the obligations under a Capital Lease that is required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

 

Capital Lease” means a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Equivalents” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued or fully guaranteed by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either

 

4



 

Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), (c) commercial paper maturing no more than 270 days from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit, time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or any United States branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, (e) Deposit Accounts maintained with (i) any bank that satisfies the criteria described in clause (d) above, or (ii) any other bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof so long as the full amount maintained with any such other bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (f) repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (d) of this definition or recognized securities dealer having combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, having a term of not more than seven days, with respect to securities satisfying the criteria in clauses (a) or (d) above, (g) debt securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the criteria described in clause (d) above, and (h) Investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are invested in the types of assets described in clauses (a) through (g) above.

 

Cash Management Services” means any cash management or related services including treasury, depository, return items, overdraft, controlled disbursement,  merchant store value cards, e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, interstate depository network, automatic clearing house transfer (including the Automated Clearing House processing of electronic funds transfers through the direct Federal Reserve Fedline system) and other customary cash management arrangements.

 

CFC” means a controlled foreign corporation (as that term is defined in the IRC).

 

Change of Control” means that:

 

(a)                                 any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert, shall have acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests of Parent Borrower (or other securities convertible into such Equity Interests) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of all Equity Interests of Parent Borrower entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote for the election of members of the Board of Directors of Parent Borrower;

 

(b)                                 any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert, shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of Parent Borrower or control over the Equity Interests of such Person entitled to vote for members of the Board of Directors of Parent Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such Equity Interests that such Person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of such Equity Interests; or

 

(c)                                  during any period of 24 consecutive months commencing on or after the Closing Date, the occurrence of a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Parent Borrower such that a majority of the members of such Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors;

 

(d)                                 Parent Borrower fails to own and control, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of each other Loan Party, other than as a result of a dissolution, liquidation or disposition permitted hereunder; or

 

5



 

(e)                                  the occurrence of any “Change of Control” as defined in ABL Credit Agreement.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of the Agreement of:  (a) the adoption or effectiveness of any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application by any Governmental Authority of any law, rule, regulation, guideline or treaty, or (c) the making or issuance by any Governmental Authority of any request, rule, guideline or directive, whether or not having the force of law; provided that notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy or liquidity requirements promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities shall, in each case, be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

Closing Date” means the date of the making of the initial Loan (or other extension of credit) under the Agreement.

 

Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time.

 

Collateral” means all assets and interests in assets and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries (other than CFCs) in or upon which a Lien is granted by such Person in favor of Agent or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents; provided that in any event the term Collateral shall not include any Excluded Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement).

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, its Commitment, and, with respect to all Lenders, their Commitments, in each case as such Dollar amounts are set forth beside such Lender’s name under the applicable heading on Schedule C-1 to the Agreement or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender under the Agreement, as such amounts may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments made in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Agreement.  The aggregate principal amount of Commitments on the Closing Date is $85,000,000.

 

Competitor” means any Person which is a direct competitor of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries if, at the time of a proposed assignment, Agent and the assigning Lender have actual knowledge that such Person is a direct competitor of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries; provided, that in connection with any assignment or participation, the Assignee or Participant with respect to such proposed assignment or participation that is an investment bank, a commercial bank, a finance company, a fund, or other Person which merely has an economic interest in any such direct competitor, and is not itself such a direct competitor of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, shall not be deemed to be a direct competitor for the purposes of this definition.

 

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 to the Agreement delivered by the chief financial officer of Parent Borrower to Agent.

 

Confidential Information” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9(a) of the Agreement.

 

Consolidated Current Assets” means, at any time, the consolidated current assets (other than cash and Cash Equivalents) of the Loan Parties at such time.

 

6



 

Consolidated Current Liabilities” means, at any time, the consolidated current liabilities of the Loan Parties at such time, but excluding, without duplication, the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the aggregate net income of the Loan Parties for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

 

(a)                                 the income of any person (other than a Subsidiary of the Parent) in which any other person (other than any of the Loan Parties) has a joint interest, except to the Loan Parties of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to any of the Parent and its Subsidiaries by such person during such period shall be excluded;

 

(b)                                 any gain (loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (loss), realized in connection with any asset disposition or abandonment (other than in the ordinary course of business) and reserves relating thereto shall be excluded;

 

(c)                                  any net unrealized gain (loss) (after any offset) resulting in such period from obligations under any Hedge Agreement or other derivative instruments and the application of ASC 815, in each case, shall be excluded;

 

(d)                                 any net unrealized gain (loss) (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses including those related to currency re-measurements of Indebtedness shall be excluded;

 

(e)                                  any gains (losses) resulting from the return of surplus assets of any Benefit Plan shall be excluded;

 

(f)                                   the effect of any non-cash gain (loss) in respect of post-retirement benefits as a result of the application of ASC 715 shall be excluded; and

 

(g)                                  the income of any Subsidiary of Borrowers to the extent that the payment thereof to any Loan Party, whether by dividends or similar distributions, intercompany loan repayments or otherwise, is not at the time permitted for any reason shall be excluded, except to the extent of cash actually distributed or permitted to be distributed; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the sole fact that such a payment would result in adverse tax consequences shall not cause such income to be excluded pursuant to this clause (g).

 

Consolidated Working Capital” means, at any date of determination, Consolidated Current Assets at such date minus Consolidated Current Liabilities at such date; provided that increases or decreases in Consolidated Working Capital shall be calculated without regard to any changes in Consolidated Current Assets or Consolidated Current Liabilities as a result of (a) any reclassification in accordance with GAAP of assets or liabilities, as applicable, between current and noncurrent or (b) the effects of purchase accounting.

 

Continuing Director” means (a) any member of the Board of Directors who was a director of Parent Borrower on the Closing Date, and (b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors after the Closing Date if such individual was approved, appointed or nominated for election to the Board of Directors by a majority of the Continuing Directors.

 

Contract Consideration” has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow”.

 

7



 

Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, Agent, and the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account).

 

Copyright Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

Curative Equity” means the net amount of common equity contributions (or net proceeds of issuance of common equity by Parent Borrower) received by the Parent Borrower in immediately available funds and which is designated “Curative Equity” by Borrowers under Section 9.3 of the Agreement at the time it is contributed.  For the avoidance of doubt, the forgiveness of antecedent debt (whether Indebtedness, trade payables, or otherwise) shall not constitute Curative Equity.

 

Default” means an event, condition, or default that, with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any amounts required to be funded by it under the Agreement on the date that it is required to do so under the Agreement, (b) notified Borrowers, Agent, or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with all or any portion of its funding obligations under the Agreement, (c) has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under the Agreement or under other agreements generally (as reasonably determined by Agent) under which it has committed to extend credit, (d) failed, within 1 Business Day after written request by Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of the Agreement relating to its obligations to fund any amounts required to be funded by it under the Agreement, (e) otherwise failed to pay over to Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it under the Agreement on the date that it is required to do so under the Agreement, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (f) (i) becomes or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, or custodian or appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or Canada or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

Defaulting Lender Rate” means (a) for the first 3 days from and after the date the relevant payment is due, the Base Rate, and (b) thereafter, the interest rate then applicable to Loans that are Base Rate Loans (inclusive of the Base Rate Margin applicable thereto).

 

Deposit Account” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Designated Account” means the Deposit Account of Parent Borrower identified on Schedule D-1 to the Agreement (or such other Deposit Account of Parent Borrower located at Designated Account Bank that has been designated as such, in writing, by Borrowers to Agent).

 

8



 

Designated Account Bank” has the meaning specified therefor in Schedule D-1 to the Agreement (or such other bank that is located within the United States that has been designated as such, in writing, by Borrowers to Agent).

 

Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest, other than any Preferred Qualified Equity Interest, that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date.

 

Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars.

 

Earn-Outs” means unsecured liabilities of a Loan Party arising under an agreement to make any deferred payment as a part of the Purchase Price for a Permitted Acquisition, including performance bonuses or consulting payments in any related services, employment or similar agreement, in an amount that is subject to or contingent upon the revenues, income, cash flow or profits (or the like) of the target of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

EBITDA” means, with respect to any fiscal period,

 

(a)                                 Borrowers’ consolidated net earnings (or loss),

 

minus

 

(b)                                 without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Borrowers for such period to the extent included in determining consolidated net earnings (or loss) for such period:

 

(i)                                     any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains,

 

(ii)                                  interest income,

 

(iii)                               exchange, translation or performance gains relating to any hedging transactions or foreign currency fluctuations, and

 

(iv)                              income arising by reason of the application of FAS 141R,

 

plus

 

(c)                                  without duplication, the sum of the following amounts of Borrowers for such period to the extent included in determining consolidated net earnings (or loss) for such period:

 

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(i)                                     any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring non-cash losses (excluding write-downs of current assets),

 

(ii)                                  Interest Expense,

 

(iii)                               income taxes,

 

(iv)                              depreciation and amortization for such period,

 

(v)                                 non-cash compensation expense (including deferred non-cash compensation expense), or other non-cash expenses or charges, arising from the sale or issuance of Equity Interests, the granting of stock options, and the granting of stock appreciation rights and similar arrangements (including any repricing, amendment, modification, substitution, or change of any such Equity Interests, stock option, stock appreciation rights, or similar arrangements) minus the amount of any such expenses or charges when paid in cash to the extent not deducted in the computation of net earnings (or loss),

 

(vi)                              one-time non-cash restructuring charges; provided that add-backs for any charges under this clause, in the aggregate, shall not exceed 10% of EBITDA for any four-fiscal quarter period (calculated before giving effect to any such add-backs and adjustments) and shall be reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(vii)                           non-cash exchange, translation, or performance losses relating to any hedging transactions or foreign currency fluctuations,

 

(viii)                        non-cash losses on sales of fixed assets or write-downs of fixed or intangible assets,

 

(ix)                              Recall Costs; provided that any such Recall Costs under this clause (ix) (A) shall only apply to the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016 and shall be limited to $1,000,000 in the aggregate for such two fiscal periods and (B) shall not be added back to EBITDA under any other clause under this definition of EBITDA for the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016, and

 

(x)                                 Kettle Snack Co-Pack Costs; provided that any such Kettle Snack Co-Pack Costs under this clause (x) (A) shall only apply to the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016 and shall be limited to $1,750,000 in the aggregate for such two fiscal periods and (B) shall not be added back to EBITDA under any other clause under this definition of EBITDA for the fiscal periods ending on December 26, 2015 and March 26, 2016,

 

in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

For the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period of 4 consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Reference Period”), (a) if at any time during such Reference Period (and after the Closing Date), any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made a Permitted Acquisition, EBITDA for such Reference

 

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Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such Permitted Acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case to be determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act and as interpreted by the staff of the SEC) or in such other manner acceptable to Agent as if any such Permitted Acquisition or adjustment occurred on the first day of such Reference Period, (b) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2015, shall be deemed to be $6,929,880, (c) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2015, shall be deemed to be $4,635,815, and (d) EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ended September 26, 2015, shall be deemed to be $6,321,995.

 

Eligible Transferee” means (a) any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), any Affiliate of any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) and any Related Fund of any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender); and (b) (i) a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii) a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country or a political subdivision thereof; provided that (A) (x) such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States or (y) such bank is organized under the laws of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or a political subdivision of such country, and (B) such bank has total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (d) any other entity (other than a natural person) that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) that extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses including insurance companies, investment or mutual funds and lease financing companies, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; and (f) during the continuation of an Event of Default, any other Person approved by Agent excluding any Loan Party or Affiliate of a Loan Party; provided that an Eligible Transferee shall not include any “lender” or “secured party” or “agent” under the ABL Credit Agreement unless such Person is a Lender on the Closing Date; provided, further that this foregoing prohibition shall not prohibit “lender” or “secured party” or “agent” under the ABL Credit Agreement from purchasing 100% (but not less than 100%) of the Obligations as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Environmental Action” means any written complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other written communication from any Governmental Authority, or any third party involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (a) from any assets, properties, or businesses of any Borrower, any Subsidiary of any Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest, (b) from adjoining properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by any Borrower, any Subsidiary of any Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest.

 

Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on employee health, or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

Environmental Liabilities” means all liabilities, monetary obligations, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand, or Remedial Action required, by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

 

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Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities.

 

Equipment” means equipment (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Equity Interest” means, with respect to a Person, all of the shares, options, warrants, interests, participations, or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including capital stock (or other ownership or profit interests or units), preferred stock, or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.  Any reference to a specific section of ERISA shall be deemed to be a reference to such section of ERISA and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means (a) any Person subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(b), (b) any trade or business subject to ERISA whose employees are treated as employed by the same employer as the employees of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(c), (c) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any organization subject to ERISA that is a member of an affiliated service group of which any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a member under IRC Section 414(m), or (d) solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, any Person subject to ERISA that is a party to an arrangement with any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and whose employees are aggregated with the employees of such Borrower or its Subsidiaries under IRC Section 414(o).

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 8 of the Agreement.

 

Excess Cash Flow” means, with respect to any fiscal year of the Borrowers, for the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to the sum of (a) EBITDA for such period minus (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Capital Expenditures, Permitted Acquisitions and investments pursuant to clause (p) of the Permitted Investments definition, in each case made in cash during such period and to the extent not financed with Indebtedness or the issuance of Equity Interests (or proceeds therefrom), (ii) Scheduled Debt Payments made during such period, (iii) Interest Expense (excluding any Interest Expense associated with intercompany indebtedness) for such period to the extent actually paid in cash, (iv) amounts paid in cash in respect of federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries with respect to such period, (v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital, (vi) the non-cash credits to the extent included in determining EBITDA for such period, (vii) cash Restricted Payments by Parent Borrower to the extent permitted by the Agreement, (viii) non-cash purchase accounting adjustments with respect to Permitted Acquisitions included in determining EBITDA for such period, and (ix) cash Restricted Payments made during such period to the extent permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.7(a) and not financed with Indebtedness or the issuance of Equity Interests (or proceeds therefrom) plus (c) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.

 

Excluded Equity Issuance” means the issuance of Parent Borrower’s  Equity Interests the Net Cash proceeds of which are used within 60 days to exclusively finance either a Permitted Acquisition or a Capital Expenditure. In the event a Permitted Acquisition or Capital Expenditure is not

 

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consummated or realized within 60 days after such issuance, such issuance of the Borrower’s  Equity Interests shall not be considered an Excluded Equity Issuance and Section 2.4(e)(i) shall apply.

 

Excluded Taxes” means (i) any tax imposed on the net income or net profits of any Lender or any Participant (including any branch profits taxes), in each case imposed (A) by the jurisdiction (or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof) in which such Lender or such Participant is organized or the jurisdiction (or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof) in which such Lender’s or such Participant’s principal office is located or (B) as a result of a present or former connection between such Lender or such Participant and the jurisdiction or taxing authority imposing the tax (other than any such connection arising solely from such Lender or such Participant having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received payment under, or enforced its rights or remedies under the Agreement or any other Loan Document); (ii) taxes resulting from a Lender’s or a Participant’s failure to comply with the requirements of Section 16.2 of the Agreement, (iii) any United States federal withholding taxes that would be imposed on amounts payable to a Foreign Lender based upon the applicable withholding rate in effect at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to the Agreement (or designates a new lending office), except that Indemnified Taxes shall include (A) any amount that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was previously entitled to receive pursuant to Section 16.1 of the Agreement, if any, with respect to such withholding tax at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to the Agreement (or designates a new lending office), and (B) additional United States federal withholding taxes that may be imposed after the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to the Agreement (or designates a new lending office), as a result of a change in law, rule, regulation, order or other decision with respect to any of the foregoing by any Governmental Authority, and (iv) any United States federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

Existing Credit Facility” means Borrower(s) credit facilities with (a) U.S. Bank National Association as administrative agent dated as of November 8, 2013 and (b) any and all other loan agreements, capital lease facilities and agreements for debt for borrowed money that are not listed on Schedule 4.14 (as in effect on the Closing Date).

 

Existing Facility” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.1(b) of the Agreement.

 

Extraordinary Receipt” means any cash received by or paid to or for the account of any Borrower or any other Loan Party not in the ordinary course of business, consisting of tax rebates, tax refunds, pension plan reversions, proceeds of insurance (other than (i) proceeds of casualty insurance and (ii) proceeds of business interruption insurance), indemnity payments and any purchase price adjustments; provided, however, that an Extraordinary Receipt shall not include indemnity payments to the extent that payments are received by any Person in respect of any third party claim against such Person and applied to pay (or to reimburse such Person for its prior payment of) such claim and the costs and expenses of such Person with respect thereto.

 

Extraordinary Receipts Threshold” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.4(e)(iii) of the Agreement.

 

Farm Credit Lender” means a lending institution organized and existing pursuant to the provisions of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, and under the regulation of the Farm Credit Administration.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the IRC, as of the date of the Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

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Farm Products” means “farm products” (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Fee Letter” means that certain fee letter, dated as of even date with the Agreement, among Borrowers and Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any fiscal period and with respect to Borrowers determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum, without duplication, of (a) Interest Expense paid in cash during such period, (b) scheduled amortization payments in respect of Indebtedness that are required to be paid during such period and (c) all Restricted Payments paid (whether in cash or other property, other than Qualified Equity Interest) during such period.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any fiscal period and with respect to Borrowers determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such period minus the sum of (i) Capital Expenditures paid in cash (to the extent not already incurred in a prior period) or incurred during such period (excluding Capital Expenditures that are financed with proceeds of Indebtedness (but including Capital Expenditures that are financed from proceeds of the loans under the ABL Credit Agreement)) and (ii) all federal, state, and local and foreign income or franchise taxes paid in cash during such period, to (b) Fixed Charges for such period.

 

For purposes of calculating Fixed Charges for the measurement periods ending prior to November 26, 2016, Fixed Charges for each such measurement period shall be calculated as follows: (i) Interest Expense shall be calculated by taking the amount of such expense for the period from the Closing Date through the last day of the applicable measurement period and multiplying such amount by 364 and dividing such amount by the number of days that have elapsed from the Closing Date through the last day of the applicable measurement period; (ii) scheduled amortization payments in respect of Indebtedness shall be the greater of (A) the actual scheduled amounts paid on and after the Closing Date and (B) the amounts scheduled to be paid during the one-year period commencing on the Closing Date; and (iii) Restricted Payments shall be calculated as the actual amount of such payments paid on and after the Closing Date.

 

Flood Insurance Laws” mean, collectively, (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (d) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (e) Biggert- Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

Flow of Funds Agreement” means a flow of funds agreement, dated as of even date herewith, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each Loan Party and Agent.

 

Food Security Laws” means all requirements of law relating to food products, including the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food Security Act of 1985, the Federal Trade Commission

 

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Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Act, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, 21 CFR § Part 111, and any other applicable comparable U.S. State statutes and all regulations promulgated under each of the foregoing.

 

Food Products” means all of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries’ now owned or hereafter existing or acquired food products of every kind and nature, including agricultural products, crops and products of crops, wherever located, including (a) “farm products” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law or the Uniform Commercial Code), (b) “poultry” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law), (c) “livestock” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law) and (d) “perishable agricultural commodities” (as such term is defined in any Food Products Law).

 

Food Products Laws” means, (a) the Food Security Act, (b) PACA, (c) Packers and Stockyards Act and (d) any other federal, state, or local laws from time to time in effect which regulate any matters pertaining to Food Products, in each case, as the same now exists or may hereafter from time to time be amended, modified, recodified, or supplemented, together with all rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Food Products Notices” means any written notice to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the applicable provisions of any Farms Products Law from (a) any Food Products Seller, (b) any lender to any Food Products Seller or any other person with a Lien on the assets of any Food Products Seller or (c) the Secretary of State (or equivalent official) or other Governmental Authority of any state, commonwealth or political subdivision thereof in which any Food Products purchased by any Loan Party are produced, in any case advising or notifying such Loan Party of the intention of such Food Products Seller or other person to preserve the benefits of any Lien or trust applicable to any assets of any Loan Party established in favor of such Food Products Seller or other person under the provisions of any law or claiming a Lien on any perishable agricultural commodity or any other Food Products which may be or have been purchased by a Loan Party or any related or other assets of such Loan Party.

 

Food Products Seller” means, individually and collectively, sellers or suppliers of any Food Products or related services to any Loan Party involved in the transaction.

 

Food Security Act” means the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 USC § 1631 et. seq., as the same now exists or may hereafter from time to time be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender or Participant that is not a United States person within the meaning of IRC section 7701(a)(30).

 

FSA Registrations” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 4.31.

 

Funding Date” means the date on which a Borrowing occurs.

 

Funding Losses” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.12(b)(ii) of the Agreement.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.

 

Governing Documents” means, with respect to any Person, the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, or other organizational documents of such Person.

 

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Governmental Authority” means the government of any nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether at the national, state, territorial, provincial, municipal or any other level, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of, or pertaining to, government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantor” means (a) each Subsidiary of each Borrower (other than those Subsidiaries that are Borrowers) and (b) each other Person that becomes a guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.11 of the Agreement.

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement” means a guaranty and security agreement, dated as of even date with the Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by each of Borrowers and each of the Guarantors to Agent.

 

Hazardous Materials” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity”, (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

 

Hedge Agreement” means a “swap agreement” as that term is defined in Section 101(53B)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Incremental Facility” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.1(b) of the Agreement.

 

Indebtedness” as to any Person means (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including all obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement), (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, or other financial products, (c) all obligations of such Person as a lessee under Capital Leases, (d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed, (e) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of assets (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade practices and, for the avoidance of doubt, other than royalty payments payable in the ordinary course of business in respect of non-exclusive licenses), (f) all monetary obligations of such Person owing under Hedge Agreements (which amount shall be calculated based on the amount that would be payable by such Person if the Hedge Agreement were terminated on the date of determination), (g) any Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, and (h) any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse) any obligation of any other Person that constitutes Indebtedness under any of clauses (a) through (g) above.  For purposes of this definition, (i) the amount of any Indebtedness represented by a guaranty or other similar instrument shall be the lesser of the principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding and the maximum amount for which the guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Indebtedness, and (ii) the amount of any

 

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Indebtedness which is limited or is non-recourse to a Person or for which recourse is limited to an identified asset shall be valued at the lesser of (A) if applicable, the limited amount of such obligations, and (B) if applicable, the fair market value of such assets securing such obligation.

 

Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.3 of the Agreement.

 

Indemnified Person” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.3 of the Agreement.

 

Indemnified Taxes” means, any Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief.

 

Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means an intercompany subordination agreement, dated as of even date with the Agreement, executed and delivered by each Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries, and Agent, the form and substance of which is reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of even date herewith between Agent and ABL Agent.

 

Interest Expense” means, for any period, the aggregate of the interest expense of Borrowers for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean, at any time, any Subsidiary of Parent Borrower (other than a Borrower) (i) having total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) in an amount of less than 2.50% of Consolidated Total Assets and (ii) contributing less than 2.50% to EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period; provided, however, that the total assets (as so determined) and EBITDA contribution (as so determined) of all Immaterial Subsidiaries shall not exceed 5.00% of Consolidated Total Assets or 5.00% of EBITDA, as the case may be, for such Test Period.  In the event that the total assets of all Immaterial Subsidiaries exceed 5.00% of Consolidated Total Assets or the total contribution to EBITDA of all Immaterial Subsidiaries exceeds 5.00% of EBITDA, as the case may be, for any relevant Test Period, (i) Borrowers shall designate one or more Subsidiaries as no longer constituting Immaterial Subsidiaries until such 5.00% threshold is met and (ii) to the extent not otherwise excluded as a Loan Party, such Subsidiaries designated as no longer constituting Immaterial Subsidiaries shall comply with Sections 5.11 and 5.12.  No Person shall be an Immaterial Subsidiary, unless it is also an “immaterial subsidiary” under the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

Interest Period” means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, a period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan (or the continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan or the conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan) and ending 1, 2, 3 , or 6 months thereafter or, if agreed to by all Lenders, 12 months thereafter; provided, that (a) interest shall accrue at the applicable rate based upon the LIBOR Rate from and including the first day of each Interest Period to, but excluding, the day on which any Interest Period expires, (b) any Interest Period that would end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (c) with respect to an Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest

 

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Period), the Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3, 6, or 12 months after the date on which the Interest Period began, as applicable, and (d) Borrowers may not elect an Interest Period which will end after the Maturity Date.

 

Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any investment by such Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances, capital contributions (excluding (a) commission, travel, and similar advances to officers and employees of such Person made in the ordinary course of business, and (b) bona fide accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business), or acquisitions of Indebtedness, Equity Interests, or all or substantially all of the assets of such other Person (or of any division or business line of such other Person), and any other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.  The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustment for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs, or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

 

IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.  Any reference to a specific section of the IRC shall be deemed to be a reference to such section of the IRC and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

Kettle Snack Co-Pack Costs” means any incremental costs or expenses, whether in cash or non-cash, or lost sales or margin, related to the use of third-party co-packing or other one-time production or distribution arrangements for Boulder Canyon or other Kettle Snack Products.

 

Lender” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to the Agreement and shall also include any other Person made a party to the Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Agreement and “Lenders” means each of the Lenders or any one or more of them.

 

Lender Group” means each of the Lenders and Agent, or any one or more of them.

 

Lender Group Expenses” means all (a) costs or expenses (including taxes and insurance premiums) required to be paid by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents that are paid, advanced, or incurred by the Lender Group, (b) documented out-of-pocket fees or charges paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the Lender Group’s transactions with each Borrower and its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents, including, photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches, filing fees, recording fees, publication, real estate surveys, real estate title policies and endorsements, and environmental audits, (c) Agent’s customary fees and charges imposed or incurred in connection with any background checks or OFAC/PEP searches related to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (d) Agent’s customary fees and charges (as adjusted from time to time) with respect to the disbursement of funds (or the receipt of funds) to or for the account of any Borrower (whether by wire transfer or otherwise), together with any out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, (e) [reserved], (f) reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Lender Group to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan Documents, or during the continuance of an Event of Default, in gaining possession of, maintaining, handling, preserving, storing, shipping, selling, preparing for sale, or advertising to sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof, irrespective of whether a sale is consummated, (g) [reserved], (h) Agent’s reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys’ fees and expenses) relative to third party claims or any other lawsuit or adverse proceeding paid or incurred, whether in enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, Agent’s Liens in and to the Collateral, or the Lender Group’s relationship with any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (i) Agent’s reasonable documented costs and expenses (including reasonable documented

 

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attorneys’ fees and due diligence expenses) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering (including travel, meals, and lodging), syndicating (including CUSIP, DXSyndicate™, SyndTrak or other communication costs incurred in connection with a syndication of the loan facilities), or amending, waiving, or modifying the Loan Documents, and (j) Agent’s and each Lender’s reasonable documented costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors fees and expenses) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors fees and expenses incurred in connection with a “workout,” a “restructuring,” or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether a lawsuit or other adverse proceeding is brought, or in taking any enforcement action or any Remedial Action with respect to the Collateral.

 

Lender Group Representatives” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9 of the Agreement.

 

Lender-Related Person” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender, together with such Lender’s Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

LIBOR Deadline” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.12(b)(i) of the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Interest Payment Date” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.6(d) of the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Notice” means a written notice in the form of Exhibit L-1 to the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Option” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.12(a) of the Agreement.

 

LIBOR Rate” means with respect to an Interest Period the rate per annum determined by Agent to be the offered rate for deposits in Dollars with a term equivalent to such Interest Period appearing on the page of the Reuters Screen which displays an average of the London interbank offered rate administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) 2 Business Days prior to the commencement of the requested Interest Period, for a term, and in an amount, comparable to the Interest Period and the amount of the LIBOR Rate Loan requested (whether as an initial LIBOR Rate Loan or as a continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan or as a conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan) by Borrowers in accordance with the Agreement (and, if any such rate is below zero, the LIBOR Rate shall be deemed to be zero), which determination shall be made by Agent and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the LIBOR Rate shall at no time be less than 1.00% per annum.

 

LIBOR Rate Loan” means each portion of a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

 

LIBOR Rate Margin” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, lien (statutory or other), security interest, or other security arrangement and any other preference, priority, or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, including any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any synthetic or other financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing and any lien arising under any Food Products Law.

 

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Loan” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.1(a) of the Agreement.

 

Loan Account” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.9 of the Agreement.

 

Loan Documents” means the Agreement, the Control Agreements, the Copyright Security Agreement, the Fee Letter, the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Mortgages, the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, any note or notes executed by Borrowers in connection with the Agreement and payable to any member of the Lender Group, and any other instrument or agreement entered into, now or in the future, by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any member of the Lender Group in connection with the Agreement.

 

Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination (a) prior to the termination of the Commitments, the amount of such Lender’s Commitment, and (b) after the termination of the Commitments, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans of such Lender.

 

Loan Party” means any Borrower or any Guarantor.

 

Make-Whole Premium” means with respect to any Loan on any date of prepayment of such Loan prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date pursuant to Sections 2.4(d) or (e) (other than Section 2.4(e)(v)), an amount equal to the excess of (a) the present value at such prepayment date of the sum of (i) 102% of the aggregate principal amount of Loans being prepaid on such date plus (ii) the aggregate amount of interest payments due on such Loan on each interest payment date (and assuming monthly Interest Periods for any period following the expiration of the then current Interest Period) during the period from the date of prepayment through and including the first anniversary of the Closing Date (excluding accrued but unpaid interest as of the date of such prepayment), discounted to the date of prepayment at a rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 0.50% (provided that for purposes of calculating the LIBOR Rate that would apply with respect to each applicable Interest Period (as determined by Agent), Borrowers shall use the sum of (i) the greater of (x) 1.00% per annum  and (y)(1) the interest rate per annum equal to the offered quotation rate to first class banks in the London interbank market which appears on the Bloomberg Screen when the command FWCV->Go->32->Go is entered for deposits, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date notice is provided by Borrowers to Agent or (2) in the event the rate referenced in the preceding clause (1) does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service shall cease to be available, the interest rate per annum shall be equal to the interest rate reasonably determined by Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service as reasonably determined by Agent to be comparable to the page and/or service referenced in the preceding clause (1) (in each case for delivery on the first day of the relevant Interest Period in dollars of amounts in same day funds comparable to the principal amount of the applicable Loan with a term equivalent to the period from the date of prepayment through the applicable Interest Period (as reasonably determined by Agent)) plus (ii) the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans), over (b) the aggregate principal amount of Loans being prepaid on such date; provided, further, that in no event shall the Make-Whole Premium be less than 2.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Loans being prepaid on such date.

 

Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect in the business, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or financial condition of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries ability to perform their

 

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obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are parties or of the Lender Group’s ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral (other than as a result of as a result of an action taken or not taken that is solely in the control of Agent), or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of Agent’s Liens with respect to all or a material portion of the Collateral.

 

Material Contract” means, with respect to any Person, (a) each contract or agreement to which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party involving aggregate consideration payable to or by such Person or such Subsidiary of $10,000,000 or more (other than purchase orders in the ordinary course of the business of such Person or such Subsidiary and other than contracts that by their terms may be terminated by such Person or Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business upon less than 60 days’ notice without penalty or premium), (b) all written Food Product Grower Arrangements that allow for extended payment terms of more than 30 days, (c) license arrangements with T.G.I. Friday’s of Minnesota; Seattle’s Best Coffee LLC; Jamba Juice Company; Vidalia Brands, Inc. and Miles Willard Technologies, LLP and (d) all other contracts or agreements, the loss of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Maturity Date” means November 17, 2020.

 

Moody’s” has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of Cash Equivalents.

 

Mortgages” means, individually and collectively, one or more mortgages, deeds of trust, or deeds to secure debt, executed and delivered by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in favor of Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, that encumber the Real Property Collateral.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA with respect to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has an obligation to contribute or has any liability, contingent or otherwise or could be assessed withdrawal liability assuming a complete withdrawal from any such multiemployer plan.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

 

(a)                                 with respect to any sale or disposition by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of assets, the amount of cash proceeds received (directly or indirectly) from time to time (whether as initial consideration or through the payment of deferred consideration) by or on behalf of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, in connection therewith after deducting therefrom only (i) the amount of any Indebtedness secured by any Permitted Lien on any asset (other than (A) Indebtedness owing to Agent or any Lender under the Agreement or the other Loan Documents and (B) Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset) which is required to be, and is, repaid in connection with such sale or disposition, (ii) reasonable fees, commissions, and expenses related thereto and required to be paid by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such sale or disposition, (iii) taxes paid or payable to any taxing authorities by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such sale or disposition, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are, at the time of receipt of such cash, actually paid or payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and are properly attributable to such transaction; and (iv) all amounts that are set aside as a reserve (A) for adjustments in respect of the purchase price of such assets, (B) for any liabilities associated with such sale or casualty, to the extent such reserve is required by GAAP, and (C) for the payment of unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold or otherwise disposed of at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale or other disposition, to the extent that in each case the funds described above in this clause (iv) are (x) deposited into escrow with a third party escrow agent or set aside in a separate Deposit Account that is subject to a Control Agreement in favor of Agent and (y) paid to Agent as a prepayment

 

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of the applicable Obligations in accordance with Section 2.4(e) of the Agreement at such time when such amounts are no longer required to be set aside as such a reserve; and

 

(b)                                 with respect to the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or the issuance by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Equity Interests, the aggregate amount of cash received (directly or indirectly) from time to time (whether as initial consideration or through the payment or disposition of deferred consideration) by or on behalf of such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance or incurrence, after deducting therefrom only (i) reasonable fees, commissions, and expenses related thereto and required to be paid by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance or incurrence, (ii) taxes paid or payable to any taxing authorities by such Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance or incurrence, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are, at the time of receipt of such cash, actually paid or payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and are properly attributable to such transaction.

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 14.2(a) of the Agreement.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender” means each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

 

Notice of Borrowing” means a request for a Loan borrowing pursuant to Section 2.1(b).  A Form of Notice of Borrowing is attached as Exhibit B-1.

 

Notification Event” means (a) the occurrence of a “reportable event” described in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived by applicable regulations issued by the PBGC, (b) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC or any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan administrator, (e) any other event or condition that would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan, (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to the IRC or ERISA in connection with any Benefit Plan or the existence of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien, (g) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan (other than any withdrawal that would not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.12), (h) any event or condition that results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections of ERISA, (i) any event or condition that results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate or to appoint a trustee to administer a Multiemployer Plan under ERISA, (j) any Pension Plan being in “at risk status” within the meaning of IRC Section 430(i), (k) any Multiemployer Plan being in “endangered status” or “critical status” within the meaning of IRC Section 432(b) or the determination that any Multiemployer Plan is or is expected to be insolvent or in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (l) with respect to any Pension Plan, any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurring a substantial cessation of operations within the meaning of ERISA Section 4062(e), (m) an “accumulated funding deficiency” within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA) or the failure of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan to meet the minimum funding standards within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA), in each case, whether or not waived, (n) the filing of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standards within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC

 

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or Section 302 of ERISA) with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (o) the failure to make by its due date a required payment or contribution with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (p) any event that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a liability by a Loan Party pursuant to Title I of ERISA or the excise tax provisions of the IRC relating to Benefit Plans or any event that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title IV of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC, or (q) any of the foregoing is reasonably likely to occur in the following 30 days.

 

Obligations” means all loans (including the Loans), debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), premiums, liabilities (including all amounts charged to the Loan Account pursuant to the Agreement), obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), Lender Group Expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), guaranties, and all covenants and duties of any other kind and description owing by any Loan Party arising out of, under, pursuant to, in connection with, or evidenced by the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all other expenses or other amounts that Borrowers are required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents or by law or otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of Borrowers under the Loan Documents include the obligation to pay (i) the principal of the Loans, (ii) interest accrued on the Loans, (iii) Lender Group Expenses, (iv) fees payable under the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and (v) indemnities and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.  Any reference in the Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

OFAC” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

Originating Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(e) of the Agreement.

 

PACA” means the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, as amended, 7 USC § 499a et. seq., as the same now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

 

Packers and Stockyards Act” means the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended, 7 USC § 181 et. seq., as the same now exists or may from time to time hereafter be amended, modified, recodified or supplemented, together with all rules, regulations and interpretations thereunder or related thereto.

 

Parent Borrower” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to the Agreement.

 

Participant” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(e) of the Agreement.

 

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(i) of the Agreement.

 

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Patent Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

Patriot Act” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 4.13 of the Agreement.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.

 

Pension Plan” means any Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Sections 412 or 430 of the Code sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit P-1 to the Agreement.

 

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition so long as:

 

(a)                                 no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the proposed Acquisition and the proposed Acquisition is consensual,

 

(b)                                 no Indebtedness will be incurred, assumed, or would exist with respect to any Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such Acquisition, other than Indebtedness permitted under clauses (f), (g), (m) or (u) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness and no Liens will be incurred, assumed, or would exist with respect to the assets of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such Acquisition other than Permitted Liens,

 

(c)                                  Borrowers have provided Agent with written confirmation, supported by reasonably detailed calculations, that on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such proposed Acquisition, are factually supportable, and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case, determined as if the combination had been accomplished at the beginning of the relevant period; such eliminations and inclusions to be mutually and reasonably agreed upon by Borrowers and Agent) created by adding the historical combined financial statements of Borrowers (including the combined financial statements of any other Person or assets that were the subject of a prior Permitted Acquisition during the relevant period) to the historical consolidated financial statements of the Person to be acquired (or the historical financial statements related to the assets to be acquired) pursuant to the proposed Acquisition, (i) Total Leverage Ratio is lower of 4.50:1.00 or the ratio specified pursuant to Section 7.2 as of the date of the proposed Acquisition and (ii) Borrowers and their Subsidiaries (x) would have been in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants in Section 7 of the Agreement (whether or not then in effect) for the fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the proposed date of consummation of such proposed Acquisition, and (y) are projected to be in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 7 of the Agreement (whether or not then in effect) for each of the 4 fiscal quarters in the period ended one year after the proposed date of consummation of such proposed Acquisition, and the Parent Borrower shall have delivered a customary officer’s certificate to Agent certifying as to compliance with the requirements of this clause (c),

 

(d)                                 Borrowers have provided Agent with its due diligence package relative to the proposed Acquisition, including forecasted balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements of the Person or assets to be acquired, all prepared on a basis consistent with such Person’s (or assets’) historical financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions for the 1 year period following the date of the proposed Acquisition, on a quarter by quarter basis), in form and substance (including as to scope and underlying assumptions) reasonably satisfactory to Agent,

 

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(e)                                  the proposed Acquisition is not otherwise prohibited by the ABL Credit Agreement and would not result in a “Default” or “Event of Default” (as defined therein) thereunder,

 

(f)                                   Borrowers have provided Agent with written notice of the proposed Acquisition at least 15 Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed Acquisition and, not later than 5 Business Days prior to the anticipated closing date of the proposed Acquisition, copies of the acquisition agreement and other material documents relative to the proposed Acquisition, which agreement and documents must be reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(g)                                  the assets being acquired (other than a de minimis amount of assets in relation to Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ total assets), or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired, are useful in or engaged in, as applicable, the business of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries or a business reasonably related thereto,,

 

(h)                                 the assets being acquired are located within the United States or Canada or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired is organized in a jurisdiction located within the United States or Canada,

 

(i)                                     the subject assets or Equity Interests, as applicable, are being acquired directly by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party, and, in connection therewith, the applicable Loan Party shall have complied with Section 5.11 or 5.12 of the Agreement, as applicable, of the Agreement and, in the case of an acquisition of Equity Interests, the applicable Loan Party shall have demonstrated to Agent that the new Loan Parties have received consideration sufficient to make the joinder documents binding and enforceable against such new Loan Parties,

 

(j)                                    such Acquisition was not preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for Equity Interest by, or proxy initiated by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interest by, or proxy contest initiated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, and

 

(k)                                 the Purchase Price payable in respect of all Permitted Acquisitions (including the proposed Acquisition and including deferred payment obligations) shall not exceed $10,000,000 (the “Purchase Price Limit”) in the aggregate during the term of the Agreement; provided that for purposes of this clause (k), the Purchase Price consideration funded with the net proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower (including any consideration comprised of Qualified Equity Interests of the Parent Borrower) shall be excluded when determining whether the Purchase Price Limit would be exceeded.

 

Permitted Dispositions” means:

 

(a)                                 sales, abandonment, or other dispositions of property that is substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete or no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business and leases or subleases of Real Property not useful in the conduct of the business of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,

 

(b)                                 sales of inventory and Farm Products to buyers in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c)                                  the use or transfer of money or Cash Equivalents in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of the Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

 

(d)                                 the licensing, on a non-exclusive basis, of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business,

 

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(e)                                  the granting of Permitted Liens,

 

(f)                                   the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof,

 

(g)                                  any involuntary loss, damage or destruction of property,

 

(h)                                 any involuntary condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, or confiscation or requisition of use of property,

 

(i)                                     the leasing or subleasing of assets of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,

 

(j)                                    the sale or issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Parent Borrower and the sale or issuance of Equity Interests of any Subsidiary to a Borrower or another Subsidiary,

 

(k)                                 (i) the lapse of registered patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent not economically desirable in the conduct of its business or (ii) the abandonment of patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business so long as (in each case under clauses (i) and (ii)), (A) with respect to copyrights, such copyrights are not material revenue generating copyrights, and (B) such lapse is not materially adverse to the interests of the Lender Group,

 

(l)                                     the making of Restricted Payments that are expressly permitted to be made pursuant to the Agreement,

 

(m)                             the making of Permitted Investments,

 

(n)                                 so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result therefrom, transfers of assets (i) from any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to a Loan Party, and (ii) from any Subsidiary of any Borrower that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary of any Borrower,

 

(o)                                 dispositions of assets acquired by Borrowers and their Subsidiaries pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition consummated within 12 months of the date of the proposed disposition so long as (i) the consideration received for the assets to be so disposed is at least equal to the fair market value of such assets, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the Subsidiary effecting the disposition (ii) the assets to be so disposed are not necessary or economically desirable in connection with the business of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, and (iii) the assets to be so disposed are readily identifiable as assets acquired pursuant to the subject Permitted Acquisition,

 

(p)                                 sales or dispositions of assets (other than Accounts, inventory, Farm Products, Equity Interests of Subsidiaries of any Borrower) not otherwise permitted in clauses (a) through (o) above so long as made at fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the Subsidiary effecting the disposition, and the aggregate fair market value of all assets disposed of would not exceed $2,500,000 in any fiscal year (including the proposed disposition) and $5,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of the Agreement, and

 

(q)                                 issuance of Curative Equity (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement or herein).

 

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Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

(a)                                 Indebtedness evidenced by the Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

 

(b)                                 Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 4.14 to the Agreement and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness,

 

 

(c)                                  Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness,

 

(d)                                 endorsement of instruments or other payment items for deposit,

 

(e)                                  Indebtedness consisting of (i) unsecured guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, completion guarantee and similar obligations; (ii) unsecured guarantees arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations to purchasers in connection with Permitted Dispositions; and (iii) unsecured guarantees with respect to Indebtedness of any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, to the extent that the Person that is obligated under such guaranty could have incurred such underlying Indebtedness,

 

(f)                                   unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower that is incurred on the date of the consummation of a Permitted Acquisition solely for the purpose of consummating such Permitted Acquisition so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) such unsecured Indebtedness is not incurred for working capital purposes, (iii) such unsecured Indebtedness does not mature prior to the date that is 180-days after the Maturity Date, (iv) such unsecured Indebtedness does not amortize until 180-days after the Maturity Date, (v) such unsecured Indebtedness does not provide for the payment of interest thereon in cash or Cash Equivalents prior to the date that is 180-days after the Maturity Date, and (vi) such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to Agent,

 

(g)                                  Acquired Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time,

 

(h)                                 Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business under performance, surety, statutory, or appeal bonds,

 

(i)                                     Indebtedness owed to any Person providing property, casualty, liability, or other insurance to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as the amount of such Indebtedness is not in excess of the amount of the unpaid cost of, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of, such insurance for the year in which such Indebtedness is incurred and such Indebtedness is outstanding only during such year,

 

(j)                                    the incurrence by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under Hedge Agreements that are incurred for the bona fide purpose of hedging the interest rate, commodity, or foreign currency risks associated with Borrowers’ and their Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes; provided that if such Indebtedness constitutes ABL Obligations, such Indebtedness shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(k)                                 Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, commercial cards (including so-called “purchase cards”, “procurement cards” or “p-cards”), or Cash Management Services; provided that

 

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if such Indebtedness constitutes ABL Obligations, such Indebtedness shall be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

(l)                                     unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower owing to former employees, officers, or directors (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the repurchase by such Borrower of the Equity Interests of Parent Borrower that has been issued to such Persons, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed $750,000, and (iii) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(m)                             unsecured Indebtedness owing to sellers of assets or Equity Interests to a Loan Party that is incurred by the applicable Loan Party in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions so long as (i) the aggregate principal amount for all such unsecured Indebtedness does not exceed $750,000 at any one time outstanding, (ii) is subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, and (iii) is otherwise on terms and conditions (including all economic terms and the absence of covenants) reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(n)                                 contingent liabilities in respect of any indemnification obligation, adjustment of purchase price, non-compete, or similar obligation of any Loan Party incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(o)                                 Indebtedness composing Permitted Investments,

 

(p)                                 unsecured Indebtedness incurred in respect of netting services, overdraft protection, and other like services, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business,

 

(q)                                 unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower owing to employees, former employees, officers, former officers, directors, or former directors (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the redemption by such Borrower of the Equity Interests of Parent Borrower that has been issued to such Persons, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed $750,000, and (iii) such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(r)                                    unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in respect of Earn-Outs owing to sellers of assets or Equity Interests to such Borrower or its Subsidiaries that is incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions so long as such unsecured Indebtedness is on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent,

 

(s)                                   Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding for all Subsidiaries of each Borrower that are CFCs; provided, that such Indebtedness is not directly or indirectly recourse to any of the Loan Parties or of their respective assets,

 

(t)                                    accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount, or the payment of interest in kind, in each case, on Indebtedness that otherwise constitutes Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(u)                                 Subordinated Indebtedness, the aggregate outstanding amount of which does not exceed $5,000,000,

 

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(v)                                 any other unsecured Indebtedness incurred by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed $3,000,000 at any one time, and

 

(w)                               subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the ABL Obligations and Indebtedness in respect of the ABL Credit Agreement and the other ABL Documents and any refinancing or replacement indebtedness thereof; provided that the aggregate principal amount of loans plus the aggregate face amount of letters of credit thereunder shall not exceed $71,000,000.

 

Permitted Intercompany Advances” means loans made by (a) a Loan Party to another Loan Party, (b) a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (c) a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party to a Loan Party, so long as the parties thereto are party to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (d) a Loan Party to a Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Loan Party so long as (i) the aggregate amount of all such loans (by type, not by the borrower) does not exceed $250,000 outstanding at any one time and (ii) at the time of the making of such loan, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom.

 

Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a)                                 Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents,

 

(b)                                 Investments in negotiable instruments deposited or to be deposited for collection in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c)                                  advances, including prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, made in connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, and prepaid crop purchases,

 

(d)                                 Investments received in settlement of amounts due to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of Insolvency Proceedings involving an account debtor or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries,

 

(e)                                  Investments owned by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule P-1 to the Agreement,

 

(f)                                   guarantees permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(g)                                  Permitted Intercompany Advances,

 

(h)                                 Equity Interests or other securities acquired in connection with the satisfaction or enforcement of Indebtedness or claims due or owing to a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (in bankruptcy of customers or suppliers or otherwise outside the ordinary course of business) or as security for any such Indebtedness or claims,

 

(i)                                     deposits of cash made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of operating leases,

 

(j)                                    (i) non-cash loans and advances to employees, officers, and directors of a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of purchasing Equity Interests in Parent Borrower so long as the proceeds of such loans are used in their entirety to purchase such Equity Interests in Parent Borrower, and (ii) loans and advances to employees and officers of a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries

 

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in the ordinary course of business for any other business purpose and in an aggregate amount not to exceed $750,000 at any one time,

 

(k)                                 Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(l)                                     Investments in the form of capital contributions and the acquisition of Equity Interests made by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party (other than capital contributions to or the acquisition of Equity Interests of Parent Borrower),

 

(m)                             Investments resulting from entering into agreements relative to Indebtedness that is permitted under clauses (j) and (k) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(n)                                 equity Investments by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary of such Loan Party which is required by law to maintain a minimum net capital requirement or as may be otherwise required by applicable law,

 

(o)                                 Investments held by a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and were in existence on the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and

 

(p)                                 so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, any other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 during the term of the Agreement.

 

Permitted Liens” means

 

(a)                                 Liens granted to, or for the benefit of, Agent to secure the Obligations,

 

(b)                                 Liens for unpaid taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that either (i) are not yet delinquent, or (ii) do not have priority over Agent’s Liens and the underlying taxes, assessments, or charges or levies are the subject of Permitted Protests,

 

(c)                                  judgment Liens arising solely as a result of the existence of judgments, orders, or awards that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.3 of the Agreement,

 

(d)                                 Liens set forth on Schedule P-2 to the Agreement; provided, that to qualify as a Permitted Lien, any such Lien described on Schedule P-2 to the Agreement shall only secure the Indebtedness that it secures on the Closing Date and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof,

 

(e)                                  the interests of lessors under operating leases and licensors under license agreements, entered into in the ordinary course of business (so long as, in the case of exclusive licenses, title to the licensed property is not transferred as a matter of law),

 

(f)                                   purchase money Liens or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent that such Liens or interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and so long as (i) such Lien attaches only to the asset purchased or acquired and the proceeds thereof and the other assets financed pursuant to this clause (f) by the lender providing such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness, and (ii) such Lien only secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire the asset purchased or acquired and the other assets financed pursuant to this clause (f) by the lender providing such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof,

 

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(g)                                  Liens arising by operation of law in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers (including suppliers’ statutory Liens arising under Food Products Laws), incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens either (i) are for sums not yet delinquent, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests,

 

(h)                                 Liens on amounts deposited to secure any Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries obligations in connection with worker’s compensation or other unemployment insurance,

 

(i)                                     Liens on amounts deposited to secure any Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries obligations in connection with the making or entering into of bids, tenders, or leases in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money,

 

(j)                                    Liens on amounts deposited to secure any Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries reimbursement obligations with respect to surety or appeal bonds obtained in the ordinary course of business,

 

(k)                                 with respect to any Real Property, easements, rights of way, and zoning restrictions that do not materially interfere with or impair the use or operation thereof,

 

(l)                                     licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business (so long as, in the case of exclusive licenses, title to the licensed property is not transferred as a matter of law),

 

(m)                             Liens that are replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is the subject of permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness,

 

(n)                                 rights of setoff or bankers’ liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such Deposit Accounts in the ordinary course of business,

 

(o)                                 Liens granted in the ordinary course of business on the unearned portion of insurance premiums securing the financing of insurance premiums to the extent the financing is permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(p)                                 Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods,

 

(q)                                 Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by a Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition,

 

(r)                                    Liens assumed by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that secure Acquired Indebtedness,

 

(s)                                   other Liens which do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money or letters of credit and as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $1,000,000,

 

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(t)                                    Liens against assets of CFCs to secure Indebtedness described in clause (s) of the Permitted Indebtedness definition and as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $2,500,000, and

 

(u)                                 Liens, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, in respect of the ABL Obligation, the ABL Credit Agreement and the other ABL Documents.

 

Permitted Protest” means the right of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to protest any Lien (other than any Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on such Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ books and records in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by such Borrower or its Subsidiary, as applicable, in good faith, and (c) Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Agent’s Liens.

 

Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations), incurred after the Closing Date and at the time of, or within 120 days after, the acquisition of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition cost thereof, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not in excess of $15,000,000.

 

Person” means natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

 

Platform” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9(c) of the Agreement.

 

Preferred Qualified Equity Interests” means Equity Interests that, by their terms, are redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, so long as the holders of such Equity Interests execute and deliver to Agent a subordination agreement or subordination agreement joinder, in form and substance acceptable to Agent, prior to the issuance of such Equity Interests to them, subordinating any and all of the obligations and amounts payable by the issuer of such Equity Interests to such holders in connection with any repurchase or redemption of such Equity Interests to the prior payment of the Obligations.

 

Projections” means Borrowers’ forecasted (a) balance sheets, (b) profit and loss statements, and (c) cash flow statements, all prepared on a basis consistent with Borrowers’ historical financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions.

 

Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any transaction, that such transaction shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the four-quarter period (or twelve month period, as applicable) ending as of the most recent quarter end (or month end, as applicable) preceding the date of such transaction for which financial statement information is available.

 

Pro Rata Share” means, as of any date of determination:

 

(a)                                 with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make all or a portion of the Loans, with respect to such Lender’s right to receive payments of interest, fees, and principal with respect to the

 

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Loans, and with respect to all other computations and other matters related to the Commitments or the Loans, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Loan Exposure of such Lender by (ii) the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders,

 

(b)                                 [reserved], and

 

(c)                                  with respect to all other matters and for all other matters as to a particular Lender (including the indemnification obligations arising under Section 15.7 of the Agreement), the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the Loan Exposure of such Lender by (ii) the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by assignments permitted pursuant to Section 13.1; provided, that if all of the Loans have been repaid in full and all Commitments have been terminated, Pro Rata Share under this clause shall be determined as if the Loan Exposures had not been repaid, collateralized, or terminated and shall be based upon the Loan Exposures as they existed immediately prior to their repayment, collateralization, or termination.

 

Purchase Price” means, with respect to any Acquisition, an amount equal to the aggregate consideration, whether cash, property or securities (including the fair market value of any Equity Interests of Parent Borrower issued in connection with such Acquisition and including the maximum amount of Earn-Outs), paid or delivered by a Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition (whether paid at the closing thereof or payable thereafter and whether fixed or contingent), but excluding therefrom (a) any cash of the seller and its Affiliates used to fund any portion of such consideration and (b) any cash or Cash Equivalents acquired in connection with such Acquisition.

 

Qualified Equity Interest” means and refers to (i) any Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower that is not a Disqualified Equity Interest and (ii) any Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests)  issued by a Subsidiary in connection with its formation and acquisition (in the case of a Permitted Acquisition).

 

Real Property” means any estates or interests in real property now owned or leased or hereafter acquired or leased by any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and the improvements thereto.

 

“Real Property Collateral” means (a) the Real Property identified on Schedule R-1 to the Agreement (b) any Real Property hereafter acquired by any Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries with a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000 and (c) to the extent not included in clauses (a) and (b), the Real Property subject to the Mortgages required to be delivered pursuant to Schedule 3.1 and Schedule 8.13.

 

Recall Costs” means any costs or expenses, whether in cash or non-cash, related to the recall of Fresh Frozen or related products as announced on April 23, 2015, including co-packing arrangement costs, excess distribution or storage costs, impairment charges, legal and regulatory expenses, lost sales or higher expense impact on EBITDA, fines, slotting expenses, buy out of competitor inventory and any other cost or expense that is reasonably attributable to such recall.

 

Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

 

Reference Period” has the meaning set forth in the definition of EBITDA.

 

Refinancing Indebtedness” means refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness so long as:

 

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(a)                                 such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the principal amount of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, other than by the amount of premiums paid thereon and the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and by the amount of unfunded commitments with respect thereto,

 

(b)                                 such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity (measured as of the refinancing, renewal, or extension) of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, nor are they on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are or could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders,

 

(c)                                  if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, renewal, or extension must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Lender Group as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness, and

 

(d)                                 the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended is not recourse to any Person that is liable on account of the Obligations other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, renewed, or extended.

 

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(h) of the Agreement.

 

Registered Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1(h) of the Agreement.

 

Related Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered, advised or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.

 

Remedial Action” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials required by Environmental Laws.

 

Replacement Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.13(b) of the Agreement.

 

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having or holding more than 50% of the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders; provided, that (i) the Loan of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Required Lenders and (ii) at any time there are 2 or more Lenders, “Required Lenders” must include at least 2 Lenders (who are not Affiliates of one another).

 

Restricted Payment” means to (a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution, directly or indirectly, on account of Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Parent Borrower) or to the direct or indirect holders of Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Qualified Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower, or (b) purchase, redeem, make any sinking fund or similar payment, or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Parent Borrower but excluding any

 

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Equity Interests deemed repurchased upon a cashless exercise of options or warrants) any Equity Interests issued by Parent Borrower, and (c) make any payment to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options, or other rights to acquire Equity Interests of Parent Borrower now or hereafter outstanding, and (d) make, or cause or suffer to permit any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to make, any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Indebtedness not permitted by the subordination terms for such Indebtedness.

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory that is, or whose government is,  the subject or target of any Sanctions.

 

Sanctioned Entity” means (a) a country or a government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government, (d) a Person resident in or determined to be resident in a country, in each case, that is subject to a country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any EU member state, (b) any Person located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person controlled by any such Person.

 

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

Scheduled Debt Payments” means, as of any date of determination for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarter period ending on such date, the sum of all regularly scheduled payments of principal on Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the applicable period ending on the date of determination (including the principal component of payments due on Capital Leases during the applicable period ending on the date of determination) to the extent actually paid in cash.

 

S&P” has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of Cash Equivalents.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.

 

Securities Account” means a securities account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, that (a) at fair valuations, the sum of such Person’s debts (including contingent liabilities) is less than all of such Person’s assets, (b) such Person is not engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for which the remaining assets of such Person are unreasonably small in relation to the business or transaction or for which the property remaining with such Person is an unreasonably small capital, and (c) such Person has not incurred and does not intend to incur, or reasonably believe that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise), and (d) such Person is “solvent”

 

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or not “insolvent”, as applicable within the meaning given those terms and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

Specified Financial Covenant” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 9.3(a) of the Agreement.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower or its Subsidiaries incurred from time to time that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations and (a) that is only guaranteed by the Guarantors, (b) that is not subject to scheduled amortization, redemption, sinking fund or similar payment and does not have a final maturity, in each case, on or before the date that is six months after the Maturity Date, (c) that does not include any financial covenants or any covenant or agreement that is more restrictive or onerous on any Loan Party in any material respect than any comparable covenant in the Agreement and is otherwise on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to Agent, (d) shall be limited to cross-payment default and cross-acceleration to designated “senior debt” (including the “Obligations”), and (e) the terms and conditions of the subordination are reasonably acceptable to Agent.

 

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which that Person directly or indirectly owns or controls the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity.

 

Taxes” means any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.

 

Tax Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 14.2(a) of the Agreement.

 

Term Loan Priority Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Test Period” means, on any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (taken as one accounting period) of Borrowers then most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

 

Total Debt” means, at any time, the total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Total Leverage Ratio” means, on any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Total Debt on the date of determination, minus the sum of (i) hedge obligations under any Hedge Agreement plus (ii) undrawn letters of credit to (b) EBITDA for the twelve (12) months ending on such date.

 

Trademark Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

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Treasury Rate” shall mean, as of any date, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities having a maturity nearest the date on which the applicable payment that is subject to the Make-Whole Premium is made.

 

United States” means the United States of America.

 

Voidable Transfer” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.8 of the Agreement.

 

Yield Differential” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.1(b) of the Agreement.

 

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EX-10.4 5 a15-23825_1ex10d4.htm EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 18, 2015, among the Persons listed on the signature pages hereof as “Grantors” and those additional entities that hereafter become parties hereto by executing the form of Joinder attached hereto as Annex 1 (each, a “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”), and BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement of even date herewith (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”) and Agent, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, Agent has agreed to act as agent for the benefit of the Lender Group in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement and this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce the Lender Group to enter into the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to induce the Lender Group to make financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, (a) each Grantor (other than any Borrower) has agreed to guaranty the Guarantied Obligations, and (b) each Grantor has agreed to grant to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, a continuing security interest in and to the Collateral in order to secure the prompt and complete payment, observance and performance of, among other things, the Secured Obligations; and

 

WHEREAS, each Grantor (other than any Borrower) is a Subsidiary of a Borrower and, as such, will benefit by virtue of the financial accommodations extended to Borrowers by the Lender Group.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the recitals made above and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Definitions; Construction.

 

(a)                                 All initially capitalized terms used herein (including in the preamble and recitals hereof) without definition shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement (including Schedule 1.1 thereto).  Any terms (whether capitalized or lower case) used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement; provided that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term used herein and if such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.  In addition to those terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 



 

(i)                                     ABL Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or its successor in accordance with the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

(ii)                                  ABL Obligations” means those obligations owing to the ABL Agent pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

(iii)                               ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(iv)                              Account” means an account (as that term is defined in Article 9 of the Code).

 

(v)                                 Account Debtor” means an account debtor (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(vi)                              Activation Instruction” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(vii)                           Agent” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

(viii)                        Agent’s Lien” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(ix)                              Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

(x)                                 Books” means books and records (including each Grantor’s Records indicating, summarizing, or evidencing such Grantor’s assets (including the Collateral) or liabilities, each Grantor’s Records relating to such Grantor’s business operations or financial condition, and each Grantor’s goods or General Intangibles related to such information).

 

(xi)                              Borrower” and “Borrowers” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(xii)                           Cash Equivalents” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xiii)                        CFC” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xiv)                       Chattel Paper” means chattel paper (as that term is defined in the Code), and includes tangible chattel paper and electronic chattel paper.

 

(xv)                          Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies with respect to Agent’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies.

 

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(xvi)                       Collateral” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.

 

(xvii)                    Collections” means all cash, checks, notes, instruments, and other items of payment (including insurance proceeds, cash proceeds of asset sales, rental proceeds, and tax refunds).

 

(xviii)                 Commercial Tort Claims” means commercial tort claims (as that term is defined in the Code), and includes those commercial tort claims listed on Schedule 1.

 

(xix)                       Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

(xx)                          Control Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xxi)                       Controlled Account” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(xxii)                    Controlled Account Agreements” means those certain cash management agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, each of which is executed and delivered by a Grantor, Agent, and one of the Controlled Account Banks.

 

(xxiii)                 Controlled Account Bank” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(xxiv)                Copyrights” means any and all rights in any works of authorship, including (A) copyrights and moral rights, (B) copyright registrations and recordings thereof and all applications in connection therewith including those listed on Schedule 2, (C) income, license fees, royalties, damages, and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future infringements thereof, (D) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof, and (E) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding thereto throughout the world.

 

(xxv)                   Copyright Security Agreement” means each Copyright Security Agreement executed and delivered by Grantors, or any of them, and Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

 

(xxvi)                Credit Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(xxvii)             Deposit Account” means a deposit account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxviii)          Equipment” means equipment (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxix)                Equity Interests” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xxx)                   Event of Default” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

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(xxxi)                Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

(xxxii)             Farm Products” means farm products (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxxiii)          Fixtures” means fixtures (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xxxiv)         Foreclosed Grantor” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2(i)(iii).

 

(xxxv)            General Intangibles” means general intangibles (as that term is defined in the Code), and includes payment intangibles, software, contract rights, rights to payment, rights under Hedge Agreements (including the right to receive payment on account of the termination (voluntarily or involuntarily) of such Hedge Agreements), rights arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action, goodwill, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Licenses, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, including Intellectual Property Licenses, infringement claims, pension plan refunds, pension plan refund claims, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims, interests in a partnership or limited liability company which do not constitute a security under Article 8 of the Code, and any other personal property other than Commercial Tort Claims, money, Accounts, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, goods, Investment Property, Negotiable Collateral, and oil, gas, or other minerals before extraction.

 

(xxxvi)         Grantor” and “Grantors” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

(xxxvii)      Guarantied Obligations” means all of the Obligations now or hereafter existing, whether for principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letter), Lender Group Expenses (including any fees or expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), or otherwise, and any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group (or any of them) in enforcing any rights under the any of the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guarantied Obligations shall include all amounts that constitute part of the Guarantied Obligations and would be owed by any Borrower to Agent, or any other member of the Lender Group but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable, including due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization, other Insolvency Proceeding or similar proceeding involving any Borrower or any guarantor; provided that, anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing notwithstanding, the Guarantied Obligations shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligation.

 

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(xxxviii)   Guarantor” means each Grantor other than Borrowers.

 

(xxxix)         Guaranty” means the guaranty set forth in Section 2 hereof.

 

(xl)                              Insolvency Proceeding” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xli)                           Intellectual Property” means any and all Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, trade secrets, know-how, inventions (whether or not patentable), algorithms, software programs (including source code and object code), processes, product designs, industrial designs, blueprints, drawings, data, customer lists, URLs and domain names, specifications, documentations, reports, catalogs, literature, and any other forms of technology or proprietary information of any kind, including all rights therein and all applications for registration or registrations thereof.

 

(xlii)                        Intellectual Property Licenses” means, with respect to any Person (the “Specified Party”), (A) any licenses or other similar rights provided to the Specified Party in or with respect to Intellectual Property owned or controlled by any other Person, and (B) any licenses or other similar rights provided to any other Person in or with respect to Intellectual Property owned or controlled by the Specified Party, in each case, including (x) any software license agreements (other than license agreements for commercially available off-the-shelf software that is generally available to the public which have been licensed to a Grantor pursuant to end-user licenses), (y) the license agreements listed on Schedule 3, and (z) the right to use any of the licenses or other similar rights described in this definition in connection with the enforcement of the Lender Group’s rights under the Loan Documents.

 

(xliii)                     Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xliv)                    Inventory” means inventory (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(xlv)                       Investment Property” means (A) any and all investment property (as that term is defined in the Code), and (B) any and all of the following (regardless of whether classified as investment property under the Code):  all Pledged Interests, Pledged Operating Agreements, and Pledged Partnership Agreements.

 

(xlvi)                    Joinder” means each Joinder to this Agreement executed and delivered by Agent and each of the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto, in substantially the form of Annex 1.

 

(xlvii)                 Lender Group” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(xlviii)              Lender” and “Lenders” have the respective meanings specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(xlix)                    Loan Document” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(l)                                     Negotiable Collateral” means letters of credit, letter-of-credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts and documents (as each such term is defined in the Code).

 

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(li)                                  Obligations” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lii)                               Parent Borrower” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

(liii)                            Patents” means patents and patent applications, including (A) the patents and patent applications listed on Schedule 4, (B) all continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, re-examinations, reissues, and renewals thereof and improvements thereon, (C) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future infringements thereof, (D) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements thereof, and (E) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding thereto throughout the world.

 

(liv)                           Patent Security Agreement” means each Patent Security Agreement executed and delivered by Grantors, or any of them, and Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B.

 

(lv)                              Permitted Investments” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lvi)                           Permitted Liens” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lvii)                        Person” has the meaning specified therefor in the Credit Agreement.

 

(lviii)                     Pledged Companies” means each Person listed on Schedule 5 as a “Pledged Company”, together with each other Person, all or a portion of whose Equity Interests are acquired or otherwise owned by a Grantor after the Closing Date.

 

(lix)                           Pledged Interests” means all of each Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to all of the Equity Interests now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, regardless of class or designation, including in each of the Pledged Companies (subject to the limits on the pledge of Equity Interests issued by CFCs, as set forth in the Credit Agreement), and all substitutions therefor and replacements thereof, all proceeds thereof and all rights relating thereto, also including any certificates representing the Equity Interests, the right to receive any certificates representing any of the Equity Interests, all warrants, options, share appreciation rights and other rights, contractual or otherwise, in respect thereof and the right to receive all dividends, distributions of income, profits, surplus, or other compensation by way of income or liquidating distributions, in cash or in kind, and all cash, instruments, and other property from time to time received, receivable, or otherwise distributed in respect of or in addition to, in substitution of, on account of, or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing.

 

(lx)                              Pledged Interests Addendum” means a Pledged Interests Addendum substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

(lxi)                           Pledged Notes” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 6(i).

 

(lxii)                        Pledged Operating Agreements” means all of each Grantor’s rights, powers, and remedies under the limited liability company operating agreements of each of the Pledged Companies that are limited liability companies.

 

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(lxiii)                     Pledged Partnership Agreements” means all of each Grantor’s rights, powers, and remedies under the partnership agreements of each of the Pledged Companies that are partnerships.

 

(lxiv)                    Proceeds” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.

 

(lxv)                       PTO” means the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

(lxvi)                    Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Grantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant guaranty, keepwell, or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

(lxvii)                 Real Property” means any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Grantor or any Subsidiary of any Grantor and the improvements thereto.

 

(lxviii)              Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or which is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

 

(lxix)                    Rescission” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7(k).

 

(lxx)                       Secured Obligations” means each and all of the following:  (A) all of the present and future obligations of each of the Grantors arising from, or owing under or pursuant to, this Agreement (including the Guaranty), the Credit Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents and (B) all other Obligations of each Borrower and all other Indebtedness of each Guarantor under the Loan Documents (including, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), reasonable attorneys fees and expenses and any interest, fees, or expenses that accrue after the filing of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any Insolvency Proceeding);  provided that, anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing notwithstanding, the Secured Obligations of the Guarantors shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligation.

 

(lxxi)                    Securities Account” means a securities account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

(lxxii)                 Security Interest” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.

 

(lxxiii)              Supporting Obligations” means supporting obligations (as such term is defined in the Code), and includes letters of credit and guaranties issued in support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, documents, General Intangibles, instruments or Investment Property.

 

(lxxiv)             Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Grantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

(lxxv)                Trademarks” means any and all trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, registered service marks and service mark applications, including (A) the trade names, registered trademarks, trademark applications, registered

 

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service marks and service mark applications listed on Schedule 6, (B) all renewals thereof, (C) all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past or future infringements or dilutions thereof, (D) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements and dilutions thereof, (E) the goodwill of each Grantor’s business symbolized by the foregoing or connected therewith, and (F) all of each Grantor’s rights corresponding thereto throughout the world.

 

(lxxvi)             Trademark Security Agreement” means each Trademark Security Agreement executed and delivered by Grantors, or any of them, and Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D.

 

(lxxvii)          URL” means “uniform resource locator,” an internet web address.

 

(lxxviii)       VIN” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5(h).

 

(b)                                 Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole (including the Schedules to this Agreement) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Agreement to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein).  The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties.  Any reference herein to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Secured Obligations or the Guarantied Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document and are unpaid, (b) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Secured Obligations or Guarantied Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Secured Obligations or Guarantied Obligations, (c) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other Secured Obligations or Guarantied Obligations (as the case may be) other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations, and (d) the termination of all of the Commitments of the Lenders.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.  Any requirement of a writing contained herein shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.

 

(c)                                  All of the Schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

 

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2.                                      Guaranty.

 

(a)                                 In recognition of the direct and indirect benefits to be received by Guarantors from the proceeds of the Loans and by virtue of the financial accommodations to be made to Borrowers, each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety the full and prompt payment when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, of all of the Guarantied Obligations.  If any or all of the Obligations constituting Guarantied Obligations becomes due and payable, each of the Guarantors, unconditionally and irrevocably, and without the need for demand, protest, or any other notice or formality, promises to pay such indebtedness to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, together with any and all expenses (including Lender Group Expenses) that may be incurred by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group in demanding, enforcing, or collecting any of the Guarantied Obligations (including the enforcement of any collateral for such Guarantied Obligations or any collateral for the obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty).  If claim is ever made upon Agent or any other member of the Lender Group for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment of or on account of any or all of the Guarantied Obligations and any of Agent or any other member of the Lender Group repays all or part of said amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree, or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property, or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee with any such claimant (including any Borrower or any Guarantor), then and in each such event, each of the Guarantors agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement, or compromise shall be binding upon the Guarantors, notwithstanding any revocation (or purported revocation) of this Guaranty or other instrument evidencing any liability of any Grantor, and the Guarantors shall be and remain liable to the aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

 

(b)                                 Additionally, each of the Guarantors unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the payment of any and all of the Guarantied Obligations to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, whether or not due or payable by any Loan Party upon the occurrence of any of the Events of Default specified in Section 8.4 or 8.5 of the Credit Agreement, and irrevocably and unconditionally promises to pay such indebtedness to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, without the requirement of demand, protest, or any other notice or other formality, in lawful money of the United States.

 

(c)                                  The liability of each of the Guarantors hereunder is primary, absolute, and unconditional, and is independent of any security for or other guaranty of the Guarantied Obligations, whether executed by any other Guarantor or by any other Person, and the liability of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be affected or impaired by (i) any payment on, or in reduction of, any such other guaranty or undertaking, (ii) any dissolution, termination, or increase, decrease, or change in personnel by any Grantor, (iii) any payment made to Agent or any other member of the Lender Group on account of the Obligations which Agent or such other member of the Lender Group repays to any Grantor pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding (or any settlement or compromise of any claim made in such a proceeding relating to such payment), and each of the Guarantors waives any right to the deferral or modification of its obligations hereunder by reason of any such proceeding, or (iv) any action or inaction by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group, or (v) any invalidity, irregularity, avoidability, or unenforceability of all or any part of the Obligations or of any security therefor.

 

(d)                                 This Guaranty includes all present and future Guarantied Obligations including any under transactions continuing, compromising, extending, increasing, modifying, releasing, or renewing the Guarantied Obligations, changing the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof, or creating new or additional Guarantied Obligations after prior Guarantied Obligations have been satisfied in whole or in part.  To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Guarantor hereby waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future Guarantied Obligations.  If such a revocation is effective notwithstanding the foregoing waiver, each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees

 

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that (i) no such revocation shall be effective until written notice thereof has been received by Agent, (ii) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations in existence on the date of receipt by Agent of such written notice (including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the interest rate, payment terms, or other terms and conditions thereof), (iii) no such revocation shall apply to any Guarantied Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of any member of the Lender Group in existence on the date of such revocation, (iv) no payment by any Guarantor, any Borrower, or from any other source, prior to the date of Agent’s receipt of written notice of such revocation shall reduce the maximum obligation of such Guarantor hereunder, and (v) any payment by any Borrower or from any source other than such Guarantor subsequent to the date of such revocation shall first be applied to that portion of the Guarantied Obligations as to which the revocation is effective and which are not, therefore, guarantied hereunder, and to the extent so applied shall not reduce the maximum obligation of such Guarantor hereunder.  This Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor, its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Agent (for the benefit of the Lender Group) and its successors, transferees, or assigns.

 

(e)                                  The guaranty by each of the Guarantors hereunder is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.  The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other Guarantor or Grantor or any other Person and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against one or more of the Guarantors whether or not action is brought against any other Guarantor or Grantor or any other Person and whether or not any other Guarantor or Grantor or any other Person be joined in any such action or actions.  Each of the Guarantors waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof.  Any payment by any Grantor or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to any Grantor shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each of the Guarantors.

 

(f)                                   Each of the Guarantors authorizes Agent and the other members of the Lender Group without notice or demand, and without affecting or impairing its liability hereunder, from time to time to:

 

(i)                                     change the manner, place, or terms of payment of, or change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate, or alter:  (A) any of the Obligations (including any increase or decrease in the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest or fees thereon); or (B) any security therefor or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof, and this Guaranty shall apply to the Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed, or altered;

 

(ii)                                  take and hold security for the payment of the Obligations and sell, exchange, release, impair, surrender, realize upon, collect, settle, or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure the Obligations or any of the Guarantied Obligations (including any of the obligations of all or any of the Guarantors under this Guaranty) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, or any offset on account thereof;

 

(iii)                               exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against any Grantor;

 

(iv)                              release or substitute any one or more endorsers, guarantors, any Grantor, or other obligors;

 

(v)                                 settle or compromise any of the Obligations, any security therefor, or any liability (including any of those of any of the Guarantors under this Guaranty) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of any Grantor to its creditors;

 

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(vi)                              apply any sums by whomever paid or however realized to any liability or liabilities of any Grantor to Agent or any other member of the Lender Group regardless of what liability or liabilities of such Grantor remain unpaid;

 

(vii)                           consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission, or default under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of the instruments or agreements referred to herein or therein, or otherwise amend, modify, or supplement this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of such other instruments or agreements; or

 

(viii)                        take any other action that could, under otherwise applicable principles of law, give rise to a legal or equitable discharge of one or more of the Guarantors from all or part of its liabilities under this Guaranty.

 

(g)                                  It is not necessary for Agent or any other member of the Lender Group to inquire into the capacity or powers of any of the Guarantors or the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on their behalf, and any Obligations made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.

 

(h)                                 Each Guarantor jointly and severally guarantees that the Guarantied Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any law, regulation, or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of any member of the Lender Group with respect thereto.  The obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty are independent of the Guarantied Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce such obligations, irrespective of whether any action is brought against any other Guarantor or whether any other Guarantor is joined in any such action or actions.  The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defense it may now or hereafter have in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

 

(i)                                     any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(ii)                                  any change in the time, manner, or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guarantied Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including any increase in the Guarantied Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit;

 

(iii)                               any taking, exchange, release, or non-perfection of any Lien in and to any Collateral, or any taking, release, amendment, waiver of, or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guarantied Obligations;

 

(iv)                              the existence of any claim, set-off, defense, or other right that any Guarantor may have at any time against any Person, including Agent or any other member of the Lender Group;

 

(v)                                 any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any security therefor;

 

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(vi)                              any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any member of the Lender Group including any defense based upon an impairment or elimination of such Guarantor’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of such Guarantor against any other Grantor or any guarantors or sureties;

 

(vii)                           any change, restructuring, or termination of the corporate, limited liability company, or partnership structure or existence of any Grantor; or

 

(viii)                        any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor or any other guarantor or surety.

 

(i)                                     Waivers.

 

(i)                                     Each of the Guarantors waives any right (except as shall be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) to require Agent or any other member of the Lender Group to (i) proceed against any other Grantor or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from any other Grantor or any other Person, or (iii) protect, secure, perfect, or insure any security interest or Lien on any property subject thereto or exhaust any right to take any action against any other Grantor, any other Person, or any collateral, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in any member of the Lender Group’s power whatsoever.  Each of the Guarantors waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Grantor or any other Person, other than payment of the Guarantied Obligations to the extent of such payment, based on or arising out of the disability of any Grantor or any other Person, or the validity, legality, or unenforceability of the Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Grantor other than payment of the Obligations to the extent of such payment.  Agent may, at the election of the Required Lenders, foreclose upon any Collateral held by Agent by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales or other dispositions, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable or otherwise fails to comply with applicable law or may exercise any other right or remedy Agent or any other member of the Lender Group may have against any Grantor or any other Person, or any security, in each case, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any of the Guarantors hereunder except to the extent the Guarantied Obligations have been paid.

 

(ii)                                  Each of the Guarantors waives all presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation, or incurring of new or additional Obligations or other financial accommodations.  Each of the Guarantors waives notice of any Default or Event of Default under any of the Loan Documents.  Each of the Guarantors assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of each Grantor’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 which each of the Guarantors assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that neither Agent nor any of the other members of the Lender Group shall have any duty to advise any of the Guarantors of information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

(iii)                               To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives:  (A) any right to assert against any member of the Lender Group, any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which each Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against any Borrower or any other party liable to any member of the Lender Group; (B) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guarantied Obligations or any security therefor; (C) any right or defense arising by reason of any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by any member of the Lender Group including any defense based upon an impairment or

 

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elimination of such Guarantor’s rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of such Guarantor against any Borrower or other guarantors or sureties; and (D) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guarantied Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to such Guarantor’s liability hereunder.

 

(iv)                              No Guarantor will exercise any rights that it may now or hereafter acquire against any Grantor or any other guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty, including any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Agent or any other member of the Lender Group, against any Grantor or any other guarantor or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including the right to take or receive from any Grantor or any other guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security solely on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all of the Guarantied Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty shall have been paid in full in cash and all of the Commitments have been terminated.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, and shall forthwith be paid to Agent to be credited and applied to the Guarantied Obligations and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, or to be held as Collateral for any Guarantied Obligations or other amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Guaranty, no Guarantor may exercise any rights of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or other similar rights against, and may not proceed or seek recourse against or with respect to any property or asset of, any other Grantor (the “Foreclosed Grantor”), including after payment in full of the Obligations, if all or any portion of the Obligations have been satisfied in connection with an exercise of remedies in respect of the Equity Interests of such Foreclosed Grantor whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(v)                                 Each of the Guarantors hereby acknowledges and affirms that it understands that to the extent the Guarantied Obligations are secured by Real Property located in California, Guarantors shall be liable for the full amount of the liability hereunder notwithstanding the foreclosure on such Real Property by trustee sale or any other reason impairing such Guarantor’s right to proceed against any Loan Party.  In accordance with Section 2856 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, each of the Guarantors hereby waives until such time as the Guarantied Obligations have been paid in full:

 

(1)                                 all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution and any other rights and defenses that are or may become available to the Guarantors by reason of Sections 2787 to 2855, inclusive, 2899, and 3433 of the California Civil Code or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction;

 

(2)                                 all rights and defenses that the Guarantors may have because the Guarantied Obligations are secured by Real Property located in California, meaning, among other things, that:  (A) Agent and the other members of the Lender Group may collect from the Guarantors without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by any Borrower or any other Grantor, and (B) if Agent, on behalf of the Lender Group, forecloses on any Real Property collateral pledged by any Borrower or any other Grantor, (1) the amount of the Guarantied Obligations may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price, and (2) the Lender Group may collect from the Guarantors even if, by foreclosing on the

 

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Real Property collateral, Agent or the other members of the Lender Group have destroyed or impaired any right the Guarantors may have to collect from any other Grantor, it being understood that this is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses the Guarantors may have because the Guarantied Obligations are secured by Real Property (including, without limitation, any rights or defenses based upon Sections 580a, 580d, or 726 of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction); and

 

(3)                                 all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies by Agent and the other members of the Lender Group, even though that election of remedies, such as a nonjudicial foreclosure with respect to security for the Guarantied Obligations, has destroyed Guarantors’ rights of subrogation and reimbursement against any Grantor by the operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or any similar laws of any other applicable jurisdiction or otherwise.

 

(vi)                              Each of the Guarantors represents, warrants, and agrees that each of the waivers set forth above is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences and that if any of such waivers are determined to be contrary to any applicable law or public policy, such waivers shall be effective to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

(j)                                    Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Grantor to guaranty and otherwise honor all Obligations in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 2(j) for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 2(j), or otherwise under the Loan Documents, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount).  The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 2(j) shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of the Guarantied Obligations.  Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 2(j) constitute, and this Section 2(j) shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Grantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

3.                                      Grant of Security.  Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group, to secure the Secured Obligations (whether now existing or hereafter arising), a continuing security interest (hereinafter referred to as the “Security Interest”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title, and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located (the “Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of such Grantor’s Accounts;

 

(b)                                 all of such Grantor’s Books;

 

(c)                                  all of such Grantor’s Chattel Paper;

 

(d)                                 all of such Grantor’s Commercial Tort Claims;

 

(e)                                  all of such Grantor’s Deposit Accounts;

 

(f)                                   all of such Grantor’s Equipment;

 

(g)                                  all of such Grantor’s Farm Products;

 

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(h)                                 all of such Grantor’s Fixtures;

 

(i)                                     all of such Grantor’s General Intangibles;

 

(j)                                    all of such Grantor’s Inventory;

 

(k)                                 all of such Grantor’s Investment Property;

 

(l)                                     all of such Grantor’s Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Licenses;

 

(m)                             all of such Grantor’s Negotiable Collateral (including all of such Grantor’s Pledged Notes);

 

(n)                                 all of such Grantor’s Pledged Interests (including all of such Grantor’s Pledged Operating Agreements and Pledged Partnership Agreements);

 

(o)                                 all of such Grantor’s Securities Accounts;

 

(p)                                 all of such Grantor’s Supporting Obligations;

 

(q)                                 all of such Grantor’s money, Cash Equivalents, or other assets of such Grantor that now or hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of Agent (or its agent or designee) or any other member of the Lender Group; and

 

(r)                                    all of the proceeds (as such term is defined in the Code) and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance or Commercial Tort Claims covering or relating to any or all of the foregoing, and any and all Accounts, Books, Chattel Paper, Deposit Accounts, Equipment, Farm Products, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Inventory, Investment Property, Intellectual Property, Negotiable Collateral, Pledged Interests, Securities Accounts, Supporting Obligations, money, or other tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, lease, license, exchange, collection, or other disposition of any of the foregoing, the proceeds of any award in condemnation with respect to any of the foregoing, any rebates or refunds, whether for taxes or otherwise, and all proceeds of any such proceeds, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and the proceeds thereof, and all proceeds of any loss of, damage to, or destruction of the above, whether insured or not insured, and, to the extent not otherwise included, any indemnity, warranty, or guaranty payable by reason of loss or damage to, or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing (the “Proceeds”).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Proceeds” includes whatever is receivable or received when Investment Property or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected, or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty payable to any Grantor or Agent from time to time with respect to any of the Investment Property.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the term “Collateral” shall not include any of the following (the “Excluded Collateral”): (i) voting Equity Interests of any CFC, solely to the extent that such Equity Interests represent more than 65% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of such CFC (which pledge, if reasonably requested by Agent, shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of such Subsidiary); or (ii) any rights or interest in any contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement covering real or personal property of any Grantor if under the terms of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement, or applicable law with respect thereto, the grant of a security interest or lien therein is prohibited as a matter of law or under the terms of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement and such prohibition or restriction has not been waived or the consent of the other party to such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement has not been obtained (provided,

 

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that, (A) the foregoing exclusions of this clause (ii) shall in no way be construed (1) to apply to the extent that any described prohibition or restriction is ineffective under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, or 9-409 of the Code or other applicable law, or (2) to apply to the extent that any consent or waiver has been obtained that would permit Agent’s Lien to attach notwithstanding the prohibition or restriction on the pledge of such contract, lease, permit, license, or license agreement and (B) the foregoing exclusions of clauses (i) and (ii) shall in no way be construed to limit, impair, or otherwise affect any of Agent’s, any other member of the Lender Group’s continuing security interests in and liens upon any rights or interests of any Grantor in or to (1) monies due or to become due under or in connection with any described contract, lease, permit, license, license agreement, or Equity Interests (including any Accounts or Equity Interests), or (2) any proceeds from the sale, license, lease, or other dispositions of any such contract, lease, permit, license, license agreement, or Equity Interests); or (iii) any United States intent-to-use trademark applications to the extent that, and solely during the period in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law, provided that upon submission and acceptance by the PTO of an amendment to allege use pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1060(a) (or any successor provision), such intent-to-use trademark application shall be considered Collateral.

 

4.                                      Security for Secured Obligations.  The Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the Lender Group or any of them, but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable (in whole or in part) as a claim in an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor due to the existence of such Insolvency Proceeding.  Further, the Security Interest created hereby encumbers each Grantor’s right, title, and interest in all Collateral, whether now owned by such Grantor or hereafter acquired, obtained, developed, or created by such Grantor and wherever located.

 

5.                                      Grantors Remain Liable.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) each of the Grantors shall remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, including the Pledged Operating Agreements and the Pledged Partnership Agreements, and to perform all of the duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group of any of the rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under such contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and (c) none of the members of the Lender Group shall have any obligation or liability under such contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall any of the members of the Lender Group be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any Grantors thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.  Until an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, or any other Loan Document, Grantors shall have the right to possession and enjoyment of the Collateral for the purpose of conducting the ordinary course of their respective businesses, subject to and upon the terms hereof and of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is the intention of the parties hereto that record and beneficial ownership of the Pledged Interests, including all voting, consensual, dividend, and distribution rights, shall remain in the applicable Grantor until (i) the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default and (ii) Agent has notified the applicable Grantor of Agent’s election to exercise such rights with respect to the Pledged Interests pursuant to Section 16.

 

6.                                      Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce Agent to enter into this Agreement for the benefit of the Lender Group, each Grantor makes the following representations and warranties to the Lender Group which shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified

 

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or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the Closing Date, and shall be true, correct, and complete, in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof), as of the date of the making of each Loan made thereafter, as though made on and as of the date of such Loan (except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date) and such representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

 

(a)                                 The name (within the meaning of Section 9-503 of the Code) and jurisdiction of organization of each Grantor and each of its Subsidiaries is set forth on Schedule 7 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).

 

(b)                                 The chief executive office of each Grantor and each of its Subsidiaries is located at the address indicated on Schedule 7 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ tax identification numbers and organizational identification numbers, if any, are identified on Schedule 7 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).

 

(d)                                 As of the Closing Date, no Grantor and no Subsidiary of a Grantor holds any commercial tort claims that exceed $250,000 in amount, except as set forth on Schedule 1.

 

(e)                                  Set forth on Schedule 9 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time subject to Section 7(k)(iii) with respect to Controlled Accounts and provided that Grantors comply with Section 7(c) hereof) is a listing of all of Grantors’ and their Subsidiaries’ Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, including, with respect to each bank or securities intermediary (a) the name and address of such Person, and (b) the account numbers of the Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts maintained with such Person.

 

(f)                                   Schedule 8 sets forth all Real Property owned by any of the Grantors as of the Closing Date.

 

(g)                                  As of the Closing Date: (i) Schedule 2 provides a complete and correct list of all registered Copyrights owned by any Grantor, all applications for registration of Copyrights owned by any Grantor, and all other Copyrights owned by any Grantor and material to the conduct of the business of any Grantor; (ii) Schedule 3 provides a complete and correct list of all Intellectual Property Licenses entered into by any Grantor pursuant to which (A) any Grantor has provided any license or other rights in Intellectual Property owned or controlled by such Grantor to any other Person (other than non-exclusive software licenses granted in the ordinary course of business) or (B) any Person has granted to any Grantor any license or other rights in Intellectual Property owned or controlled by such Person that is material to the business of such Grantor, including any Intellectual Property that is incorporated in any Inventory, software, or other product marketed, sold, licensed, or distributed by such Grantor; (iii) Schedule 4 provides a complete and correct list of all Patents owned by any Grantor and all applications for Patents owned by any Grantor; and (iv) Schedule 6 provides a complete and correct list of all registered Trademarks owned by any Grantor, all applications for registration of Trademarks owned by any Grantor, and all other Trademarks owned by any Grantor and material to the conduct of the business of any Grantor.

 

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(h)                                 (i) (A) each Grantor owns exclusively or holds licenses in all Intellectual Property that is necessary in or material to the conduct of its business, and (B) all employees and contractors of each Grantor who were involved in the creation or development of any Intellectual Property for such Grantor that is necessary in or material to the business of such Grantor have signed agreements containing assignment of Intellectual Property rights to such Grantor and obligations of confidentiality;

 

(ii)                                  to each Grantor’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry, no Person has infringed or misappropriated or is currently infringing or misappropriating any Intellectual Property rights owned by such Grantor, in each case, that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(iii)                               to each Grantor’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry, all registered Copyrights, registered Trademarks, and issued Patents that are owned by such Grantor and necessary in or material to the conduct of its business are valid, subsisting and enforceable and in compliance with all legal requirements, filings, and payments and other actions that are required to maintain such Intellectual Property in full force and effect; and

 

(iv)                              each Grantor has taken reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of and to otherwise protect and enforce its rights in all trade secrets owned by such Grantor that are necessary in or material to the conduct of the business of such Grantor;

 

(i)                                     This Agreement creates a valid security interest in the Collateral of each Grantor, to the extent a security interest therein can be created under the Code, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations.  Except to the extent a security interest in the Collateral cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Code, all filings and other actions necessary or desirable to perfect and protect such security interest have been duly taken or will have been taken upon the filing of financing statements listing each applicable Grantor, as a debtor, and Agent, as secured party, in the jurisdictions listed next to such Grantor’s name on Schedule 11 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents).  Upon the making of such filings, Agent shall have a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral of each Grantor (or, with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral, second priority subject to the Liens of the ABL Agent securing the ABL Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) to the extent such security interest can be perfected by the filing of a financing statement.  Upon filing of any Copyright Security Agreement with the United States Copyright Office, filing of any Patent Security Agreement and any Trademark Security Agreement with the PTO, and the filing of appropriate financing statements in the jurisdictions listed on Schedule 11, all action necessary or desirable to protect and perfect the Security Interest in and on each Grantor’s Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights has been taken and such perfected Security Interest is enforceable as such as against any and all creditors of and purchasers from any Grantor.  All action by any Grantor necessary to protect and perfect such security interest on each item of Collateral has been duly taken.

 

(j)                                    (i) Except for the Security Interest created hereby, each Grantor is and will at all times be the sole holder of record and the legal and beneficial owner, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, of the Pledged Interests indicated on Schedule 5 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents) as being owned by such Grantor and, when acquired by such Grantor, any Pledged Interests acquired after the Closing Date; (ii) all of the Pledged Interests are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and

 

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nonassessable and the Pledged Interests constitute or will constitute the percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Pledged Companies of such Grantor identified on Schedule 5 as supplemented or modified by any Pledged Interests Addendum or any Joinder to this Agreement; (iii) such Grantor has the right and requisite authority to pledge, the Investment Property pledged by such Grantor to Agent as provided herein; (iv) all actions necessary or desirable to perfect and establish the first priority (or, with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral, second priority subject only to the Liens of the ABL Agent securing the ABL Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) of, or otherwise protect, Agent’s Lien in the Investment Property, and the proceeds thereof, have been duly taken, upon (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement; (B) the taking of possession by Agent (or its agent or designee, including the ABL Agent, as bailee pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement) of any certificates representing the Pledged Interests, together with undated powers (or other documents of transfer acceptable to Agent) endorsed in blank by the applicable Grantor; (C) the filing of financing statements in the applicable jurisdiction set forth on Schedule 11 for such Grantor with respect to the Pledged Interests of such Grantor that are not represented by certificates, and (D) with respect to any Securities Accounts, the delivery of Control Agreements with respect thereto; and (v) each Grantor has delivered to and deposited with Agent all certificates representing the Pledged Interests owned by such Grantor to the extent such Pledged Interests are represented by certificates, and undated powers (or other documents of transfer acceptable to Agent) endorsed in blank with respect to such certificates. None of the Pledged Interests owned or held by such Grantor has been issued or transferred in violation of any securities registration, securities disclosure, or similar laws of any jurisdiction to which such issuance or transfer may be subject.

 

(k)                                 No consent, approval, authorization, or other order or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required (i) for the grant of a Security Interest by such Grantor in and to the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or for the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement by such Grantor, or (ii) for the exercise by Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement with respect to the Investment Property or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with such disposition of Investment Property by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally and except for consents, approvals, authorizations, or other orders or actions that have been obtained or given (as applicable) and that are still in force.  Except as specified on Schedule 3 (as such schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents, no Intellectual Property License of any Grantor that is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business requires any consent of any other Person that has not been obtained in order for such Grantor to grant the security interest granted hereunder in such Grantor’s right, title or interest in or to such Intellectual Property License.

 

(h)                                 Schedule 12 sets forth all motor vehicles owned by Grantors as of the Closing Date, by model, model year, and vehicle identification number (“VIN”).

 

(i)                                     There is no default, breach, violation, or event of acceleration existing under any promissory note (as defined in the Code) constituting Collateral and pledged hereunder (each a “Pledged Note”) and no event has occurred or circumstance exists which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default, breach, violation, or event of acceleration under any Pledged Note that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No Grantor that is an obligee under a Pledged Note has waived any default, breach, violation, or event of acceleration under such Pledged Note except in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past credit practices.

 

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(j)                                    As to all limited liability company or partnership interests, issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants that the Pledged Interests issued pursuant to such agreement (A) are not dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or in securities markets, (B) do not constitute investment company securities, and (C) are not held by such Grantor in a Securities Account.  In addition, none of the Pledged Operating Agreements, the Pledged Partnership Agreements, or any other agreements governing any of the Pledged Interests issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, provide that such Pledged Interests are securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction.

 

7.                                      Covenants.  Each Grantor, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees with Agent that from and after the date of this Agreement and until the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 23:

 

(a)                                 Possession of Collateral.  In the event that any Collateral, including Proceeds, is evidenced by or consists of Negotiable Collateral, Investment Property, or Chattel Paper having an aggregate value or face amount of $250,000 or more for all such Negotiable Collateral, Investment Property, or Chattel Paper, the Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days after acquisition thereof), notify Agent thereof, and if and to the extent that perfection or priority of Agent’s Lien is dependent on or enhanced by possession, the applicable Grantor, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, shall execute such other documents and instruments as shall be requested by Agent or, if applicable, endorse and deliver physical possession of such Negotiable Collateral, Investment Property, or Chattel Paper to Agent, (or its agent or designee, including the ABL Agent, as bailee pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement) together with such undated powers (or other relevant document of transfer acceptable to Agent) endorsed in blank as shall be requested by Agent, and shall do such other acts or things deemed necessary or desirable by Agent to protect Agent’s Lien therein;

 

(b)                                 Chattel Paper.

 

(i)                                     Promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, each Grantor shall take all steps reasonably necessary to grant Agent control of all electronic Chattel Paper in accordance with the Code and all “transferable records” as that term is defined in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act and Section 201 of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction, to the extent that the aggregate value or face amount of such electronic Chattel Paper equals or exceeds $250,000; and

 

(ii)                                  If any Grantor retains possession of any Chattel Paper or instruments (which retention of possession shall be subject to the extent permitted hereby and by the Credit Agreement), promptly upon the request of Agent, such Chattel Paper and instruments shall be marked with the following legend: “This writing and the obligations evidenced or secured hereby are subject to the Security Interest of BSP Agency, LLC, as Agent for the benefit of the Lender Group”;

 

(c)                                  Control Agreements.

 

(i)                                     Except to the extent otherwise excused by Section 7(k)(iv), each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Control Agreement (which may include a Controlled Account Agreement), from each bank maintaining a Deposit Account or Securities Account for such Grantor;

 

(ii)                                  Except to the extent otherwise excused by Section 7(k)(iv), each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Control Agreement, from each issuer of uncertificated securities, securities intermediary, or commodities intermediary issuing or holding any financial assets or commodities to or for any Grantor, or maintaining a Securities Account for such Grantor; and

 

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(iii)                               Except to the extent otherwise excused by Section 7(k)(iv), each Grantor shall obtain an authenticated Control Agreement with respect to all of such Grantor’s investment property;

 

(d)                                 Letter-of-Credit Rights.  If the Grantors (or any of them) are or become the beneficiary of letters of credit having a face amount or value of $250,000 or more in the aggregate, then the applicable Grantor or Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days after becoming a beneficiary), notify Agent thereof and, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, enter into a tri-party agreement with Agent and the issuer or confirming bank with respect to letter-of-credit rights assigning such letter-of-credit rights to Agent all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, directing all payments thereunder to Agent’s Account;

 

(e)                                  Commercial Tort Claims.  If the Grantors (or any of them) obtain Commercial Tort Claims having a value, or involving an asserted claim, in the amount of $250,000 or more in the aggregate for all Commercial Tort Claims, then the applicable Grantor or Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of obtaining such Commercial Tort Claim), notify Agent upon incurring or otherwise obtaining such Commercial Tort Claims and, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, amend Schedule 1 to describe such Commercial Tort Claims in a manner that reasonably identifies such Commercial Tort Claims and which is otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and hereby authorizes the filing of additional financing statements or amendments to existing financing statements describing such Commercial Tort Claims, and agrees to do such other acts or things deemed necessary or desirable by Agent to give Agent a first priority, perfected security interest in any such Commercial Tort Claim;

 

(f)                                   Government Contracts.  Other than Accounts and Chattel Paper the aggregate value of which does not at any one time exceed $500,000, if any Account or Chattel Paper arises out of a contract or contracts with the United States of America or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, Grantors shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of the creation thereof) notify Agent thereof and, promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, execute any instruments or take any steps reasonably required by Agent in order that all moneys due or to become due under such contract or contracts shall be assigned to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, and shall provide written notice thereof under the Assignment of Claims Act or other applicable law;

 

(g)                                  Intellectual Property.

 

(i)                                     Upon the request of Agent, in order to facilitate filings with the PTO and the United States Copyright Office, each Grantor shall execute and deliver to Agent one or more Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, or Patent Security Agreements to further evidence Agent’s Lien on such Grantor’s Patents, Trademarks, or Copyrights, and the General Intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(ii)                                  Each Grantor shall have the duty, with respect to Intellectual Property that is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business (as determined by such Grantor in its reasonable business judgment), to protect and diligently enforce and defend at such Grantor’s expense such Intellectual Property to the extent that such Grantor, in its reasonable business judgment, determines it is necessary and appropriate to do so, including (A) to diligently enforce and defend, including promptly suing for infringement, misappropriation, or dilution and to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution, and filing for opposition, interference, and cancellation against conflicting Intellectual Property rights of any Person, (B) to prosecute diligently any

 

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trademark application or service mark application that is part of the Trademarks pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination of this Agreement, (C) to prosecute diligently any patent application that is part of the Patents pending as of the date hereof or hereafter until the termination of this Agreement, (D) to take all reasonable and necessary action to preserve and maintain all of such Grantor’s Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Intellectual Property Licenses, and its rights therein, including paying all maintenance fees and filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use, and affidavits of noncontestability, and (E) to require all employees, consultants, and contractors of each Grantor who were involved in the creation or development of such Intellectual Property to sign agreements containing assignment of Intellectual Property rights and obligations of confidentiality.  Each Grantor further agrees not to abandon any Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property License that such Grantor determines in its reasonable business judgment is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business.  Each Grantor hereby agrees to take the steps described in this Section 7(g)(ii) with respect to all new or acquired Intellectual Property to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is now or later becomes entitled that is, as determined by such Grantor in its reasonable business judgment, necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business;

 

(iii)                               Grantors acknowledge and agree that the Lender Group shall have no duties with respect to any Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Licenses of any Grantor.  Without limiting the generality of this Section 7(g)(iii), Grantors acknowledge and agree that no member of the Lender Group shall be under any obligation to take any steps necessary to preserve rights in the Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Licenses against any other Person, but any member of the Lender Group may do so at its option from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, and all expenses incurred in connection therewith (including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and other professionals) shall be for the sole account of Borrowers and shall be chargeable to the Loan Account;

 

(iv)                              On each date on which a Compliance Certificate is to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement in respect of a fiscal quarter (or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, more frequently if requested by Agent), each Grantor shall provide Agent with a written report of all new Patents, Trademarks or Copyrights that are registered or the subject of pending applications for registrations, and of all Intellectual Property Licenses that are material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, in each case, which were acquired, registered, or for which applications for registration were filed by any Grantor during the prior period and any statement of use or amendment to allege use with respect to intent-to-use trademark applications.  In the case of such registrations or applications therefor, which were acquired by any Grantor, each such Grantor shall file the necessary documents with the appropriate Governmental Authority identifying the applicable Grantor as the owner (or as a co-owner thereof, if such is the case) of such Intellectual Property.  In each of the foregoing cases, the applicable Grantor shall promptly cause to be prepared, executed, and delivered to Agent supplemental schedules to the applicable Loan Documents to identify such Patent, Trademark and Copyright registrations and applications therefor (with the exception of Trademark applications filed on an intent-to-use basis for which no statement of use or amendment to allege use has been filed) and Intellectual Property Licenses as being subject to the security interests created thereunder;

 

(v)                                 Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, in no event shall any Grantor, either itself or through any agent, employee, licensee, or designee, file an application for the registration of any Copyright with the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in another country without giving Agent written notice thereof at least five (5) Business Days prior to such filing and complying with Section 7(g)(i). Upon receipt from the United States Copyright Office of notice of registration of any Copyright, each Grantor shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such receipt) notify (but without duplication of any notice required by Section 7(g)(v)) Agent of such registration by delivering, or causing to be delivered, to Agent,

 

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documentation sufficient for Agent to perfect Agent’s Lien on such Copyright.  If any Grantor acquires from any Person any Copyright registered with the United States Copyright Office or an application to register any Copyright with the United States Copyright Office, such Grantor shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such acquisition) notify Agent of such acquisition and deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Agent, documentation sufficient for Agent to perfect Agent’s Lien on such Copyright.  In the case of such Copyright registrations or applications therefor which were acquired by any Grantor, each such Grantor shall promptly (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days following such acquisition) file the necessary documents with the appropriate Governmental Authority identifying the applicable Grantor as the owner (or as a co-owner thereof, if such is the case) of such Copyrights;

 

(vi)                              Each Grantor shall take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of, and to otherwise protect and enforce its rights in, the Intellectual Property that is necessary in or material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business, including, as applicable (A) protecting the secrecy and confidentiality of its confidential information and trade secrets by having and enforcing a policy requiring all current employees, consultants, licensees, vendors and contractors with access to such information to execute appropriate confidentiality agreements; (B) taking actions reasonably necessary to ensure that no trade secret falls into the public domain; and (C) protecting the secrecy and confidentiality of the source code of all software programs (other than open source software) and applications of which it is the owner or licensee by having and enforcing a policy requiring any licensees (or sublicensees) of such source code to enter into license agreements with commercially reasonable use and non-disclosure restrictions; and

 

(vii)                           No Grantor shall enter into any Intellectual Property License material to the conduct of the business under which Grantor receives any license or rights in any Intellectual Property of any other Person unless such Grantor has used commercially reasonable efforts to permit the assignment of or grant of a security interest in such Intellectual Property License (and all rights of Grantor thereunder) to Agent (and any transferees of Agent);

 

(h)                                 Investment Property.

 

(i)                                     If any Grantor shall acquire, obtain, receive or become entitled to receive any Pledged Interests after the Closing Date, it shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of acquiring or obtaining such Collateral) deliver to Agent a duly executed Pledged Interests Addendum identifying such Pledged Interests;

 

(ii)                                  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, following the request of Agent, all sums of money and property paid or distributed in respect of the Investment Property that are received by any Grantor shall be held by the Grantors in trust for the benefit of Agent segregated from such Grantor’s other property, and such Grantor shall deliver it forthwith to Agent in the exact form received;

 

(iii)                               Each Grantor shall promptly deliver to Agent a copy of each material notice or other material communication received by it in respect of any Pledged Interests;

 

(iv)                              No Grantor shall make or consent to any amendment or other modification or waiver with respect to any Pledged Interests, Pledged Operating Agreement, or Pledged Partnership Agreement, or enter into any agreement or permit to exist any restriction with respect to any Pledged Interests if the same is prohibited pursuant to the Loan Documents;

 

(v)                                 Each Grantor agrees that it will cooperate with Agent in obtaining all necessary approvals and making all necessary filings under federal, state, local, or foreign law to effect the perfection of the Security Interest on the Investment Property or, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to effect any sale or transfer thereof; and

 

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(vi)                              As to all limited liability company or partnership interests, issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, each Grantor hereby covenants that the Pledged Interests issued pursuant to such agreement (A) are not and shall not be dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or in securities markets, (B) do not and will not constitute investment company securities, and (C) are not and will not be held by such Grantor in a Securities Account.  In addition, none of the Pledged Operating Agreements, the Pledged Partnership Agreements, or any other agreements governing any of the Pledged Interests issued under any Pledged Operating Agreement or Pledged Partnership Agreement, provides or shall provide that such Pledged Interests are securities governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction.

 

(i)                                     Real Property; Fixtures.  Each Grantor covenants and agrees that upon the acquisition of any fee interest or leasehold interest in Real Property having a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000 it will promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days of acquisition) notify Agent of the acquisition of such Real Property and will grant to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, a first priority Mortgage (subject only to the Liens of the ABL Agent with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral, securing the ABL Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) on each fee interest or leasehold interest in Real Property (other than any such Real Property is encumbered by a Permitted Lien) now or hereafter owned by such Grantor and shall deliver such other documentation as required by Schedule 5.12 to the Credit Agreement in connection with the grant of such Mortgage as Agent shall request in its Permitted Discretion, including title insurance policies, financing statements, fixture filings and environmental audits and such Grantor shall pay all recording costs, intangible taxes and other fees and costs (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred in connection therewith.  Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all of the Collateral shall remain personal property regardless of the manner of its attachment or affixation to real property;

 

(j)                                    Transfers and Other Liens.  Grantors shall not (i) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of the Collateral, except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, or (ii) create or permit to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral of any Grantor, except for Permitted Liens.  The inclusion of Proceeds in the Collateral shall not be deemed to constitute Agent’s consent to any sale or other disposition of any of the Collateral except as expressly permitted in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

 

(k)                                 Controlled Accounts; Controlled Investments.

 

(i)                                     Each Grantor shall (A) establish and maintain cash management services of a type and on terms reasonably satisfactory to Agent at one or more of the banks set forth on Schedule 10 (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under the Loan Documents) (each a “Controlled Account Bank”), and shall take reasonable steps to ensure that all of its and its Subsidiaries’ Account Debtors forward payment of the amounts owed by them directly to such Controlled Account Bank, and (B) deposit or cause to be deposited promptly, and in any event no later than the first Business Day after the date of receipt thereof, all of their Collections (including those sent directly by their Account Debtors to a Grantor) into a bank account of such Grantor (each, a “Controlled Account”) at one of the Controlled Account Banks.

 

(ii)                                  Each Grantor shall establish and maintain Controlled Account Agreements with Agent and the applicable Controlled Account Bank, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent.  Each such Controlled Account Agreement shall provide, among other things, that

 

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(A) the Controlled Account Bank will comply with any instructions originated by Agent directing the disposition of the funds in such Controlled Account without further consent by the applicable Grantor, (B) the Controlled Account Bank waives, subordinates, or agrees not to exercise any rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against the applicable Controlled Account other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the administration of such Controlled Account and for returned checks or other items of payment, and (C) upon the instruction of Agent (an “Activation Instruction”), the Controlled Account Bank will forward by daily sweep all amounts in the applicable Controlled Account to the Agent’s Account.  Agent agrees not to issue an Activation Instruction with respect to the Controlled Accounts unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time such Activation Instruction is issued.  Agent agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to rescind an Activation Instruction (the “Rescission”) if: (1) the Event of Default upon which such Activation Instruction was issued has been waived in writing in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, and (2) no additional Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to the date of the Rescission or is reasonably expected to occur on or immediately after the date of the Rescission; provided, that, in no event shall Agent be obligated to rescind an Activation Instruction on more than three (3) occasions.

 

(iii)                               So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrowers may amend Schedule 10 to add or replace a Controlled Account Bank or Controlled Account and shall upon such addition or replacement provide to Agent an amended Schedule 10; provided, however, that (A) such prospective Controlled Account Bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and (B) prior to the time of the opening of such Controlled Account, the applicable Grantor and such prospective Controlled Account Bank shall have executed and delivered to Agent a Controlled Account Agreement.  Each Grantor shall close any of its Controlled Accounts (and establish replacement Controlled Account accounts in accordance with the foregoing sentence) as promptly as practicable and in any event within forty-five (45) days after notice from Agent that the operating performance, funds transfer, or availability procedures or performance of the Controlled Account Bank with respect to Controlled Account Accounts or Agent’s liability under any Controlled Account Agreement with such Controlled Account Bank is no longer acceptable in Agent’s reasonable judgment; and

 

(iv)                              Other than (i) an aggregate amount of not more than $25,000 at any one time, in the case of Grantors and their Subsidiaries, and (ii) amounts deposited into Deposit Accounts specially and exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for any Grantor’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees, no Grantor will, and no Grantor will permit its Subsidiaries to, make, acquire, or permit to exist Permitted Investments consisting of cash, Cash Equivalents, or amounts credited to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts unless Grantor or its Subsidiary, as applicable, and the applicable bank or securities intermediary have entered into Control Agreements with Agent governing such Permitted Investments in order to perfect (and further establish) Agent’s Lien in such Permitted Investments;

 

(l)                                     Name, Etc.  No Grantor will, nor will any Grantor permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its name, organizational identification number, jurisdiction of organization or organizational identity; provided, that Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries may change its name upon at least 10 days prior written notice to Agent of such change.

 

(m)                             Motor Vehicles.  Promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) after request by Agent, with respect to all goods covered by a certificate of title owned by any Grantor, such Grantor shall deliver to Agent or Agent’s designee, the certificates of title for all such goods and promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days) after request by Agent, such Grantor shall take all actions necessary to cause such certificates to be filed (with the Agent’s Lien noted thereon) in the appropriate state motor vehicle filing office; and

 

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(n)                                 Pledged Notes.  Grantors (i) will not (A) waive or release any obligation of any Person that is obligated under any of the Pledged Notes, (B) take or omit to take any action or knowingly suffer or permit any action to be omitted or taken, the taking or omission of which would result in any right of offset against sums payable under the Pledged Notes, or (C) other than Permitted Dispositions, assign or surrender their rights and interests under any of the Pledged Notes or terminate, cancel, modify, change, supplement or amend the Pledged Notes except in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past credit practices, and (ii) shall provide to Agent copies of all material written notices (including notices of default) given or received with respect to the Pledged Notes promptly after giving or receiving such notice.

 

8.                                      Relation to Other Security Documents.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be read and construed with the other Loan Documents referred to below in the manner so indicated.

 

(a)                                 Credit Agreement. In the event of any conflict between any provision in this Agreement and a provision in the Credit Agreement, such provision of the Credit Agreement shall control.

 

(b)                                 Patent, Trademark, Copyright Security Agreements.  The provisions of the Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, and Patent Security Agreements are supplemental to the provisions of this Agreement, and nothing contained in the Copyright Security Agreements, Trademark Security Agreements, or the Patent Security Agreements shall limit any of the rights or remedies of Agent hereunder.  In the event of any conflict between any provision in this Agreement and a provision in a Copyright Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement or Patent Security Agreement, such provision of this Agreement shall control.

 

9.                                      Further Assurances.

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at its own expense, such Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect the Security Interest granted hereby, to create, perfect or protect the Security Interest purported to be granted hereby or to enable Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any of the Collateral.

 

(b)                                 Each Grantor authorizes the filing by Agent of financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such Grantor will execute and deliver to Agent such other instruments or notices, as Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the Security Interest granted or purported to be granted hereby.

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor authorizes Agent at any time and from time to time to file, transmit, or communicate, as applicable, financing statements and amendments (i) describing the Collateral as “all personal property of debtor” or “all assets of debtor” or words of similar effect, (ii) describing the Collateral as being of equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, or (iii) that contain any information required by subpart 5 of Article 9 of the Code for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance.  Each Grantor also hereby ratifies any and all financing statements or amendments previously filed by Agent in any jurisdiction.

 

(d)                                 Each Grantor acknowledges that it is not authorized to file any financing statement or amendment or termination statement with respect to any financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement without the prior written consent of Agent, subject to such Grantor’s rights under Section 9-509(d)(2) of the Code.

 

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10.                               Agent’s Right to Perform Contracts, Exercise Rights, etc.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent (or its designee) (a) may proceed to perform any and all of the obligations of any Grantor contained in any contract, lease, or other agreement and exercise any and all rights of any Grantor therein contained as fully as such Grantor itself could, (b) shall have the right to use any Grantor’s rights under Intellectual Property Licenses in connection with the enforcement of Agent’s rights hereunder (to the extent that the Grantors are not prohibited by the express terms of such Intellectual Property Licenses from sublicensing their rights thereunder), including the right to prepare for sale and sell any and all Inventory and Equipment now or hereafter owned by any Grantor and now or hereafter covered by such licenses, and (c) shall have the right to request that any Equity Interests that are pledged hereunder be registered in the name of Agent or any of its nominees.

 

11.                               Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints Agent its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or otherwise, at such time as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to take any action and to execute any instrument which Agent may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including:

 

(a)                                 to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in connection with the Accounts or any other Collateral of such Grantor;

 

(b)                                 to receive and open all mail addressed to such Grantor and to notify postal authorities to change the address for the delivery of mail to such Grantor to that of Agent (provided that, upon removing Collateral from such mail, Agent shall forward such mail to such Grantor);

 

(c)                                  to receive, indorse, and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents, Negotiable Collateral or Chattel Paper;

 

(d)                                 to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings which Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral of such Grantor or otherwise to enforce the rights of Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

 

(e)                                  to repair, alter, or supply goods, if any, necessary to fulfill in whole or in part the purchase order of any Person obligated to such Grantor in respect of any Account of such Grantor;

 

(f)                                   to use any Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property Licenses (to the extent that such Grantor is not prohibited by the express terms of such Intellectual Property Licenses from sublicensing its rights thereunder) of such Grantor, including but not limited to any labels, Patents, Trademarks, trade names, URLs, domain names, industrial designs, Copyrights, or advertising matter, in preparing for sale, advertising for sale, or selling Inventory or other Collateral and to collect any amounts due under Accounts, contracts or Negotiable Collateral of such Grantor; and

 

(g)                                  Agent, on behalf of the Lender Group, shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to bring suit in its own name to enforce the Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property Licenses (to the extent that the Grantors are not prohibited by the express terms of such Intellectual Property Licenses from sublicensing their rights thereunder) and, if Agent shall commence any such suit, the appropriate Grantor shall, at the request of Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all proper documents reasonably required by Agent in aid of such enforcement.

 

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To the extent permitted by law, each Grantor hereby ratifies all that such attorney-in-fact shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated.

 

12.                               Agent May Perform.  If any Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein upon Agent’s written demand, Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the reasonable expenses of Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable, jointly and severally, by Grantors.

 

13.                               Agent’s Duties.  The powers conferred on Agent hereunder are solely to protect Agent’s interest in the Collateral, for the benefit of the Lender Group, and shall not impose any duty upon Agent to exercise any such powers.  Except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its actual possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral.  Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its actual possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Agent accords its own property.

 

14.                               Collection of Accounts, General Intangibles and Negotiable Collateral.  At any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent or Agent’s designee may (a) notify Account Debtors of any Grantor that the Accounts, General Intangibles, Chattel Paper or Negotiable Collateral of such Grantor have been assigned to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, or that Agent has a security interest therein, and (b) collect the Accounts, General Intangibles and Negotiable Collateral of any Grantor directly, and any collection costs and expenses shall constitute part of such Grantor’s Secured Obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

15.                               Disposition of Pledged Interests by Agent.  None of the Pledged Interests existing as of the date of this Agreement are, and none of the Pledged Interests hereafter acquired on the date of acquisition thereof will be, registered or qualified under the various federal or state securities laws of the United States and disposition thereof after an Event of Default may be restricted to one or more private (instead of public) sales in view of the lack of such registration.  Each Grantor understands that in connection with such disposition, Agent may approach only a restricted number of potential purchasers and further understands that a sale under such circumstances may yield a lower price for the Pledged Interests than if the Pledged Interests were registered and qualified pursuant to federal and state securities laws and sold on the open market.  Each Grantor, therefore, agrees that:  (a) if Agent shall, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, sell or cause the Pledged Interests or any portion thereof to be sold at a private sale, Agent shall have the right to rely upon the advice and opinion of any nationally recognized brokerage or investment firm (but shall not be obligated to seek such advice and the failure to do so shall not be considered in determining the commercial reasonableness of such action) as to the best manner in which to offer the Pledged Interest or any portion thereof for sale and as to the best price reasonably obtainable at the private sale thereof; and (b) such reliance shall be conclusive evidence that Agent has handled the disposition in a commercially reasonable manner.

 

16.                               Voting and Other Rights in Respect of Pledged Interests.

 

(a)                                 Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, (i) Agent may, at its option, and with two (2) Business Days prior notice to any Grantor, and in addition to all rights and remedies available to Agent under any other agreement, at law, in equity, or otherwise, exercise all voting rights, or any other ownership or consensual rights (including any dividend or distribution rights) in respect of the Pledged Interests owned by such Grantor, but under no circumstances is Agent obligated by the terms of this Agreement to exercise such rights, and (ii) if Agent duly exercises

 

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its right to vote any of such Pledged Interests, each Grantor hereby appoints Agent, such Grantor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and IRREVOCABLE PROXY to vote such Pledged Interests in any manner Agent deems advisable for or against all matters submitted or which may be submitted to a vote of shareholders, partners or members, as the case may be.  The power-of-attorney and proxy granted hereby is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.

 

(b)                                 For so long as any Grantor shall have the right to vote the Pledged Interests owned by it, such Grantor covenants and agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of Agent, vote or take any consensual action with respect to such Pledged Interests which would materially adversely affect the Agent’s Lien against such Pledged Interests.

 

17.                               Remedies.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(a)                                 Agent may, and, at the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein, in the other Loan Documents, or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Code or any other applicable law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor expressly agrees that, in any such event, Agent without demand of performance or other demand, advertisement or notice of any kind (except a notice specified below of time and place of public or private sale) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, advertisements and notices are hereby expressly waived to the maximum extent permitted by the Code or any other applicable law), may take immediate possession of all or any portion of the Collateral and (i) require Grantors to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it will at its own expense and upon request of Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by Agent and make it available to Agent at one or more locations where such Grantor regularly maintains Inventory, and (ii) without notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit, and upon such other terms as Agent may deem commercially reasonable.  Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notification of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notification by mail to the applicable Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification and specifically such notification shall constitute a reasonable “authenticated notification of disposition” within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the Code.  Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notification of sale having been given.  Agent may adjourn any public sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.  Each Grantor agrees that (A) the internet shall constitute a “place” for purposes of Section 9-610(b) of the Code and (B) to the extent notification of sale shall be required by law, notification by mail of the URL where a sale will occur and the time when a sale will commence at least ten (10) days prior to the sale shall constitute a reasonable notification for purposes of Section 9-611(b) of the Code.  Each Grantor agrees that any sale of Collateral to a licensor pursuant to the terms of a license agreement between such licensor and a Grantor is sufficient to constitute a commercially reasonable sale (including as to method, terms, manner, and time) within the meaning of Section 9-610 of the Code.

 

(b)                                 Agent is hereby granted a license or other right to use, without liability for royalties or any other charge, each Grantor’s Intellectual Property, including but not limited to, any labels, Patents, Trademarks, trade names, URLs, domain names, industrial designs, Copyrights, and advertising matter, whether owned by any Grantor or with respect to which any Grantor has rights under license, sublicense, or other agreements (including any Intellectual Property License to the extent that the Grantor that is the licensee thereunder is not prohibited by its express terms from granting sublicenses of its rights thereunder), as it pertains to the Collateral, in preparing for sale, advertising for sale and selling any Collateral, and each Grantor’s rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements shall inure to the benefit of Agent.

 

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(c)                                  Agent may, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for herein, in the other Loan Documents, or otherwise available to it under applicable law and without the requirement of notice to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (which notice is hereby expressly waived to the maximum extent permitted by the Code or any other applicable law), (i) with respect to any Grantor’s Deposit Accounts in which Agent’s Lien are perfected by control under Section 9-104 of the Code, instruct the bank maintaining such Deposit Account for the applicable Grantor to pay the balance of such Deposit Account to or for the benefit of Agent, and (ii) with respect to any Grantor’s Securities Accounts in which Agent’s Lien are perfected by control under Section 9-106 of the Code, instruct the securities intermediary maintaining such Securities Account for the applicable Grantor to (A) transfer any cash in such Securities Account to or for the benefit of Agent, or (B)  liquidate any financial assets in such Securities Account that are customarily sold on a recognized market and transfer the cash proceeds thereof to or for the benefit of Agent.

 

(d)                                 Any cash held by Agent as Collateral and all cash proceeds received by Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied against the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in the Credit Agreement.  In the event the proceeds of Collateral are insufficient to satisfy all of the Secured Obligations in full, each Grantor shall remain jointly and severally liable for any such deficiency.

 

(e)                                  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that the Secured Obligations arise out of a commercial transaction, and agrees that if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing Agent shall have the right to an immediate writ of possession without notice of a hearing.  Agent shall have the right to the appointment of a receiver for the properties and assets of each Grantor, and each Grantor hereby consents to such rights and such appointment and hereby waives any objection such Grantor may have thereto or the right to have a bond or other security posted by Agent.

 

18.                               Remedies Cumulative.  Each right, power, and remedy of Agent or any other member of the Lender Group as provided for in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power, or remedy provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by Agent or any other member of the Lender Group, of any one or more of such rights, powers, or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by Agent, such other member of the Lender Group of any or all such other rights, powers, or remedies.

 

19.                               Marshaling. Agent shall not be required to marshal any present or future collateral security (including but not limited to the Collateral) for, or other assurances of payment of, the Secured Obligations or any of them or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and in respect of such collateral security and other assurances of payment shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies, however existing or arising.  To the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby agrees that it will not invoke any law relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of Agent’s rights and remedies under this Agreement or under any other instrument creating or evidencing any of the Secured Obligations or under which any of the Secured Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Secured Obligations is secured or payment thereof is otherwise assured, and, to the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby irrevocably waives the benefits of all such laws.

 

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20.                               Indemnity and Expenses.

 

(a)                                 Each Grantor agrees to indemnify Agent and the other members of the Lender Group from and against all claims, lawsuits and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) growing out of or resulting from this Agreement (including enforcement of this Agreement) or any other Loan Document to which such Grantor is a party to the extent and in the manner provided in Section 10.3 of the Credit Agreement, which is incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.  This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement and the repayment of the Secured Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Grantors, jointly and severally, shall, upon demand, pay to Agent (or Agent, may charge to the Loan Account) all the Lender Group Expenses which Agent may incur in connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or, upon an Event of Default, the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Collateral in accordance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Agent hereunder or (iv) the failure by any Grantor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

 

21.                               Merger, Amendments; Etc.  THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by any Grantor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.  No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Agent and each Grantor to which such amendment applies.

 

22.                               Addresses for Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the form and manner and delivered to Agent at its address specified in the Credit Agreement, and to any of the Grantors at their respective addresses specified in the Credit Agreement or herein, as applicable, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other party.

 

23.                               Continuing Security Interest: Assignments under Credit Agreement.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been paid in full in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Commitments have expired or have been terminated, (ii) be binding upon each Grantor, and their respective successors and assigns, and (iii) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Agent, and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (iii), any Lender may, in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise.  Upon payment in full of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement and the expiration or termination of the Commitments, the Guaranty made and the Security Interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantors or any other Person entitled thereto.  At such time, upon Borrowers’ request, Agent will authorize the filing of appropriate termination statements to terminate such Security Interest.  No transfer or renewal, extension, assignment, or termination of this Agreement or of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other instrument or document executed and delivered by any Grantor to Agent nor any additional Loans or other loans made by any Lender to Borrowers, nor the taking of further security, nor the retaking or re-delivery of the Collateral to Grantors,

 

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or any of them, by Agent, nor any other act of the Lender Group, or any of them, shall release any Grantor from any obligation, except a release or discharge executed in writing by Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement.  Agent shall not by any act, delay, omission or otherwise, be deemed to have waived any of its rights or remedies hereunder, unless such waiver is in writing and signed by Agent and then only to the extent therein set forth.  A waiver by Agent of any right or remedy on any occasion shall not be construed as a bar to the exercise of any such right or remedy which Agent would otherwise have had on any other occasion.

 

(b)                                 If any member of the Lender Group repays, refunds, restores, or returns in whole or in part, any payment or property (including any proceeds of Collateral) previously paid or transferred to such member of the Lender Group in full or partial satisfaction of any Secured Obligation or on account of any other obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document, because the payment, transfer, or the incurrence of the obligation so satisfied is asserted or declared to be void, voidable, or otherwise recoverable under any law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable obligations or transfers (each, a “Voidable Transfer”), or because such member of the Lender Group elects to do so on the reasonable advice of its counsel in connection with a claim that the payment, transfer, or incurrence is or may be a Voidable Transfer, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such member of the Lender Group elects to repay, restore, or return (including pursuant to a settlement of any claim in respect thereof), and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such member of the Lender Group related thereto, (i) the liability of the Loan Parties with respect to the amount or property paid, refunded, restored, or returned will automatically and immediately be revived, reinstated, and restored and will exist and (ii) Agent’s Lien securing such liability shall be effective, revived, and remain in full force and effect, in each case, as fully as if such Voidable Transfer had never been made.  If, prior to any of the foregoing, (A) Agent’s Lien shall have been released or terminated or (B) any provision of this Agreement shall have been terminated or cancelled, Agent’s Lien, or such provision of this Agreement, shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any Loan Party in respect of such liability or any Collateral securing such liability; provided, however, that the Agent’s Lien shall be reinstated only if the Voidable Transfer affects a member of the Lender Group.

 

24.                               Survival.  All representations and warranties made by the Grantors in this Agreement 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, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of 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 the Credit Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.

 

25.                               CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.

 

(a)                                 THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, BUT INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

 

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(b)                                 THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND.  EACH GRANTOR AND AGENT WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 25(b).

 

(c)                                  TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH GRANTOR AND AGENT HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”).  EACH GRANTOR AND AGENT REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)                                 EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.  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 AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY GRANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(e)                                  NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY GRANTOR AGAINST THE AGENT, ANY OTHER LENDER, OR THE UNDERLYING ISSUER, OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, AND EACH GRANTOR HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

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26.                               New Subsidiaries.  Pursuant to Section 5.11 of the Credit Agreement, certain Subsidiaries (whether by acquisition or creation) of any Grantor are required to enter into this Agreement by executing and delivering in favor of Agent a Joinder to this Agreement in substantially the form of Annex 1.  Upon the execution and delivery of Annex 1 by any such new Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor and Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Guarantor and Grantor herein.  The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional Guarantor or Grantor as a party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any Guarantor or Grantor hereunder.  The rights and obligations of each Guarantor and Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor or Grantor hereunder.

 

27.                               Agent.  Each reference herein to any right granted to, benefit conferred upon or power exercisable by the “Agent” shall be a reference to Agent, for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group.

 

28.                               Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 This Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement.  The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis.

 

(b)                                 Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in that jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.  Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

 

(c)                                  Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only.  Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against any member of the Lender Group or any Grantor, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  This Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

 

29.                               Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, for so long as the Intercreditor Agreement remains in effect, the Liens, security interests and rights granted pursuant to this Agreement shall have the priority agreed to in, and shall be subject to the terms of (and the exercise of any right or remedy by Agent hereunder shall be subject to the terms and conditions of), the Intercreditor Agreement.  In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the

 

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Intercreditor Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.  For so long as the Intercreditor Agreement remains in effect, the delivery of any ABL Priority Collateral to the ABL Agent as required by the Intercreditor Agreement shall satisfy any delivery requirement with respect to such Collateral hereunder.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

GRANTORS:

INVENTURE FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

RADER FARMS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

FRESH FROZEN FOODS, INC., a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

WILLAMETTE VALLEY FRUIT COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

POORE BROTHERS-BLUFFTON, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

BOULDER NATURAL FOODS, INC., an Arizona
corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

TEJAS PB DISTRIBUTING, INC., an Arizona
corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

LA COMETA PROPERTIES, INC., an Arizona
corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

BN FOODS, INC., a Colorado corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steve Weinberger

 

Name:

Steve Weinberger

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 



 

AGENT:

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, as Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bryan Martoken

 

Name:

Bryan Martoken

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

ANNEX 1 TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
FORM OF JOINDER

 

Joinder No.      (this “Joinder”), dated as of              20   , to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”), by and among each of the parties listed on the signature pages thereto and those additional entities that thereafter become parties thereto (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each, individually, a “Grantor”) and BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as agent for the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”) and Agent, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Joinder shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis; and

 

WHEREAS, Grantors have entered into the Guaranty and Security Agreement in order to induce the Lender Group to make certain financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.11 of the Credit Agreement and Section 26 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, certain Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties, must execute and deliver certain Loan Documents, including the Guarantor and Security Agreement, and the joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement by the undersigned new Grantor or Grantors (collectively, the “New Grantors”) may be accomplished by the execution of this Joinder in favor of Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group; and

 

WHEREAS, each New Grantor (a) is a Subsidiary of a Borrower and, as such, will benefit by virtue of the financial accommodations extended to Borrowers by the Lender Group and (b) by becoming a Grantor will benefit from certain rights granted to the Grantors pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each New Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      In accordance with Section 26 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, each New Grantor, by its signature below, becomes a “Grantor” and “Guarantor” under the Guaranty and Security Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a “Grantor” and “Guarantor” and each New Grantor hereby (a) agrees to all of the terms and provisions of the Guaranty and Security Agreement applicable to it as a “Grantor” or “Guarantor” thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a “Grantor” or

 



 

“Guarantor” thereunder are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that are already qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date hereof.  In furtherance of the foregoing, each New Grantor hereby (a) jointly and severally unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety the full and prompt payment when due, whether upon maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, of all of the Guarantied Obligations, and (b) unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest in and to all of such New Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral.  Each reference to a “Grantor” or “Guarantor” in the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall be deemed to include each New Grantor.  The Guaranty and Security Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                                      Schedule 1, “Commercial Tort Claims”, Schedule 2, “Copyrights”, Schedule 3, “Intellectual Property Licenses”, Schedule 4, “Patents”, Schedule 5, “Pledged Companies”, Schedule 6, “Trademarks”, Schedule 7, Name; Chief Executive Office; Tax Identification Numbers and Organizational Numbers, Schedule 8, “Owned Real Property”, Schedule 9, “Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts”, Schedule 10, “Controlled Account Banks”, Schedule 11, “List of Uniform Commercial Code Filing Jurisdictions”, and Schedule 12, “Motor Vehicles” attached hereto supplement Schedule 1, Schedule 2, Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 5, Schedule 6, Schedule 7, Schedule 8, Schedule 9, Schedule 10, Schedule 11, and Schedule 12 respectively, to the Guaranty and Security Agreement and shall be deemed a part thereof for all purposes of the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

3.                                      Each New Grantor authorizes Agent at any time and from time to time to file, transmit, or communicate, as applicable, financing statements and amendments thereto (i) describing the Collateral as “all personal property of debtor” or “all assets of debtor” or words of similar effect, (ii) describing the Collateral as being of equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, or (iii) that contain any information required by subpart 5 of Article 9 of the Code for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance.  Each New Grantor also hereby ratifies any and all financing statements or amendments previously filed by Agent in any jurisdiction in connection with the Loan Documents.

 

4.                                      Each New Grantor represents and warrants to Agent and the Lender Group that this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by such New Grantor and constitutes its legal, valid, and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

5.                                      This Joinder is a Loan Document.  This Joinder may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Joinder.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Joinder by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Joinder.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Joinder by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Joinder but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Joinder.

 

6.                                      The Guaranty and Security Agreement, as supplemented hereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

 

7.                                      THIS JOINDER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 



 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

NEW GRANTORS:

[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

AGENT:

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO JOINDER NO.     TO GUARANTY AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Copyright Security Agreement”) is made this     day of            , 20  , by and among Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”), and BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”) and Agent, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the members of the Lender Group are willing to make the financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, but only upon the condition, among others, that Grantors shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, Grantors are required to execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, this Copyright Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantors hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINED TERMS.  All initially capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Copyright Security Agreement shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

2.                                      GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN COPYRIGHT COLLATERAL.  Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit each member of the Lender Group, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest (referred to in this Copyright Security Agreement as the “Security Interest”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (collectively, the “Copyright Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of such Grantor’s Copyrights and Copyright Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I;

 



 

(b)                                 all renewals or extensions of the foregoing; and

 

(c)                                  all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement of any Copyright or any Copyright exclusively licensed under any Intellectual Property License, including the right to receive damages, or the right to receive license fees, royalties, and other compensation under any Copyright Intellectual Property License.

 

3.                                      SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  This Copyright Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Copyright Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the other members of the Lender Group or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

4.                                      SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Interest granted pursuant to this Copyright Security Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of Agent with respect to the Security Interest in the Copyright Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Copyright Security Agreement and the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall control.

 

5.                                      AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT.  Grantors shall give Agent prior written notice of no less than five (5) Business Days before filing any additional application for registration of any copyright and prompt notice in writing of any additional copyright registrations granted therefor after the date hereof. Without limiting Grantors’ obligations under this Section, Grantors hereby authorize Agent unilaterally to modify this Copyright Security Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any future United States registered copyrights or applications therefor of each Grantor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Copyright Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

 

6.                                      COUNTERPARTS.  This Copyright Security Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Copyright Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Copyright Security Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Copyright Security Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Copyright Security Agreement.

 

3



 

7.                                      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THIS COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Copyright Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

 

AGENT:

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

SCHEDULE I
TO
COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS

 

Grantor

 

Country

 

Copyright

 

Registration No.

 

Registration Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright Licenses

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Patent Security Agreement”) is made this     day of            , 20  , by and among the Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”), and BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as agent for each member of the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”) and Agent, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the members of Lender Group are willing to make the financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, but only upon the condition, among others, that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, Grantors are required to execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, this Patent Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINED TERMS.  All initially capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Patent Security Agreement shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

2.                                      GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL. Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit each member of the Lender Group, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest (referred to in this Patent Security Agreement as the “Security Interest”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (collectively, the “Patent Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of its Patents and Patent Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I;

 



 

(b)                                 all divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, or extensions of the foregoing; and

 

(c)                                  all products and proceeds of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future infringement of any Patent or any Patent exclusively licensed under any Intellectual Property License, including the right to receive damages, or right to receive license fees, royalties, and other compensation under any Patent Intellectual Property License.

 

3.                                      SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  This Patent Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Patent Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the other members of the Lender Group or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

4.                                      SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Interest granted pursuant to this Patent Security Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of Agent with respect to the Security Interest in the Patent Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Patent Security Agreement and the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall control.

 

5.                                      AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT.  If any Grantor shall obtain rights to any new patent application or issued patent or become entitled to the benefit of any patent application or patent for any divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue, or reexamination of any existing patent or patent application, the provisions of this Patent Security Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. Grantors shall give prompt notice in writing to Agent with respect to any such new patent rights.  Without limiting Grantors’ obligations under this Section, Grantors hereby authorize Agent unilaterally to modify this Patent Security Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any such new patent rights of each Grantor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Patent Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

 

6.                                      COUNTERPARTS.  This Patent Security Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Patent Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Patent Security Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Patent Security Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Patent Security Agreement.

 

3



 

7.                                      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THIS PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Patent Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

AGENT:

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

SCHEDULE I
to

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Patents

 

Grantor

 

Country

 

Patent

 

Application/
Patent No.

 

Filing Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patent Licenses

 



 

EXHIBIT C

 

PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM

 

This Pledged Interests Addendum, dated as of             , 20    (this “Pledged Interests Addendum”), is delivered pursuant to Section 7 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement referred to below.  The undersigned hereby agrees that this Pledged Interests Addendum may be attached to that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”), made by the undersigned, together with the other Grantors named therein, to BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Agent.  Initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Pledged Interests Addendum shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.  The undersigned hereby agrees that the additional interests listed on Schedule I shall be and become part of the Pledged Interests pledged by the undersigned to Agent in the Guaranty and Security Agreement and any pledged company set forth on Schedule I shall be and become a “Pledged Company” under the Guaranty and Security Agreement, each with the same force and effect as if originally named therein.

 

This Pledged Interests Addendum is a Loan Document.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum.  If the undersigned delivers an executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission, the undersigned shall also deliver an original executed counterpart of this Pledged Interests Addendum but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Pledged Interests Addendum.

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement of the undersigned are true and correct as to the Pledged Interests listed herein on and as of the date hereof.

 

THIS PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Pledged Interests Addendum to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

[                   ]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

SCHEDULE I
TO

PLEDGED INTERESTS ADDENDUM

 

Pledged Interests

 

Name of Grantor

 

Name of Pledged
Company

 

Number of
Shares/Units

 

Class of
Interests

 

Percentage
of Class
Owned

 

Certificate
Nos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Trademark Security Agreement”) is made this     day of            , 20  , by and among Grantors listed on the signature pages hereof (collectively, jointly and severally, “Grantors” and each individually “Grantor”), and BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as agent for the Lender Group (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Inventure Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower identified on the signature pages thereof (such Subsidiaries, together with the Parent Borrower, are referred to herein each individually as a “Borrower” and individually and collectively, jointly and severally, as “Borrowers”), the lenders party thereto as “Lenders” (each of such Lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”) and Agent, the Lender Group has agreed to make certain financial accommodations available to Borrowers from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

WHEREAS, the members of the Lender Group are willing to make the financial accommodations to Borrowers as provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, but only upon the condition, among others, that Grantors shall have executed and delivered to Agent, for the benefit of Lender Group, that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of November [  ], 2015 (including all annexes, exhibits or schedules thereto, as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Guaranty and Security Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, Grantors are required to execute and deliver to Agent, for the benefit of Lender Group, this Trademark Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINED TERMS.  All initially capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty and Security Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement, and this Trademark Security Agreement shall be subject to the rules of construction set forth in Section 1(b) of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, which rules of construction are incorporated herein by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

2.                                      GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN TRADEMARK COLLATERAL.  Each Grantor hereby unconditionally grants, assigns, and pledges to Agent, for the benefit each member of the Lender Group, to secure the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest (referred to in this Trademark Security Agreement as the “Security Interest”) in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or arising (collectively, the “Trademark Collateral”):

 

(a)                                 all of its Trademarks and Trademark Intellectual Property Licenses to which it is a party including those referred to on Schedule I;

 



 

(b)                                 all goodwill of the business connected with the use of, and symbolized by, each Trademark and each Trademark Intellectual Property License; and

 

(c)                                  all products and proceeds (as that term is defined in the Code) of the foregoing, including any claim by such Grantor against third parties for past, present or future (i) infringement or dilution of any Trademark or any Trademarks exclusively licensed under any Intellectual Property License, including right to receive any damages, (ii) injury to the goodwill associated with any Trademark, or (iii) right to receive license fees, royalties, and other compensation under any Trademark Intellectual Property License.

 

3.                                      SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  This Trademark Security Agreement and the Security Interest created hereby secures the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or arising hereafter.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Trademark Security Agreement secures the payment of all amounts which constitute part of the Secured Obligations and would be owed by Grantors, or any of them, to Agent, the other members of the Lender Group or any of them, whether or not they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Grantor.

 

4.                                      SECURITY AGREEMENT.  The Security Interest granted pursuant to this Trademark Security Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to Agent, for the benefit of the Lender Group, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of Agent with respect to the Security Interest in the Trademark Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between this Trademark Security Agreement and the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall control.

 

5.                                      AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPLEMENT.  If any Grantor shall obtain rights to any new trademarks, the provisions of this Trademark Security Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. Grantors shall give prompt notice in writing to Agent with respect to any such new trademarks or renewal or extension of any trademark registration.  Without limiting Grantors’ obligations under this Section, Grantors hereby authorize Agent unilaterally to modify this Trademark Security Agreement by amending Schedule I to include any such new trademark rights of each Grantor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure to so modify this Trademark Security Agreement or amend Schedule I shall in any way affect, invalidate or detract from Agent’s continuing security interest in all Collateral, whether or not listed on Schedule I.

 

6.                                      COUNTERPARTS.  This Trademark Security Agreement is a Loan Document.  This Trademark Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Trademark Security Agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Trademark Security Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Trademark Security Agreement.

 

4



 

7.                                      CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE PROVISION.  THIS TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE, JURY TRIAL WAIVER, AND JUDICIAL REFERENCE SET FORTH IN SECTION 25 OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT, AND SUCH PROVISIONS ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

5



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Trademark Security Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

AGENT:

ACCEPTED AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY:

 

 

 

BSP AGENCY, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 



 

SCHEDULE I
to

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Trademark Registrations/Applications

 

Grantor

 

Country

 

Mark

 

Application/
Registration No.

 

App/Reg Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade Names

 

Common Law Trademarks

 

Trademarks Not Currently In Use

 

Trademark Licenses

 


EX-99.1 6 a15-23825_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

 

Inventure Foods Completes Debt Refinancing

 

Company Enters Into $50 Million Revolving Credit Facility and $85 Million Term Loan

 

PHOENIX, November 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inventure Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNAK) (“Inventure Foods” or the “Company”), a leading specialty food marketer and manufacturer, today announced that the Company has completed a $135 million debt refinancing that includes a new five-year, $50 million senior-secured revolving credit facility and a new five-year $85 million senior secured term loan facility, both of which mature on November 17, 2020.

 

“We are very pleased to announce the successful completion of our new credit facilities,” said Terry McDaniel, Chief Executive Officer of Inventure Foods. “We believe these facilities, in conjunction with our  cash flow from operations, will adequately meet our capital requirements for future growth over the next several years. We appreciate our lenders’ confidence in Inventure Foods as we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy.”

 

Wells Fargo Capital Finance acted as administrative agent, book runner, and sole arranger for the asset-based revolving credit facility. An affiliate of Benefit Street Partners, LLC, acted as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.  William Blair acted as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

 

About Inventure Foods

 

With manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Indiana, Washington, Oregon and Georgia, Inventure Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNAK) is a marketer and manufacturer of specialty food brands in better-for-you and indulgent categories under a variety of Company owned and licensed brand names, including Boulder Canyon Foods™, Jamba®, Seattle’s Best Coffee®, Rader Farms®, TGI Fridays™, Nathan’s Famous®, Vidalia Brands®, Poore Brothers®, Tato Skins®, Willamette Valley Fruit Company™, Fresh Frozen™ and Bob’s Texas Style® and Sin In A Tin®. For further information about Inventure Foods, please visit www.inventurefoods.com.

 

Contact

 

Katie Turner, ICR (646) 277-1200

 

Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to meet its capital requirements for future growth over the next several years and to execute its long-term growth strategy. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release and that may affect the Company’s prospects in general include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, increases in cost or availability of ingredients, packaging, energy and employees, price competition and industry consolidation, ability to execute strategic initiatives, product recalls or safety concerns, disruptions of supply chain or information technology systems, customer acceptance of new products and changes in consumer preferences, food industry and regulatory factors, interest rate risks, dependence upon major customers, dependence upon existing and future license agreements, the possibility that we will need additional financing due to future operating losses or in order to implement the Company’s business strategy, acquisition and divestiture-related risks, the volatility of the market price of the Company’s common stock, and such other factors as are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

 


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