-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Dui9jyylp3txfjBTVTi4pAH/5E+7zC6Rhxuqiy7shxk+eflYFkTjyDHXxpnjXrBn UDbN4jkwiAIY2hsKqvXmxw== 0001193125-08-186737.txt : 20080828 0001193125-08-186737.hdr.sgml : 20080828 20080828160929 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-08-186737 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080826 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080828 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080828 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DIEDRICH COFFEE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000947661 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-FOOD STORES [5400] IRS NUMBER: 330086628 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 0627 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-21203 FILM NUMBER: 081045611 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 28 EXECUTIVE PARK STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92614 BUSINESS PHONE: 9492601600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 28 EXECUTIVE PARK STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92614 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 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): August 26, 2008

DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
  0-21203
  33-0086628

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

28 Executive Park, Suite 200

Irvine, California 92614

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 260-1600

Not Applicable

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

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

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement

Loan Agreement

On August 26, 2008, Diedrich Coffee, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a loan agreement with Sequoia Enterprises, L.P. (“Sequoia”), a limited partnership whose sole general partner also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Loan Agreement”).

The Loan Agreement provides for a $3 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) to the Company, to be funded no later than August 29, 2008. The Term Loan will accrue interest from the funding date at LIBOR plus 5.30%, resetting on the first calendar day of each month. The Company is required to make regular monthly payments of interest, and to cause the principal amount to be reduced to $2 million no later than August 26, 2009. All outstanding principal and interest will be due on the maturity date of August 26, 2011, unless due earlier pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement upon a change of control of the Company or an event of default.

The Loan Agreement requires the Company to refrain from further borrowings under the Company’s existing Contingent Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with Sequoia (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) and contains restrictions on incurring indebtedness on par with, or senior to, the Term Loan. The Loan Agreement also contains a covenant that limits the amount of indebtedness that the Company may have outstanding in relation to tangible net worth, in addition to other standard covenants and events of default.

The Term Loan is senior to all other indebtedness of the Company, except indebtedness pursuant to notes under the Note Purchase Agreement and certain permitted indebtedness identified in the Loan Agreement. Upon repayment of the notes under the Note Purchase Agreement, the Term Loan will be senior to all other indebtedness of the Company, except such permitted indebtedness.

Amendment to 2001 Warrant, Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement and Cancellation of Note Purchase Agreement Warrant

The Company also entered into an Amendment No. 1 to 2001 Warrant, Amendment No. 4 to Contingent Convertible Note Purchase Agreement and Cancellation of Note Purchase Warrant (the “Amendment”) on August 26, 2008.

The Amendment extends the maturity date of the Note Purchase Agreement and the notes issued thereunder until March 31, 2009 and reflects the agreement by Sequoia that the Company only be required to make monthly payments of interest and the monthly commitment fee, but not principal, until such date. On the maturity date, all outstanding principal, interest and other amounts payable under the Note Purchase Agreement will be due (unless due earlier pursuant to the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement upon a change of control of the Company or an event of default).

 

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The Amendment further provides that all notes issued under the Note Purchase Agreement are no longer convertible into common stock of the Company, and that no further warrants shall be issued to Sequoia under the Note Purchase Agreement. The one outstanding warrant issued to Sequoia under the Note Purchase Agreement, for the purchase of 4,219 shares, was also cancelled.

The Amendment also modified the definition of “change of control” contained in the Note Purchase Agreement such that the acquisition of a third party (other than the current Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and entities controlled by him) of 25% or more of the voting equity of the Company will constitute a change of control. Previously, the threshold was 15%.

Lastly, the Amendment changes the exercise price of the warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock of the Company issued to Sequoia on May 8, 2001 (the “2001 Warrant”), to $2.00 per share, subject to adjustment as provided in the 2001 Warrant and the related registration rights agreement. Previously, the exercise price was $3.00 per share, subject to adjustment.

Warrant

In connection with the Loan Agreement and the Amendment, after the close of the Nasdaq Stock Market on August 26, 2008, the Company issued to Sequoia a warrant (the “2008 Warrant”) for the right to purchase 1,667,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $2.00 per share, which represents a premium of $0.25, or approximately 14%, over the $1.75 closing price of the Company’s common stock on such date. The 2008 Warrant is exercisable by Sequoia, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, prior to August 26, 2013. The 2008 Warrant is not eligible for cashless exercise, but the Company is obligated to cause the common stock issued upon exercise of the 2008 Warrant to be registered with the SEC and applicable state governmental authorities and to be listed on the stock exchange on which the Company’s stock is traded at the time of exercise, in each case at the Company’s expense.

Other

Consistent with the Company’s procedures for approving related party transactions, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised of Timothy J. Ryan and Greg D. Palmer, authorized and approved the Loan Agreement, the Amendment, the 2008 Warrant and the transactions contemplated thereby.

The foregoing description of the Loan Agreement, the Amendment and the 2008 Warrant is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such documents, which are included herewith as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 4.1, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Warrant, dated as of August 26, 2008, issued by Diedrich Coffee, Inc. to Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.
10.1    Loan Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2008, by and between Diedrich Coffee, Inc. and Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.
10.2    Amendment No. 1 to 2001 Warrant, Amendment No. 4 to Contingent Convertible Note Purchase Agreement and Cancellation of Note Purchase Warrant, dated as of August 26, 2008, by and between Diedrich Coffee, Inc. and Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: August 28, 2008   DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
  By:   /s/ Sean M. McCarthy
    Sean M. McCarthy
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  4.1    Warrant, dated as of August 26, 2008, issued by Diedrich Coffee, Inc. to Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.
10.1    Loan Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2008, by and between Diedrich Coffee, Inc. and Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.
10.2    Amendment No. 1 to 2001 Warrant, Amendment No. 4 to Contingent Convertible Note Purchase Agreement and Cancellation of Note Purchase Warrant, dated as of August 26, 2008, by and between Diedrich Coffee, Inc. and Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.

 

5

EX-4.1 2 dex41.htm WARRANT, DATED AS OF AUGUST 26, 2008 Warrant, dated as of August 26, 2008

EXHIBIT 4.1

EXECUTION COPY

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR SUCH COMMON STOCK MAY BE SOLD, PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY AND ITS LEGAL COUNSEL STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

OF

DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.

VOID AFTER AUGUST 26, 2013

August 26, 2008

No.                     

This certifies that Sequoia Enterprises, Inc., a California limited partnership, or its permitted successors and assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, subject to the terms and conditions of this Warrant, to purchase from Diedrich Coffee, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), all or any part of an aggregate of 1,667,000 shares of the Company’s authorized and unissued Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Warrant Stock”), at a price per share of $2.00 (the “Exercise Price”), upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal offices of the Company, together with a duly executed subscription form and simultaneous payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Stock so purchased in lawful, immediately available money of the United States. The number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the Exercise Price are subject to adjustment and limitation as provided herein.

1. Definitions. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in that certain Loan Agreement of even date herewith between the Company and the Holder (the “Agreement”).

2. Exercise.

2.1 Right to Exercise. This Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or prior to August 26, 2013, after which this Warrant will expire and no longer be exercisable.

2.2 Partial Exercise; No Fractional Shares. Upon a partial exercise of this Warrant, this Warrant shall be surrendered by the Holder and replaced with a new warrant of like tenor for the balance of the shares of Warrant Stock purchasable under this Warrant. No fractional shares may be issued upon any exercise of this Warrant.

2.3 Form of Payment. Payment by the Holder of the aggregate Exercise Price may be made by (a) a check payable to the Company’s order, (b) wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company, (c) cancellation of indebtedness of the Company to the Holder, or (d) any combination of the foregoing. This Warrant is not be eligible for cashless exercise.


3. Change of Control. To the extent possible, the Company shall provide the Holder with no less than seven (7) days prior written notice of a Change of Control. If the Holder elects to exercise this Warrant in connection with a Change of Control, the shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to be issued to the Holder as the record owner of such shares immediately prior to consummation of the Change of Control.

4. Adjustment Provisions. The number and character of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or any shares of stock or other securities or property at the time receivable or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant) and the Exercise Price therefor, are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of the following events between the date this Warrant is issued and the date it is exercised or expires:

4.1 Adjustment for Stock Splits, Stock Dividends, Recapitalizations, etc. The Exercise Price of this Warrant and the number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time issuable upon exercise of this Warrant) shall each be appropriately and proportionally adjusted to reflect any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, combination of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar event affecting the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (or such other stock or securities).

4.2 Adjustment for Other Dividends and Distributions. In case the Company shall make or issue, or shall fix a record date for the determination of eligible holders entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable with respect to the Common Stock that is payable in (a) securities of the Company (other than issuances with respect to which adjustment is made under Section 4.1), or (b) assets, then, and in each such case, the Holder, upon exercise of this Warrant at any time after the consummation, effective date or record date of such event, shall receive, in addition to the shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon such exercise prior to such date, the securities or such other assets of the Company to which the Holder would have been entitled upon such date if the Holder had exercised this Warrant immediately prior thereto (all subject to further adjustment as provided in this Warrant). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustment in respect of any cash dividends paid by the Company will be made during the term of this Warrant or upon the exercise of this Warrant.

4.3 Notice of Adjustments. Whenever the Exercise Price or character or number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise hereof shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4, the Company shall issue a written notice setting forth, in reasonable detail, the event requiring the adjustment, the amount of the adjustment, the method by which such adjustment was calculated and the Exercise Price and character and number of shares of Warrant Stock purchasable hereunder after giving effect to such adjustment, and shall cause a copy of such notice to be delivered to the Holder.

4.4 No Change Necessary. The form of this Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment in the Exercise Price or in the number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon its exercise.

5. No Rights or Liabilities as Stockholder. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company. No provisions of this Warrant, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall cause the Holder to be a stockholder of the Company for any purpose unless and until this Warrant is exercised.

6. Transfer. This Warrant may not be assigned by the Holder, except to a Lender Affiliate, without the prior written consent of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, THIS WARRANT SHALL NOT BE EXERCISABLE INTO SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY IF SUCH EXERCISE WOULD VIOLATE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

2


7. Loss or Mutilation. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and (in the case of mutilation) upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will execute and deliver in lieu thereof a new Warrant of like tenor.

8. Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles.

9. Agreement. This Warrant incorporates by reference all relevant provisions of the Agreement, including all provisions contained therein with respect to remedies and covenants, and the description of the benefits, rights and obligations of each of the Company and Lender under the Agreement.

10. Terms Binding. By acceptance of this Warrant, the Holder accepts and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Warrant and the Agreement.

11. No Impairment. The Company will not, by amendment of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or through reorganization, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, sale of assets or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder of this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (a) will not increase the par value of any shares of stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise, and (b) will take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Warrant Stock upon exercise of this Warrant.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Warrant as of the date set forth above.

 

COMPANY:
DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
By:   /s/ J. Russell Phillips
 

J. Russell Phillips

Chief Executive Officer

 

3

EX-10.1 3 dex101.htm LOAN AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF AUGUST 26, 2008 Loan Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2008

EXHIBIT 10.1

EXECUTION COPY

LOAN AGREEMENT

by and between

DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.

and

SEQUOIA ENTERPRISES, L.P.

 

 

Dated as of August 26, 2008

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

               Page
1.    DEFINITIONS    1
   1.1    CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS    1
2.    TERM LOAN AND WARRANT    3
   2.1    FUNDING OF TERM LOAN    3
   2.2    ISSUANCE OF WARRANT    3
3.    INTEREST; PAYMENTS; MATURITY    3
   3.1    INTEREST    3
   3.2    PREPAYMENTS    4
   3.3    MONTHLY PAYMENTS; MATURITY    4
4.    COMMON STOCK; REGISTRATION RIGHTS    4
   4.1    COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF WARRANT    4
   4.2    REGISTRATION RIGHTS    5
5.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY    5
   5.1.    SEC REPORTS; FINANCIAL CONDITION; CAPITALIZATION    5
   5.2    CORPORATE EXISTENCE; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW    6
   5.3    CORPORATE POWER; AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS    6
   5.4    NO CONFLICT    6
   5.5    NO MATERIAL LITIGATION    6
   5.6    TAXES    6
   5.7    INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT    7
   5.8    ASSETS    7
   5.9    SECURITIES ACT    7
   5.10    CONSENTS, ETC.    7
   5.11    INSURANCE    7
6.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LENDER    7
   6.1    INVESTIGATION    7
   6.2    ECONOMIC RISK    7
   6.3    PURCHASE FOR OWN ACCOUNT    7
   6.4    EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION; RESTRICTED SECURITIES    7
   6.5    NON-ASSIGNABILITY    8
   6.6    SOPHISTICATION    8
   6.7    ACCREDITED INVESTOR    8
7.    COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY    8
   7.1    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS    8
   7.2    PAYMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS    8
   7.3    MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE AND PROPERTIES    8
   7.4    INSPECTION OF PROPERTY; BOOKS AND RECORDS; DISCUSSIONS    9

 

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   7.5    NOTICES    9
   7.6    EXPENSES    9
   7.7    INSURANCE    9
   7.8    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS    9
8.    NEGATIVE COVENANTS    9
   8.1    LIENS    10
   8.2    INDEBTEDNESS    10
   8.3    LOANS; ADVANCES    11
   8.4    LEVERAGE RATIO    11
9.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT    11
   9.1    EVENTS OF DEFAULT    11
   9.2    REMEDIES    12
10.    MISCELLANEOUS    13
   10.1    GOVERNING LAW    13
   10.2    SURVIVAL    13
   10.3    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS    13
   10.4    ENTIRE AGREEMENT    13
   10.5    NOTICES    14
   10.6    AMENDMENTS    14
   10.7    DELAYS OR OMISSIONS    14
   10.8    LEGAL FEES    14
   10.9    NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES    14
   10.10    INTERPRETATION    14
   10.11    COUNTERPARTS    14
   10.12    SEVERABILITY    14
   10.13    CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION    15

 

Exhibit

  

Description

Exhibit A    Warrant

 

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LOAN AGREEMENT

This Loan Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of August 26, 2008 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Diedrich Coffee, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Sequoia Enterprises, L.P., a California limited partnership (“Lender”).

R E C I T A L S

WHEREAS, the Company desires to borrow from Lender and Lender desires to loan to the Company, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, an aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 (the “Term Loan”); and

WHEREAS, in part as an additional inducement for Lender to enter into this Agreement, the Company is issuing to Lender a warrant to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Warrant”), which will be exercisable on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

A G R E E M E N T

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants, agreements, representations and warranties hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1. DEFINITIONS.

1.1 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.

Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act.

Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in Los Angeles, California are authorized or obligated to close their regular banking business.

Change of Control” shall mean (a) a transaction (or series of transactions) in which a Third Party (other than Heeschen or any entity controlled by Heeschen) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of equity representing 25% or more of the voting equity of the Company; (b) a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction (or series of transactions) involving the Company, the result of which is that a Third Party who, immediately prior to such transaction or transactions is not the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting equity of the Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting equity of the Company or the successor entity in such transaction or transactions; or (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.


Default” shall mean any event or circumstance that with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would become an Event of Default.

Effective Tangible Net Worth” shall mean, on a consolidated basis, the total assets (exclusive of goodwill, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, organization expense, investments in and all amounts due from Affiliates, officers, or employees), less total liabilities (less Indebtedness subordinated to the Term Loan, if any) of the Company and its subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Existing Facility” shall mean that certain Contingent Convertible Note Purchase Agreement dated as of May 10, 2004 by and between the Company and Lender, including all notes issued thereunder, as amended to date and as may be subsequently amended or restated.

Fiscal Quarter” shall mean each fiscal quarter of the Company, with the first three quarters consisting of twelve weekly periods and the fourth quarter consisting of the sixteen or seventeen weekly periods ending on the Wednesday closest to June 30.

Fiscal Year” shall mean each fiscal year of the Company, with each such fiscal year ending on the Wednesday closest to June 30.

GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect from time to time.

Heeschen” means Paul C. Heeschen, sole general partner of Lender.

Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean all obligations for borrowed money, accounts payable, accrued compensation, accrued expenses and capitalized lease obligations of such Person as of the date as of which indebtedness is to be determined, and shall also include all indebtedness and liabilities of others assumed or guaranteed by such Person or in respect of which such Person is secondarily or contingently liable (other than by endorsement of instruments in the course of collection) whether by reason of any agreement to acquire such indebtedness or to supply or advance sums or otherwise.

Lender Affiliate” means Heeschen, any Affiliate of Heeschen (including Lender), or any partner or other equity holder of Lender.

LIBOR Rate” means the fluctuating U.S. dollar rate reported by Northern Trust as the “London Interbank Offered Rate” for deposits with a maturity period of one (1) month, as established on the dates on which such interest rate is to be determined as provided herein.

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, or pledge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment, assigned deposit, arrangement, encumbrance (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement), encroachment, lien (statutory or otherwise), claim, option, reservation or defect of any kind, or preference, or priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever or the filing or agreement to give any financing statement under the uniform commercial code of any jurisdiction.

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Company to perform under this Agreement or to avoid any Event of Default; or (c) a material adverse change in the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

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Maturity Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) the date of consummation of a Change of Control, (ii) the date the Term Loan is declared due and payable by Lender upon an Event of Default and (iii) the third anniversary of the Effective Date.

Person” shall mean any corporation, natural person, firm, joint venture, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any department or agency of any government.

Restricted Stock” shall mean the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Warrant, and any Common Stock issued with respect to such Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split, provided that such shares shall no longer be Restricted Stock at such time as such Common Stock (i) has been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (ii) has been transferred in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereto) or (iii) is transferable by Lender (or, if such Common Stock is held by a Lender Affiliate, such Lender Affiliate) pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule 144 (or any successor provision thereto).

SEC” shall mean the Securities Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Third Party” shall mean any Person or group of Persons acting in concert who are not Affiliates of the Company or Lender Affiliates.

 

  2. TERM LOAN AND WARRANT.

2.1 Funding of Term Loan. Lender agrees, upon the terms set forth in this Agreement, to make the Term Loan to the Company in a single borrowing within three (3) business days following the Effective Date, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company (such date on which the Term Loan is made, the “Funding Date”).

2.2 Issuance of Warrant. As soon as practicable after the closing of the Nasdaq Stock Market on the Effective Date, the Company shall issue the Warrant to Lender.

 

  3. INTEREST; PAYMENTS; MATURITY.

3.1 Interest.

(a) Interest shall accrue from the Funding Date at the LIBOR Rate in effect on such date, plus 5.30% per annum. The interest rate will be reset on the first day of each calendar month to the LIBOR Rate then in effect, plus 5.30% per annum. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable in arrears.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 3.1(a), the rate of interest payable shall in no event exceed the maximum rate permissible under applicable law. If the rate of interest payable is ever reduced as a result of this Section 3.1(b) and at any time thereafter the maximum rate permitted by applicable law shall exceed the rate of interest provided for in this Agreement, then the rate provided for

 

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in this Agreement shall be increased to the maximum rate permitted by applicable law for such period as is required so that the total amount of interest received by Lender is that which would have been received by Lender but for the operation of the first sentence of this Section 3.1(b).

3.2 Prepayments.

(a) The unpaid principal balance of the Term Loan (the “Outstanding Balance”) and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any and all other sums payable to Lender hereunder may be prepaid prior to the Maturity Date without penalty or obligation, except as set forth herein; provided that, (i) the Company shall provide Lender at least 10 days advance notice of its intention to make any such prepayment and (ii) any such prepayment must be made on the last Business Day of a calendar month. Lender will apply partial prepayments on the Term Loan first to all accrued and unpaid interest and then to principal.

(b) On the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company will make a mandatory prepayment to reduce the Outstanding Balance to no more than $2,000,000.

3.3 Monthly Payments; Maturity.

(a) Until the Maturity Date, the Company will be required to make payments to Lender monthly (each, a “Monthly Payment”) on the first Business Day of each month no later than 1:00 p.m. on such day (each, a “Payment Date”), equal to all accrued interest on the Outstanding Balance for the prior month.

(b) On the Maturity Date, the Company shall make a payment to Lender of an amount equal to the sum of: (i) all accrued interest on the Outstanding Balance since the last Payment Date, plus (ii) the Outstanding Balance, plus (iii) any and all other sums owed to Lender hereunder.

(c) Any payments made to Lender pursuant to Sections 3.2 or 3.3 shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Lender and shall be accompanied by a statement consistent with the terms of this Agreement that sets forth the amount of the payment attributable to interest and principal.

 

  4. COMMON STOCK; REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

4.1 Common Stock Issuable upon Exercise of Warrant. Subject to the following sentence, the Company shall, at all times, reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and delivery upon exercise of the Warrant, such number of shares of Common Stock as the board of directors of the Company shall reasonably determine to be sufficient to effect the exercise of the Warrant, and shall take all action necessary to ensure that the shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise are validly issued, fully-paid and nonassessable and issued free and clear of all preemptive rights, Liens and restrictions on transfer (other than under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Warrant to the extent that the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued would exceed, at the time of issuance (i) the number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock under the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, less (ii) all shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance (other than with respect to the Warrant), provided that if any issuance of shares of Common Stock is limited pursuant to this sentence, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain stockholder approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the stockholders of an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to permit such issuance.

 

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4.2 Registration Rights.

(a) The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to continue its qualification for registration on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms in connection with the resale of securities. Irrespective of whether the Company is qualified to use Form S-3, Lender (or the Lender Affiliate, if such Restricted Stock is held by a Lender Affiliate) shall have the right to request, and the Company shall be obligated to effect, the registration of Lender or Lender Affiliate’s Restricted Stock under the Securities Act and any necessary registration or qualification required under state blue sky laws (such requests shall be in writing and shall state the number of shares of Restricted Stock to be disposed of and the intended methods of disposition of such shares by Lender or Lender Affiliate); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration (i) if Lender or Lender Affiliate proposes to sell Restricted Stock at an aggregate price to the public of less than $1,000,000, (ii) if the Restricted Stock no longer qualifies as such, (iii) if, in the 12-month period immediately preceding such request, the Company has already effected one (1) such registration in such period, (iv) if it is to be effected more than five (5) years after the exercise of the Warrant, (v) if the Company is presently engaged in (or has completed within the prior six (6) months) an underwritten public offering of securities and the managing underwriter shall be of the opinion that such registration would adversely affect the marketing of the securities to be sold or that were sold by the Company in its public offering or (vi) if such registration would conflict with or violate the terms of any registration rights granted by the Company prior to the date hereof.

(b) In connection with each registration hereunder, Lender (and the Lender Affiliates, if any Restricted Stock to be included in the registration statement is held by such Lender Affiliates) shall furnish to the Company such information with respect to itself and themselves and the proposed distribution by it and them as shall be necessary in order to comply with federal and applicable state securities laws.

(c) The expenses incurred in effecting a registration pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be borne by the Company. These expenses include registration, qualification and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, and expenses of any regular or special audits incident to or required by any such registration. The selling expenses of the Lender Affiliates, which include underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer fees applicable to the sale of Restricted Stock and the fees and disbursements of counsel for any Lender Affiliate, shall be borne by the Lender Affiliates requesting registration.

 

  5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

The Company hereby represents and warrants to Lender the following:

5.1. SEC Reports; Financial Condition; Capitalization.

(a) Since January 1, 2004, the Company has filed all required forms, reports and documents (collectively, the “Company SEC Reports”) with the SEC. As of their respective dates, or if amended, as of the date of such amendment, the Company SEC Reports complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may be, applicable to such Company SEC Reports, each as in effect on the dates such forms, reports and documents were filed.

 

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(b) The financial statements for the most recent Fiscal Year and the Fiscal Quarters ended subsequent thereto filed with the SEC (collectively, the “Financial Statements”) are complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly in accordance with GAAP the consolidated financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries at such dates and the results of its operations and changes in financial position for the fiscal periods then ended, subject, in the case of the financial statements dated as of the Fiscal Quarter, to normal year-end audit adjustments.

(c) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of:

(i) 8,750,000 shares of Common Stock, of which, on the date hereof, (A) 5,468,316 shares are issued and outstanding, (B) 1,087,500 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company’s stock plans and (C) 500,000 shares are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock, and

(ii) 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock of the Company, $.01 par value per share, none of which are issued and outstanding on the date hereof.

5.2 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries: (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and is qualified to do business in each other jurisdiction where its leasing or ownership of property or conduct of its business requires such qualification and where failure to so qualify is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its properties and to conduct its business in the manner now conducted, and (c) is in material compliance with all applicable laws and its contractual obligations where the failure to so comply is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.3 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. The Company has the power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of, this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the effect of equitable principles whether applied in an action at law or a suit in equity.

5.4 No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company, the borrowing hereunder and the use of the proceeds of the Term Loan will not (i) violate any law applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries, (ii) violate any contractual obligation of the Company or its subsidiaries in any material respect, or (iii) conflict with the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company.

5.5 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator, court or governmental authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by or against the Company or its subsidiaries or against their respective properties or revenues which is likely to be adversely determined and which, if adversely determined, is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.6 Taxes. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all U.S. and other material tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property, other than taxes which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Company or such subsidiary, as applicable, has established adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP.

 

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5.7 Investment Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

5.8 Assets. The Company or one of its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all property and assets reflected in the Financial Statements, except property and assets sold or otherwise disposed of since the date of such Financial Statements in the ordinary course of business. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) any outstanding Liens on any of their respective properties or assets, (ii) any security agreements to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party, or (iii) any title retention agreements, whether in the form of leases or otherwise, of any personal property, in each case except pursuant to the Existing Facility or as permitted under Section 8.1.

5.9 Securities Act. The Company has not issued any unregistered securities in violation of the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act, or any other law, and is not in material violation of any rule, regulation or requirement under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

5.10 Consents, Etc. No consent, approval, authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with any governmental authority or any other Person is required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement on the part of the Company or its performance of or compliance with the terms, provisions and conditions hereof other than those disclosed herein or such as have been obtained prior to the Effective Date.

5.11 Insurance. The properties and assets of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks, as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Company and its subsidiaries operate.

 

  6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LENDER.

Lender represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

6.1 Investigation. Lender acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to discuss the business, affairs and current prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries with the officers and other representatives of the Company. The Company has made available to Lender the opportunity to obtain information to evaluate the merits and risks of the purchase of the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof, and Lender has received all information requested from the Company.

6.2 Economic Risk. Lender acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has the ability to bear the economic risks of its investment in the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof. Lender acknowledges that the Term Loan and an investment in the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof involve an extremely high degree of risk, lack of liquidity and substantial restrictions on transferability and that Lender may lose Lender’s right to receive repayment of the Term Loan and/or Lender’s entire investment in the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof.

6.3 Purchase for Own Account. The Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof will be acquired for Lender’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to or in connection with the sale or distribution of any part thereof in violation of applicable law.

6.4 Exempt from Registration; Restricted Securities. Lender understands that the issuance and sale of the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws (except as

 

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provided in Section 4.2) on the ground that the sale provided for in this Agreement is exempt from registration under the Securities Act, and that the reliance of the Company on such exemption is predicated in part on Lender’s representations set forth in this Agreement. Lender understands that the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof are restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered (including pursuant to Section 4.2) or an exemption from such registration is available.

6.5 Non-Assignability. Lender acknowledges that the Warrant may not be assigned by Lender without the prior written consent of the Company (except that the Warrant may be transferred to any Lender Affiliate).

6.6 Sophistication. Lender, personally or through its advisors, has expertise in evaluating and investing in private placement transactions of securities of companies similar to the Company and has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to assess the relative merits and risks of an investment in the Warrant and the Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof.

6.7 Accredited Investor. Lender is an “Accredited Investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.

 

  7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

The Company agrees with Lender, so long as the Term Loan or any portion thereof (including any interest accrued thereon) remains outstanding:

7.1 Financial Statements and Reports. The Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Lender:

(a) unless filed with the SEC, copies of all proxy statements, financial statements, and reports which the Company sends to its stockholders; and

(b) promptly upon request of Lender, such additional financial and other information, including, without limitation, financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries as Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

7.2 Payment of Indebtedness. The Company shall pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy and cause its subsidiaries to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy, at or before maturity or before it becomes delinquent, defaulted or accelerated, as the case may be, all its Indebtedness (including taxes), except Indebtedness being contested in good faith and for which provision is made for the payment thereof in the event the Company or such subsidiary is found to be obligated to pay such Indebtedness and which Indebtedness is thereupon promptly paid by the Company or such subsidiary.

7.3 Maintenance of Existence and Properties. The Company shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to:

(a) maintain its corporate existence (except pursuant to a Change of Control or mergers or other combinations between or among the Company and its subsidiaries);

 

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(b) maintain all rights, privileges, licenses, approvals, franchises, properties and assets necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business (except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect); and

(c) comply in all material respects with its contractual obligations and requirements of law (except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

7.4 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. The Company shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries (i) to keep proper books of record and account with full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all requirements of law and (ii) to permit representatives of Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any reasonable time and as often as may reasonably be desired by Lender, and discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Company and its subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Company or such subsidiaries and with the Company’s independent certified public accountants. As long as there has not occurred and is continuing an Event of Default, such inspections shall be at no cost to the Company.

7.5 Notices. The Company shall promptly give written notice to Lender of:

(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) any litigation or proceedings affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries involving amounts in excess of $100,000; and

(c) any other event which, in the reasonable business judgment of the Company, is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.6 Expenses. The Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of outside counsel) incurred by Lender incident to the protection of the rights of Lender under this Agreement and any enforcement of payment of the Term Loan, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, including, without limitation, in connection with the bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, moratorium or other similar proceedings involving the Company or a “workout” of the Term Loan. The obligations of the Company under this section shall be effective and enforceable whether or not the Term Loan is outstanding and shall survive payment of all Outstanding Balances.

7.7 Insurance. The Company shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to, obtain and maintain insurance, including property insurance, casualty insurance and general liability insurance, with responsible companies, in such amounts and against such risks as are usually carried by corporations similarly situated, and furnish Lender upon request with certificates evidencing such insurance.

7.8 Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply, and cause each of its subsidiaries to comply, with all requirements of applicable law and with their respective contractual obligations, except in each case where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  8. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

The Company hereby agrees with Lender, so long as the Term Loan or any portion thereof (including any interest accrued thereon) remains outstanding, without the prior written consent of Lender:

 

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8.1 Liens. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist or permit any of its subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of the property and assets of the Company or such subsidiary, except:

(a) Liens or charges for current taxes, assessments or other governmental charges which are not delinquent or which remain payable without penalty, or the validity of which are contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided the Company or its subsidiary shall have set aside on its books and shall maintain adequate reserves for the payment of the same in conformity with GAAP;

(b) Liens, deposits or pledges made to secure statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, or bonds to obtain, or to obtain the release of, attachments, writs of garnishment or for stay of execution, or to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of borrowed money), leases or for purposes of like general nature in the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries;

(c) statutory Liens of landlord’s, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other similar Liens imposed by law and created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained in conformity with GAAP;

(d) attachment and judgment Liens not otherwise constituting an Event of Default each of which Lien is in existence less than 30 days after the entry thereof or with respect to which execution has been stayed, payment is covered in full by insurance, or the Company or its subsidiaries shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required by GAAP with respect to such judgment or award; and

(e) Liens pursuant to the Existing Facility.

8.2 Indebtedness.

(a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or otherwise become or be liable in respect of any Indebtedness which is equal to the Term Loan in right of payment, or permit any of its subsidiaries to become so liable, except:

(i) the Term Loan;

(ii) Indebtedness reflected in the Financial Statements;

(iii) trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and outstanding less than 90 days after the same has become due and payable or which is being contested in good faith, provided provision is made for the eventual payment thereof in the event it is found that such contested trade debt is payable by it;

(iv) the Company is permitted to serve as the primary lessee on behalf of, or guarantee the lease obligations for, franchisees of the Company or its affiliates provided that such leases are entered into in the ordinary course of business; or

(v) other Indebtedness not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

 

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(b) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or otherwise become or be liable in respect of any Indebtedness which is contractually senior to the Term Loan in right of payment, or permit any of its subsidiaries to become so liable, except:

(i) Indebtedness under the Existing Facility incurred prior to the date hereof, it being specifically agreed that the Company shall not incur any additional Indebtedness under the Existing Facility on or after the date hereof; and

(ii) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Sections 8.1(a) through (d).

(c) The Company shall cause the Existing Facility to be and remain senior in right of payment to all other indebtedness of the Company, except Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Sections 8.1(a) through (d). For the avoidance of doubt, upon repayment of the Existing Facility, the Term Loan will be, and will remain, senior in right of payment to all other indebtedness of the Company, except Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Sections 8.1(a) through (e).

8.3 Loans; Advances. The Company shall not, and shall not permit its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or commit to make any advance, loan or extension of credit (other than extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution to any Person other than:

(a) trade credit extended in the ordinary course of business;

(b) loan and advances to employees in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000 at any time outstanding; and

(c) intercompany loans and investments in other subsidiaries or the Company.

8.4 Leverage Ratio. The Company shall not permit as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of Indebtedness of the Company on a consolidated basis to the Effective Tangible Net Worth to be more than 1.75:1.00.

 

  9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

9.1 Events of Default.

(a) An event of default shall occur upon the occurrence of any of the following events, which event is continuing after the cure periods set forth in Section 10.1(b), if any (each, an “Event of Default”):

(i) the Company shall fail to pay any Monthly Payment on the date when due or shall fail to pay when due any other amounts owed under this Agreement;

(ii) any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement shall be inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect on or as of the date made;

(iii) the Company shall fail to perform, observe or comply with any covenant or agreement contained herein;

 

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(iv)(A)(1) the Company or its subsidiaries shall default in any payment of principal of or interest on any other Indebtedness having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $200,000 or (2) any Person shall default in the payment of any Indebtedness having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $200,000 upon which the Company or its subsidiaries is contingently liable (except, in each case, for payments which are being contested in good faith, and the Company or is subsidiaries have established adequate reserves for the eventual payment thereof in the event it is found that such contested Indebtedness is payable by the Company or its subsidiaries), and (B) the effect of which is to permit such Indebtedness to be declared or otherwise to become due prior to its stated maturity;

(v) the material breach by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any agreement with Lender or Lender Affiliates (excluding for this purpose the Company and its subsidiaries);

(vi)(i) the Company shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Company shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(vii) there shall be commenced against the Company any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (vi) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment, and (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days;

(viii) there shall be commenced against the Company any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or substantially all of its assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed, satisfied or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof;

(ix) the Company shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in (other than in connection with a final settlement), any of the acts set forth in clauses (vi), (vii) or (viii) above; or

(x) the Company shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) except (A) with respect to Defaults set forth in Section 10.1(a)(vi), (vii), (viii), (ix) or (x), for which there shall be no cure period, or (B) as set forth in clause (b)(ii), the Company shall have 30 days after delivery by Lender to the Company of written notice of such Default to cure such Default, and (ii) with respect to Defaults set forth in Section 10.1(a)(i), the Company shall have seven days to cure such Default, provided that the Company shall pay a late fee equal to 1% of the aggregate amount of such late payment.

9.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default at the option of Lender:

 

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(a) Upon written notice to the Company, the Outstanding Balance of the Term Loan and interest accrued but unpaid thereon shall become immediately due and payable, without demand upon or presentment to the Company, which are expressly waived by the Company, and

(b) Lender may immediately exercise all rights, powers and remedies available to it at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

  10. MISCELLANEOUS.

10.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to provisions regarding conflicts of laws.

10.2 Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein shall survive any investigation made by any party hereto and the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby.

10.3 Successors and Assigns. Except as set forth herein, neither party shall assign or transfer or permit the assignment or transfer of this Agreement, nor any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other party. The provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties.

10.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Warrant and the exhibits hereto and thereto (all of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by this reference) constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Each of the parties acknowledges that neither the other party nor any representative of the other party has made any promises, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties or other inducements whatsoever, either express or implied, written or oral, concerning the subject matter of this Agreement or the Warrant that is not contained herein or therein.

10.5 Notices. Except as may be otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, waivers and other communications made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be conclusively deemed to have been duly given (a) when hand delivered to a party; (b) when received by a party when sent by facsimile to the facsimile number set forth below; (c) three business days after deposit in the U.S. mail, with first class or certified mail receipt requested postage prepaid, addressed to a party as set forth below; or (d) the next business day after deposit with a national overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, addressed to a party as set forth below with next-business-day delivery guaranteed, provided that the sending party receives a confirmation of delivery from the delivery service provider.

 

To the Company:

 

Diedrich Coffee, Inc.

28 Executive Park, Suite 200

Irvine, California 92614

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile Number: (949) 260-6726

  

To Lender:

 

Sequoia Enterprises, L.P.

c/o Heeschen & Associates

450 Newport Center Drive, Suite 450

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Attn: Paul Heeschen

Facsimile Number: (949) 721-7500

Each Person making a communication hereunder by facsimile shall promptly confirm by telephone to the person to whom such communication was addressed each communication made by it by facsimile pursuant hereto but the absence of such confirmation

 

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shall not affect the validity of any such communication. A party may change or supplement the addresses or facsimile number given above, or designate an additional address or facsimile number, for purposes of this Section 10.5 by giving the other party written notice of the new address or facsimile number in the manner set forth above.

10.6 Amendments. Any term of this Agreement may be amended or modified only with the written consent of the Company and Lender.

10.7 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to the Company or to Lender, upon any breach or default of the other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of the Company or Lender. No waiver of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed to have been made by any party, unless such waiver is expressed in writing and signed by the party against which it is to be enforced. The waiver by any party of any right under this Agreement or to a remedy for the breach of any of the provisions herein shall not operate nor be construed by the breaching party as a waiver of the non-breaching party’s remedies with respect to any other or continuing or subsequent breach. All remedies (under this Agreement, by law or otherwise) afforded to the Company or Lender shall be cumulative and not alternative.

10.8 Legal Fees. If either party to this Agreement shall bring any action, suit, arbitration, mediation, counterclaim or appeal for any relief against the other party, declaratory or otherwise, to enforce the terms hereof or to declare rights hereunder (collectively, an “Action”), the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover as part of any such Action its attorneys’ fees, all fees and expenses and costs reasonably and properly incurred, including any fees and costs incurred in bringing and prosecuting such Action or enforcing any order, judgment, ruling or award granted as part of such Action. “Prevailing party” within the meaning of this section includes, without limitation, a party who agrees to dismiss an Action upon the other party’s payment of all or a portion of the sums allegedly due or performance of the covenants allegedly breached, or who obtains substantially the relief sought by it.

10.9 No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, will confer upon any Person not a party to this Agreement, or the representatives of such Person any rights or remedies of any nature or kind whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

10.10 Interpretation. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to a Section or Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Unless the context requires otherwise, the words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation,” and the word “or” is used in the exclusive sense of “and/or.”

10.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

10.12 Severability. Any portion or provision of this Agreement which is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining portions or provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or, to the extent permitted by law, rendering that or any other portion or provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction; provided that, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be automatically added as part of this Agreement a valid, legal and enforceable provision as similar in terms to the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision as possible; and provided further that, this Agreement as so amended (i) reflects the intent of the parties hereto, and (ii) does not change the bargained for consideration or benefits to be received by each party hereto.

 

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10.13 Confidentiality of Information. Lender agrees that it will not use to the detriment of the Company or disclose to any Third Party any confidential or proprietary information of the Company received pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent that such information (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by Lender or its representatives, or (ii) was within Lender’s possession prior to its first being furnished to it. Lender may disclose the confidential information of the Company to Lender’s representatives, who shall not use such information except for the purposes contemplated hereby, and who shall maintain the confidentiality of such information, provided however, that Lender shall be responsible for any breach of this Section 11.13 by its representatives.

[Signature page follows.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Loan Agreement effective as of the date first above written.

 

 

COMPANY:
DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
By:   /s/ J. Russell Phillips
 

J. Russell Phillips

Chief Executive Officer

By:   /s/ Sean M. McCarthy
 

Sean M. McCarthy

Chief Financial Officer

LENDER:
SEQUOIA ENTERPRISES, L.P.
By:   /s/ Paul Heeschen
 

Paul Heeschen

General Partner

 

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EXHIBIT A

WARRANT

EX-10.2 4 dex102.htm AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO 2001 WARRANT, AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CONTINGENT CONVERTIBLE NOTE Amendment No. 1 to 2001 Warrant, Amendment No. 4 to Contingent Convertible Note

EXHIBIT 10.2

EXECUTION COPY

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

2001 WARRANT,

AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO

CONTINGENT CONVERTIBLE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

AND

CANCELLATION OF

NOTE PURCHASE WARRANT

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO 2001 WARRANT, AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO CONTINGENT CONVERTIBLE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND CANCELLATION OF NOTE PURCHASE WARRANT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of August 26, 2008, by and among Diedrich Coffee, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Sequoia Enterprises, L.P., a California limited partnership (“Sequoia”), with reference to the following facts:

WHEREAS, on May 8, 2001, the Company issued to Sequoia a warrant (the “2001 Warrant”) to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”);

WHEREAS, the Company and Sequoia are parties to that certain Contingent Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2004, as amended (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which certain promissory notes in favor of Sequoia are outstanding (the “Notes”) and pursuant to which the Company issued to Sequoia a warrant to purchase 4,219 shares of Common Stock (the “Note Purchase Warrant”);

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, the Company and Sequoia are entering into a new Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), and in connection therewith the Company is issuing to Sequoia a warrant to purchase 1,667,000 shares of Common Stock (the “2008 Warrant”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Loan Agreement and the 2008 Warrant, the Company and Sequoia have agreed to (i) amend the exercise price of the 2001 Warrant, (ii) extend the maturity date of the Note Purchase Agreement and Notes and amend the timing for payment of principal, (iii) remove the conversion feature of the Notes and provide that no further warrants will be issued under the Note Purchase Agreement and (iv) cancel the outstanding Note Purchase Warrant, in each case as further described herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


1. Amendment of Exercise Price of 2001 Warrant. The definition of “Warrant Price” set forth in Section 1.11 of the 2001 Warrant is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“1.11 “Warrant Price” means $2.00 per share of Warrant Stock, which takes into account all adjustments pursuant to Section 4 hereof and Section 1.7 of the Registration Rights Agreement due to any applicable event that occurred prior to August 26, 2008, but as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 4 hereof and/or Section 1.7 of the Registration Rights Agreement due to any applicable event occurring after such date.”

 

2. Extension of Maturity Date; Timing of Payment of Principal.

(a) The definition of “Change of Control” set forth in Section 1.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

““Change of Control” shall mean (a) a transaction (or series of transactions) in which a Third Party (other than Heeschen or any entity controlled by Heeschen) becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of equity representing 25% or more of the voting equity of the Company; (b) a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction (or series of transactions) involving the Company, the result of which is that a Third Party who, immediately prior to such transaction or transactions is not the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting equity of the Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting equity of the Company or the successor entity in such transaction or transactions; or (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.”

(b) The definition of “Maturity Date” set forth in Section 1.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows (for the avoidance of doubt, the term “Maturity Date” used in outstanding Notes is hereby amended and restated to reflect the following amended and restated definition):

““Maturity Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) the date of consummation of a Change of Control transaction, (ii) the date Notes are declared due and payable by Lender upon an Event of Default, or (iii) March 31, 2009.”

(c) Section 3.3(a) of the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(a) Until the Maturity Date, the Company will be required to make payments to Lender monthly (each, a “Monthly Payment”) on the first Business Day of each month no later than 1:00 p.m. on such day (each, a “Payment Date”), equal to the sum of:

(i) all accrued interest on the Outstanding Balance of each of the outstanding Notes for the prior month, plus

 

2


(ii) a fee equal to 0.0833% of the Availability (the “Commitment Fee”).”

(d) Section 2(c) of the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Note Purchase Agreement and Section 2(c) of all outstanding Notes is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(c) Monthly Payments. No later than 1:00 p.m. on the first business day of each month, the Company will make payments to Lender equal to the sum of: (i) all accrued interest on the Outstanding Balance of this Note for the prior month, plus (ii) any other amount due at such time pursuant to the Agreement.”

 

3. Removal of Conversion Feature of Notes; No Further Warrant Issuances.

(a) The word “convertible” is hereby deleted from the first recital of the Note Purchase Agreement. The second and third recitals of the Note Purchase Agreement are hereby deleted in their entirety.

(b) The definition of “Restricted Stock” set forth in Section 1.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety. The definition of “Securities” set forth in Section 1.1 of the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows: ““Securities” shall mean the Notes.”

(c) Section 2.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement (Issuance of Warrants) is hereby deleted in its entirety.

(d) Article 4 of the Note Purchase Agreement (Contingent Conversion; Issuance of Shares) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following placeholder: “4. [Intentionally Omitted.]”

(e) The Table of Contents of the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby updated mutatis mutandis to reflect the foregoing amendments.

(f) The restrictive legend on the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Note Purchase Agreement and the restrictive legend on all outstanding Notes is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY AND ITS LEGAL COUNSEL STATING THAT SUCH SALE, TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

3


(g) The word “CONVERTIBLE” is hereby deleted from the title of the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Note Purchase Agreement and from the title of all outstanding Notes.

(h) Section 7 of the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Note Purchase Agreement and Section 7 of all outstanding Notes (Conversion of Note for Common Stock) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following placeholder: “7. [Intentionally Omitted.]”

(i) Section 8 of the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Note Purchase Agreement and Section 8 of all outstanding Notes (Issuance of Warrants) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following placeholder: “8. [Intentionally Omitted.]”

(j) The word “CONVERTIBLE” is hereby deleted from the schedule to the Form of Note attached as Exhibit A to the Note Purchase Agreement and from the schedules to all outstanding Notes.

(k) The Form of Warrant attached as Exhibit B to the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

 

4. Cancellation of Note Purchase Warrant. The Note Purchase Warrant is hereby canceled in its entirety, as if the same shall never have been issued.

 

5. No Further Amendments. Except as expressly amended pursuant to Sections 1 through 4 hereof, the remaining terms of the 2001 Warrant, the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms, notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Amendment.

 

6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California, regardless of the laws or rules that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[Signature page follows.]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

COMPANY:
DIEDRICH COFFEE, INC.
By:   /s/ J. Russell Phillips        
Name:   J. Russell Phillips
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

By:   /s/ Sean M. McCarthy
Name:   Sean M. McCarthy
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

SEQUOIA:
SEQUOIA ENTERPRISES, L.P.
By:   /s/ Paul Heeschen        
Name:   Paul Heeschen
Title:   General Partner

SIGNATURE PAGE

TO

AMENDMENT

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