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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 28, 2020

  

Utz Brands, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

  

Delaware   001-38686   85-2751850
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (717) 637-6644

 

Collier Creek Holdings

200 Park Avenue, 58th Floor

New York, New York 10166

(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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which
registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share   UTZ   New York Stock Exchange
Warrants to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock   UTZ.WS   New York Stock Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introductory Note

 

The Business Combination

 

On August 28, 2020, Collier Creek Holdings (“Collier Creek”) domesticated into a Delaware corporation (the “Domestication”) and consummated the acquisition of certain company units of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (“Utz”), the parent of Utz Quality Foods, LLC (“Utz Quality Foods”), as a result of a new issuance by Utz and purchases from Utz’s existing equityholders pursuant to a Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”) among Collier Creek, Utz and Series U of UM Partners, LLC (“Series U”) and Series R of UM Partners, LLC (“Series R” and together with Series U, the “Sellers”) (the Domestication and the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, collectively, the “Business Combination”), following the approval at the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of Collier Creek held on August 27, 2020 (the “Shareholders Meeting”). In connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the registrant changed its name from Collier Creek Holdings to Utz Brands, Inc. (the “Company”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K have the same meaning as set forth in the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on August 7, 2020 by Collier Creek.

 

The Consideration

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the aggregate consideration for the Business Combination (the “Business Combination Consideration”) payable or issuable by Collier Creek in exchange for 59,369,050 common units representing limited liability company interests of Utz (each such unit, a “Common Company Unit”), including 2,000,000 units representing restricted limited liability company interests of Utz, which immediately converted at Closing into Common Company Units upon the satisfaction of certain performance-based vesting conditions (the “Restricted Company Units”), is comprised of (i) an amount in cash (the “UPA Seller Preferred Equity Purchase Consideration”), which was used by Collier Creek at the Closing to acquire the preferred units in Sellers owned by BSOF SN LLC (“UPA Seller”), which units were immediately redeemed by the Sellers at the Closing in exchange for a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek, (ii) an amount in cash (the “UPA Seller Common Equity Purchase Consideration”), which was used by Collier Creek at the Closing to acquire the common units in the Sellers owned by UPA Seller, which units were immediately redeemed by the Sellers at the Closing in exchange for a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek, (iii) $60 million less the UPA Seller Common Equity Purchase Consideration less certain amounts (the “Deducted Amount”) with respect to transactions by the Sellers and certain of their related parties following December 30, 2019 (the “Net Cash Consideration”) to acquire from the Sellers a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek at the Closing, (iv) 61,249,000 shares of Class V common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class V Common Stock”); and (v) a cash contribution to Utz (the “Contribution Amount”) in an amount equal to (a) $452.6 million, representing the aggregate amount held in the trust account of Collier Creek, following the redemption (the “Redemption”) of 5,950 Class A ordinary shares of Collier Creek sold in an initial public offering of Collier Creek’s securities (the “Public Shares”) for the aggregate amount of $61,208.29, together with interest thereon, plus (b) $35.0 million of proceeds from the forward purchases (the “Forward Purchases”) of 3,500,000 Class A ordinary shares (the “Forward Purchase Shares”) and 1,166,666 redeemable warrants (the “Forward Purchase Warrants”) of Collier Creek pursuant to certain forward purchase agreements (the “Forward Purchase Agreements”) dated as of September 7, 2018, among Collier Creek, Collier Creek Partners LLC (the “Sponsor”) and Collier Creek’s independent directors, plus (c) cash on hand of Collier Creek, consisting of $51,819.94 at the Closing, less (d) the UPA Seller Preferred Equity Purchase Consideration, less (e) the UPA Seller Common Equity Purchase Consideration and (f) the Net Cash Consideration, which Contribution Amount was contributed to Utz at the Closing in exchange for the issuance by Utz of a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek. At the Closing there were no Deducted Amounts.

 

2

 

 

The Performance Interests

 

The Sponsor, the founders of Collier Creek and certain of their respective affiliates and family members (the “Founder Holders”), and Collier Creek’s independent directors (collectively, the “Sponsor Parties”), the Sellers and the Company were entitled to a portion of their equity in connection with the Business Combination in the form of performance-based interests, which took the form of the Restricted Company Units (held by the Sellers and the Company) and the Company’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), which is comprised of the Company’s Series B-1 Common Stock and Series B-2 Common Stock, held by the Sponsor Parties (the “Restricted Sponsor Shares”), which corresponded to the Restricted Company Units held by the Company on a one-to-one basis. The Restricted Company Units vest and become Common Company Units as follows: (i) half of the Restricted Company Units will vest at such time as the volume-weighted average price as described in the LLC Agreement (the “VWAP”) for three consecutive trading days preceding such date (the “3-day VWAP”) of the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (“Class A Common Stock”) is at least $12.50, which dollar threshold is decreased by the aggregate amount of dividends per share paid by the Company after the Closing, and (ii) the other half of the Restricted Company Units vest at such time as the 3-day VWAP of the Class A Common Stock is at least $15.00, which dollar threshold is decreased by the aggregate amount of dividends per share paid by the Company after the Closing, (iii) any then-unvested Restricted Company Units vest upon the consummation of a qualifying change of control of the Company or Utz and (iv) any then-unvested Restricted Company Units, to the extent the liquidation value of the Common Company Units, taking into account the vesting of such Restricted Company Units and payment of any relevant Catch-Up Payment (as defined below), meet the VWAP-based vesting threshold set forth in clause (i) and/or (ii) above with respect to any such Restricted Company Units, vest upon such qualifying liquidation. The Restricted Sponsor Shares will convert into Class A Common Stock of the Company upon the vesting of the same number of Restricted Company Units held by the Company.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Company Board”) determined that the vesting thresholds set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) in the immediately preceding paragraph above had been satisfied as of Closing and, accordingly, (x) all of the Restricted Company Units, immediately converted at Closing into the same number of Common Company Units and (y) all of the Restricted Sponsor Shares vested upon Closing and the same number of shares of Class A Common Stock were issued in lieu thereof.

 

Cash Payments Delivered in connection with the Closing

 

At Closing, Collier Creek delivered to Utz the Contribution Amount, $240.4 million of which was applied to repay certain indebtedness and expenses of Utz as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement. In addition, Collier Creek paid approximately $154.5 million to the UPA Seller, consisting of (i) the UPA Seller Preferred Equity Purchase Consideration, which was used by Collier Creek at the Closing to acquire the preferred units in Sellers owned by the UPA Seller, which units were immediately redeemed by the Sellers at the Closing in exchange for a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek, and (ii) the UPA Seller Common Equity Purchase Consideration, which was used by Collier Creek at the Closing to acquire the common units in the Sellers owned by UPA Seller, which units were immediately redeemed by the Sellers at the Closing in exchange for a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek.

 

Collier Creek also paid the Net Cash Consideration of approximately $44.7 million to the Sellers to acquire a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units acquired by Collier Creek at the Closing.

 

Item 1.01. Entry into Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement

 

On August 28, 2020, in connection with the Closing, the existing second amended and restated limited liability company agreement of Utz was further amended and restated in its entirety to become the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz, by and among the Company and the Sellers (the “Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement”).

 

Rights of the Units

 

Following the Closing, the Common Company Units will be entitled to share in the profits and losses of Utz and to receive distributions as and if declared by the managing member of the Company and will have no voting rights.

 

3

 

 

The Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement contains provisions which require that a one-to-one ratio is maintained between interests held by the Company in Utz and the common stock outstanding in the Company, subject to certain exceptions (including in respect of management equity which has not been settled in Company common stock). In addition, the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement permits the Company, in its capacity as the managing member, to take actions to maintain such ratio, including in connection with stock splits, combinations, recapitalizations and exercises of the Sellers’ exchange rights (described below).

 

The Company, as the managing member of Utz, has the authority to create new equity interests in Utz, and establish the rights and privileges of such interests.

 

Management

 

The Company, as the managing member of Utz following the Closing, has the sole authority to manage the business and affairs of Utz in accordance with the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement or applicable law. The business, property and affairs of Utz will be managed solely by the managing member, and the managing member cannot be removed or replaced except by the incumbent managing member.

 

Distributions

 

Immediately following the Closing, the Company Board adopted a distribution policy in respect of Utz, pursuant to which the Company, as the managing member of Utz, will declare quarterly ordinary distributions and tax distributions, out of available cash, available borrowings and other funds legally available therefor, unless prohibited by applicable law and subject to applicable restrictions in Utz’s bank financing agreements. The Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement provides for quarterly ordinary distributions as well as quarterly tax distributions, in each case payable in accordance with the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement and Utz’s distribution policy, to the holders of Common Company Units on a pro rata basis based upon, with respect to tax distributions, an agreed-upon formula related to the taxable income of Utz allocable to holders of Common Company Units. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on the Company’s estimate of the taxable income of Utz allocable to each holder of Common Company Units (based on certain assumptions) multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined United States federal, state and local income tax rate applicable to an individual resident in Pennsylvania or a U.S. corporation (whichever is higher), taking into account all jurisdictions in which the Company is required to file income tax returns and the relevant apportionment information and the character of Utz’s income, subject to various adjustments. Distributions, including tax distributions, will be made to holders of Common Company Units on a pro rata basis.

 

Upon the liquidation or winding up of Utz, all net proceeds thereof will be distributed one hundred percent (100%) to the holders of Common Company Units on a pro rata basis.

 

Transfer Restrictions

 

The Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement contains restrictions on transfers of units and requires the prior consent of the managing member for such transfers, except, in each case, for (i) certain transfers to permitted transferees under certain conditions and (ii) exchanges of Common Company Units for Class A Common Stock after the Lock-up Period pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement has expired. The “Lock-up Period” is the period commencing on the date of Closing and ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is one year following the date of Closing, or August 28, 2021, and (ii) the date that the closing price of a share of Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, quoted or admitted to trading equals or exceeds $12.00 (as adjusted for stock splits, stock capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the date of Closing.

 

4

 

 

Exchange of Common Company Units for Class A Common Stock

 

The Sellers will, from and after the one-year anniversary of the Closing, or such earlier time as the Lock-Up Period ends pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, up to twice per calendar quarter in the aggregate, be able to exchange all or any portion of their Common Company Units, together with the cancellation of an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock, for a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of exchanged Common Company Units by delivering a written notice to Utz, with a copy to the Company; provided that no holder of Common Company Units may exchange less than 100,000 Common Company Units in any single exchange unless exchanging all of the Common Company Units held by such holder at such time, subject in each case to the limitations and requirements set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement regarding such exchanges. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, at its sole discretion, in lieu of delivering shares of Class A Common Stock for any Common Company Units surrendered for exchange, pay an amount in cash per Common Company Unit equal to the 5-day VWAP of the Class A Common Stock ending on the day immediately prior to the date of the giving of the written notice of the exchange.

 

Exchange Ratio

 

For each Common Company Unit exchanged, one share of Class V Common Stock will be canceled and one share of Class A Common Stock will be issued to the exchanging member (unless the Company elects to pay an amount in cash in lieu thereof as described above). The exchange ratio will be adjusted for any subdivision (split, unit distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Common Company Units that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock or, by any such subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Common Company Units. If the Class A Common Stock is converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, on any subsequent exchange an exchanging Common Company Unit holder will be entitled to receive such security, securities or other property.

 

Restrictions on Exchange

 

The Company may limit the rights of holders of Common Company Units to exchange their Common Company Units under the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement if the Company determines in good faith that such restrictions are necessary so that Utz will not be classified as a “publicly traded partnership” under applicable tax laws and regulations.

 

Expenses

 

Utz will reimburse all of the Company’s expenses in connection with its ownership and management of Utz and its business (other than certain expenses, such as income taxes and payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) entered into on August 28, 2020, in connection with the Closing, by and among the Company and the Sellers).

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Tax Receivable Agreement

 

On August 28, 2020, in connection with the Closing, the Company entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement with the Sellers.

 

Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Company will be required to pay to the Sellers or exchanging holders of Common Company Units, as applicable, 85% of the tax savings that the Company realizes as a result of increases in tax basis in Utz’s assets as a result of the sale of Common Company Units for the Net Cash Consideration, the purchase and redemption of the common units and preferred units in the Sellers and the future exchange of the Common Company Units for shares of Class A Common Stock (or cash) pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement and certain other tax attributes of Utz and tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless the Company exercises its right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement for an amount representing the present value of anticipated future tax benefits under the Tax Receivable Agreement or certain other acceleration rights occur.

 

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This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Tax Receivable Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Investor Rights Agreements

 

In connection with the Closing, on August 28, 2020, the Company entered into an Investor Rights Agreement with the Sellers, the Sponsor Parties and the Sponsor’s representative (the “Sponsor Representative”) (the “Investor Rights Agreement”).

 

Director Appointment

 

Under the Investor Rights Agreement, subject to certain step down provisions, the Sellers have the right to nominate five board members (the “Seller Nominees”) and the Sponsor or Sponsor Representative, as applicable, has the right to nominate five board members (the “Sponsor Nominees”). The five Seller Nominees and the five Sponsor Nominees comprise the Company Board appointed in connection with the Domestication. Two Seller Nominees and one Sponsor Nominee were nominated as Class I Directors with terms ending at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting; one Seller Nominee and two Sponsor Nominees were nominated as Class II Directors with terms ending at the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting; and two Seller Nominees and two Sponsor Nominees were nominated as Class III Directors with terms ending at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting. See Form 10 Information – Directors and Executive Officers.

 

Voting

 

Under the Investor Rights Agreement, the Sponsor and the Sellers have agreed to vote all of their respective shares of Class A Common Stock and Class V Common Stock, as applicable, in favor of the nominees of each of the Sellers and the Sponsor.

 

Certain Consent Rights

 

For so long as the Sellers (together with their permitted transferees) hold economic interests in Utz and the Company (without duplication) representing more than 50% of the economic interests held by the Sellers immediately after the Closing (subject to certain restrictions), the Sellers will have a consent right over (i) any direct or indirect sale (including by way of merger, consolidation, transfer, sale or other business combination) of greater than 50% of the Company’s property, assets or voting securities or greater than 50% of the property, assets or voting securities of Utz or Utz Quality Foods, (ii) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Utz or Utz Quality Foods, (iii) modifications to the charter or bylaws of the Company that materially and adversely impact the Sellers in their capacity as shareholders of the Company or equityholders of Utz, (iv) moving the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries’ headquarters from Hanover, PA, or (v) changing the name of the Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

Registration Rights

 

The Investor Rights Agreement terminated the original Registration Rights Agreement that was entered into by Collier Creek, the Sponsor and certain independent directors of Collier Creek on October 4, 2018 in connection with the initial public offering of Collier Creek’s securities.

 

6

 

 

Under the Investor Rights Agreement, the Sellers and the Sponsor (or its successors in interest, including acting through the Sponsor Representative) are entitled to make unlimited written demands for registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) of all or part of their shares of Class A Common Stock, so long as, in the case of an underwritten offering, such demand is for at least $10,000,000 in shares of Class A Common Stock (or $35,000,000 in shares of Class A Common Stock for a fully marketed offering). In addition, subject to certain exceptions, the Sellers and the Sponsor (or its successors in interest, including acting through the Sponsor Representative) will be entitled to request in writing that the Company register the resale of any or all of their Class A Common Stock on Form S-3 and any similar short-form registration that may be available at such time as a “shelf registration.” Subject to certain customary exceptions, if any time after the Closing, the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to its securities, the Company will give notice to the relevant security holders party to the Investor Rights Agreement as to the proposed filing and offer such security holders an opportunity to register the sale of such number of Class A Common Stock as requested by such security holders in writing, subject to customary cutbacks in an underwritten offering. Any other security holders of the Company with piggyback registration rights may also participate in any such registrations, subject to customary cutbacks in an underwritten offering. The Company has customary rights to postpone any registration statements for certain events. If the registration is through an underwritten offering, certain of the Company’s security holders will agree to lockup restrictions on the same basis as the Company’s directors and executive officers.

 

Under the Investor Rights Agreement, the Company will agree to indemnify the security holders and each underwriter and each of their respective controlling persons against any losses or damages resulting from any untrue statement or omission of a material fact in any registration statement or prospectus pursuant to which they sell shares of Class A Common Stock, unless such liability arose from their misstatement or omission, and the security holders will agree to indemnify the Company and its officers and directors and controlling persons against all losses caused by their misstatements or omissions in those documents.

 

Information Access

 

Under the Investor Rights Agreement, the Company agrees that directors may share any information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries received by the directors with the party that nominated such directors and such party’s designated representatives.

 

Transfers

 

Sponsor and Sellers will not be able to transfer shares beneficially owned or otherwise held by them prior to the termination of the Lock-up Period, subject to certain customary exceptions including:

 

· transfers to certain permitted transferees, such as a member of the person’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the person’s immediate family or an affiliate of such person; and

 

· in the case of an individual, to a charitable organization, by the laws of descent and distribution upon death, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.

 

Termination

 

The director appointment and voting rights under the Investor Rights Agreement will terminate as to a party when such party (either the Sellers or the Sponsor and the Founder Holders, as a group), no longer has the right to appoint a director (which occurs when such group has less than 15% of the economic interests in the Company and Utz that it owned immediately after the Closing). The registration rights in the Investor Rights Agreement will terminate as to each holder of shares of the Company’s common stock when such holder ceases to hold any such common stock of the Company or securities exercisable or exchangeable for such common stock.

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Investor Rights Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

7

 

 

Standstill Agreement

 

On August 28, 2020, in connection with the Closing, the Company entered into a Standstill Agreement (the “Standstill Agreement”) with Sellers, the Sponsor, the Founder Holders and certain related parties of the Sellers.

 

Under the Standstill Agreement, the Sellers and certain related parties of the Sellers agreed that until the third anniversary of the Closing Date, or August 28, 2023, that they shall not acquire or attempt to acquire any additional common stock of the Company in excess of 55.8% of the voting power of the Company on a fully-diluted basis, subject to certain exceptions. Under such agreement, the Sellers, certain related parties of the Sellers, the Sponsor and the Founder Holders agreed that (i) until such parties are no longer able to designate a director to the Company Board pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, such parties shall not solicit proxies to vote or seek to advise or influence any person with respect to the voting of any securities of the Company in favor of electing any person as a director who is not nominated pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement or by the board or to approve stockholder proposals related thereto; and (ii) until the annual meeting of stockholders held by the Company after the third anniversary of the completion of the Business Combination, or August 28, 2023, such parties shall not take certain actions contrary to the governance structure of the Company other than in accordance with the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Standstill Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Employment Arrangements

 

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company entered into an offer letter with Dylan B. Lissette to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “Lissette Offer Letter”). Under the Lissette Offer Letter, Mr. Lissette’s service to the Company will commence on an at-will basis, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Lissette Offer Letter. Mr. Lissette’s initial base salary will be $750,000 and subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Company Board. Mr. Lissette will also be eligible to participate in the annual bonus award plan, subject to the terms and conditions approved by the Compensation Committee. The target bonus will be 100% of Mr. Lissette’s annual base salary, with a maximum bonus equal to 200% of his annual base salary. Mr. Lissette is also eligible to participate in the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “EIP”), the terms of which are described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Shareholder Proposal 3: The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.” Mr. Lissette’s initial grants under the EIP consist of a stock option to purchase up to 149,204 shares of Class A Common Stock and performance share units, which settle into 49,735 shares of Class A Common Stock at target level performance The performance share units earned will be based on a total shareholder return performance metric as measured against a peer group. In addition, Mr. Lissette’s outstanding awards under the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2018 LTIP”) were converted into restricted stock units, as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement and described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Shareholder Proposal 3: The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.” In addition, Mr. Lissette is eligible to participate in the Utz Brands, Inc. Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan, which provides for severance in connection with certain qualifying terminations, including qualifying terminations in connection with a change in control, as described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of Utz—Key Compensation Action in 2020—Change in Control, Severance and Retirement Benefits—Utz Brands, Inc. Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan.

 

The description of the offer letter, dated June 27, 2017, pursuant to which Ajay Kataria jointed Utz Quality Foods as Senior Vice President of Finance is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of Utz―Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table―Employment Arrangements,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Lissette Offer Letter and the Kataria Offer Letter, which are included as Exhibit 10.10 and Exhibit 10.11, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

  

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Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.  

 

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

On the trading day following the Closing, the Company’s units ceased trading, and the Company’s Class A Common Stock and warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock of the Company began trading on NYSE under the symbols “UTZ” and “UTZ.WS”, respectively.

 

FORM 10 INFORMATION

 

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as Collier Creek was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company, as the successor issuer to Collier Creek, is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if the Company were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company as the combined company after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for the Company’s business. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements relating to:

 

· the benefits of the Business Combination;

 

· the future performance of, and anticipated financial impact on, the Company following the Business Combination;

 

· expansion plans and opportunities; and

 

· other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may,” “can,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the Company management’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company and its directors, officers and affiliates. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update, add or to otherwise correct any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, inaccuracies that become apparent after the date hereof or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the Company’s results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

 

· the risk that the proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations;

 

· the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, and the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees;

 

· the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company following the consummation of the Business Combination;

 

· changes in applicable laws or regulations;

 

9

 

 

· costs related to the Business Combination;

 

· the inability of the Company to maintain the listing of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange;

 

· the inability to develop and maintain effective internal controls;

 

· the risk that the Company’s gross profit margins may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including variations in raw materials pricing, retail customer requirements and mix, sales velocities and required promotional support;

 

· changes in consumers’ loyalty to the Company’s brands due to factors beyond the Company’s control;

 

· changes in demand for the Company’s product affected by changes in consumer preferences and tastes or if the Company is unable to innovate or market its products effectively;

 

· costs associated with building brand loyalty and interest in the Company’s products which may be affected by the Company’s competitors’ actions that result in the Company’s products not suitably differentiated from the products of competitors;

 

· fluctuations in results of operations of the Company from quarter to quarter because of changes in promotional activities;

 

· the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business or competitive factors; and

 

· other risks and uncertainties indicated in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

 

Business

 

The business of the Company is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information About Utz Brands” and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Risk Factors

 

The risks associated with the Company are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Risk Factors,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Information

 

The selected statement of operations data and statement of cash flows for Utz’s fiscal year 2019, fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2017 and certain balance sheet data as of December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Selected Historical Combined Financial and Other Data of Utz” and that information is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the selected statement of operations data and statement of cash flows for Utz’s interim period ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and certain balance sheet data as of June 28, 2020 is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information responsive to Item 2 of Form 10 is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Utz” and that information is incorporated herein by reference. Also included as Exhibit 99.5 and incorporated herein by reference is Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019.

 

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Properties

 

The facilities of the Company are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Information About Utz Brands Properties and Facilities,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s common stock upon the completion of the Business Combination by:

 

· each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the shares of any class of the Company’s common stock;

 

· each of the Company’s named executive officers and directors; and

 

· all officers and directors of the Company as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the Commission, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

 

The beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s common stock immediately following completion of the Business Combination is based on the following: (i) an aggregate of 59,369,050 shares of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the Business Combination (including Class B Common Stock which converted into shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company upon completion of the Business Combination, (ii) 61,249,000 shares of Class V Common Stock that were issued upon the completion of the Business Combination with Sellers retaining one Company Common Unit for each share of Class V Common Stock issued to Sellers and assuming no such Company Common Units retained at the Closing are exchanged for Class A Common Stock until the twelve month anniversary of the Closing; provided that, the information below excludes the shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for future awards under the EIP.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 900 High Street, Hanover, PA 17331.

 

    Beneficial Ownership  
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner   Class A
Common Stock
    % of Class     Class V
Common Stock(1)
    % of Class     % of Total
Voting Power(2)
 
Directors and Named Executive Officers:                                        
John Altmeyer     15,000       *                   *  
Timothy P. Brown     10,000       *                   *  
Christina Choi                              
Roger K. Deromedi(3)     22,880,000       33.9 %                 17.8 %
Antonio F. Fernandez(4)     178,333       *                   *  
Jason K. Giordano(3)     22,880,000       33.9 %                 17.8 %
B. John Lindeman                              
Dylan B. Lissette                              
Michael W. Rice(5)                              
Craig D. Steeneck(6)     252,500       *                   *  
Cary Devore                              
Ajay Kataria                              
All post-Business Combination Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (17 persons)     23,335,833       34.5 %                 18.1 %
Greater than Five Percent Holders:                                        
Collier Creek Partners LLC(3)     22,880,000       33.9 %                 17.8 %
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(7)     5,185,983       8.7 %                 4.3 %
Manulife Investment Management Limited(8)     3,181,677       5.4 %                 2.6 %
HGC Investment Management Inc.(9)     3,480,035       5.9 %                 2.9 %
Southpoint Master Fund, LP(10)     3,959,164       6.6 %                 3.3 %
Series U of UM Partners, LLC(11)                 52,061,650       85.0 %     43.2 %
Series R of UM Partners, LLC(11)                 9,187,350       15.0 %     7.6 %

 

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* Less than one percent.
(1) Class V Common Stock will entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share. Subject to the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, the Common Company Units, together with an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock, are exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis from and after the one-year anniversary of the Closing, subject to earlier termination upon the occurrence of certain events.
(2) Represents percentage of voting power of the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class V Common Stock of the Company voting together as a single class. See the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Description of the Company’s Securities—Class V Common Stock—Voting Rights.”
(3) Collier Creek Partners LLC is the record holder of such shares. Chinh E. Chu, Roger K. Deromedi and Jason K. Giordano are the managers of Collier Creek Partners LLC and share voting and investment discretion with respect to the shares held of record by Collier Creek Partners LLC.  The information above represents the 14,680,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Sponsor, warrants to acquire up to 7,200,000 shares of common stock initially issued to Sponsor simultaneously with the closing of the initial public offering of Collier Creek’s securities (the “Private Placement Warrants”), and Forward Purchase Warrants to acquire up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.  Each of Messrs. Chu, Deromedi and Giordano disclaims beneficial ownership over any securities owned by Collier Creek Partners LLC other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he may have therein, directly or indirectly. The business address of Collier Creek Partners LLC is 200 Park Avenue, 58th Floor, New York, New York 10166.
(4) Represents 145,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and Forward Purchase Warrants to acquire up to 33,333 shares of Class A Common Stock.  
(5) Does not include indirect interest in securities held by the Sellers.
(6) Represents 202,500 shares of Class A Common Stock and Forward Purchase Warrants to acquire up to 50,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.
(7) Includes shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially held by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”), based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by Price Associates with the SEC on February 14, 2020. The business address of Price Associates is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
(8) Includes shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially held by Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”) and MFC’s indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries, Manulife Investment Management Limited (“MIML”), based solely on the Schedule 13G filed jointly by MFC and MIML with the SEC on February 12, 2020. The business address of MFC and MIML is 200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4W 1E5.
(9) Includes shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially held by HGC Investment Management Inc. (“HIM”) and HGC Arbitrage Fund LP (“HAF”), based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by HIM with the SEC on February 14, 2020. The business address of HAF is 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10036.
(10) Represents 2,898,608 shares of Class A Common Stock and warrants to acquire up to 1,060,557 shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially held by Southpoint Master Fund, LP, Southpoint Capital Advisors LP, Southpoint Capital Advisors LLC, Southpoint GP, LP, Southpoint GP, LLC and John S. Clark II (collectively, “Southpoint”), based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by Southpoint with the SEC on July 15, 2020. The business address of Southpoint is 366 Adelaide, Suite 601, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1R9, Canada.
(11) UM Partners, LLC is a series LLC, consisting of two separate protected series, each of which has separate members, managers, ownership interests, assets, debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses. The boards of managers of each of Series U of UM Partners LLC and Series R of UM Partners LLC consist of five members and act by majority approval. Each of the members of the boards of managers of Series U of UM Partners LLC and Series R of UM Partners LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of any of our shares of Class V Common Stock, other than to the extent of any pecuniary interest he or she may have therein, directly or indirectly.

 

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Directors and Executive Officers

 

The Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management of the Company Following the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Executive Compensation

 

The compensation of the named executive officers of Collier Creek before the Business Combination is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Directors, Officers, Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance of Collier Creek Prior to the Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference. The compensation of the named executive officers of Utz before the Business Combination is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of Utz,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K under Item 5.02 is incorporated in this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

At the Shareholders Meeting, Collier Creek’s shareholders approved the EIP. A description of the material terms of the EIP is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Shareholder Proposal 3—The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the EIP, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.12 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The certain relationships and related person transactions of Collier Creek and Utz are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding director independence in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Management of the Company Following the Business Combination–Director Independence,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information set forth under “Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement—Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement,” “—Tax Receivable Agreement,” “—Investor Rights Agreement,” “—Standstill Agreement,” “—Employment Arrangements” and “Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers—2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan” “—Compensatory Plans, Contracts or Arrangements” and “—Restricted Stock Units Under 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan” of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

The Company adopted a formal written policy effective upon the Business Combination providing that persons meeting the definition of “Related Person” under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K such as the Company’s executive officers, directors, nominees for election as directors, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s capital stock and any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons are not permitted to enter into a related party transaction with the Company without the approval of the Company’s audit committee, subject to the exceptions described below.

 

A related party transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which the Company was or is to be a participant in which the amount involves exceeds $120,000 in the aggregate, and in which a related party had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Transactions involving compensation for services provided to the Company as an employee or director and certain other transactions are not covered by this policy.

 

13

 

 

Under the policy, the audit committee will review information that it deems reasonably necessary to enable the Company to identify any existing or potential related person transactions and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under the Code of Conduct, employees and directors have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the sections of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus titled “Information About Collier Creek—Legal Proceedings” and “Information About Utz—Legal Proceedings,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Following the Closing of the Business Combination, the Company’s Class A Common Stock began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “UTZ” and its warrants began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “UTZ.WS” on August 31, 2020. Collier Creek has not paid any cash dividends on its ordinary shares to date.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, will make any determination from time to time with respect to the use of any excess cash accumulated, which may include, among other uses, the payment of dividends on the Company’s Class A Common Stock. At the Closing, the Company Board adopted a dividend policy, pursuant to which the Company will make quarterly dividends on the Class A Common Stock, to the extent the Company Board determines that the Company has available cash, available borrowings and other funds legally available therefor, taking into account the retention of any amounts necessary to satisfy the obligation of the Company that will not be reimbursed by Utz, taxes and under the Tax Receivable Agreement, and any restrictions contained in any applicable bank financing agreement by which the Company or its subsidiaries are bound. The Company Board expects to declare and pay a dividend on the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock in an aggregate amount of no less than $0.20 per share of Class A Common Stock with respect to the four fiscal quarters immediately following Closing (such dividend amount subject to adjustment for stock splits, reverse splits and other similar matters). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will have no obligation to distribute such cash (or other available cash other than any declared dividend) to its stockholders.

 

Information regarding Collier Creek’s common stock, rights and units and related stockholder matters are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Description of the Company’s Securities” and “Securities Act Restrictions on Resale of the Company’s Securities” and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

 

The description of the Company’s securities is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Description of the Company’s Securities” and “Shareholder Proposal 1: The Domestication ProposalComparison of Shareholder Rights under the Applicable Corporate Law Before and After the Domestication,” which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The description of the indemnification arrangements with the Company’s directors and officers is contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Indemnification of Directors and Officers,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial statements of the Company and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

The information set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. 

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial information of the Company.

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial statements of the Company and the disclosure contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, filed as Exhibit 99.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

Forward Purchases

 

In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, on August 28, 2020, pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreements, Collier Creek consummated the sale and issuance of 3,500,000 Forward Purchase Shares and Forward Purchase Warrants to acquire up to 1,166,666 Class A ordinary shares at $11.50 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $35,000,000. Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, all shares of Collier Creek Class A ordinary shares were converted into Class A Common Stock of the Company.

 

The sale and issuance of securities under the Forward Purchase Agreement were made to the Sponsor and Collier Creek’s independent directors, each of whom is an accredited investor in reliance on Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. No separate fees or commissions were paid to placement agents other than payments made to such institutions for other services rendered in connection with the Collier Creek initial public offering or the Business Combination.

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Shareholder Proposal 2: The Business Combination Proposal—Forward Purchase Agreements” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the form of Forward Purchase Agreements, which are included as Exhibit 10.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Class V Common Stock

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Upon the Closing, the Company issued 61,249,000 shares of Class V Common Stock to the Sellers in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination. The issuance was made to the Sellers, each of whom is an accredited investor, in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

15

 

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 “Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers—Restricted Stock Units Under 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan” of this Current Report on Form 8-K in respect of the 2020 LTIP RSUs that will settle into an aggregate of 1,479,445 shares of Class A Common Stock that were granted to current and former employees of Utz.

 

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders

 

In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, on August 28, 2020, the Company domesticated into the State of Delaware from the Cayman Islands by filing a Certificate of Domestication (the “Certificate of Domestication”) and Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) with the Delaware Secretary of State and also adopted bylaws (the “Bylaws”) which together replace Collier Creek’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. The material terms of the Certificate of Domestication, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “Shareholder Proposal 1: The Domestication Proposal—Comparison of Shareholder Rights under Applicable Organizational Documents Before and After the Domestication” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Copies of the Certificate of Domestication, Certificate of Incorporation, and Bylaws are filed as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 4.01. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

 

On August 28, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Company Board approved the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 3, 2021. Grant Thornton served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Utz prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), the independent registered public accounting firm of Collier Creek, the name of the Company prior to the Business Combination, was informed on August 28, 2020 that it would be replaced by Grant Thornton as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following its completion of the Company’s review of the quarter ended June 30, 2020, which consist only of the accounts of the pre-Business Combination special purpose acquisition company, Collier Creek.

 

The reports of Withum on Collier Creek’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from April 30, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles.

 

During the period from April 30, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and the subsequent interim period through the date of Withum’s dismissal, there were no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) between the Company and Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the Company’s financial statements for such periods.

 

During the period from April 30, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and the subsequent interim period through the date of Withum’s dismissal, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).

 

16

 

 

During the period from April 30, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and the subsequent interim period through the date of Withum’s dismissal, Collier Creek and the Company did not consult with Grant Thornton regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the financial statements of Collier Creek or the Company, and no written report or oral advice was provided that Grant Thornton concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a "disagreement" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) or a "reportable event" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act). 

 

The Company has provided Withum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that Withum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company set forth above. A copy of Withum’s letter, dated September 3, 2020, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 5.01. Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Shareholder Proposal 2: The Business Combination Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in Item 2.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

As of August 28, 2020, there were approximately 59,369,050 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding, and in addition, there were approximately 61,249,000 shares of Class V Common Stock outstanding. These share numbers (i) exclude (a) 23,033,332 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to outstanding warrants of the Company, (b) 9,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under the EIP, and (c) 1,479,445 shares reserved for issuance under the 2020 LTIP RSUs (as defined below). As a result of the Business Combination, based on such assumptions and after giving effect to the terms of such arrangements, (i) pre-Business Combination the public shareholders of Collier Creek hold approximately 36.5% of the voting power of the Company, (ii) the Sponsor and the non-employee directors of Collier Creek prior to the Closing of the Business Combination hold approximately 12.7% of such voting power, (iii) pre-Business Combination equityholders of Utz (the Sellers) hold approximately 50.8% of such voting power. In addition, non-affiliates of the Company hold approximately 36.7% of the voting power of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class V Common Stock immediately following the Closing of the Business Combination.

 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Election of Directors and Appointment of Officers

 

The following persons are serving as executive officers and directors following the Closing. For information concerning the executive officers and directors, see the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Directors, Officers, Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance of Collier Creek Prior to the Business Combination — Management and Collier Creek Board,” “Management of the Company Following the Business Combination,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions”, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

17

 

 

Name   Age   Position
Roger K. Deromedi   67   Chairman; Director
Dylan B. Lissette   48   Chief Executive Officer; Director
Michael W. Rice   77   Director; Chairman Emeritus; Special Advisor
John W. Altmeyer(2)(3)   61   Director; Chair, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Timothy P. Brown   58   Director
Christina Choi(3)   42   Director
Antonio F. Fernandez(1)   61   Director
Jason K. Giordano(2)(3)   41   Director; Chair, Compensation Committee
B. John Lindeman(1)   50   Director
Craig D. Steeneck(1)(2)   62   Director; Chair, Audit Committee
Cary Devore   48   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Todd M. Staub   54   Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
Thomas (Tucker) Lawrence   52   Executive Vice President & Chief Supply Chain Officer
Mark Schreiber   56   Executive Vice President & Chief Customer Officer, Sales and Marketing
Ajay Kataria   43   Executive Vice President, Finance & Accounting
Eric Aumen   44   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
James Sponaugle   44   Senior Vice President Human Resources and Personnel Development

 

 

 

(1) Member of the audit committee
(2) Member of the compensation committee
(3) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee

 

Effective upon the Closing, Chinh E. Chu resigned as an executive officer of Collier Creek. Effective upon the Closing, each of Chinh E. Chu, Matthew M. Mannelly and William D. Toler resigned as directors of Collier Creek.

 

2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

 

At the Shareholders Meeting, Collier Creek shareholders considered and approved the EIP and reserved 9,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance thereunder, plus shares of Class A Common Stock subject to 2020 LTIP RSUs under the 2020 LTIP. The EIP was approved by the board of directors of Collier Creek on June 4, 2020. The EIP became effective immediately upon the Closing of the Business Combination.

 

A more complete summary of the terms of the EIP is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Shareholder Proposal 3: The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal.” That summary and the foregoing description are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the EIP, which is filed as Exhibit 10.12 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Compensatory Plans, Contracts or Arrangements

 

The information set forth under “Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement—Employment Arrangements” of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.

 

The compensatory plans, contracts and arrangements to which the Company’s named executive officers participate or may participate are set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Executive Compensation of Utz―Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table―Annual Base Salaries,” “―Deferred Compensation Plan,” “―2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan,” “―Change in Control, Severance and Retirement Benefits,” “Executive Compensation of Utz―Key Compensation Actions in 2020―2020 Cash Incentive Award Program,” “―Change in Control, Severance and Retirement Benefits,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company also adopted a new board of directors compensation program, which is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of Utz―Key Compensation Actions in 2020―New Director Compensation Program.”

 

Restricted Stock Units Under 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

Prior to the Business Combination Utz maintained the 2018 LTIP, which is described in more detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Executive Compensation of Utz―Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table―2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan.” The 2018 LTIP was intended to reward participants based on appreciation in the equity values of Utz through the issuance of phantom units to participants (“Phantom Units”). Each Phantom Unit represented an award of an unfunded, unsecured promise by Utz to pay to the holder of such unit a value equal to one ten thousandth of (x) the fair market value of the equity interests of Utz plus $300,000,000, less (y) a specified hurdle value determined by the administrator of the 2018 LTIP, subject to certain automatic adjustments. The value represented by the portion of each Phantom Unit that had become vested under each Phantom Unit award was to be paid no later than 30 days following a distribution event, which occurs upon the earlier of a change in control of Utz Quality Foods or December 31, 2021. The Closing of the Business Combination was not a change in control of Utz under the 2018 LTIP.

 

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In connection with the Business Combination and immediately prior to the Closing, Utz and the Company amended and restated the 2018 LTIP such that it became the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2020 LTIP”), a sub-plan under the EIP, among other changes. Each participant in the 2018 LTIP elected to convert his or her Phantom Units subject to his or her 2018 LTIP award into restricted stock units under the 2020 LTIP (the “2020 LTIP RSUs”), with each restricted stock unit representing an unfunded, unsecured promise by Utz to pay a participant one share of Class A Common Stock. Subject to the occurrence of certain forfeiture events, each of the 2020 LTIP RSUs is vested in full. Upon settlement of the 2020 LTIP RSUs, the Company will issue an aggregate of 1,479,445 shares of Class A Common Stock, including 2020 LTIP RSUs issued to the Company’s named executive Officers which will settle into shares of Class A Common Stock in the following amounts:

 

Name   Shares of Class A Common Stock Subject to 2020 LTIP RSU
Dylan B. Lissette   119,454
Cary Devore   134,011
Ajay Kataria   94,193

 

The issuance of 2020 LTIP RSUs was made to fewer than 35 non-accredited investors in reliance on Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the EIP and 2020 LTIP, including the form of 2020 LTIP RSUs, which are included as Exhibits 10.12 and 10.13, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

The Bylaws adopted by the Company upon the Domestication change the Company’s fiscal year end from December 31 to the Sunday closest to December 31. As a result of this change, the Company’s 2020 fiscal year end will be January 3, 2021 and 2021 fiscal year end will be January 2, 2022. This change is intended to align the Company’s fiscal year end date with the fiscal year end of Utz and is not expected to have an effect on the Company’s results.

 

In addition, the information set forth in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.

 

Item 5.05. Amendment to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

In connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, on August 28, 2020 and effective as of such date, the Company Board adopted a new code of ethics and business conduct (the “Code”) applicable to the Company’s associates, officers and directors. The new Code clarifies (i) the types of permitted conduct under the Code, including business activities and opportunities and (ii) procedures for the reporting, oversight and investigation of alleged violations of the Code. We intend to post any amendments to or any waivers from a provision of the Code on our website.

 

The foregoing description of the Code does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Code, which is included as Exhibit 14.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.

 

As a result of the Business Combination, Collier Creek ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Shareholder Proposal 2: The Business Combination Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.06.

 

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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

 

On August 28, 2020, Collier Creek issued a press release announcing the closing of the Business Combination. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information in this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events

 

As a result of the Business Combination and Domestication and by operation of Rule 12g-3(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Company is a successor issuer to Collier Creek. The Company hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statement and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

 

Information responsive to Item 9.01(a) of Form 8-K is set forth in the financial statements included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on pages F-35 through F-64, which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company, as of June 28, 2020 and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, and the related notes thereto are attached as Exhibit 99.3 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Pro forma financial information.

 

Information responsive to Item 9.01(a) of Form 8-K is set forth in the financial statements included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information”, which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial statements are filed as Exhibit 99.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c) Shell company transactions.

 

Reference is made to Items 9.01(a) and (b) and the exhibit referred to therein, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

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Exhibit No.   Description
2.1†   Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020, by and among Collier Creek Holdings, Series U of UM Partners, LLC, Series R of UM Partners, LLC and Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Collier Creek’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-38686), filed with the Commission on June 5, 2020.
3.1*   Certificate of Domestication of the Company.
3.2*   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
3.3*   Bylaws of the Company.
4.1   Specimen Warrant Certificate of Collier Creek (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Collier Creek’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-227295), filed with the Commission on September 12, 2018.
4.2   Warrant Agreement, dated October 4, 2018, between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Collier Creek (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Collier Creek’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-38686), filed with the Commission on October 10, 2018).
10.1*   Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, dated as of August 28, 2020, by and among Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, Utz Brands, Inc., Series U of UM Partners, LLC, Series R of UM Partners, LLC and each other person who is or at any time becomes a member of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC.
10.2*†   Tax Receivable Agreement, dated August 28, 2020, by and among Utz Brands, Inc., Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, Series U of UM Partners, LLC, Series R of UM Partners, LLC and the TRA Party Representative.
10.3*   Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2020, by and among Utz Brands, Inc., Series U of UM Partners, LLC, Series R of UM Partners, LLC, the Sponsor Parties and the Sponsor Representative.
10.4*   Standstill Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2020, by and among Utz Brands, Inc., Series U of UM Partners, LLC, Series R of UM Partners, LLC, Collier Creek Partners LLC, certain founder holders and certain beneficial owners and related parties of Series U of UM Partners, LLC and Series R of UM Partners, LLC.
10.5   Sponsor Side Letter Agreement, dated June 5, 2020, by and among Collier Creek Holdings, Collier Creek Partners, LLC, Chinh E. Chu, Jason Giordano, Roger Deromedi and certain of their family members and affiliates and the independent directors of Collier Creek Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Collier Creek’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-38686), filed with the Commission on June 5, 2020).
10.6   Unit Purchase Agreement, dated June 5, 2020, by and among Collier Creek Partners LLC, BSOF SN LLC, Series U of UM Partners, LLC and Series R of UM Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Collier Creek’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-38686), filed with the Commission on June 5, 2020).
10.7   Form of Forward Purchase Agreement between the Company and the investor named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Collier Creek’s Form S-1 (File No. 333-227295), filed with the SEC on September 12, 2018).
10.8†   First Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated November 21, 2017, entered into by and among Utz Quality Foods, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and the other parties thereto as amended July 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Collier Creek’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-239151), filed with the Commission on August 3, 2020).
10.9†   ABL Credit Agreement, dated November 21, 2017, entered into by and among Utz Quality Foods, LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and the other parties thereto as amended September 3, 2019, April 1, 2020, and July 23, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Collier Creek’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-239151), filed with the Commission on August 3, 2020).
10.10*+   Offer Letter dated August 28, 2020 by and between the Company and Dylan Lissette.
10.11+   Offer Letter, dated June 27, 2017, entered into by and between Utz Quality Foods, LLC and Ajay Kataria (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Collier Creek’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-239151), filed with the Commission on August 3, 2020).
10.12*+   Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and forms of award agreements thereunder.
10.13*+   Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan and form of award agreement thereunder.
10.14*+   Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan.
10.15*+   Utz Brands, Inc. Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan.
10.16*+   Utz Quality Foods, Inc. Non-qualified deferred Compensation Plan, adopted April 15, 2008.
14.1*   Utz Brands, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
16.1*   Letter of WithumSmith+Brown, PC to the SEC, dated September 3, 2020.
21.1*   List of Subsidiaries of the Company.
99.1*   Press Release, dated August 28, 2020.
99.2*   Selected Historical Consolidated Financial and Other Data.
99.3*   Unaudited consolidated financial statements of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC as of June 28, 2020 and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
99.4*   Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of June 28, 2020 and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
99.5*   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

  

21

 

 

 

 

* Filed herewith
+ Indicates a management or compensatory plan.
Schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Registration S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted schedules to the Commission upon request.

 

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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.

 

  Utz Brands, Inc.
   
Dated: September 3, 2020 By: /s/ Cary Devore
    Cary Devore
    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE DOMESTICATION
OF COLLIER CREEK HOLDINGS

 

Pursuant to Section 388
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

 

Collier Creek Holdings, presently a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

1.           The Company was first incorporated on April 30, 2018 under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

2.           The name of the Company immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate of Corporate Domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was Collier Creek Holdings.

 

3.           The name of the Company as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation being filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with Section 388(b) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is “Utz Brands, Inc.”

 

4.           The jurisdiction that constituted the seat, siege social, or principal place of business or central administration of the Company immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate of Corporate Domestication was the Cayman Islands.

 

5.           The domestication has been approved in the manner provided for by the document, instrument, agreement or other writing, as the case may be, governing the internal affairs of the Company and the conduct of its business or by applicable non-Delaware law, as appropriate.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this 28th day of August, 2020.

 

  COLLIER CREEK HOLDINGS, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares
   
  By: /s/ Jason K. Giordano
    Name: Jason K. Giordano
    Title: Co-Executive Chairman

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
Utz Brands, Inc.

 

Article I

 

Section 1.1.     Name. The name of the Corporation is Utz Brands, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

Article II

 

Section 2.1.     Address. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 9 E. Loockerman Street, Suite 311, Dover, Kent County, Delaware 19901; and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc.

 

Article III

 

Section 3.1.     Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Corporation is being incorporated in connection with the domestication of Collier Creek Holdings, a Cayman Islands exempted company limited by shares (“Collier Creek Cayman”), to a Delaware corporation (the “Domestication”), and this Certificate of Incorporation is being filed simultaneously with the Certificate of Corporate Domestication of Collier Creek Cayman (the “Certificate of Domestication”).

 

Article IV

 

Section 4.1.     Capitalization. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,064,249,000 shares, consisting of (i) 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”), (ii) 1,000,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), (iii) 2,000,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B Common Stock”), which shall be divided into 1,000,000 shares of Series B-1 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series B-1 Common Stock”) and 1,000,000 shares of Series B-2 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series B-2 Common Stock”) and (v) 61,249,000 shares of Class V Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class V Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, and the Class B Common Stock (the “Common Stock”). The number of authorized shares of any of the Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class V Common Stock, or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of such class or series then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of any of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock, the Class V Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a vote of any such holder is required pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock. Upon the filing of the Certificate of Domestication and this Certificate of Incorporation, which shall occur on the closing date (such date, the “Closing Date”) of the transactions contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020, by and among Collier Creek Cayman, Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (“LLC”), Series U of UM Partners, LLC (“Series U”) and Series R of UM Partners, LLC (“Series R” and together with Series U, the “Sellers”), each share of capital stock of Collier Creek Cayman issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) will for all purposes be deemed to be one issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock, without any action required on the part of the Corporation or the holders thereof; provided, however, in accordance with the terms of the Side Letter (as defined below), an aggregate 1,000,000 Founder Shares (as defined therein) shall automatically convert into Series B-1 Common Stock and an aggregate 1,000,000 Founder Shares shall automatically convert into Series B-2 Common Stock.

 

 

 

 

Section 4.2.     Preferred Stock.

 

(A)            The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by the DGCL, by resolution or resolutions, at any time and from time to time, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series and to cause to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate of designations with respect thereto. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

 

(B)            Except as otherwise required by law, holders of a series of Preferred Stock, as such, shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to such series).

 

Section 4.3.     Common Stock.

 

(A)            Voting Rights.

 

(1)            Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by law, each holder of Class A Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of Class A Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

(2)            Except as required by law, no holder of Class B Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to any voting rights with respect to Class B Common Stock.

 

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(3)            Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or as provided by law, each holder of record of Class V Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class V Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally or holders of Class V Common Stock as a separate class are entitled to vote (whether voting separately as a class or together with one or more classes of the Corporation’s capital stock); provided, however, to the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of Class V Common Stock, as such, shall have no voting power pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation with respect to, and shall not be entitled to vote on, any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

 

(4)            Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, the holders of Common Stock having the right to vote in respect of such Common Stock shall vote together as a single class (or, if the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together with the holders of Common Stock having the right to vote in respect of such Common Stock, as a single class with the holders of such other series of Preferred Stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders having voting rights generally.

 

(B)            Dividends and Distributions.

 

(1)            Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over or the right to participate with the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and other distributions in cash, stock of any corporation or property of the Corporation, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive ratably, taken together as a single class, such dividends and other distributions as may from time to time be declared by the Board in its discretion out of the assets of the Corporation that are by law available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board in its discretion shall determine. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, the payment of any dividend or other distribution so declared with respect to the Class B Common Stock shall be contingent upon, and no dividend or other distribution shall be paid unless and until, the occurrence of a Conversion Event (as such term is defined in in that certain letter agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020, by and among the Corporation, Collier Creek Partners, LLC (the “CCH Sponsor”) and the other persons party thereto (as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of such letter, the “Side Letter”)), if any, in respect of any such share of Class B Common Stock and, upon declaration of any dividend or other distribution, the record date for such dividend or other distribution with respect to the Class B Common Stock (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not the Class A Common Stock) shall be one day before the Conversion Date (as defined in the Side Letter), and the Board shall so set the record date upon such declaration. Such dividends or other distributions with respect to the Class B Common Stock shall be paid to the holders of the Class B Common Stock on the Conversion Date in accordance with the Side Letter.

 

3

 

 

(2)            Class V Common Stock. Dividends and other distributions shall not be declared or paid on the Class V Common Stock.

 

(C)            Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the Class A Common Stock as to distributions upon dissolution or liquidation or winding up shall be entitled, the holders of all outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock which converted to Class A Common Stock from Class B Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below on or prior to the date of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up (including if a Conversion Event occurred as a result of such liquidation, dissolution or winding up)) shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by each such stockholder. The holders of shares of (i) Class B Common Stock (other than to the extent such liquidation, dissolution or winding up constitutes a Conversion Event, in which case such Class B Common Stock shall automatically convert to Class A Common Stock in accordance with Section 4.3(D) below and the holders of such resulting Class A Common Stock shall be treated as a holder of Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Section 4.3(C)) and (ii) Class V Common Stock, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) as such, shall not be entitled to receive any assets of the Corporation in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.

 

(D)            Conversion of Class B Common Stock. Immediately upon any Conversion Event applicable to any shares of Class B Common Stock, such shares of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action on the part of the record holder thereof or any other person, convert into and become an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, which conversion shall be effective on the Conversion Date with respect to such shares of Class B Common Stock, and the holder of such share of Class B Common Stock shall become a record holder of Class A Common Stock as of such Conversion Date. Each outstanding stock certificate or book-entry credit, as applicable, that, immediately prior to such Conversion Event, represented one or more shares of Class B Common Stock shall, upon such Conversion Event, be automatically deemed to represent as of the Conversion Date an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, without the need for any surrender, exchange or registration thereof or any consent or notification. The Corporation, or any transfer agent of the Corporation, shall, upon the request on or after the Conversion Date of any holder whose shares of Class B Common Stock have been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of a Conversion Event and upon surrender by such holder to the Corporation of the outstanding certificate(s) formerly representing such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock (if any), issue and deliver to such holder certificate(s) representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock were converted as a result of such Conversion Event (if such shares are certificated) or, if such shares are uncertificated, register such shares in book-entry form, reflecting that such holder is a record holder of Class A Common Stock as of the Conversion Date in respect of the relevant shares of Class B Common Stock.

 

(E)            Cancellation of Class V Common Stock. In the event that any outstanding share of Class V Common Stock shall cease to be held directly or indirectly by a holder of a Common Unit (as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the LLC, dated on or about the date hereof (the “LLC Agreement”), as set forth in the books and records of the LLC, such share shall automatically and without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class V Common Stock be transferred to the Corporation and cancelled for no consideration. The Corporation shall not issue additional shares of Class V Common Stock after the Closing Date other than in connection with the valid issuance of Common Units in accordance with the LLC Agreement or the vesting of any Restricted Common Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) into Common Units upon the occurrence of an applicable Vesting Event (as defined in the LLC Agreement).

 

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(F)            Reservation of Stock. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock an amount equal to the number of then-outstanding Common Units subject to Exchange (as defined in the LLC Agreement) and then-outstanding Restricted Common Units plus the number of then-outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, in each case, from time to time. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class V Common Stock an amount equal to the number of then-outstanding Restricted Common Units, from time to time.

 

(G)            Splits. If the Corporation at any time combines or subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amendment of this Certificate of Incorporation, scheme, arrangement or otherwise) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, the shares of Class B Common Stock and Class V Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately similarly combined or subdivided such that the ratio of shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock and Class V Common Stock, respectively, to shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such subdivision shall be maintained immediately after such combination or subdivision; provided, that (i) such actions with respect to the Class V Common Stock shall be subject to Section 4.1(d) and the last sentence of Section 3.2 of the LLC Agreement and (ii) such actions with respect to the Class B Common Stock shall be subject to the last sentence of Section 1.5 of the Side Letter. Any adjustment described in this Section 4.3(G) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the combination or subdivision becomes effective.

 

Article V

 

Section 5.1.      By-Laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized to make, amend, alter, change, add to or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “By-Laws”) without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required herein (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock), by the By-Laws or pursuant to applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of Article I, Article II or Article IV of the By-Laws of the Corporation, or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith and, with respect to any other provision of the By-Laws of the Corporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Corporation to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any such provision of the By-Laws of the Corporation, or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

 

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Article VI

 

Section 6.1.      Board of Directors.

 

(A)            Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Subject to the investor rights agreement (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) dated on or about the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, the Sellers, the CCH Sponsor and the other parties party thereto, the total number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board. Subject to the Investor Rights Agreement, the directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing Date, Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing Date. At each annual meeting following the Closing Date, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. If the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any such additional director of any class elected to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove, or shorten the term of, any incumbent director. Any such director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to their respective class in accordance with the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(B)            Subject to the rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and the rights granted pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the stockholders). Any director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

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(C)            Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation given in writing or by any electronic transmission permitted by the By-Laws. Subject to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement, any or all of the directors (other than the directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Investor Rights Agreement, in case the Board or any one or more directors should be so removed, new directors may be elected pursuant to Section 6.1(B).

 

(D)            Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) applicable thereto. Notwithstanding Section 6.1(A), the number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to Section 6.1(A) hereof, and the total number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be automatically adjusted accordingly.

 

(E)            Directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the By-Laws shall so provide.

 

Article VII

 

Section 7.1.      Meetings of Stockholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of stock of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders unless such action is recommended or approved by all directors of the Corporation then in office; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Class V Common Stock , voting separately as a class, or, to the extent expressly permitted by the certificate of designations relating to one or more series of Preferred Stock, by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant class or series having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or as otherwise provided in the By-Laws.

 

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Article VIII

 

Section 8.1.     Limited Liability of Directors. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director of the Corporation will have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Neither the amendment nor the repeal of this Article VIII shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

Article IX

 

Section 9.1.     DGCL Section 203 and Business Combinations.

 

(A)            The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

(B)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not engage in any business combination (as defined below), at any point in time at which the Corporation’s Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

(1)            prior to such time, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, or

 

(2)            upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock (as defined below) of the Corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by (i) persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or

 

(3)            at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

(C)            For purposes of this Article IX, references to:

 

(1)            Affiliate” means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.

 

(2)            associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such person.

 

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(3)            business combination,” when used in reference to the Corporation and any interested stockholder of the Corporation, means:

 

a.            any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation (i) with the interested stockholder, or (ii) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation Section 9.1(B) of this Article IX is not applicable to the surviving entity;

 

b.            any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation, to or with the interested stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation;

 

c.            any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation of any stock of the Corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested stockholder, except: (i) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested stockholder became such; (ii) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (iii) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into stock of the Corporation or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the Corporation subsequent to the time the interested stockholder became such; (iv) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of said stock; or (v) any issuance or transfer of stock by the Corporation; provided, however, that in no case under items (iii) through (v) of this subsection (c) shall there be an increase in the interested stockholder’s proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the Corporation or of the voting stock of the Corporation (except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments);

 

d.            any transaction involving the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the Corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested stockholder; or

 

e.            any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Corporation), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in subsections (a) through (d) above) provided by or through the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.

 

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(4)            control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract, or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing Section 9.1(B) of Article IX, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group have control of such entity.

 

(5)            interested stockholder” means any person (other than the Corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation, or (ii) is an Affiliate or associate of the Corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation at any time within the three year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested stockholder; and the Affiliates and associates of such person; but “interested stockholder” shall not include (x) any Stockholder Party, any Stockholder Party Direct Transferee, any Stockholder Party Indirect Transferee or any of their respective Affiliates or any “group,” or any member of any such group, to which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, provided that a majority of the aggregate shares of voting stock of the Corporation owned by such group immediately prior to the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder were owned (without giving effect to beneficial ownership attributed to such person pursuant to Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act or Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) by one or more Stockholder Parties, Stockholder Party Direct Transferees, or Stockholder Party Indirect Transferees, or (y) any person whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set forth herein is the result of any action taken solely by the Corporation; provided, further, that in the case of clause (y) such person shall be an interested stockholder if thereafter such person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the Corporation, except as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining whether a person is an interested stockholder, the voting stock of the Corporation deemed to be outstanding shall include stock deemed to be owned by the person through application of the definition of “owner” below but shall not include any other unissued stock of the Corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

(6)            owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any stock, means a person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or associates:

 

a.            beneficially owns such stock, directly or indirectly; or

 

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b.            has (i) the right to acquire such stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such person or any of such person’s Affiliates or associates until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (ii) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of such person’s right to vote such stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or

 

c.            has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item (ii) of subsection (b) above), or disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such stock.

 

(7)            person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

 

(8)            stock” means, with respect to any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest.

 

(9)            Stockholder Parties” means the Holders (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement). The term “Stockholder Party” shall have a correlative meaning to “Stockholder Parties.”

 

(10)            Stockholder Party Direct Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering) directly from any Stockholder Party or any of its successors or any “group,” or any member of any such group, of which such persons are a party under Rule 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.

 

(11)            Stockholder Party Indirect Transferee” means any person that acquires (other than in a registered public offering) directly from any Stockholder Party Direct Transferee or any other Stockholder Party Indirect Transferee, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then outstanding voting stock of the Corporation.

 

(12)            voting stock” means stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of voting stock shall refer to such percentages of the votes of such voting stock.

 

Article X

 

Section 10.1.      Competition and Corporate Opportunities.

 

(A)            In recognition and anticipation that members of the Board who are not employees of the Corporation (“Non-Employee Directors”) and their respective Affiliates and Affiliated Entities (each, as defined below) may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article X are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

 

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(B)            No Non-Employee Director or his or her Affiliates or Affiliated Entities (the Persons (as defined below) above being referred to, collectively, as “Identified Persons” and, individually, as an “Identified Person”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing with the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section 10.1(C) of this Article X. Subject to Section 10.1(C) of this Article X, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Corporation or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty to communicate or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Corporation for breach of any fiduciary duty as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, or offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person.

 

(C)            The Corporation does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director if such opportunity is expressly offered or presented to, or acquired or developed by, such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation, and the provisions of Section 10.1(B) of this Article X shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.

 

(D)            In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article X, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Corporation if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Corporation is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Corporation, (iii) is one in which the Corporation has no interest or reasonable expectancy, or (iv) is one presented to any account for the benefit of a member of the Board or such member’s Affiliate over which such member of the Board has no direct or indirect influence or control, including, but not limited to, a blind trust.

 

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(E)            For purposes of this Article X, (i) “Affiliate” shall mean (a) in respect of a member of the Board, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such member of the Board (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation) and (b) in respect of the Corporation, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Corporation; (ii) “Affiliated Entity” shall mean (x) any Person of which a Non-Employee Director serves as an officer, director, employee, agent or other representative (other than the Corporation and any entity that is controlled by the Corporation), (y) any direct or indirect partner, stockholder, member, manager or other representative of such Person or (z) any Affiliate of any of the foregoing; and (iii) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.

 

(F)            To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article X.

 

(G)            Any alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article X shall require the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article X, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock) inconsistent with this Article X, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article X in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article X, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repeal or adoption. This Article X shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws or applicable law.

 

Article XI

 

Section 11.1.     Severability. If any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Article XII

 

Section 12.1.     Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, other employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, or any claim for aiding and abetting such alleged breach, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer, other employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation (a) arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation (as it may be amended or restated) or the By-Laws or (b) as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Delaware Court of Chancery or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director, officer, other employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the law of the State of Delaware shall, as to any action in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv), to the fullest extent permitted by law, be solely and exclusively brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any claim (a) as to which the Delaware Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (b) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Delaware Court of Chancery, or (c) arising under federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as to which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article XII will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the forum provisions is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “foreign action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”); and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such enforcement action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such stockholder. Failure to enforce the foregoing provisions would cause the Corporation irreparable harm and the Corporation shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, to enforce the foregoing provisions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

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Article XIII

 

Section 13.1.     Amendments. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, in addition to any vote required by law, the following provisions in this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class: Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX, Article XII and this Article XIII. Except as expressly provided in the foregoing sentence and the remainder of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of Preferred Stock), this Certificate of Incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Article XIV

 

Section 14.1.     Incorporator. The name and mailing address of the incorporator of the Corporation is as follows:

 

Name   Address
Jason K. Giordano   c/o CC Capital Partners
    200 Park Avenue, 58th Floor
    New York, NY 10166

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator herein before named, has executed, signed and acknowledged this Certificate of Incorporation as of this 28th day of August, 2020.

 

  /s/ Jason K. Giordano
  Jason K. Giordano
  Incorporator

 

[Signature Page – Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

BY-LAWS

OF

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

Article I.
STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1.          The annual meeting of the stockholders of Utz Brands, Inc. (the “Corporation”) for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on such date, and at such time and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communications pursuant to paragraph (C)(2) of Section 12, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”). The Corporation may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled.

 

Section 2.          Except as otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) or the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Special meetings may be held either at a place, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communications pursuant to paragraph (C)(2) of Section 12 as the Board may determine.

 

Section 3.          Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of the date, time, place (if any), the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of the meeting of stockholders shall be given not more than sixty (60), nor less than ten (10), days previous thereto (unless a different time is specified by law), to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notices of meetings otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any such notice may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL.

 

Section 4.          The holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided herein, by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation; but if at any meeting of stockholders there shall be less than a quorum present, the chairman of the meeting or, by a majority in voting power thereof, the stockholders present (either in person or by proxy) may, to the extent permitted by law, adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting of the date, time and place, if any, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders may be deemed present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented by proxy, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Notice need not be given of any adjourned meeting if the time, date and place, if any, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders may be deemed present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

 

 

 

Section 5.          The Chairman of the Board, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or at the Chairman of the Board’s direction, the Chief Executive Officer, or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or at the Chief Executive Officer’s direction, any officer of the Corporation shall call all meetings of the stockholders to order and shall act as chairman of any such meetings. The Secretary of the Corporation or, in such officer’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting. If neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint a secretary of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Unless otherwise determined by the Board prior to the meeting, the chairman of the meeting shall determine the order of business and shall have the authority in his or her discretion to regulate the conduct of any such meeting, including, without limitation, convening the meeting and adjourning the meeting (whether or not a quorum is present), announcing the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote, imposing restrictions on the persons (other than stockholders of record of the Corporation or their duly appointed proxies) who may attend any such meeting, establishing procedures for the transaction of business at the meeting (including the dismissal of business not properly presented), maintaining order at the meeting and safety of those present, restricting entry to the meeting after the time fixed for commencement thereof and limiting the circumstances in which any person may make a statement or ask questions at any meeting of stockholders. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

Section 6.          At all meetings of stockholders, any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy, subject to applicable law. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy pursuant to the DGCL, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority: (1) a stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy, and execution of the writing may be accomplished by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature; or (2) a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing by means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. If it is determined that such electronic transmissions are valid, the inspector or inspectors of stockholder votes or, if there are no such inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied.

 

A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary of the Corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.

 

Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 6 (including any electronic transmission) may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

Proxies shall be filed with the secretary of the meeting prior to or at the commencement of the meeting to which they relate.

 

Section 7.          When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or the DGCL a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required and a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by shares of such class or series or classes or series shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or the DGCL a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

 

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Section 8.          (A)      In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

 

(B)               In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change or conversion or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 9.          At any time when action by one or more classes or series of stockholders of the Corporation is permitted to be taken by written consent pursuant to the terms and limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the provisions of this section shall apply. All consents properly delivered in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL shall be deemed to be recorded when so delivered. No written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation as required by the DGCL, written consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to take such corporate action are so delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Any action taken pursuant to such written consent or consents of the stockholders shall have the same force and effect as if taken by the stockholders at a meeting thereof. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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Section 10.      The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 11.      The Board, in advance of all meetings of the stockholders, shall appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes, who may be employees or agents of the Corporation or stockholders or their proxies, but who shall not be directors of the Corporation or candidates for election as directors. In the event that the Board fails to so appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes or, in the event that one or more inspectors of stockholder votes previously designated by the Board fails to appear or act at the meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors of stockholder votes to fill such vacancy or vacancies. Inspectors of stockholder votes appointed to act at any meeting of the stockholders, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully execute the duties of inspector of stockholder votes with strict impartiality and according to the best of their ability and the oath so taken shall be subscribed by them. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (i) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (ii) determine the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law.

 

Section 12.       

 

(A)               Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

 

(1)                Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (a) as provided in the Investor Rights Agreement (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), (b) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-Laws, (c) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof or (d) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote on such election or such other business at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in subparagraphs (2) and (3) of this paragraph (A) of this Section 12 and who was a stockholder of record at the time such notice was delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation.

 

(2)                For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Article I, Section 12(A)(1)(d) of these By-laws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation (even if such matter is already the subject of any notice to the stockholders or a public announcement from the Board), and, in the case of business other than nominations of persons for election to the Board, such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is scheduled for more than thirty (30) days before, or more than seventy (70) days following, such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. For purposes of the application of Rule 14a-4(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (or any successor provision), the date for notice specified in this paragraph (A)(2) shall be the earlier of the date calculated as hereinbefore provided or the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 14a-4. For purposes of the first annual meeting of stockholders following the adoption of these By-Laws, the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting shall be deemed to be August 27th of the preceding calendar year.

 

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Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these By-Laws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books and records, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the stock of the Corporation at the time of the giving of the notice, will be entitled to vote at such meeting and will appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (iv) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, will be or is part of a group which will (A) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (B) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination, (v) a certification regarding whether such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation and/or the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation and (vi) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (d) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal and/or the voting of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation between or among the stockholder giving the notice, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, any of their respective affiliates or associates and/or any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing (collectively, “proponent persons”); and (e) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including without limitation any contract to purchase or sell, acquisition or grant of any option, right or warrant to purchase or sell, swap or other instrument) the intent or effect of which may be (i) to transfer to or from any proponent person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security of the Corporation, (ii) to increase or decrease the voting power of any proponent person with respect to shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation and/or (iii) to provide any proponent person, directly or indirectly, with the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from, or to otherwise benefit economically from, any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation. A stockholder providing notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting (whether given pursuant to this paragraph (A)(2) or paragraph (B) of this Section 12) shall update and supplement such notice from time to time to the extent necessary so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and as of the date that is fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, provided that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the information shall be supplemented and updated as of such later date. Any such update and supplement shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), not later than ten (10) days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof) and not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, but no later than the date prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of a date less than fifteen (15) days prior the date of the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation and to determine the independence of such director under the Exchange Act and rules and regulations thereunder and applicable stock exchange rules.

 

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The foregoing notice requirements of this paragraph (A)(2) of Section 12 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Exchange Act, and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. Nothing in this paragraph (A)(2), Section 12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(3)                Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 12 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased, effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 12, and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 12 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which a public announcement of such increase is first made by the Corporation.

 

(B)               Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting pursuant to Article I, Section 3 of these By-Laws. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board or a committee thereof or (b) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote on such election at the meeting, who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 12 and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting if the stockholder’s notice as required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Section 12 is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting.

 

(C)               General.     (1)    Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 shall be eligible to be elected to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 12 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 12, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 12, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

 

(2)                If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such rules, regulations and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders of the Corporation and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may, by means of remote communication participate in a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication; provided, however, that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder of the Corporation or proxyholder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders of the Corporation and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder of the Corporation or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(3)                For purposes of this Section 12, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise disseminated in a manner constituting “public disclosure” under Regulation FD promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(4)                No adjournment or postponement or notice of adjournment or postponement of any meeting shall be deemed to constitute a new notice (or extend any notice time period) of such meeting for purposes of this Section 12, and in order for any notification required to be delivered by a stockholder pursuant to this Section 12 to be timely, such notification must be delivered within the periods set forth above with respect to the originally scheduled meeting.

 

(5)                Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 12; provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any references in these By-Laws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 12 (including paragraphs (A)(1)(d) and (B) hereof), and compliance with paragraphs (A)(1)(d) and (B) of this Section 12 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business. Nothing in this Section 12 shall apply to the right, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for as long as the Investor Rights Agreement (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) remains in effect with respect to the Stockholder Parties (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), the Stockholder Parties (to the extent then subject to the Investor Rights Agreement) shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in paragraphs (A)(2), (A)(3) or (B) of this Section 12 with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders to the extent necessary to effect the transactions and rights set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

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Article II.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1.          The Board shall consist, subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, of such number of directors as shall from time to time be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by the Board. Directors shall (except as hereinafter provided for the filling of vacancies and newly created directorships and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Certificate of Incorporation) be elected by the holders of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of such directors in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, as applicable. A majority of the total number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise provided by law, these By-Laws, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by the Investor Rights Agreement, the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. Directors need not be stockholders.

 

Section 2.          Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, unless otherwise required by the DGCL or Article II, Section 4 of these By-Laws, any newly created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, removal, retirement, disqualification or otherwise) shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, by any authorized committee of the Board or by a sole remaining director.

 

Section 3.          Meetings of the Board shall be held at such place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board or as may be specified in the notice of any meeting. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board and special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or by a majority of the total number of directors then in office, by written notice, including facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission, duly served on or sent and delivered to each director in accordance with Article X, Section 2. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Article X, Section 2, to each director (i) at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two (2) days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five (5) days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purposes thereof. A meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders at the same place, if any, at which such meeting is held. Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board held at times fixed by resolution of the Board. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any director who shall attend such meeting (except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened), or who shall waive notice thereof, before or after such meeting, in writing (including by electronic transmission).

 

Section 4.          Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal, and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) applicable thereto. The number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the total number of directors fixed by the Board pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the terms of such series, the number of directors that may be so elected by the holders of any such series of stock shall be elected for terms expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and vacancies among directors so elected by the separate vote of the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors elected by such series, or, if there are no such remaining directors, by the holders of such series in the same manner in which such series initially elected a director.

 

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Section 5.          The Board may from time to time establish one or more committees of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board, which shall be comprised of such members of the Board, subject to the Investor Rights Agreement, and have such duties as the Board shall from time to time determine. Any director may belong to any number of committees of the Board. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, the Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member, subject to the Investor Rights Agreement. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Investor Rights Agreement, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws or the resolution of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and may delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

 

Section 6.          Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing (including by electronic transmission), and the writing or writings (including any electronic transmission or transmissions) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.

 

Section 7.          The members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this subsection shall constitute presence in person at such a meeting.

 

Section 8.          The Board may establish policies for the compensation of directors and for the reimbursement of the expenses of directors, in each case, in connection with services provided by directors to the Corporation.

 

Article III.
OFFICERS

 

Section 1.          The Board shall elect officers of the Corporation, including a Chief Executive Officer, a President and a Secretary. The Board may also from time to time elect such other officers as it may deem proper or may delegate to any elected officer of the Corporation the power to appoint and remove any such other officers and to prescribe their respective terms of office, authorities and duties. Any Vice President may be designated Executive, Senior or Corporate, or may be given such other designation or combination of designations as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may determine. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. The Board may also elect or appoint a Chairman of the Board, who may or may not also be an officer of the Corporation. The Board may elect or appoint co-Chairmen of the Board, co-Presidents or co-Chief Executive Officers and, in such case, references in these By-Laws to the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Chief Executive Officer shall refer to either such co-Chairman of the Board, co-President or co-Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be.

 

Section 2.          All officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall hold office for such terms as may be determined by the Board or, except with respect to his or her own office, the Chief Executive Officer, or until their respective successors are chosen and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time either with or without cause by the Board, or, in the case of appointed officers, by the Chief Executive Officer or any elected officer upon whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the Board.

 

Section 3.          Each of the officers of the Corporation elected by the Board or appointed by an officer in accordance with these By-Laws shall have the powers and duties prescribed by law, by these By-Laws or by the Board and, in the case of appointed officers, the powers and duties prescribed by the appointing officer, and, unless otherwise prescribed by these By-Laws or by the Board or such appointing officer, shall have such further powers and duties as ordinarily pertain to that office.

 

Section 4.          Unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws, in the absence or disability of any officer of the Corporation, the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may, during such period, delegate such officer’s powers and duties to any other officer or to any director and the person to whom such powers and duties are delegated shall, for the time being, hold such office.

 

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Article IV.
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

 

Section 1.          Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative or any other type whatsoever (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; except as provided in Section 3 of this Article IV with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such indemnitee, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 2.          In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 1 of this Article IV, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in appearing at, participating in or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article IV (which shall be governed by Section 3 of this Article IV) (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if (x) the DGCL requires or (y) in the case of an advance made in a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made solely upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined after final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article IV or otherwise.

 

Section 3.          If a claim under Section 1 or 2 of this Article IV is not paid in full by the Corporation within (i) sixty (60) days after a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Corporation or (ii) twenty (20) days after a claim for an advancement of expenses has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if the indemnitee is successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense of the Corporation that, and (ii) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article IV or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

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Section 4.           

 

(A)               The provision of indemnification to or the advancement of expenses and costs to any indemnitee under this Article IV, or the entitlement of any indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs under this Article IV, shall not limit or restrict in any way the power of the Corporation to indemnify or advance expenses and costs to such indemnitee in any other way permitted by law or be deemed exclusive of, or invalidate, any right to which any indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs may be entitled under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such indemnitee’s capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Corporation and as to action in any other capacity.

 

(B)               Given that certain jointly indemnifiable claims (as defined below) may arise due to the service of the indemnitee as a director and/or officer of the Corporation or as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of the indemnitee-related entities (as defined below), the Corporation shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses in connection with any such jointly indemnifiable claims, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Article IV, irrespective of any right of recovery the indemnitee may have from the indemnitee-related entities. Under no circumstance shall the Corporation be entitled to any right of subrogation against or contribution by the indemnitee-related entities and no right of advancement, indemnification or recovery the indemnitee may have from the indemnitee-related entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the indemnitee or the obligations of the Corporation under this Article IV. In the event that any of the indemnitee-related entities shall make any payment to the indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any jointly indemnifiable claim, the indemnitee-related entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee against the Corporation, and the indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the indemnitee-related entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the indemnitee-related entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 4(B) of Article IV, entitled to enforce this Section 4(B) of Article IV.

 

For purposes of this Section 4(B) of Article IV, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(1)                The term “indemnitee-related entities” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (other than the Corporation or any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for which the indemnitee has agreed, on behalf of the Corporation or at the Corporation’s request, to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent and which service is covered by the indemnity described herein) from whom an indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Corporation may also have an indemnification or advancement obligation.

 

(2)                The term “jointly indemnifiable claims” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding for which the indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses from both the indemnitee-related entities and the Corporation pursuant to applicable law, any agreement, certificate of incorporation, by-laws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or comparable organizational documents of the Corporation or the indemnitee-related entities, as applicable.

 

Section 5.          The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article IV shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article IV that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

 

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Section 6.          The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 7.          The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article IV with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

Article V.
CORPORATE BOOKS

 

The books of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

Article VI.
CHECKS, NOTES, PROXIES, ETC.

 

All checks and drafts on the Corporation’s bank accounts and all bills of exchange and promissory notes, and all acceptances, obligations and other instruments for the payment of money, shall be signed by such officer or officers or agent or agents as shall be authorized from time to time by the Board or such officer or officers who may be delegated such authority. Proxies to vote and consents with respect to securities of other corporations or other entities owned by or standing in the name of the Corporation may be executed and delivered from time to time on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or by such officers as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or the Board may from time to time determine.

 

Article VII.
SHARES AND OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

 

Section 1.          Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

Section 2.          Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation, which authorized officers shall include, without limitation, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

Section 3.          Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(A)               If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

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(B)               If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

Section 4.          Transfer of Stock.

 

(A)               Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made only upon the books administered by or on behalf of the Corporation and only upon proper transfer instructions, including by Electronic Transmission, pursuant to the direction of the registered holder thereof, such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, or from an individual presenting proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer the shares of stock; or, in the case of stock represented by certificate(s) upon delivery of a properly endorsed certificate(s) for a like number of shares or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power.

 

(B)               The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

Section 5.          Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

Section 6.          Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

Article VIII.
FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the Sunday that is closest to December 31, unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board.

 

Article IX.
CORPORATE SEAL

 

The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation. In lieu of the corporate seal, when so authorized by the Board or a duly empowered committee thereof, a facsimile thereof may be impressed or affixed or reproduced.

 

Article X.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 1.          Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of any meeting need not be given to any person who shall attend such meeting (except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened), or who shall waive notice thereof, before or after such meeting, in writing (including by electronic transmission).

 

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Section 2.          Means of Giving Notice. Except as otherwise set forth in any applicable law or any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, notice of any meeting shall be given by the following means:

 

(A)               Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

 

(B)               Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

(C)               Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(D)               Exceptions to Notice Requirements.

 

(1)                Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

(2)                Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, to any stockholder to whom (x) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (y) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230 (b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (x) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

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Section 3.          Section headings in these By-Laws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

 

Section 4.          In the event that any provision of these By-Laws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the provision of these By-laws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

 

Article XI.
AMENDMENTS

 

These By-Laws may be made, amended, altered, changed, added to or repealed as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

UTZ BRANDS HOLDINGS, LLC

 

DATED AS OF AUGUST 28, 2020

 

THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS IN UTZ BRANDS HOLDINGS, LLC HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, AND HAVE BEEN OR ARE BEING ISSUED IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH INTERESTS MUST BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS; (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT; AND (III) ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BETWEEN THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS, THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT, AND ANY OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE MANAGING MEMBER AND THE APPLICABLE MEMBER. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS AND OTHER TRANSFEREES OF SUCH LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT OR ACQUISITION FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

     

 

 

Table of Contents
     
    Page
     
Article I DEFINITIONS 2
Section 1.1 Definitions 2
Section 1.2 Interpretive Provisions 19
     
Article II ORGANIZATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 20
Section 2.1 Formation 20
Section 2.2 Filing 20
Section 2.3 Name 20
Section 2.4 Registered Office: Registered Agent 20
Section 2.5 Principal Place of Business 21
Section 2.6 Purpose; Powers 21
Section 2.7 Term 21
Section 2.8 Intent 21
     
Article III CLOSING TRANSACTIONS 21
Section 3.1 Recapitalization 21
Section 3.2 Business Combination Agreement Transactions 22
     
Article IV OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS 22
Section 4.1 Authorized Units; General Provisions with Respect to Units 22
Section 4.2 Capital Contributions 27
Section 4.3 Issuance of Additional Units 27
Section 4.4 Capital Accounts 28
Section 4.5 Other Matters Regarding Capital Contributions 28
Section 4.6 Exchange of Common Units 29
Section 4.7 Representations and Warranties of the Members 34
     
Article V ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES 35
Section 5.1 Profits and Losses 35
Section 5.2 Special Allocations 36
Section 5.3 Allocations for Tax Purposes in General 38
Section 5.4 Other Allocation Rules 39
Section 5.5 Restricted Common Units 40
     
Article VI DISTRIBUTIONS 41
Section 6.1 Distributions 41
Section 6.2 Tax-Related Distributions 42
Section 6.3 Distribution Upon Withdrawal 43
     
Article VII MANAGEMENT 43
Section 7.1 Managing Member Rights; Member and Officer Duties 43
Section 7.2 Role of Officers 44
Section 7.3 Warranted Reliance by Officers on Others 45
Section 7.4 Indemnification 45

 

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Table of Contents (cont’d)
     
    Page
     
Section 7.5 Resignation or Termination of Managing Member 47
Section 7.6 Reclassification Events of PubCo 48
Section 7.7 Transactions between Company and Managing Member 48
Section 7.8 Certain Costs and Expenses 48
     
Article VIII ROLE OF MEMBERS 49
Section 8.1 Rights or Powers 49
Section 8.2 Various Capacities 49
Section 8.3 Investment Opportunities 49
     
Article IX TRANSFERS OF UNITS 50
Section 9.1 Restrictions on Transfer 50
Section 9.2 Notice of Transfer 51
Section 9.3 Transferee Members 52
Section 9.4 Legend 52
     
Article X ACCOUNTING 53
Section 10.1 Books of Account 53
Section 10.2 Tax Elections 53
Section 10.3 Tax Returns; Information 53
Section 10.4 Company Representative 54
Section 10.5 Withholding Tax Payments and Obligations 58
     
Article XI DISSOLUTION 58
Section 11.1 Liquidating Events 58
Section 11.2 Bankruptcy 59
Section 11.3 Procedure 60
Section 11.4 Rights of Members 61
Section 11.5 Notices of Dissolution 61
Section 11.6 Reasonable Time for Winding Up 61
Section 11.7 No Deficit Restoration 61
     
Article XII GENERAL 61
Section 12.1 Amendments; Waivers 61
Section 12.2 Further Assurances 62
Section 12.3 Successors and Assigns 62
Section 12.4 Entire Agreement 62
Section 12.5 Rights of Members Independent 63
Section 12.6 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction 63
Section 12.7 Headings 63
Section 12.8 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery 64
Section 12.9 Notices 64
Section 12.10 Representation by Counsel; Interpretation 65
Section 12.11 Severability 65
Section 12.12 Expenses 65
Section 12.13 No Third Party Beneficiaries 65

 

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Table of Contents (cont’d)
     
    Page
     
Section 12.14 Confidentiality 66
Section 12.15 No Recourse 66
     
Exhibits  
     
Exhibit A: Capitalization  
Exhibit B: Exchange Notice  
Exhibit C: Officers  
Exhibit D: Distribution Policy  
Exhibit E: Joinder  

 

  iii  

 

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

UTZ BRANDS HOLDINGS, LLC

 

This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with this LLC Agreement, this “LLC Agreement”) of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (f/k/a UM-U Intermediate, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), is entered into as of August 28, 2020, by and among Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), as a Member and the Managing Member as of the date hereof, Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series U”), Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series R”, and together with Series U, the “Continuing Members”) and each other Person who is or at any time becomes a Member in accordance with the terms of this LLC Agreement and the Act. Capitalized terms used in this LLC Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth in Section 1.1.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed pursuant to a Certificate of Formation filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 14, 2016, and was originally governed by the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of September 19, 2016 (the “Initial LLC Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Continuing Members entered into the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, effective as of December 30, 2019 (the “Restructuring LLC Agreement”), which amended and restated the Initial LLC Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Continuing Members entered into the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, effective as of December 31, 2019 (the “Existing LLC Agreement”), which amended and restated the Restructuring LLC Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, immediately prior to giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the Company was wholly owned by the Continuing Members;

 

WHEREAS, on June 5, 2020, the Company, PubCo, and the Continuing Members entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, as of the Effective Time, PubCo will acquire the Acquired Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and the Acquired Restricted Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement) in exchange for the consideration described in the Business Combination Agreement, in each case representing Common Units and Restricted Common Units, respectively;

 

     

 

 

WHEREAS, the Members desire to amend and restate the Existing LLC Agreement in its entirety as of the Effective Time to reflect: (a) the recapitalization of the Company to convert the Pre-Closing Units held by the Continuing Members into Common Units and Restricted Common Units in such amounts as set forth in this LLC Agreement (the “Recapitalization”), (b) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), including the admission of PubCo as a Member in connection with the issuance by the Company to PubCo of Common Units and Restricted Common Units representing the Issued Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), the receipt by PubCo of Common Units and Restricted Common Units representing the Exchanged Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement) and the receipt by PubCo of Common Units and Restricted Common Units representing the Assigned Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), (c) PubCo’s designation as the sole Managing Member of the Company, and (d) the rights and obligations of the Members and other terms and provisions, in each case as set forth in this LLC Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, following the Effective Time, each Common Unit (other than any Common Unit held by PubCo and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) may be exchanged, at the election of the holder of such Common Unit (together with the surrender and delivery by such holder of one (1) share of Class V Common Stock of PubCo), for one (1) share of Class A Common Stock of PubCo, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of this LLC Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this LLC Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1            Definitions. As used in this LLC Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits attached to this LLC Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

 

Act” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq.

 

Action” means any action, suit, charge, litigation, arbitration, notice of violation or citation received, or other proceeding at law or in equity (whether civil, criminal or administrative) by or before any Governmental Entity.

 

Adjusted Basis” has the meaning given to such term in Section 1011 of the Code.

 

Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account at the end of any Taxable Year or other taxable period, with the following adjustments:

 

(a)            credit to such Capital Account any amount that such Member is obligated to restore under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c), as well as any addition thereto pursuant to the next to last sentences of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) after taking into account thereunder any changes during such year in Company Minimum Gain and Member Minimum Gain; and

 

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(b)            debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6).

 

This definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

Advancement of Expenses” is defined in Section 7.4(b).

 

Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise. For purposes of this LLC Agreement, no Member shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any other Member.

 

Appraiser FMV” means the fair market value of any Equity Security as determined by an independent appraiser mutually agreed upon by the Managing Member and the relevant Transferor, whose determination shall be final and binding for those purposes for which Appraiser FMV is used in this LLC Agreement. Appraiser FMV shall be the fair market value determined without regard to any discounts for minority interest, illiquidity or other discounts. The cost of any independent appraisal in connection with the determination of Appraiser FMV in accordance with this LLC Agreement shall be borne by the Company.

 

Assumed Rate” means the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate (including, if applicable, under Section 1411 of the Code) applicable to an individual resident in Pennsylvania (or if the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate applicable to a U.S. corporation is higher, such combined corporate income tax rate), in each case taking into account all jurisdictions in which the Company is required to file income tax returns and the relevant apportionment information, in effect for the applicable Taxable Year, taking into account (a) the character of any income, gains, deductions, losses or credits, the deductibility of state income taxes (provided, that, for administrative convenience, it shall be assumed that no portion of any state or local taxes shall be deductible for so long as the limitation set forth in Section 164(b)(6)(B) of the Code as of the date hereof remains applicable), and (b) deductions under Code Section 199A, as applicable. The Assumed Rate shall be the same for all Members regardless of the actual combined income tax rate of the Member or its direct or indirect owners.

 

Audit” is defined in Section 10.4(b).

 

BBA Rules” means Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code (Sections 6221 et seq.) as amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, and any Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder, and any similar state or local legislation, regulations or guidance.

 

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beneficially own” and “beneficial owner” shall be as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

Board” means the board of directors of PubCo, as constituted at any given time.

 

Business Combination Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this LLC Agreement.

 

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in the State of New York.

 

Business Opportunities Exempt Party” is defined in Section 8.3.

 

Capital Account” means, with respect to any Member, the capital account maintained for such Member in accordance with Section 4.4. The initial Capital Account of each Member as of the Effective Time (the “Closing Date Capital Account Balance”) is set forth next to such Member’s name on Exhibit A hereto.

 

Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of cash and the Fair Market Value of any property (other than cash) contributed to the Company by such Member, net of any liabilities assumed by the Company for such Member in connection with such contribution, as set forth from time to time in the books and records of the Company. Any reference to the Capital Contribution of a Member will include any Capital Contributions made by a predecessor holder of such Member’s Units to the extent that such Capital Contribution was made in respect of Units Transferred to such Member. As of the Effective Time, each Member shall be deemed to have made Capital Contributions equal to the Closing Date Capital Account Balance of such Member set forth next to such Member’s name on Exhibit A hereto.

 

Cash Available for Tax Distributions” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

 

Cash Exchange Class A 5-Day VWAP” means the arithmetic average of the VWAP for each of the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the Exchange Notice Date.

 

Cash Exchange Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(a)(ii).

 

Cash Exchange Payment” means with respect to a particular Exchange for which PubCo has elected to make a Cash Exchange Payment in accordance with Section 4.6(a)(ii):

 

(i) if the Class A Common Stock trades on a National Securities Exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, an amount of cash equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would have been received by the Exchanging Member in the Exchange for that portion of the Common Units subject to the Exchange set forth in the Cash Exchange Notice if PubCo had paid the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to such number of Common Units, and (y) the Cash Exchange Class A 5-Day VWAP; or

 

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(ii) if the Class A Common Stock is not then traded on a National Securities Exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, as applicable, an amount of cash equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that would have been received by the Exchanging Member in the Exchange for that portion of the Common Units subject to the Exchange set forth in the Cash Exchange Notice if PubCo had paid the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to such number of Common Units, for which PubCo has elected to make a Cash Exchange Payment and (y) the Appraiser FMV of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock that would be obtained in an arms-length transaction between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, neither of whom is under any compulsion to buy or sell, respectively, and without regard to the particular circumstances of the buyer or seller.

 

Certificate Delivery” means, in the case of any shares of Class V Common Stock to be transferred and surrendered by an Exchanging Member in connection with an Exchange which are represented by a certificate or certificates, the process by which the Exchanging Member shall also present and surrender such certificate or certificates representing such shares of Class V Common Stock during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of PubCo, or if any agent for the registration or transfer of shares of Class V Common Stock is then duly appointed and acting, at the office of such transfer agent, along with any instruments of transfer reasonably required by the Managing Member or such transfer agent, as applicable, duly executed by the Exchanging Member or the Exchanging Member’s duly authorized representative.

 

Change of Control” means the occurrence of any transaction or series of related transactions in which: (a) any Person or any group of Persons (other than PubCo) acting together that would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of PubCo or the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of PubCo’s or the Company’s, as applicable, then outstanding voting securities (excluding a transaction or series of related transactions described in clause (b) that would not constitute a Change of Control), (b) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of PubCo or the Company with any other Person, and, immediately after the consummation of such merger or consolidation, the outstanding voting securities of PubCo or the Company, as applicable, immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not continue to represent or are not converted into more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Person resulting from such merger or consolidation or, if PubCo or the Company, as applicable (or its successor) is a Subsidiary of such Person, the ultimate parent thereof, or (c) there is consummated an agreement or series of related agreements for the sale or transfer, directly or indirectly, by PubCo of all or substantially all of PubCo’s assets (including the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of (i) the consummation of any transaction or series of related transactions immediately following which the record holders of the shares of PubCo immediately prior to such transaction or series of related transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in, and voting control over, and own substantially all of the shares of, an entity which owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the assets of PubCo immediately following such transaction or series of related transactions or (ii) any acquisition or disposition of any securities of PubCo by the Continuing Members or any of their Permitted Transferees; provided that any such acquisition does not violate Section 2.1(a) of the Standstill Agreement.

 

Class A 3-Day VWAP” means, on any relevant measurement date, the VWAP for three (3) consecutive Trading Days ending on such date (calculated as a single period).

 

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Class A Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person that become payable in consideration for the Class A Common Stock or into which the Class A Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

Class B Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person that become payable in consideration for the Class B Common Stock or into which the Class B Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

Class V Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class V Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person that become payable in consideration for the Class V Common Stock or into which the Class V Common Stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

Closing Date Capital Account Balance” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Capital Account.

 

COC Exchange” is defined in Section 4.6(a)(iv).

 

COC Exchange Date” is defined in Section 4.6(a)(iv).

 

COC Notice” is defined in Section 4.6(a)(iv).

 

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including any Governmental Entity succeeding to the functions thereof.

 

Common Units” means the common units of limited liability company interests issued under this LLC Agreement, including by way of dividend or other distribution, split, recapitalization, merger, rollup transaction, consolidation, conversion or reorganization, but shall exclude any Restricted Common Units prior to their conversion into Common Units upon the occurrence of an applicable Vesting Event.

 

Company” is defined in the preamble to this LLC Agreement.

 

Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning of “partnership minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

 

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Company Representative” shall mean the Person designated under this LLC Agreement in its capacity as the “partnership representative” (as such term is defined under the BBA Rules and any analogous provision of state or local tax Law) of the Company and as the “tax matters partner” (to the extent applicable for state and local tax purposes and for U.S. federal income tax purposes for Taxable Years beginning on or before December 31, 2017) of the Company, including, as the context requires, any “designated individual” through whom the Company Representative is permitted by applicable Law to act in accordance with the terms hereof, which Person shall be, as of the Effective Time, PubCo.

 

Confidential Information” means any and all confidential or proprietary information obtained by a Member from the Company or any of its Affiliates directly or indirectly, including from their representatives, which information includes ideas, financial information, products, services, business strategies, innovations, recipes and materials, all aspects of the Company’s business plan, proposed operation and products, corporate structure, board minutes and materials, financial and organizational information, analyses, proposed partners, software code and system and product designs, employees and their identities, equity ownership, the methods and means by which the Company plans to conduct its business, all trade secrets, trademarks, tradenames and all intellectual property associated with the Company’s business. With respect to any Member, Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is in the possession of such Member on a non-confidential basis at the time of disclosure by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates; (b) before or after it has been disclosed to such Member by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates, becomes part of public knowledge, not as a result of any action or inaction of such Member (other than PubCo) in violation of this LLC Agreement; (c) is approved for release by written authorization of the Board; (d) is disclosed to such Member or its representatives by a third party not, to the knowledge of such Member or such representative, respectively, in violation of any obligation of confidentiality owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to such information; or (e) is or becomes independently developed by such Member or its representatives without use or reference to the Confidential Information.

 

Continuing Member COC” means a Change of Control in which the acquiring Person or Persons in the relevant transaction or series of related transactions are not (a) a Continuing Member, (b) a member of the Rice Family, or (c) an Affiliate of a Continuing Member or a member of the Rice Family.

 

Continuing Members” is defined in the preamble to this LLC Agreement.

 

Continuing Member Representative” means Series U.

 

Conversion Date” means, with respect to any Restricted Common Unit, the date on which a Vesting Event occurs for such Restricted Common Unit or such later date as determined pursuant to Section 4.1(d).

 

Debt Securities” means, with respect to PubCo, any and all debt instruments or debt securities that are not convertible or exchangeable into Equity Securities of PubCo.

 

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Depreciation” means, for each Taxable Year or other taxable period, an amount equal to the depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to an asset for such Taxable Year or other taxable period, except that (a) with respect to any such property the Gross Asset Value of which differs from its Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes and which difference is being eliminated by use of the “remedial method” pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d), Depreciation for such Taxable Year or other taxable period shall be the amount of book basis recovered for such Taxable Year or other taxable period under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(d)(2), and (b) with respect to any other such property the Gross Asset Value of which differs from its Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such Taxable Year or other taxable period, Depreciation shall be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery deduction for such Taxable Year or other taxable period bears to such beginning Adjusted Basis; provided, however, that if the Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an asset at the beginning of such Taxable Year or other taxable period is zero, Depreciation with respect to such asset shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Managing Member.

 

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Disinterested Majority” means a majority of the directors of the Board who are disinterested as determined by the Board in accordance with the DGCL with respect to the matter being considered by the Board; provided that to the extent a matter being considered by the Board is required to be considered by disinterested directors under the rules of the National Securities Exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, such rules with respect to the definition of disinterested director shall apply solely with respect to such matter.

 

Distribution Catch-Up Payment” is defined in Section 6.1(a).

 

Distribution Catch-Up Period” means, with respect to any Restricted Common Unit, the period beginning at the Effective Time and ending on the Conversion Date with respect to such Restricted Common Unit.

 

Distribution Policy” is defined in Section 6.1(a).

 

Effective Time” means the time of the “Closing” as defined in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock or preferred interests or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares or equity (or such other interests), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights, profit participation and all of the other ownership or profit interests of such Person (including partnership or member interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974.

 

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Exchange” means (a) the exchange by the Company of Common Units held by a Member (together with the surrender and cancellation of the same number of outstanding shares of Class V Common Stock held by such Member) for either (i) a Stock Exchange Payment or (ii) a Cash Exchange Payment or (b) the direct purchase by PubCo of Common Units and shares of Class V Common Stock held by a Member in accordance with a PubCo Call Right, in each case in accordance with Section 4.6.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Exchange Blackout Period” means the period of time commencing on (x) the date of payment of a distribution by the Company to PubCo (or the record date for such distribution, if earlier than the date of payment of such distribution) (such date, the “Start Date”) for the first distribution under Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 after the date of this LLC Agreement and thereafter for each first distribution under Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 following the end of each immediately preceding Exchange Blackout Period (in respect of the four (4) distribution dates in a calendar year set forth in the Distribution Policy) and ending on (but including) (y) the PubCo Record Date for the PubCo dividend immediately following such distribution; provided that in no event shall such period of time exceed twenty (20) calendar days following the Start Date. For the avoidance of doubt, no more than four (4) Exchange Blackout Periods can begin in any calendar year.

 

Exchange Conditions” means any of the following conditions: (a) any Registration Statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A Common Stock to be registered for such Exchanging Member at or immediately following the consummation of the Exchange shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the Commission or no such resale Registration Statement has yet become effective, (b) PubCo shall have failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such Exchange, (c) PubCo shall have exercised its right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a Registration Statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Exchanging Member to have its Class A Common Stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the Exchange, (d) any stop order relating to the Registration Statement pursuant to which the Class A Common Stock was to be registered by such Exchanging Member at or immediately following the Exchange shall have been issued by the Commission, (e) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any Governmental Entity that restrains or prohibits the Exchange, or (f) PubCo shall have failed to comply in all material respects with its obligations under the Investor Rights Agreement to the extent related to the resale of the Class A Common Stock of an Exchanging Member, and such failure shall have adversely affected the ability of such Exchanging Member to consummate the resale of Class A Common Stock to be received upon such Exchange pursuant to an effective Registration Statement.

 

Exchange Date” means the date that is five (5) Business Days after the Exchange Notice Date is given; provided, that if an Exchanging Member delays the consummation of an Exchange by delivering an Exchange Delay Notice, the Exchange Date shall occur on the date that is three (3) Business Days following the date on which the conditions giving rise to such delay cease to exist which shall in no event be prior to the date otherwise determined pursuant to this definition (or such earlier day as the Managing Member and such Exchanging Member may agree in writing); provided, further, that if the Exchange Date for any Exchange with respect to which PubCo elects to make a Stock Exchange Payment would otherwise fall within any Exchange Blackout Period, then the Exchange Date shall occur on the next Business Day following the end of such Exchange Blackout Period; provided further, that to the extent an Exchange is made in connection with an Exchanging Member’s proper exercise of its rights to participate in a Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Investor Rights Agreement, the Exchange Date shall be the date on which the offering with respect to such Piggyback Registration is completed.

 

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Exchange Delay Notice” is defined in Section 4.6(a)(iii).

 

Exchange Notice” means a written election of Exchange in the form of Exhibit B, duly executed by the Exchanging Member.

 

Exchange Notice Date” means, with respect to any Exchange Notice, the date such Exchange Notice is given to the Company in accordance with Section 12.9.

 

Exchanging Member” means any Member holding Common Units (other than PubCo and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries) whose Common Units are subject to an Exchange.

 

Exchanged Units” means, with respect to any Exchange, the Common Units being exchanged pursuant to a relevant Exchange Notice, and an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock held by the relevant Exchanging Member; provided, that, such amount of Common Units shall in no event be less than the Minimum Exchange Amount.

 

Existing LLC Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this LLC Agreement.

 

Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of any property as determined in good faith by the Managing Member after taking into account such factors as the Managing Member shall reasonably deem appropriate.

 

Family Member” means with respect to any Person, a spouse, lineal descendant (whether natural or adopted) or spouse of a lineal descendant of such Person or any trust created for the benefit of such Person or of which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary.

 

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company, which shall end on the Sunday that is closest to December 31, unless the fiscal year is otherwise modified by the Managing Member.

 

Final Adjudication” is defined in Section 7.4(b).

 

First Tier Vesting Event” means the first day on which the Class A 3-Day VWAP is equal to at least $12.50; provided, however, that the reference to $12.50 shall be decreased by the aggregate per share amount of dividends actually paid in respect of a share of Class A Common Stock following the Effective Time.

 

Foundation” means The Rice Family Foundation.

 

Foundation Transfer” is defined in Section 9.1(b).

 

Foundation Transfer Amount” is defined in Section 9.1(b).

 

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Full Vesting Event” means (a) with respect to one hundred percent (100%) of each Continuing Member’s Restricted Common Units, the occurrence of a Continuing Member COC, (b) with respect to one hundred percent (100%) of PubCo’s Restricted Common Units, the occurrence of a Sponsor COC, or (c) with respect to all Restricted Common Units, a Liquidating Event pursuant to which each Common Unit would be entitled to an amount exceeding that required for a Second Tier Vesting Event (taking into account the conversion of the Restricted Common Units to Common Units and the payment of the then unpaid Distribution Catch-Up Amount with respect to such Common Units). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this LLC Agreement, a Full Vesting Event under clauses (a) and (b) can occur with respect to the same Change of Control.

 

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles at the time.

 

Governmental Entity” means any nation or government, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any court, arbitrator (public or private) or other body or administrative, regulatory or quasi-judicial authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction.

 

Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s Adjusted Basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except as follows:

 

(a)            the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be the gross Fair Market Value of such asset as of the date of such contribution;

 

(b)            the Gross Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross Fair Market Values (taking into account Section 7701(g) of the Code) in accordance with the rules set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement, as of the following times: (i) the acquisition of a Unit (or additional Units) by any new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution to the Company; (ii) the grant of a Unit (other than a de minimis interest in the Company) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit of the Company by an existing Member acting in a member capacity, or by a new Member acting in a member capacity or in anticipation of becoming a Member of the Company (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)); (iii) the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company assets; (iv) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)(1)); (v) the acquisition of a Unit by any new or existing Member upon the exercise of a noncompensatory option in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); (vi) the conversion of any Restricted Common Units into Common Units upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); or (vii) any other event to the extent determined by the Managing Member to be permitted and necessary or appropriate to properly reflect Gross Asset Values in accordance with the standards set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g); provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) above shall be made only if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustments are necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company. If any noncompensatory options or Restricted Common Units are outstanding upon the occurrence of an event described in this paragraph (b)(i) through (b)(vii) (other than, if applicable, the noncompensatory options being exercised or the Restricted Common Units being converted that give rise to the occurrence of such event), the Company shall adjust the Gross Asset Values of its properties in accordance with, or, in the case of outstanding Restricted Common Units, in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in, Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2);

 

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(c)           the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any Member shall be adjusted to equal the gross Fair Market Value of such asset on the date of such distribution;

 

(d)           the Gross Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the Adjusted Basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) and clause (f) in the definition of “Profits” or “Losses” below or Section 5.2(h); provided, however, that the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset shall not be adjusted pursuant to this clause to the extent the Managing Member determines that an adjustment pursuant to clause (b) of this definition is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this clause (d); and

 

(e)            if the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to clauses (a), (b) or (d) of this definition of Gross Asset Value, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Profits, Losses and other items allocated pursuant to Article V.

 

HSR Act” is defined in Section 4.1(d).

 

Imputed Tax Underpayments” is defined in Section 10.4(c).

 

Indebtedness” means (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) all indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture, mortgage or other debt instrument or debt security, and (c) all capitalized lease obligations or obligations required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

 

Indemnifiable Losses” is defined in Section 7.4(a).

 

Indemnitee” is defined in Section 7.4(a).

 

Initial LLC Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this LLC Agreement.

 

Investor Rights Agreement” means the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among PubCo, the Continuing Members and the other parties thereto (together with any other parties that become a party thereto from time to time upon execution of a joinder in accordance with the terms thereof by any successor or assign to any party to such Agreement).

 

IRS” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

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Law” means all laws, acts, statutes, constitutions, treaties, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and rulings of a Governmental Entity, including common law. All references to “Laws” shall be deemed to include any amendments thereto, and any successor Law, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Liability” means any debt, liability or obligation, whether accrued or fixed, known or unknown, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable.

 

Liquid Securities” is defined in Section 4.6(a)(iv).

 

Liquidating Event” is defined in Section 11.1.

 

Liquidity Limitations” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

 

LLC Agreement” is defined in the preamble to this LLC Agreement.

 

Managing Member” means PubCo, in its capacity as the sole managing Member of the Company.

 

Member” means any Person that executes this LLC Agreement as a Member (including the Managing Member), and any other Person admitted to the Company as an additional or substituted Member, that has not made a disposition of all of such Person’s Units.

 

Member Minimum Gain” has the meaning ascribed to “partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). It is further understood that the determination of Member Minimum Gain and the net increase or decrease in Member Minimum Gain shall be made in the same manner as required for such determination of Company Minimum Gain under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(d) and 1.704-2(g)(3), as set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).

 

Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning of “partner nonrecourse debt” set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning of “partner nonrecourse deductions” set forth in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Minimum Exchange Amount” means a number of Common Units held by an Exchanging Member equal to the lesser of (x) 100,000 Common Units and (y) all of the Common Units then held by the applicable Exchanging Member.

 

National Securities Exchange” means a securities exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6 of the Exchange Act.

 

Non-Party Affiliate” is defined in Section 12.15.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning assigned that term in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(b) and 1.704-2(c).

 

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Nonrecourse Liability” is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(3).

 

Officer” means each Person appointed as an officer of the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.2. The initial Officers are listed on Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

Ordinary Distribution” is defined in Section 6.1(a).

 

Partial Vesting Event” means (a) with respect to fifty percent (50%) of any Member’s Restricted Common Units held as of the date of a First Tier Vesting Event, the First Tier Vesting Event; provided that a First Tier Vesting Event shall not occur more than once; (b) with respect to the remaining fifty percent (50%) of any Member’s Restricted Common Units held as of the date of a First Tier Vesting Event (in each case after giving effect to any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise)), the Second Tier Vesting Event; or (c) if no First Tier Vesting Event has occurred as of the date of a Liquidating Event, then with respect to fifty percent (50%) of each Member’s Restricted Common Units, a Liquidating Event pursuant to which each Common Unit would be entitled to an amount exceeding that required for a First Tier Vesting Event (taking into account the conversion of Restricted Common Units which would be converted to Common Units in the event of a First Tier Vesting Event and the payment of the then unpaid Distribution Catch-Up Amount with respect to such Common Units).

 

Party” and “Parties” means, individually or collectively, each Member and the Company.

 

Permitted Transfer” is defined in Section 9.1(b).

 

Permitted Transferee” means any Member and, (a) with respect to any Member, (i) any Family Member of such Member, (ii) any Affiliate of such Member, and (iii) any Affiliate of any Family Member of such Member (excluding any Affiliate under this clause (iii) who operates or engages in a business which competes with the business of PubCo or the Company), and (b) with respect to any Continuing Member, (i) any member of the Rice Family, and (ii) any Affiliate of a member of the Rice Family (excluding any Affiliate under this clause (ii) who operates or engages in a business which competes with the business of PubCo or the Company), but excluding the Foundation (and the Foundation shall not be a Permitted Transferee of (y) a Continuing Member or (z) a Permitted Transferee of a Continuing Member, but the Foundation shall be entitled to the benefit of the Foundation Transfer).

 

Person” means any natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association, corporation, limited liability company, entity or Governmental Entity.

 

Plan Asset Regulations” means the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

 

Pre-Closing Units” is defined in Section 3.1.

 

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Profits” or “Losses” means, for each Taxable Year or other taxable period, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year or period, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments (without duplication):

 

(a)           any income or gain of the Company that is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses shall be added to such taxable income or loss;

 

(b)           any expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Profits or Losses, shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss;

 

(c)           in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of the definition of Gross Asset Value above, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the Gross Asset Value of the Company asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases the Gross Asset Value of the Company asset) from the disposition of such asset and shall, except to the extent allocated pursuant to Section 5.2, be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses;

 

(d)           gain or loss resulting from any disposition of Company assets with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be computed with reference to the Gross Asset Value of the asset disposed of notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such asset differs from its Gross Asset Value;

 

(e)            in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such period;

 

(f)            to the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Account balances as a result of a distribution other than in liquidation of a Member’s interest in the Company, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or an item of loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) from the disposition of such asset and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Profits or Losses; and

 

(g)           any items of income, gain, loss or deduction which are specifically allocated pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2 shall not be taken into account in computing Profits or Losses for any Taxable Year, but such items available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 5.2 will be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in clauses (a) through (f) above.

 

PubCo” is defined in the preamble to this LLC Agreement.

 

PubCo Call Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6(f).

 

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PubCo Call Right” means PubCo’s election, in accordance with Section 4.6(a)(iv) or Section 4.6(f), to directly purchase Exchanged Units described in an Exchange Notice given by an Exchanging Member.

 

PubCo Common Stock” means all classes of common stock of PubCo, including the Class A Common Stock and the Class V Common Stock.

 

PubCo Record Date” means the record date determined by the Board for the declaration of a dividend payable on the Class A Common Stock.

 

PubCo Warrants” has the meaning given to “Buyer Warrants” in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Push-Out Election” is defined in Section 10.4(b).

 

Recapitalization” is defined in the recitals to this LLC Agreement.

 

Reclassification Event” means any of the following: (a) any reclassification or recapitalization of PubCo Common Stock (other than the Domestication (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or combination or any transaction subject to Section 4.1(h)), (b) any merger, consolidation or other combination involving PubCo or (c) any sale, conveyance, lease, or other disposal of all or substantially all the properties and assets of PubCo to any other Person, in each of clauses (a), (b) or (c), as a result of which holders of PubCo Common Stock shall be entitled to receive cash, securities or other property for their shares of PubCo Common Stock.

 

Registration Statement” means any registration statement that PubCo is required to file pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Regulatory Allocations” is defined in Section 5.2(j).

 

Restricted Common Unit” means the Units which are restricted subject to vesting, with the rights and privileges as set forth in this LLC Agreement.

 

Restructuring LLC Agreement” is defined in the recitals to this LLC Agreement.

 

Rice Family” means Michael W. Rice or any Family Member of Michael W. Rice.

 

Second Tier Vesting Event” means the first day on which the Class A 3-Day VWAP is equal to at least $15.00; provided, however, that the reference to $15.00 shall be decreased by the aggregate per share amount of dividends actually paid in respect of a share of Class A Common Stock following the Effective Time.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Series R” is defined in the preamble to this LLC Agreement.

 

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Series U” is defined in the preamble to this LLC Agreement.

 

Specified Audit” is defined in Section 10.4(d).

 

Sponsor” means Collier Creek Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Sponsor COC” means a Change of Control in which the acquiring Person or Persons in the relevant transaction or series of related transactions are not (a) the Sponsor, (b) the Sponsor Representative, (c) a Sponsor Person, or (d) Affiliates of Sponsor, the Sponsor Representative or a Sponsor Person.

 

Sponsor Person” means each of Chinh E. Chu, Roger Deromedi and Jason Giordano, and any Family Member of Chinh E. Chu, Roger Deromedi or Jason Giordano.

 

Sponsor Representative” means Collier Creek Partners LLC or, after the dissolution of Collier Creek Partners LLC, Jason Giordano, or such other Person, controlled by one or more of Chinh E. Chu, Roger Deromedi or Jason Giordano, who is identified as the replacement Sponsor Representative by the then existing Sponsor Representative giving prior written notice to the Company and the Continuing Members.

 

Standstill Agreement” means the Standstill Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among PubCo, the Continuing Members and the other parties thereto (together with any other parties that become a party thereto from time to time upon execution of a joinder in accordance with the terms thereof).

 

Start Date” is defined in the definition of “Exchange Blackout Period”.

 

Stock Exchange Payment” means, with respect to any Exchange of Common Units for which a Stock Exchange Payment is elected by the Managing Member, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Common Units so exchanged.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power or equity is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such Person, or one (1) or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof.

 

Tax Advances” is defined in Section 10.5(a).

 

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Tax Amount” means, with respect to a Taxable Year commencing after the Effective Time (or, in the case of a Taxable Year that includes the Effective Time, the portion thereof after the Effective Time), the excess, if any, of (a) the product of (i) an amount, if positive, equal to the product of (A) the taxable income of the Company allocable to a Member pursuant to this LLC Agreement (taking into account corrective allocations made pursuant to Section 5.3(e)) with respect to the relevant Taxable Year (or portion thereof) (determined based upon a good faith estimate by the Managing Member and updated to reflect the final Company tax returns filed for such Taxable Year, and, for purposes of this definition, (w) including adjustments to taxable income in respect of Section 704(c) of the Code, (x) excluding adjustments to taxable income in respect of Section 743(b) of the Code, (y) calculated as if allocations of such taxable income were, for such Taxable Year (or portion thereof), the sole source of income and loss for such Member, (or, as appropriate, of its direct or indirect partners or members), and (z) taking into account the carryover of items of loss, deduction and expense, including the utilization of any excess business interest expense under Code Section 163(j), previously allocated to such Member for a Taxable Year (or portion thereof) that begins after the Effective Time to the extent not previously taken into account for purposes of determining the Tax Amount for a Taxable Year (or portion thereof) times (B) one-fourth (1/4) in the case of the first quarter, one-half (1/2) in the case of the second quarter, three-fourths (3/4) in the case of the third quarter, and one (1) in the case of the fourth quarter times (ii) the Assumed Rate with respect to such Taxable Year (or portion thereof), over (b) the amount of distributions previously made to such Member pursuant to Section 6.2 with respect to such Taxable Year (or portion thereof) after the Effective Time. For each Continuing Member that is treated as a partnership for applicable state and/or local income or franchise tax purposes, there shall be added to the amount in clause (a) of this definition, if the information described in clause (2) of this definition below is timely provided, an amount sufficient to enable such Continuing Member to pay its applicable state and local entity-level income and franchise tax liability (without duplication) imposed on entities treated as partnerships for applicable state and/or local income or franchise tax purposes, to the extent arising from allocations of taxable income of the Company for the relevant Taxable Year (or portion thereof after the Effective Time) as a result of such Continuing Member’s ownership of Common Units, calculated (1) using the conventions set forth in clauses (w)-(z) of this definition above and (2) based on information timely provided by such Continuing Member to the Managing Member sufficient for the Managing Member to calculate such amount, assuming the highest effective marginal state and local income and franchise tax rates imposed on an entity treated as a partnership for state or local income or franchise tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction; provided that (I) the aggregate amount described in this sentence shall in no event be greater than $100,000 per Taxable Year in the aggregate for all Continuing Members and (II) the aggregate amount payable under Section 6.2 to all Members solely as a result of the amount added to clause (a) as described in this sentence shall in no event be greater than $400,000 per Taxable Year in the aggregate for all Members, and if such cap in clause (I) or (II) of this sentence is exceeded, the required reduction shall be applied pro rata among the Continuing Members, in the case of clause (I), or all the Members, in the case of clause (II), based on their respective numbers of Common Units.

 

Tax Distribution Date” means April 10, June 10, September 10, and December 10 of each calendar year, which shall be adjusted by the Managing Member as reasonably necessary to take into account changes in estimated tax payment due dates for U.S. federal income taxes under applicable Law (but in no event shall the Managing Member make adjustments such that there are more than four (4) Tax Distribution Dates in any calendar year); provided, however, that if a Tax Distribution Date in a given calendar year is not a Business Day, such Tax Distribution Date shall be the Business Day immediately prior to such date.

 

Tax Distributions” is defined in Section 6.2.

 

Tax Receivable Agreement” means that certain tax receivable agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among PubCo, the Company, and the Continuing Members.

 

Taxable Year” means the Company’s taxable year for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which shall be the Fiscal Year unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

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Trading Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, quoted or admitted to trading and is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).

 

Transfer” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition by the Transferor (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and, when used as a verb, the Transferor voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, transfers, sells, pledges or hypothecates or otherwise disposes of (whether by operation of law or otherwise), in each case with respect to any Units. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Treasury Regulations” means pronouncements, as amended from time to time, or their successor pronouncements, which clarify, interpret and apply the provisions of the Code, and which are designated as “Treasury Regulations” by the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

Undertaking” is defined in Section 7.4(b).

 

Units” means the Common Units, the Restricted Common Units, any other Equity Securities of the Company, and any rights to payments as a holder of any of the foregoing, but excluding any rights under any court-authorized charging order.

 

Vesting Event” means a Partial Vesting Event or a Full Vesting Event.

 

VWAP” means the daily per share volume-weighted average price of the Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, quoted or admitted to trading, as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on the Bloomberg page designated for the Class A Common Stock (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the open of trading on such Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, (a) the per share volume-weighted average price of a share of Class A Common Stock on such Trading Day (determined without regard to afterhours trading or any other trading outside the regular trading session or trading hours), or (b) if such determination is not feasible, the market price per share of Class A Common Stock, in either case as determined by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained in good faith for this purpose by PubCo); provided, however, that if at any time for purposes of the Class A 3-Day VWAP, shares of Class A Common Stock are not then listed, quoted or traded on a principal United States securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then the VWAP shall mean the per share Appraiser FMV of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock (or such other Equity Security into which the Class A Common Stock was converted or exchanged).

 

Section 1.2            Interpretive Provisions. For all purposes of this LLC Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)           the terms defined in Section 1.1 are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms;

 

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(b)           an accounting term not otherwise defined in this LLC Agreement has the meaning assigned to it under GAAP;

 

(c)           all references to currency, monetary values and dollars set forth in this LLC Agreement shall mean United States (U.S.) dollars and all payments under this LLC Agreement shall be made in United States dollars;

 

(d)           when a reference is made in this LLC Agreement to an Article, Section, clause, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference is to an Article, Section or clause of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this LLC Agreement unless otherwise indicated;

 

(e)           whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this LLC Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

 

(f)            “or” is not exclusive;

 

(g)           pronouns of any gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms;

 

(h)           references in this LLC Agreement to any Law shall be deemed also to refer to such Law, any amendments thereto, any successor provisions thereof, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and

 

(i)            the words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this LLC Agreement, refer to this LLC Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this LLC Agreement.

 

Article II
ORGANIZATION OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

 

Section 2.1            Formation. The Company shall continue its existence as a limited liability company subject to the provisions of the Act upon the terms, provisions and conditions set forth in this LLC Agreement.

 

Section 2.2            Filing. The Company’s Certificate of Formation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act. The Members shall execute such further documents (including amendments to such Certificate of Formation) and take such further action as is appropriate to comply with the requirements of Law for the operation of a limited liability company in all states and counties in which the Company may conduct business.

 

Section 2.3            Name. The name of the Company is “Utz Brands Holdings, LLC” and all business of the Company shall be conducted in such name or, in the discretion of the Managing Member, under any other name.

 

Section 2.4            Registered Office: Registered Agent. The location of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 9 E. Loockerman Street, Suite 311, Dover, Kent County, Delaware 19901, or at such other place as the Managing Member may select from time to time. The name and address for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware is Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 9 E. Loockerman Street, Suite 311, Dover, Kent County, Delaware 19901, or such other qualified Person and address as the Managing Member may designate from time to time.

 

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Section 2.5            Principal Place of Business. The principal place of business of the Company shall be located in such place as is determined by the Managing Member from time to time.

 

Section 2.6            Purpose; Powers. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act. The Company shall have the power and authority to take any and all actions and engage in any and all activities necessary, appropriate, desirable, advisable, ancillary or incidental to the accomplishment of the foregoing purpose.

 

Section 2.7            Term. The term of the Company commenced on the date of filing of the Certificate of Formation of the Company with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act and shall continue indefinitely. The Company may be dissolved and its affairs wound up only in accordance with Article XI.

 

Section 2.8            Intent. It is the intent of the Members that the Company be operated in a manner consistent with its treatment as a “partnership” for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income and franchise tax purposes and that the Company be treated as a continuation of Rice Investments, LP for purposes of Code Section 708. The Company and each Member shall file all tax returns and shall otherwise take all tax, financial and other reporting positions in a manner consistent with such treatment. Neither the Company nor any Member shall take any action inconsistent with the intent of the Parties set forth in this Section 2.8. No election (including an entity classification election for the Company) contrary to the intent of the Parties as set forth in this Section 2.8 shall be made by the Company or any Member, and the Company shall not convert into or merge into (with the Company not being the surviving entity in such merger) an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal or applicable state and local income or franchise tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 2.8, this Section 2.8 shall not prevent the Company from entering into or consummating any transaction which constitutes a Change of Control to the extent such transaction is duly authorized by the Managing Member in accordance with this LLC Agreement, subject to (a) the consent rights set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement (if any, applicable to such transaction) and (b) the rights set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement, if any, to the extent applicable to such transaction.

 

Article III
CLOSING TRANSACTIONS

 

Section 3.1            Recapitalization. To effectuate the Recapitalization, upon execution of this LLC Agreement and as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, all Units that were issued and outstanding and held by the Continuing Members immediately prior to the execution of this LLC Agreement (the “Pre-Closing Units”) are hereby converted into Common Units and Restricted Common Units, and such Common Units and Restricted Common Units are hereby issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and the holders of such Common Units and Restricted Common Units hereby continue as Members.

 

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Section 3.2            Business Combination Agreement Transactions. Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement and for the consideration set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, as of the Effective Time and immediately following the Recapitalization, (a) PubCo will acquire the Common Units and Restricted Common Units constituting the Exchanged Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement) as a result of such Continuing Member’s redemption of interests held by PubCo in each Continuing Member, following which (b) the Company will issue to PubCo the Common Units and Restricted Common Units constituting the Issued Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), subject to the Company’s receipt of the Contribution Amount (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), following which (c) PubCo will acquire from the Continuing Members the Common Units and Restricted Common Units constituting the Assigned Company Units (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), subject to the Continuing Members’ receipt of the Net Cash Consideration (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement). As a result of the foregoing transactions, the total number of Common Units and Restricted Common Units held by the Continuing Members and PubCo as of the Effective Time is set forth next to each such Member’s name on Exhibit A hereto under the headings “Effective Time Common Units” and “Effective Time Restricted Common Units”. The number of shares of Class V Common Stock held by each Continuing Member shall equal the number of Common Units held by such Continuing Member.

 

Article IV
OWNERSHIP AND CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS

 

Section 4.1            Authorized Units; General Provisions with Respect to Units.

 

(a)           Units. Subject to the provisions of this LLC Agreement, the Company shall be authorized to issue from time to time such number of Common Units and Equity Securities, as the Managing Member shall determine in accordance with and subject to the restrictions in this Section 4.1 and Section 4.3. Subject to this Section 4.1 and Section 4.3, each authorized Unit may be issued pursuant to such agreements as the Managing Member shall approve, including pursuant to warrants, options, or other rights or property to acquire Units or that may be converted into Units. The Company may reissue any Units that have been repurchased or acquired by the Company; provided that any such issuance, and the admission of any Person as a Member in connection therewith, is otherwise made in accordance with and subject to the restrictions in this LLC Agreement. The Units shall be uncertificated. The Company shall not, and the Managing Member shall not cause the Company to, issue any Units if such issuance would result in the Company having more than 100 partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)); provided that, for such purposes, the Company and the Managing Member shall be entitled to assume that each Continuing Member is treated as a single partner within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

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(b)           Outstanding Units. Each Continuing Member previously was admitted as a Member and shall remain a Member of the Company at the Effective Time. Immediately after the Effective Time, the Units will comprise (i) a single class of Common Units and (ii) a single class of Restricted Common Units. Except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement, each outstanding Common Unit shall be identical, and each outstanding Restricted Common Unit shall be identical. The Managing Member’s interest in its capacity as such shall be a non-economic interest in the Company, which does not entitle the Managing Member, solely in its capacity as such, to any Common Units, Ordinary Distributions or Tax Distributions.

 

(c)           Schedule of Members. The Company shall maintain a schedule, appended hereto as Exhibit A (as updated and amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this LLC Agreement and current as of the date set forth therein), which shall include: (i) the name and address of each Member; (ii) the aggregate number of and type of Units issued and outstanding and held by each Member; and (iii) each Member’s Capital Contributions following the Effective Time.

 

(d)           Restricted Common Units. Each Restricted Common Unit will be held in accordance with this LLC Agreement unless and until an applicable Vesting Event occurs with respect to such Restricted Common Unit. Upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event, on the Conversion Date, those Restricted Common Units to which such Vesting Event relates will be immediately converted into an equal number of Common Units, with all rights and privileges of a Common Unit under this LLC Agreement from and after the Conversion Date. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) upon the occurrence of a First Tier Vesting Event, if ever, 50% of each of the Continuing Members’ and PubCo’s Restricted Common Units issued and outstanding as of the date of such occurrence will vest, become entitled to receive the Distribution Catch-Up Payment with respect to such Restricted Common Units and convert immediately into an equal number of Common Units, (ii) upon the occurrence of a Second Tier Vesting Event, if ever, the remaining 50% of each of the Continuing Members’ and PubCo’s Restricted Common Units issued and outstanding as of the date of the occurrence of a First Tier Vesting Event (after giving effect to any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise)) will vest, become entitled to receive the Distribution Catch-Up Payment with respect to such Restricted Common Units and convert immediately into an equal number of Common Units (such that following the occurrence of a Second Tier Vesting Event no Restricted Common Units remain outstanding), and (iii) upon the occurrence of a Continuing Member COC or Sponsor COC, 100% of each of the Continuing Members’ and/or PubCo’s, as applicable, Restricted Common Units then outstanding, respectively, will vest, become entitled to receive the Distribution Catch-Up Payment with respect to such Restricted Common Units and convert immediately into an equal number of Common Units (such that following the occurrence of a Continuing Member COC, no Continuing Member will hold any Restricted Common Units and following the occurrence of a Sponsor COC, PubCo will not hold any Restricted Common Units). If a First Tier Vesting Event has not occurred at the time of the occurrence of a Second Tier Vesting Event, such First Tier Vesting Event shall also occur upon the occurrence of the Second Tier Vesting Event, such that all of the then outstanding Restricted Common Units shall vest in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this LLC Agreement, if, upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event, a filing is required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (“HSR Act”) for the immediate conversion of any Restricted Common Unit into an equal number of Common Units, then the Conversion Date with respect to all Restricted Common Units which would convert into an equal number of Common Units resulting from such Vesting Event shall be delayed until the earlier of (i) such time as the required filing under the HSR Act has been made and the waiting period applicable to such conversion under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated or (ii) such filing is no longer required, at which time such conversion shall automatically occur without any further action by the holders of any such Restricted Common Unit. Each of the Continuing Members and PubCo agree to promptly take all actions required to make such filing under the HSR Act and the filing fee for such filing shall be paid by the Company. On the Conversion Date with respect to any Restricted Common Unit held by a Continuing Member, PubCo shall issue, for each Restricted Common Unit which has converted to a Common Unit under this LLC Agreement, one share of Class V Common Stock to such Continuing Member. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a subdivision or combination referred to in Section 4.1(i)(i) or Section 4(i)(ii), the number of shares of Class V Common Stock to which a Continuing Member shall be entitled upon vesting of its Restricted Common Units shall equal the number of Restricted Common Units held by the Continuing Members as a result of such subdivision or combination that have converted into Common Units. PubCo hereby agrees to reserve for issuance at all times an adequate number of shares of Class V Common Stock to permit the issuance of all Class V Common Stock assuming all of the Continuing Members’ Restricted Common Units vest under this LLC Agreement. To the extent that, on or before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Time, a Vesting Event has not occurred with respect to a Restricted Common Unit, and a Restricted Common Unit has not vested and converted into a Common Unit under this LLC Agreement, then immediately and without any further action under this LLC Agreement, on the date that is the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Time, all such Restricted Common Units outstanding under this LLC Agreement shall be canceled and extinguished for no consideration.

 

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(e)          New PubCo Issuances.

 

(i)            Subject to Section 4.6 and Section 4.1(e)(ii), if, at any time after the Effective Time, PubCo issues shares of its Class A Common Stock or any other Equity Security of PubCo (other than shares of Class V Common Stock), (x) the Company shall concurrently issue to PubCo an equal number of Common Units (if PubCo issues shares of Class A Common Stock), or an equal number of such other Equity Security of the Company corresponding to the Equity Securities issued by PubCo (if PubCo issues Equity Securities other than Class A Common Stock), and with the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo so issued and (y) PubCo shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds or other property received by PubCo, if any, for such share of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Security, subject to the second proviso in Section 7.8.

 

(ii)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 4.1(e)(i) or Section 4.1(e)(iii), this Section 4.1(e) shall not apply to (x) the issuance and distribution to holders of shares of PubCo Common Stock of rights to purchase Equity Securities of PubCo under a “poison pill” or similar shareholder rights plan (and upon exchange of Common Units for Class A Common Stock, such Class A Common Stock will be issued together with a corresponding right under such plan) or (y) the issuance under PubCo’s employee benefit plans of any warrants, options, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance based award or other rights to acquire Equity Securities of PubCo or rights or property that may be converted into or settled in Equity Securities of PubCo, but shall in each of the foregoing cases apply to the issuance of Equity Securities of PubCo in connection with the exercise or settlement of such warrants, options, stock appreciation right, restricted stock units, performance based awards or the vesting of restricted stock (including as set forth in clause (iii) below, as applicable).

 

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(iii)            In the event any outstanding Equity Security of PubCo is exercised or otherwise converted and, as a result, any shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo are issued (including as a result of the exercise of PubCo Warrants), (x) the corresponding Equity Security outstanding at the Company, if any, shall be similarly exercised or otherwise converted, if applicable, (y) an equivalent number of Common Units or equivalent Equity Securities of the Company shall be issued to PubCo as required by the first sentence of Section 4.1(e)(i), and (z) PubCo shall concurrently contribute to the Company the net proceeds received by PubCo from any such exercise or conversion, subject to the second proviso in Section 7.8.

 

(f)           PubCo Debt Issuance. If at any time PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) issues Debt Securities, PubCo or such Subsidiary shall transfer to the Company the net proceeds received by PubCo or such Subsidiary, as applicable, in exchange for such Debt Securities in a manner that directly or indirectly burdens the Company with the repayment of the Debt Securities, subject to the second proviso in Section 7.8.

 

(g)          New Company Issuances. Except pursuant to Section 4.6, (x) the Company may not issue any additional Units to PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless (i) substantially simultaneously therewith PubCo or such Subsidiary issues or transfers an equal number of newly-issued shares of Class A Common Stock (or relevant Equity Security of such Subsidiary) to another Person or Persons, and (ii) such issuance is in accordance with Section 4.1(e), and (y) the Company may not issue any other Equity Securities of the Company to PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless (i) substantially simultaneously therewith PubCo or such Subsidiary issues or transfers, to another Person, an equal number of newly-issued shares of Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of the Company, and (ii) such issuance is in accordance with Section 4.1(e).

 

(h)          Repurchases and Redemptions.

 

(i)            PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) may redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (A) shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) and substantially simultaneously therewith the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from PubCo or such Subsidiary an equal number of Common Units for the same price per security, if any, or (B) any other Equity Securities of PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) and substantially simultaneously therewith the Company redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires from PubCo or such Subsidiary an equal number of the corresponding class or series of Equity Securities of the Company with the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary for the same price per security, if any.

 

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(ii)            The Company may not redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (x) any Common Units from PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock for the same price per security from holders thereof or (y) any other Equity Securities of the Company from PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) unless substantially simultaneously PubCo or such Subsidiary redeems, repurchases or otherwise acquires pursuant to a Board approved repurchase plan or program (or otherwise in connection with a transaction approved by the Board) for the same price per security an equal number of Equity Securities of PubCo (or such Subsidiary) of a corresponding class or series with substantially the same rights to dividends and distributions (including distributions upon liquidation) and other economic rights as those of such Equity Securities of PubCo or such Subsidiary.

 

(iii)            Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent that any consideration payable by PubCo in connection with the redemption, repurchase or acquisition of any shares of Class A Common Stock or other Equity Securities of PubCo or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) consists (in whole or in part) of shares of Class A Common Stock or such other Equity Securities (including in connection with the cashless exercise of an option or warrant (or other convertible right or security) other than under PubCo’s employee benefit plans for which there is no corresponding Common Units or other Equity Securities of the Company, then the redemption, repurchase or acquisition of the corresponding Common Units or other Equity Securities of the Company shall be effectuated in an equivalent manner.

 

(i)           Equity Subdivisions and Combinations.

 

(i)            The Company shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding Units unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding PubCo Common Stock or other related class or series of Equity Security of PubCo, with corresponding changes made with respect to any other exchangeable or convertible Equity Securities of the Company and PubCo.

 

(ii)            Except in accordance with Section 4.6(c), PubCo shall not in any manner effect any subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of the outstanding PubCo Common Stock or any other class or series of Equity Security of PubCo, unless accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination, as applicable, of the outstanding Units or other related class or series of Equity Security of the Company, with corresponding changes made with respect to any applicable exchangeable or convertible Equity Securities of the Company and PubCo.

 

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(j)            General Authority. For the avoidance of doubt, but subject to Sections 4.1(a), (d), (e), (g), (h) and (i) and Section 4.3, the Company and PubCo (including in its capacity as the Managing Member of the Company) shall be permitted to undertake all actions, including an issuance, redemption, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Common Units or Restricted Common Units, as applicable, to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between (i) the number of Common Units owned by PubCo, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, (ii) the number of Restricted Common Units owned by PubCo, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock issued by PubCo, and (iii) the number of outstanding shares of Class V Common Stock held by any Person (other than PubCo) and the number of Common Units held by such Person disregarding, for purposes of maintaining the one-to-one ratios in clauses (i) and (ii), (A) options, rights or securities of PubCo issued under any plan involving the issuance of any Equity Securities that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock, (B) treasury stock, or (C) preferred stock or other debt or equity securities (including warrants, options or rights) issued by PubCo that are convertible or into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock (but in each case prior to such conversion or exchange).

 

Section 4.2             Capital Contributions. Except as otherwise set forth in this LLC Agreement, no Member shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions to the Company.

 

Section 4.3             Issuance of Additional Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of this LLC Agreement (including Section 4.1 and this Section 4.3), the Managing Member shall have the right to authorize and cause the Company to issue on such terms (including price) as may be determined by the Managing Member (a) additional Common Units or Equity Securities in the Company having such rights, preferences and privileges as determined by the Managing Member, which rights, preferences and privileges may be senior to the Units, and (b) obligations, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible or exchangeable for Units or other Equity Securities in the Company; provided that at any time following the date hereof, in each case the Company shall not issue Equity Securities in the Company to any Person other than PubCo or then-existing Members unless such Person shall have executed a counterpart to this LLC Agreement and all other documents, agreements or instruments deemed necessary or desirable as determined in good faith by the Managing Member. Upon any such issuance and execution, (a) such Person shall be admitted as a Member of the Company, and (b) the Managing Member shall update the Company’s books and records and amend Exhibit A to reflect such issuance. Subject to Section 4.1, this Section 4.3 and Section 12.1, the Managing Member is hereby authorized to amend this LLC Agreement to set forth the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of such additional Common Units or other Equity Securities in the Company authorized or issued pursuant to this Section 4.3.

 

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Section 4.4             Capital Accounts. A Capital Account shall be maintained by the Managing Member for each Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and, to the extent consistent with such regulations, the other provisions of this LLC Agreement. Each Member’s Capital Account balance as of the Effective Time shall be equal to the amount of its respective Closing Date Capital Account Balance set forth opposite such Member’s name on Exhibit A. Thereafter, each Member’s Capital Account shall be (a) increased by (i) allocations to such Member of Profits pursuant to Section 5.1 and any other items of income or gain allocated to such Member pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the amount of cash or the initial Gross Asset Value of any asset (net of any Liabilities assumed by the Company and any Liabilities to which the asset is subject) contributed to the Company by such Member, and (iii) any other increases allowed or required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and (b) decreased by (i) allocations to such Member of Losses pursuant to Section 5.1 and any other items of deduction or loss allocated to such Member pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.2, (ii) the amount of any cash or the Gross Asset Value of any asset (net of any Liabilities assumed by the Member and any Liabilities to which the asset is subject) distributed to such Member, and (iii) any other decreases allowed or required by Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Upon the conversion of any Restricted Common Units into Common Units upon a Vesting Event, the parties intend that the allocations and capital maintenance rules shall be governed under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3 with adjustments being made in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s) and consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder in order to effectuate the Members’ agreed upon economic sharing of items within the Company. In the event of a Transfer of Units made in accordance with this LLC Agreement (including a deemed Transfer for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described in Section 4.6(i), the Capital Account of the Transferor that is attributable to the Transferred Units shall carry over to the Transferee Member in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l). This Section 4.4 and other provisions of this LLC Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(b), including Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Treasury Regulations. In determining the amount of any Liability for purposes of calculating Capital Accounts, there shall be taken into account Section 752(c) of the Code and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations. The Members’ Capital Accounts will normally be adjusted on an annual or other periodic basis as determined by the Managing Member, but the Capital Accounts may be adjusted more often if a new Member is admitted to the Company or if circumstances otherwise make it advisable in the judgment of the Managing Member.

 

Section 4.5             Other Matters Regarding Capital Contributions.

 

(a)            The Company shall not be obligated to repay any Capital Contributions of any Member. Under circumstances requiring a return of any Capital Contributions, no Member has the right to receive property other than cash.

 

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(b)            No Member shall receive any interest, salary, compensation or reimbursement with respect to its Capital Contributions or its Capital Account, or for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of the Company or otherwise in its capacity as a Member, except as otherwise provided in Section 7.8 or other provisions of this LLC Agreement.

 

(c)            A Member shall not be required to restore a deficit balance in such Member’s Capital Account, to lend any funds to the Company or, except as otherwise set forth in this LLC Agreement, to make any additional contributions or payments to the Company.

 

Section 4.6             Exchange of Common Units.

 

(a)            Exchange Procedures.

 

(i)            Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 4.6, after the expiration of the Lock-Up Period (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), the Exchanging Members shall collectively be entitled to cause the Company to effect an Exchange up to two (2) times per calendar quarter (and no more frequently), in each case with respect to a number of Common Units at least equal to or exceeding the Minimum Exchange Amount, by delivering an Exchange Notice to the Company, with a copy to PubCo. Each Exchange Notice shall be in the form set forth on Exhibit B and shall include all information required to be included therein. In the event that an Exchange is being exercised in order to participate in a Piggyback Registration (as such term is defined in the Investor Rights Agreement), the Exchange Notice Date shall be prior to the expiration of the time period in which a holder of securities is required to notify PubCo that it wishes to participate in such Piggyback Registration in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(ii)            Within three (3) Business Days of the giving of an Exchange Notice, the Managing Member may elect to settle all or a portion of the Exchange in cash in an amount equal to the Cash Exchange Payment (in lieu of shares of Class A Common Stock), exercisable by giving written notice of such election to the Exchanging Member within such three (3) Business Day period (such notice, the “Cash Exchange Notice”). The Cash Exchange Notice shall set forth the portion of the Common Units subject to the Exchange which will be exchanged for cash in lieu of Class A Common Stock. To the extent such Exchange relates to the exercise of the Exchanging Member’s registration rights under Section 3.1 of the Investor Rights Agreement, PubCo and the Company will cooperate in good faith with such Exchanging Member to exercise such Exchange in a manner which preserves such Exchanging Member’s rights thereunder. At any time following the giving of a Cash Exchange Notice and prior to the Exchange Date, the Managing Member may elect (exercisable by giving written notice of such election to the Exchanging Member) to revoke the Cash Exchange Notice with respect to all or any portion of the Exchanged Units and make the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to any such Exchanged Units on the Exchange Date.

 

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(iii)            In the event the Managing Member does not timely give a Cash Exchange Notice (or revokes a Cash Exchange Notice in accordance with the foregoing clause (ii)), the Exchanging Member may, if and only if any Exchange Condition exists, elect to (x) retract its Exchange Notice or (y) delay the consummation of an Exchange, in each case, exercisable by giving written notice of such election to the Managing Member within two (2) Business Days of the occurrence of an Exchange Condition and in any event no later than (1) Business Day prior to the Exchange Date (such notice under clause (y), an “Exchange Delay Notice”); provided that any such notice must specify the particular Exchange Condition giving rise to such election. The giving of any notice pursuant to clause (x) shall terminate all of the Exchanging Member’s, the Managing Member’s and Company’s rights and obligations under this Section 4.6 arising from such retracted Exchange Notice, but shall not count against the maximum number of Exchanges that an Exchanging Member may effect in a calendar quarter.

 

(iv)            In the event of a Continuing Member COC, the Managing Member may elect, pursuant to a written notice given to the Members (other than PubCo) at least thirty (30) days prior to the consummation of a Continuing Member COC (a “COC Notice”), to require each such Member to effect an Exchange with respect to any portion of such Member’s Common Units (together with the surrender and cancellation of the corresponding number of outstanding shares of Class V Common Stock held by such Member), taking into account the conversion of such Member’s Restricted Common Units into Common Units as a result of any such Continuing Member COC (any such exchange, a “COC Exchange”) which shall be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Continuing Member COC (but such Exchange shall be conditioned on the consummation of such Continuing Member COC, and shall not be effective if such Continuing Member COC is not consummated) (the “COC Exchange Date”). In connection with a COC Exchange, such Exchange shall be settled (including, if PubCo elects by delivery of a COC Notice, directly by PubCo) (x) with the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to the Common Units subject to the COC Exchange or (y) in cash or property, so long as in each case each such Member receives the identical consideration, on a per Unit basis, that the holder of a share of Class A Common Stock would receive in connection with such Continuing Member COC. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4.6(a)(iv) to the contrary, the Managing Member cannot elect to require any Member to effect a COC Exchange unless such Member receives, pursuant to such COC Exchange (including in connection with the consummation of such Continuing Member COC), (x) consideration consisting entirely of (A) cash, (B) Equity Securities that (I) are listed on a National Securities Exchange within sixty (60) days of the consummation of such Continuing Member COC and (II) can be resold without registration or within sixty (60) days of the consummation of such Continuing Member COC are registered for resale on a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act (the Equity Securities referred to in this clause (B), the “Liquid Securities”), or (C)  a combination of cash and Liquid Securities, or (y) consideration that includes cash and Liquid Securities, the sum of such cash plus the fair market value of such Liquid Securities is at least equal to the income taxes incurred by such Member in connection with such COC Exchange (including in connection with the consummation of such Continuing Member COC), determined on a “with and without” basis.

 

(v)            Restricted Common Units are not permitted to be treated as Exchanged Units under this LLC Agreement, and in no event shall the Company or PubCo effect an Exchange of a Restricted Common Unit unless and until a Vesting Event and Conversion Date has occurred with respect to such Restricted Common Unit and it has been converted to a Common Unit in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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(vi)            For purposes of this Section 4.6 (and defined terms and provisions related thereto), all decisions, determinations, elections and other actions to be taken by the Managing Member or PubCo shall require the approval of the Disinterested Majority.

 

(b)            Exchange Payment. The Exchange shall be consummated on the Exchange Date. Unless PubCo has exercised its PubCo Call Right pursuant to Section 4.6(f), on the Exchange Date (to be effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Exchange Date) (i) PubCo shall contribute to the Company for delivery to the Exchanging Member (x) the Stock Exchange Payment with respect to any Exchanged Units not subject to a Cash Exchange Notice and (y) the Cash Exchange Payment with respect to any Exchanged Units subject to a Cash Exchange Notice, (ii) the Exchanging Member shall transfer and surrender the Exchanged Units to the Company, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, (iii) the Company shall issue to PubCo a number of Common Units equal to the number of Common Units surrendered pursuant to clause (ii), (iv) solely to the extent necessary in connection with an Exchange, PubCo shall undertake all actions, including an issuance, reclassification, distribution, division or recapitalization, with respect to the Class A Common Stock to maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of Common Units owned by PubCo, directly or indirectly, and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, taking into account the issuance in clause (iii), any Stock Exchange Payment, and any other action taken in connection with this Section 4.6, (v) the Company shall (x) cancel the redeemed Common Units which were Exchanged Units held by the Exchanging Member and (y) transfer to the Exchanging Member the Cash Exchange Payment and/or the Stock Exchange Payment, as applicable, and (vi) PubCo shall cancel the surrendered shares of Class V Common Stock. On or prior to the Exchange Date, and as a condition to the Exchange, the Exchanging Member shall make any applicable Certificate Delivery. Upon the Exchange of all of a Member’s Units, such Member shall cease to be a Member of the Company.

 

(c)            Splits, Distributions and Reclassifications. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, this Section 4.6 shall continue to be applicable, mutatis mutandis, with respect to such security or other property. This Section 4.6(c) is intended to preserve the intended economic effect of Section 4.1 and this Section 4.6 and to put each Member in the same economic position, to the greatest extent possible, with respect to Exchanges as if such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction had not occurred and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent.

 

(d)            PubCo Covenants. PubCo shall at all times keep available, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable upon the Exchange of all outstanding Common Units and Restricted Common Units (other than those Common Units and Restricted Common Units held by PubCo or any Subsidiary of PubCo); provided that nothing contained in this LLC Agreement shall be construed to preclude PubCo from satisfying its obligations with respect to an Exchange by delivery of a Cash Exchange Payment or shares of Class A Common Stock that are held in treasury of PubCo. PubCo covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock that shall be issued upon an Exchange shall, upon issuance thereof, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. In addition, for so long as the shares of Class A Common Stock are listed on a stock exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, PubCo shall cause all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange to be listed on such stock exchange or automated or electronic quotation system at the time of such issuance. For purposes of this Section 4.6(d), references to the “Class A Common Stock” shall be deemed to include any Equity Securities issued or issuable as a result of any reclassification, combination, subdivision or similar transaction of the Class A Common Stock that any Member would be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4.6(c).

 

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(e)            Exchange Taxes. The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon an Exchange shall be made without charge to the Exchanging Member for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance; provided, however, that if any such shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that of the Exchanging Member (subject to the restrictions in Article IX), then the Person or Persons in whose name the shares are to be issued shall pay to PubCo the amount of any additional tax that may be payable in respect of any Transfer involved in such issuance in excess of the amount otherwise due if such shares were issued in the name of the Exchanging Member or shall establish to the satisfaction of PubCo that such additional tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

(f)            PubCo Call Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.6, with respect to any Exchange Notice or COC Notice, an Exchanging Member shall be deemed to have offered to sell its Exchanged Units as described in any Exchange Notice directly to PubCo (rather than to the Company), and PubCo may, by delivery of a written notice to the Exchanging Member no later than three (3) Business Days following the giving of an Exchange Notice, in accordance with, and subject to the terms of, this Section 4.6(f) (such notice, a “PubCo Call Notice”), elect to purchase directly and acquire such Exchanged Units on the Exchange Date by paying to the Exchanging Member (or such other Person specified in the Exchange Notice) the Stock Exchange Payment and/or the Cash Exchange Payment, whereupon PubCo shall acquire the Exchanged Units on the Exchange Date and be treated for all purposes of this LLC Agreement as the owner of such Common Units. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.6(f), an exercise of the PubCo Call Right shall be consummated pursuant to the same timeframe and in the same manner as the relevant Exchange would have been consummated if PubCo had not given a PubCo Call Notice, in each case as relevant, including that Section 4.6(a)(ii) shall apply mutatis mutandis and that clauses (iv) and (vi) of Section 4.6(b) shall apply (notwithstanding that the other clauses thereof do not apply).

 

(g)            Distribution Rights. No Exchange shall impair the right of the Exchanging Member to receive any distributions payable on the Common Units redeemed pursuant to such Exchange in respect of a record date that occurs prior to the Exchange Date for such Exchange. No Exchanging Member, or a Person designated by an Exchanging Member to receive shares of Class A Common Stock, shall be entitled to receive, with respect to such record date, distributions or dividends both on Common Units redeemed by the Company from such Exchanging Member and on shares of Class A Common Stock received by such Exchanging Member, or other Person so designated, if applicable, in such Exchange.

 

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(h)            Exchange Restrictions. The Managing Member may impose additional limitations and restrictions on Exchanges (including limiting Exchanges or creating priority procedures for Exchanges) to the extent it reasonably determines in good faith that such limitations and restrictions are necessary to avoid the Company being classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code; provided that, for such purposes, the Company and the Managing Member shall assume that each Continuing Member is treated as a single partner within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

 

(i)            Tax Matters. In connection with any Exchange or COC Notice, the Exchanging Member shall deliver to PubCo or the Company, as applicable, a certificate, dated as of the Exchange Date and sworn under penalties of perjury, in a form reasonably acceptable to PubCo or the Company, as applicable, certifying as to such Exchanging Member’s taxpayer identification number and that such Exchanging Member is a not a foreign person for purposes of Section 1445 and Section 1446(f) of the Code (which certificate may be an Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 if then sufficient for such purposes under applicable Law). For U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes, each of the Exchanging Member, the Company and PubCo agree to treat each Exchange as a sale by the Exchanging Member of the Exchanging Member’s Common Units (together with an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock, which shares shall not be allocated any economic value) to PubCo in exchange for the payment by PubCo of the Stock Exchange Payment, the Cash Exchange Payment, or other applicable consideration to the Exchanging Member.

 

(j)            Representations and Warranties. In connection with any Exchange or exercise of a PubCo Call Right, upon the acceptance of the Class A Common Stock or an amount of cash equal to the Cash Exchange Payment, the Exchanging Member shall represent and warrant that the Exchanging Member is the owner of the number of Common Units the Exchanging Member is electing to Exchange and that such Common Units are not subject to any liens or restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions imposed by this LLC Agreement, the charter and governing documents of PubCo and applicable Law).

 

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Section 4.7             Representations and Warranties of the Members. Unless otherwise set forth in a written agreement between the Company and a Member (including the Business Combination Agreement), each Member who acquires Units after the Effective Time severally (and not jointly) represents and warrants to the Company and each other Member as of the date of such Member’s admittance to the Company and as of each subsequent date that such Member acquires any additional Units (other than, in the case of acquisition of additional Units, Section 4.7(b) to the extent any conflict under Section 4.7(b) is related to the occurrence of a Change of Control resulting from such acquisition) that:

 

(a)            Organization; Authority.

 

(i)            To the extent it is not a natural person, (x) it is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, and if required by Law is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing in the jurisdiction of its principal place of business (if not formed in such jurisdiction), and (y) has full corporate, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other applicable power and authority to execute and deliver this LLC Agreement and to perform its obligations under this LLC Agreement and all necessary actions by the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members, partners, trustees, beneficiaries or other Persons necessary for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this LLC Agreement by that Member have been duly taken.

 

(ii)            It has duly executed and delivered this LLC Agreement, and this LLC Agreement is enforceable against such Member in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency and other Laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding in a court of law or equity).

 

(b)            Non-Contravention.

 

(i)            Its authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this LLC Agreement does not breach or conflict with or constitute a default under (x) such Member’s charter or other governing documents to the extent it is not a natural person, (y) any material obligation under any other material agreement to which that Member is a party or by which it is bound or (z) applicable Law.

 

(ii)            No governmental, administrative or other material third party consents or approvals are required or necessary on the part of it in connection with its admittance as a Member or its ownership of its Units.

 

(c)            Due Inquiry.

 

(i)            It has had, prior to the execution and delivery of this LLC Agreement, the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning an investment in the Company, as well as the finances, operations, business and prospects of the Company, and the opportunity to obtain additional information to verify the accuracy of all information so obtained, and received all such information about the Company and the Units as it has requested.

 

(ii)            In determining whether to enter into this LLC Agreement in respect of its Units, it has relied solely on its own knowledge and understanding of the Company and its business based upon its own due diligence investigation and the information furnished pursuant to this clause (c) and it has not relied on any other representations or information in making its investment decision, whether written or oral, relating to the Company, its operations and/or prospects.

 

(d)            Purpose of Investment. It is acquiring and holding its Units solely for investment purposes, for its own account and not for the account or benefit of any other Person and not with a view towards the distribution or dissemination thereof, did not decide to enter into this LLC Agreement as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 of Regulation D under the Securities Act, and acknowledges and understands that no United States federal or state agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the offering of any Units.

 

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(e)            Transfer Restrictions. It understands the Units are being Transferred in a transaction not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Units will comprise “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act which shall not be sold, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise Transferred except in accordance with the terms of this LLC Agreement and applicable Law. It agrees that, if in the future it decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise Transfer any portion of its Units, such Units may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise Transferred only pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration and/or qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities Laws, and as a condition precedent to any such Transfer, it may be required to deliver to the Company an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, and agrees, absent registration or an exemption with respect to its Units, not to resell any such Units.

 

(f)            Investor Status. It (i) has adequate means of providing for its current needs and possible contingencies, is able to bear the economic risks of its investment for an indefinite period of time and has a sufficient net worth to sustain a loss of its entire investment in the Company in the event such loss should occur, (ii) is sophisticated in financial matters and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company, (iii) is, or is controlled by, an “accredited investor,” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D, promulgated under the Securities Act, and acknowledges the issuance of Units under this LLC Agreement is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption to “accredited investors” within the meaning of Section 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act or similar exemptions under federal and state Law, and (iv) is treated as a single partner within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)).

 

Article V
ALLOCATIONS OF PROFITS AND LOSSES

 

Section 5.1             Profits and Losses. After giving effect to the allocations under Section 5.2 and subject to Section 5.2 and Section 5.4, Profits and Losses (and, to the extent reasonably determined by the Managing Member to be necessary and appropriate to achieve the resulting Capital Account balances described below, any allocable items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit includable in the computation of Profits and Losses) for each Taxable Year or other taxable period shall be allocated among the Members during such Taxable Year or other taxable period in a manner such that, after giving effect to all distributions through the end of such Taxable Year or other taxable period, the Capital Account balance of each Member, immediately after making such allocation, is, as nearly as possible, equal to (a) the amount such Member would receive pursuant to Section 11.3(b)(iii) if all assets of the Company on hand at the end of such Taxable Year or other taxable period were sold for cash equal to their Gross Asset Values, all liabilities of the Company were satisfied in cash in accordance with their terms (limited with respect to each nonrecourse liability to the Gross Asset Value of the assets securing such liability), and all remaining or resulting cash was distributed, in accordance with Section 11.3(b)(iii), to the Members immediately after making such allocation, minus (b) such Member’s share of Company Minimum Gain and Member Minimum Gain, computed immediately prior to the hypothetical sale of assets, and the amount any such Member is treated as obligated to contribute to the Company, computed immediately after the hypothetical sale of assets.

 

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Section 5.2             Special Allocations.

 

(a)            Nonrecourse Deductions for any Taxable Year or other taxable period shall be specially allocated to the Members on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of Common Units owned by each Member. The amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Taxable Year or other taxable period shall equal the excess, if any, of the net increase, if any, in the amount of Company Minimum Gain during that Taxable Year or other taxable period over the aggregate amount of any distributions during that Taxable Year or other taxable period of proceeds of a Nonrecourse Liability that are allocable to an increase in Company Minimum Gain, determined in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).

 

(b)            Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Taxable Year or other taxable period shall be specially allocated to the Member who bears economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one (1) Member bears the economic risk of loss for such Member Nonrecourse Debt, the Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt shall be allocated among the Members according to the ratio in which they bear the economic risk of loss. This Section 5.2(b) is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding any other provision of this LLC Agreement to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year or other taxable period (or if there was a net decrease in Company Minimum Gain for a prior Taxable Year or other taxable period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section 5.2(c)), each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Taxable Year or other taxable period in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain during such year (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(g)(2)). This Section 5.2(c) is intended to constitute a minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding any other provision of this LLC Agreement except Section 5.2(c), if there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain during any Taxable Year or other taxable period (or if there was a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain for a prior Taxable Year or other taxable period and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior periods to allocate among the Members under this Section 5.2(d)), each Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year in an amount equal to such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4)). This section is intended to constitute a partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

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(e)            Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 5.2(a) and Section 5.2(b), no Losses or other items of loss or expense shall be allocated to any Member to the extent that such allocation would cause such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit (or increase any existing Adjusted Capital Account Deficit) at the end of such Taxable Year or other taxable period. All Losses and other items of loss and expense in excess of the limitation set forth in this Section 5.2(e) shall be allocated to the Members who do not have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit in proportion to their relative positive Capital Accounts but only to the extent that such Losses and other items of loss and expense do not cause any such Member to have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit.

 

(f)            Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary except Section 5.2(c) and Section 5.2(d), in the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustment, allocation or distribution described in paragraph (4), (5) or (6) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), items of income and gain (consisting of a pro rata portion of each item of income, including gross income, and gain for the Taxable Year or other taxable period) shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate any Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of that Member as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.2(f) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 have been tentatively made as if this Section 5.2(f) were not in this LLC Agreement. This Section 5.2(f) is intended to constitute a qualified income offset under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(g)            If any Member has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Taxable Year or other taxable period that is in excess of the amount that the Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and (i)(5), that Member shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.2(g) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided for in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 have been made as if Section 5.2(f) and this Section 5.2(g) were not in this LLC Agreement.

 

(h)            To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Sections 734(b) or 743(b) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to any Member in complete liquidation of such Member’s Units in the Company, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) and such item of gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) if such section applies or to the Member to whom such distribution was made if Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies.

 

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(i)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this LLC Agreement, (1) no allocation (of Profits or Losses or otherwise) shall be made in respect of any Restricted Common Units in determining Capital Accounts unless and until such Restricted Common Units are converted into Common Units upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event and (2) in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to clause (b)(vi) of the definition of Gross Asset Value, any Profits or Losses resulting from such adjustment shall, in the manner reasonably determined by the Managing Member, be allocated among the Members (including the Members who held the Restricted Common Units giving rise to such adjustment) such that the Capital Account balance relating to each Common Unit (including such Restricted Common Units that have been converted into Common Units) is equal in amount immediately after making such allocation, after taking into account the Distribution Catch-Up Payment, in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided, that if the foregoing allocations pursuant to clause (2) are insufficient to cause the Capital Account balance relating to each Common Unit to be so equal in amount, then the Managing Member, in its reasonable discretion, shall cause a Capital Account reallocation in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3) to cause the Capital Account balance relating to each Common Unit to be so equal in amount.

 

(j)            The allocations set forth in Sections 5.2(a) through 5.2(g) (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V (other than the Regulatory Allocations), the Regulatory Allocations (and anticipated future Regulatory Allocations) shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Members so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of such allocation of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member should be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. In general, the Members anticipate that this shall be accomplished by specially allocating other Profits and Loss among the Members so that the net amount of Regulatory Allocations and such special allocations to each such Member is zero. This Section 5.2(j) is intended to minimize to the extent possible and to the extent necessary any economic distortions that may result from application of the Regulatory Allocations and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

 

Section 5.3             Allocations for Tax Purposes in General.

 

(a)            Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.3, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as such item is allocated under Sections 5.1 and 5.2.

 

(b)            In accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including the Treasury Regulations applying the principles of Code Section 704(c) to changes in Gross Asset Values), items of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any Company property having a Gross Asset Value that differs from such property’s adjusted U.S. federal income tax basis shall, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be allocated among the Members to account for any such difference using (i) the “traditional method” without curative allocations under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-3(b) or (ii) any other permissible method or methods determined by the Managing Member (with the prior written consent of the Continuing Member Representative) to be appropriate and in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations.

 

(c)            Any (i) recapture of depreciation or any other item of deduction shall be allocated, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1254-5, to the Members who received the benefit of such deductions and (ii) tax credits, tax credit recapture, and any items related thereto shall be allocated to the Members according to their interests in such items as reasonably determined by the Managing Member taking into account the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii), 1.704-1(b)(3)(iv), and 1.704-1(b)(4)(viii).

 

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(d)            Allocations pursuant to this Section 5.3 are solely for purposes of U.S. federal, state and local income taxes and shall not affect or in any way be taken into account in computing any Member’s Capital Account or share of Profits, Losses, other items or distributions pursuant to any provision of this LLC Agreement.

 

(e)            If, as a result of an exercise of a noncompensatory option to acquire an interest in the Company, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Company shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x). If, pursuant to Section 5.2(i), the Managing Member causes a Capital Account reallocation in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the Managing Member shall make corrective allocations in accordance with principles similar to those set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

 

(f)            Any adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of Company property pursuant to Code Section 743(b) resulting from a transfer of Units shall be handled in accordance with Treasury Regulations section 1.743-1(j).

 

Section 5.4             Other Allocation Rules.

 

(a)            The Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by this Article V and the economic impact of the allocations on the amounts receivable by them under this LLC Agreement. The Members hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article V in reporting their share of Company income and loss for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes.

 

(b)            The provisions regarding the establishment and maintenance for each Member of a Capital Account as provided by Section 4.4 and the allocations set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 are intended to comply with the Treasury Regulations and to reflect the intended economic entitlement of the Members. If the Managing Member reasonably determines that the application of the provisions in Sections 4.4, 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 would result in non-compliance with the Treasury Regulations or would be inconsistent with the intended economic entitlement of the Members, the Managing Member is authorized to make any appropriate adjustments to such provisions to the extent permitted by applicable Law, including to allocate properly items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to those Members who bear the economic burden or benefit associated therewith, or to otherwise cause the Members to achieve the economic objectives underlying this LLC Agreement and the Business Combination Agreement. The Managing Member also shall (i) make any adjustments that it reasonably determines are necessary or appropriate to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(iv)(g) and (ii) make any reasonable and appropriate modifications in the event unanticipated events would reasonably be expected to otherwise cause this LLC Agreement not to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-1(b). No adjustment to the allocations shall be made under this Section 5.4(b) without the prior written consent of the Continuing Members that would be materially adversely affected thereby, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

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(c)            With regard to PubCo’s acquisition of the Acquired Company Units and the Acquired Restricted Company Units (in each case, as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), Profits or Losses shall be allocated to the Members of the Company so as to take into account the varying interests of the Members in the Company using an “interim closing of the books” method in a manner that complies with the provisions of Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. If during any Taxable Year there is any other change in any Member’s Units in the Company, the Managing Member shall consult in good faith with the Continuing Member Representative and the tax advisors to the Company and allocate the Profits or Losses to the Members of the Company so as to take into account the varying interests of the Members in the Company using an “interim closing of the books” method in a manner that complies with the provisions of Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder; provided, however, that such allocations may instead be made in another manner that complies with the provisions of Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and that is selected by the Managing Member (with the prior written consent of the Continuing Member Representative, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

(d)            Solely for purposes of determining a Member’s proportionate share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Managing Member shall allocate such liabilities in such manner that complies with the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and that the Managing Member reasonably determines, in a manner intended to minimize any gain of the Members to the greatest extent possible under Section 731 of the Code.

 

Section 5.5             Restricted Common Units. The Parties intend that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) the Restricted Common Units received by the Continuing Members in connection with the Recapitalization and by PubCo in connection with the Business Combination Agreement not be treated as being received in connection with the performance of services and (b) no such Member be treated as having taxable income or gain as a result of such receipt of such Restricted Common Units or as a result of holding any such Restricted Common Units at the time of any Vesting Event (other than as a result of corrective allocations made pursuant to Section 5.2(i)) and the Company shall prepare and file all tax returns consistent therewith unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code. Notwithstanding (and without limiting) the foregoing, each of the Continuing Members and PubCo shall, within thirty (30) days of the Effective Time, file with the IRS (via certified mail, return receipt requested) on a protective basis a completed election under Section 83(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder with respect to such Restricted Common Units so received and, upon such filing, shall thereafter notify the Company that such Member has made such timely filing and provide the Company with a copy of such election.

 

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Article VI
DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 6.1             Distributions.

 

(a)            Distributions. Effective as of the Effective Time, the Board has caused the Company to adopt a distribution policy in the form attached to this LLC Agreement as Exhibit D (the “Distribution Policy”), which may be revised or amended by the Board. Unless prohibited by applicable Law, and except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3 in the event of a dissolution, distributions to Members holding Common Units shall be declared by the Managing Member and paid as determined in good faith by the Managing Member in accordance with the Distribution Policy from available cash, available borrowings and other funds legally available therefor, including legally made distributions from available cash of the Company’s Subsidiaries (in each case, taking into account the retention of any amounts necessary to satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and any applicable restrictions contained in the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ then applicable bank financing agreements by which the Company or its Subsidiaries are bound) (each, an “Ordinary Distribution”). Any Ordinary Distribution shall be made to the Members as of the close of business on such record date on a pro rata basis (except that, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) to the extent any Distribution Catch-Up Payment is then due and payable, such amount shall first be paid before any Ordinary Distribution is paid pro rata and (ii) repurchases or redemptions made in accordance with Section 4.1(g) or payments made in accordance with Section 7.4 or Section 7.8 need not be on a pro rata basis, as long as such payments are otherwise made in accordance with the terms of this LLC Agreement), in accordance with the number of Common Units owned by each Member as of the close of business on such record date; provided, however, that the Managing Member shall have the obligation to make distributions as set forth in Sections 6.2 and 11.3(b)(iii); and provided, further, that, notwithstanding any other provision in this LLC Agreement to the contrary, no distributions shall be made to any Member to the extent such distribution would render the Company insolvent. For purposes of this Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2(a), insolvent means such distribution would violate Section 18-607(a) of the Act. Promptly following the declaration of a distribution pursuant to this Section 6.1, the Managing Member shall give notice to each Member of the amount and the terms of the distribution and the payment date thereof. No Restricted Common Unit shall be entitled to receive any Ordinary Distributions; provided, that, no later than five (5) Business Days following the Conversion Date with respect to a Restricted Common Unit, for each Restricted Common Unit for which the Vesting Event has occurred, the Company shall pay to the holder of such Restricted Common Unit an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate per Common Unit amount of Ordinary Distributions actually paid during the Distribution Catch-Up Period relevant to such Restricted Common Unit (and if any in-kind distribution was made during the Distribution Catch-Up Period, (which, for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this LLC Agreement, shall not include any transaction subject to Section 4.1(i) hereof) to the extent feasible (and not requiring any approval (including at PubCo) other than that of the Managing Member in its capacity as such) identical property, or if not feasible (or if requiring any such approval) an amount in cash equal to the greater of the per Common Unit Fair Market Value of such in-kind distribution (x) at the time such distribution was made and (y) at the time such Distribution Catch-Up Payment is made) (each such distribution, a “Distribution Catch-Up Payment”). To the extent that the Conversion Date in respect of a Restricted Common Unit occurs following the date that an Ordinary Distribution is declared under this LLC Agreement, but on or after the date such Ordinary Distribution is paid, such per share Ordinary Distribution shall not be included in the Distribution Catch-Up Payment, and such holder of such Restricted Common Unit shall be entitled to receive such Ordinary Distribution when paid to the holders of Common Units, assuming such holder continues to hold a Common Unit on the record date with respect to such Ordinary Distribution.

 

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(b)         Successors. For purposes of determining the amount of distributions (including Tax Distributions), each Member shall be treated as having made the Capital Contributions made by, been allocated the net taxable income of the Company (in accordance with the definition of Tax Amount) allocated to, and received the distributions made to or received by its predecessors in respect of any of such Member’s Units.

 

(c)          Distributions In-Kind. Except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement, any distributions may be made in cash or in kind, or partly in cash and partly in kind, as reasonably determined by the Managing Member. In the event of any distribution of (i) property in kind or (ii) both cash and property in kind, each Member shall be distributed its proportionate share of any such cash so distributed and its proportionate share of any such property so distributed in kind (based on the Fair Market Value of such property). To the extent that the Company distributes property in-kind to the Members, the Company shall be treated as making a distribution equal to the Fair Market Value of such property for purposes of Section 6.1(a) and such property shall be treated as if it were sold for an amount equal to its Fair Market Value. Any resulting gain or loss shall be allocated to the Member’s Capital Accounts in accordance with Section 5.1 and Section 5.2.

 

Section 6.2           Tax-Related Distributions.

 

(a)           Effective upon the Effective Time, prior to making any other distributions under this LLC Agreement, on each Tax Distribution Date, unless prohibited by applicable Law, the Managing Member shall cause the Company, from available cash, available borrowings and other funds legally available therefor, including legally made distributions from available cash of the Company’s Subsidiaries (taking into account any restrictions applicable to tax distributions contained in the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ then applicable bank financing agreements by which the Company or its Subsidiaries are bound) (collectively, “Cash Available For Tax Distributions”) to make distributions of cash (each, a “Tax Distribution”) to the Members holding Common Units, pro rata in proportion to their respective number of Common Units in an amount such that the Member with the highest Tax Amount per Common Unit receives an amount equal to such Member’s Tax Amount; provided, that if the amount of Tax Distributions actually made with respect to a quarter or a Taxable Year is greater than or less than the Tax Distributions that would have been made under this Section 6.2 for such period based on subsequent tax information and assuming no limitations based on prohibitions under applicable Law, Cash Available For Tax Distributions, or insolvency under this Section 6.2 (such limitations, the “Liquidity Limitations”) (e.g., because the estimated Tax Distributions for a Taxable Year were greater than or less than the amount calculated based on actual taxable income for such Taxable Year or because such Tax Distribution would have rendered the Company insolvent (as defined in Section 6.1(a)), then, on subsequent Tax Distribution Dates, starting with the next Tax Distribution Date, and prior to any additional distributions pursuant to Section 6.1, the Managing Member shall, subject to the Liquidity Limitations, cause the Company to adjust the next Tax Distribution and subsequent Tax Distributions downward (but not below zero) or upward (but in any event pro rata in proportion to the Members’ respective number of Common Units) to reflect such excess or shortfall; and provided, further, that notwithstanding any other provision in this LLC Agreement to the contrary, (A) Tax Distributions shall not be required to the extent any such distribution would render the Company insolvent (as defined in Section 6.1(a)), and (B) the Managing Member shall not be required to cause the Company to make any Tax Distributions on any date other than a Tax Distribution Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this LLC Agreement, (a) the Managing Member shall make, in its reasonable discretion, equitable adjustments (downward (but not below zero) or upward) to the Members’ Tax Distributions (but in any event pro rata in proportion to the Members’ respective number of Common Units) to take into account increases or decreases in the number of Common Units held by each Member during the relevant period (including as a result of conversion of any Restricted Common Units into Common Units in connection with the occurrence of a Vesting Event); provided that no such adjustments shall be made that would have a material adverse effect on the Continuing Members without the Continuing Member Representative’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), and (b) no Tax Distributions (or downward (but not below zero) or upward adjustment to any Tax Distributions) shall be made other than on a pro rata basis in proportion to the Members’ respective number of Common Units.

 

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Section 6.3           Distribution Upon Withdrawal. No withdrawing Member shall be entitled to receive any distribution or the value of such Member’s Units in the Company as a result of withdrawal from the Company prior to the liquidation of the Company, except as provided in this LLC Agreement.

 

Article VII
MANAGEMENT

 

Section 7.1           Managing Member Rights; Member and Officer Duties.

 

(a)           PubCo shall be the sole Managing Member of the Company and, pursuant to the governing documents of PubCo, the business and affairs of PubCo shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Except as otherwise required by Law or provided in this LLC Agreement, (i) the Managing Member shall have full and complete charge of all affairs of the Company, (ii) the management and control of the Company’s business activities and operations shall rest exclusively with the Managing Member, and (iii) the Members, other than the Managing Member (in its capacity as such), shall not participate in the control, management, direction or operation of the activities or affairs of the Company and shall have no power to act for or bind the Company. Nothing set forth in this LLC Agreement shall reduce or restrict the consent rights set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, or the rights set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions thereof.

 

(b)           Except as otherwise required by the Act, no current or former Member (including a current or former Managing Member) or any current or former Officer shall be obligated personally for any Liability of the Company solely by reason of being a Member or, with respect to the Managing Member, acting as Managing Member of the Company, or, with respect to an Officer, acting in his or her capacity as an Officer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this LLC Agreement, the failure of the Company to observe any formalities or requirements relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its business and affairs under this LLC Agreement or the Act shall not be grounds for imposing personal liability on the Managing Member for liabilities of the Company.

 

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(c)          In connection with the performance of its duties as the Managing Member of the Company, the Managing Member (solely in its capacity as such) will owe to the other Members the same fiduciary duties as it would owe to the stockholders of a Delaware corporation if it were a member of the board of directors of such a corporation and the other Members were stockholders of such corporation. To the extent that, at Law or in equity, any Subsidiary of the Company or any manager, director (or equivalent), officer, employee or agent of any Subsidiary of the Company has duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, to a Member (other than the Managing Member) or to any Person who acquires Units, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby limited solely to those expressly set forth in this Agreement (if any), to the fullest extent permitted by Law. The limitation of duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Company, each Member (other than the Managing Member) and any Person who acquires Units set forth in the preceding sentence is approved by the Company, each Member (other than the Managing Member) and any Person who acquires Units.

 

Section 7.2           Role of Officers.

 

(a)          The Managing Member may appoint, employ or otherwise contract with any Person for the transaction of the business of the Company or the performance of services for or on behalf of the Company, and the Managing Member may delegate to any such Persons such authority to act on behalf of the Company as the Managing Member may from time to time deem appropriate.

 

(b)          The Officers of the Company as of the Effective Time are set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

(c)          The Managing Member shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer who will be responsible for the general and active management of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Chief Executive Officer will report to the Managing Member and have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of chief executive officer of a corporation organized under the DGCL, subject to the terms of this LLC Agreement and as may be prescribed by the Managing Member, and will have such other powers and duties as may be reasonably prescribed by the Managing Member or set forth in this LLC Agreement. The Chief Executive Officer will have the power to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Company, except where required or permitted by Law to be otherwise signed and executed, and except where the signing and execution thereof is delegated by the Managing Member to some other Officer or agent of the Company.

 

(d)          Except as set forth in this LLC Agreement, the Managing Member may appoint Officers at any time, and the Officers may include, in addition to the Chief Executive Officer, a president, one or more vice presidents, a secretary, one or more assistant secretaries, a chief financial officer, a general counsel, a treasurer, one or more assistant treasurers, a chief operating officer, an executive chairman, and any other officers that the Managing Member deems appropriate. Except as set forth in this LLC Agreement, the Officers will serve at the pleasure of the Managing Member, subject to all rights, if any, of such Officer under any contract of employment. Any individual may hold any number of offices, and an Officer may, but need not, be a Member of the Company. The Officers will exercise such powers and perform such duties as specified in this LLC Agreement or as reasonably determined from time to time by the Managing Member.

 

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(e)          Subject to this LLC Agreement and to the rights, if any, of an Officer under a contract of employment, any Officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Managing Member. Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Managing Member. Any resignation will take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation will not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company under any contract to which the Officer is a party. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause will be filled in the manner prescribed in this LLC Agreement for regular appointments to that office.

 

Section 7.3           Warranted Reliance by Officers on Others. In exercising their authority and performing their duties under this LLC Agreement, the Officers shall be entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports, or statements of the following Persons or groups unless they have actual knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted:

 

(a)          one or more employees or other agents of the Company or its Subsidiaries whom the Officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; and

 

(b)          any attorney, public accountant, or other Person as to matters which the Officer reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence.

 

Section 7.4           Indemnification.

 

(a)          Right to Indemnification. Each Person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise subject to or involved in any Action, by reason of the fact that he, she or it is or was a Member (including the Managing Member), is or was serving as the Company Representative (including any “designated individual”) or the Continuing Member Representative or an officer, manager or director (or equivalent) or, at the discretion of the Managing Member, any employee or agent, of the Managing Member, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or is or was an officer, manager or director (or equivalent) or, at the discretion of the Managing Member, any employee or agent, of the Managing Member, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries serving at the request of the Managing Member or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as an officer, manager or director (or equivalent) or, at the discretion of the Managing Member, any employee or agent, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity or which relates to or arises out of the property, business or affairs of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such Action is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, manager, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as an officer, manager, director, employee or agent, shall be indemnified by the Company against all expense, Liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith (“Indemnifiable Losses”); provided, however, that, such Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification if such Indemnitee’s conduct constituted fraud or a knowing violation of Law; provided, further, however, except as provided in Section 7.4(d) with respect to Actions to enforce rights to indemnification, the Company shall indemnify any such Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 7.4 in connection with an Action (or part thereof but excluding any compulsory counterclaim) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such Action (or part thereof but excluding any compulsory counterclaim) was authorized by the Board.

 

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(b)         Right to Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification conferred in Section 7.4(a) shall include the right to advancement by the Company of any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in participating in or defending any such Action in advance of its final disposition (an “Advancement of Expenses”); provided, however, that an Advancement of Expenses incurred by an Indemnitee shall be made pursuant to this Section 7.4(b) only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (an “Undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay, without interest, all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “Final Adjudication”) that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 7.4(b). An Indemnitee’s right to an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 7.4(b) is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct and is not conditioned upon any prior determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under Section 7.4(a) with respect to the related Action or the absence of any prior determination to the contrary.

 

(c)          Contract Rights. The rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in Sections 7.4(a) and (b) shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, manager, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, estate, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

 

(d)          Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Sections 7.4(a) or (b) is not paid in full by the Company within sixty (60) calendar days after a written claim has been received by the Company, except in the case of a claim for an Advancement of Expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) calendar days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification under this LLC Agreement (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an Advancement of Expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit brought by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the Company shall be entitled to recover such expenses, without interest, upon a Final Adjudication that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Act. Neither the failure of the Company (including its Managing Member or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Act, nor an actual determination by the Company (including the Managing Member or independent legal counsel) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an Advancement of Expenses under this LLC Agreement, or brought by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses under this LLC Agreement pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such Advancement of Expenses, shall be on the Company.

 

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(e)         Appearance as a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 7.4, the Company shall pay or reimburse out of pocket expenses incurred by any Person entitled to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 7.4 in connection with such Person’s appearance as a witness or other participation in an Action at a time when such Person is not a named defendant or respondent in the Action.

 

(f)          Nonexclusivity of Rights. The rights to indemnification and the Advancement of Expenses conferred in this Section 7.4 shall not be exclusive of any other right which a Person may have or hereafter acquire under any Law, this LLC Agreement, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. Nothing contained in this Section 7.4 shall limit or otherwise affect any such other right or the Company’s power to confer any such other right.

 

(g)         No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Section 7.4 to make any payment to an Indemnitee in respect of any Indemnifiable Losses to the extent that the Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment (net of any expenses incurred in connection therewith and any repayment by the Indemnitee made with respect thereto) under any insurance policy or from any other source in respect of such Indemnifiable Losses.

 

(h)         Maintenance of Insurance. The Company or PubCo shall maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance from a financially sound and reputable insurer (at a minimum, in such amounts as are standard in the industry) to protect directors and officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries against Indemnifiable Losses of such Indemnitee, whether or not the Company has the authority to indemnify such Indemnitee against such Indemnifiable Losses under this Section 7.4, in each case to the extent available under the directors’ and officers’ insurance policy of PubCo.

 

Section 7.5          Resignation or Termination of Managing Member. PubCo shall not, by any means, resign as, cease to be or be replaced as Managing Member except in compliance with this Section 7.5. No termination or replacement of PubCo as Managing Member shall be effective unless proper provision is made, in compliance with this LLC Agreement, so that the obligations of PubCo, its successor by merger (if applicable) and any new Managing Member and the rights of all Members under this LLC Agreement and applicable Law remain in full force and effect. No appointment of a Person other than PubCo (or its successor by merger, as applicable) as Managing Member shall be effective unless (a) the new Managing Member executes a joinder to this LLC Agreement and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions in this LLC Agreement, and (b) PubCo (or its successor by merger, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable) provide all other Members with contractual rights, directly enforceable by such other Members against PubCo (or its successor by merger, as applicable) and the new Managing Member (as applicable), to cause (i) PubCo to comply with all PubCo’s obligations under this LLC Agreement (including its obligations under Section 4.6) other than those that must necessarily be taken solely in its capacity as Managing Member and (ii) the new Managing Member to comply with all the Managing Member’s obligations under this LLC Agreement.

 

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Section 7.6           Reclassification Events of PubCo. If a Reclassification Event occurs, the Managing Member or its successor as a result of such Reclassification Event, as the case may be, shall, as and to the extent necessary, amend this LLC Agreement in compliance with Section 12.1, and enter into any necessary supplementary or additional agreements, to ensure that, following the effective date of the Reclassification Event: (a) the exchange rights of holders of Units set forth in Section 4.6 provide that each Common Unit (together with the surrender and delivery of one (1) share of Class V Common Stock) is exchangeable for the same amount and same type of property, securities or cash (or combination thereof) that one (1) share of Class A Common Stock becomes exchangeable for or converted into as a result of the Reclassification Event and (b) PubCo or the successor to PubCo as a result of such Reclassification Event, as applicable, is obligated to deliver such property, securities or cash upon such exchange. PubCo shall not consummate or agree to consummate any Reclassification Event unless the successor Person as a result of such Reclassification Event, if any, becomes obligated to comply with the obligations of PubCo (in whatever capacity) under this LLC Agreement.

 

Section 7.7           Transactions between Company and Managing Member. The Managing Member may cause the Company to contract and deal with the Managing Member, or any Affiliate of the Managing Member; provided such contracts and dealings (other than contracts and dealings between the Company and its Subsidiaries) are on terms comparable to and competitive with those available to the Company from others dealing at arm’s length or are approved by the Members or are otherwise approved by the Disinterested Majority.

 

Section 7.8           Certain Costs and Expenses. The Managing Member shall not be compensated for its services as Managing Member of the Company.  The Company shall (a) pay, or cause to be paid, all costs, fees, operating expenses and other expenses of the Company (including the costs, fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants or other professionals and the compensation of all personnel providing services to the Company) incurred in pursuing and conducting, or otherwise related to, the activities of the Company and (b) upon the good faith determination of the Managing Member, reimburse the Managing Member for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by it in connection with serving as the Managing Member. To the extent that the Managing Member determines in good faith that such expenses are related to the business and affairs of the Managing Member that are conducted through the Company and/or its Subsidiaries (including expenses that relate to the business and affairs of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and that also relate to other activities of the Managing Member), the Managing Member may cause the Company to pay or bear such expenses of the Managing Member, including costs of securities offerings not borne directly by Members, board of directors compensation and meeting costs, costs of periodic reports to its stockholders, litigation costs and damages arising from litigation, accounting and legal costs; provided that the Company shall not pay or bear any income tax obligations owed by PubCo or the cost of any Tax Benefit Payment (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) or any amounts owed by PubCo under the Tax Receivable Agreement; provided, further, that (a) in the event any cost or expense incurred by the Managing Member is paid by the Managing Member from the gross proceeds received by PubCo in connection with an offering, issuance, exercise or conversion of Equity Securities or Debt Securities and only the net amount of such proceeds is contributed to the Company, such costs or expenses shall not be reimbursed under this Section 7.8, and (b) if PubCo is required to reimburse the Sellers for attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 10.2(n) of the Business Combination Agreement, such attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses shall not be reimbursed under this Section 7.8.

 

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Article VIII
ROLE OF MEMBERS

 

Section 8.1           Rights or Powers. Other than the Managing Member, the Members, acting in their capacity as Members, shall not have any right or power to take part in the operation, management or control of the Company or its business and affairs, transact any business in the Company’s name or to act for or bind the Company in any way and shall not have any voting rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Members have all the rights and powers set forth in this LLC Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this LLC Agreement, in the Act. Any Member, its Affiliates and its and their employees, managers, owners, agents, directors and officers may also be an employee or be retained as an agent of the Company. Nothing in this Article VIII shall in any way limit any Member’s rights pursuant to, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Tax Receivable Agreement or the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Section 8.2           Various Capacities. The Members acknowledge and agree that the Members or their Affiliates will from time to time act in various capacities, including as a Member or, in the case of PubCo, the Managing Member or the Company Representative, or, in the case of Series U, the Continuing Member Representative.

 

Section 8.3           Investment Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to (a) any Member (other than Members who are directors, managers, officers or employees of the Company, PubCo or any of their respective Subsidiaries, in which case solely acting in their capacity as such), (b) any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Company, the Managing Member or any of their respective Subsidiaries), (c) the Sponsor, each Continuing Member or any of its respective Affiliates (including its respective investors and equityholders and any associated Persons or investment funds or any of their respective portfolio companies or investments) or (d) any of the respective officers, managers, directors, agents, shareholders, members, and partners of any of the foregoing (each, a “Business Opportunities Exempt Party”). The Company and each of the Members, on its own behalf and on behalf of their respective Affiliates and equityholders, hereby renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to any Business Opportunities Exempt Party and irrevocably waives any right to require any Business Opportunity Exempt Party to act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 8.3. No Business Opportunities Exempt Party who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for PubCo, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates or equityholders shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company and none of PubCo, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates or equityholders will acquire or be entitled to any interest or participation in any such transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter or opportunity as a result of participation therein by a Business Opportunity Exempt Party. This Section 8.3 shall not apply to, and no interest or expectancy of the Company is renounced with respect to, any opportunity offered to any director of PubCo if such opportunity is expressly offered or presented to, or acquired or developed by, such Person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company. No amendment or repeal of this Section 8.3 shall apply to or have any effect on the Liability or alleged Liability of any Business Opportunities Exempt Party for or with respect to any opportunities of which any such Business Opportunities Exempt Party becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any Units shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 8.3. Neither the amendment or repeal of this Section 8.3, nor the adoption of any provision of this LLC Agreement inconsistent with this Section 8.3, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 8.3 in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of Action that, but for this Section 8.3, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption. No action or inaction taken by any Business Opportunities Exempt Party in a manner consistent with this Section 8.3 shall be deemed to be a violation of any fiduciary or other duty owed to any Person.

 

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Article IX
TRANSFERS OF UNITS

 

Section 9.1          Restrictions on Transfer.

 

(a)         No Member shall Transfer all or any portion of its Units, except Transfers made in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.1(b). If, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.1(a), all or any portion of a Member’s Units are Transferred by such Member in violation of this Section 9.1(a), involuntarily, by operation of Law or otherwise, then without limiting any other rights and remedies available to the other Parties under this LLC Agreement, the Transferee of such Units (or portion thereof) shall not be admitted to the Company as a Member nor be entitled to any rights as a Member under this LLC Agreement, and the Transferor will continue to be bound by all obligations under this LLC Agreement. Any attempted or purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Units in violation of this Section 9.1(a) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever. The restrictions on Transfer contained in this Article IX shall not apply to the Transfer of any capital stock of PubCo; provided that (i) no shares of Class V Common Stock may be Transferred by a Member unless an equal number of Common Units are Transferred therewith in accordance with this LLC Agreement (including in respect of those Transfers permitted by Section 9.1(b)), and (ii) no Common Units may be Transferred by a Member holding Class V Common Stock unless an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock are Transferred therewith in accordance with this LLC Agreement (including in respect of those Transfers permitted by Section 9.1(b)).

 

(b)         The restrictions contained in Section 9.1(a) shall not apply to any Transfer (each, a “Permitted Transfer”): (i) in connection with an “Exchange” made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.6, (ii) by a Member to PubCo or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, (iii) by a Member to any of such Member’s Permitted Transferees, (iv) (A) by one or more Continuing Members to the Foundation, or (B) by one or more Continuing Members in connection with an “Exchange” made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.6 if such Continuing Member includes in the applicable Exchange Notice its intent to promptly Transfer, taking into account any Exchange Blackout Period, the shares of Class A Common Stock received in connection with such Exchange to the Foundation (so long as such shares of Class A Common Stock are promptly Transferred, taking into account any Exchange Blackout Period, to the Foundation following consummation of such Exchange), in the case of (A) and (B), in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of the aggregate number of Common Units held by the Continuing Members immediately after the Effective Time (the “Foundation Transfer Amount”, and such Transfer up to the Foundation Transaction Amount, the “Foundation Transfer”), or (v) after the Continuing Members have Transferred the Foundation Transfer Amount to the Foundation, any subsequent Transfer by a Continuing Member to the Foundation or an Affiliate of the Rice Family that is a tax exempt entity; provided, however, if a Transfer pursuant to clauses (iii) or (iv) would result in a Change of Control (without taking into account clause (ii) of the final sentence of the definition thereof) (including a Transfer to a Permitted Transferee or the Foundation, or a Transfer that results in the PubCo holding more than 50% of the outstanding Common Units), such Member must provide the Managing Member with written notice of such Transfer at least ninety (90) calendar days prior to the consummation of such Transfer; provided further, that the restrictions contained in this LLC Agreement will continue to apply to Units after any Permitted Transfer of such Units, and the Transferees of the Units so Transferred shall agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this LLC Agreement. In the case of a Permitted Transfer of any Common Units by a Continuing Member, such Transferring Member shall be required to Transfer an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock corresponding to the number of such Member’s Common Units that were Transferred in the transaction to such Transferee. All Permitted Transfers are subject to the additional limitations set forth in Section 9.1(c).

 

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(c)          In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer contained in this Article IX, in no event may any Transfer or assignment of Units by any Member be made (i) to any Person who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own Units; (ii) if such Transfer would (A) be considered to be effected on or through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof” as such terms are used in Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1, (B) result in the Company having more than 100 partners, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h) (determined taking into account the rules of Treasury Regulations Section 1.7704-1(h)(3)), (C) cause the Company to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code or to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation pursuant to the Code, or (D) cause the Company to have a withholding obligation under Section 1446(f) of the Code; (iii) if such Transfer would cause the Company to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in Section 3 (14) of ERISA) or a “disqualified person” (as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code); (iv) if such Transfer would, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, cause any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise cause the Company to be subject to regulation under ERISA; (v) if such Transfer requires the registration of such Units issued upon any exchange of such Units, pursuant to any applicable U.S. federal or state securities Laws; or (vi) if such Transfer subjects the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act or the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Any attempted or purported Transfer of all or a portion of a Member’s Units in violation of this Section 9.1(c) shall be null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever.

 

Section 9.2           Notice of Transfer. Other than in connection with Transfers made pursuant to Section 4.6, each Member shall, after complying with the provisions of this LLC Agreement, but prior to any Transfer of Units, give written notice to the Company and the other Members of such proposed Transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the Transfer.

 

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Section 9.3           Transferee Members. A Transferee of Units pursuant to this Article IX shall have the right to become a Member only if (a) the requirements of this Article IX are met, (b) such Transferee executes a joinder in the form attached to this LLC Agreement as Exhibit E, (c) such Transferee represents that the Transfer was made in accordance with all applicable securities Laws, (d) the Transferor or Transferee shall have reimbursed the Company for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) of any Transfer or proposed Transfer of a Member’s Interest, whether or not consummated (excluding (i) any Transfer pursuant to Section 4.6, and (ii) the Foundation Transfer), and (e) if such Transferee or his or her spouse is a resident of a community property jurisdiction, then such Transferee’s spouse shall also execute an instrument reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Member agreeing to be bound by the terms and provisions of this LLC Agreement to the extent of his or her community property or quasi-community property interest, if any, in such Member’s Units. Unless agreed to in writing by the Managing Member, the admission of a Member shall not result in the release of the Transferor from any Liability as of the date of transfer that the Transferor may have to each remaining Member or to the Company under this LLC Agreement or any other contract between the Managing Member, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and such Transferor or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand. Written notice of the admission of a Member shall be sent promptly by the Company to each remaining Member.

 

Section 9.4            Legend. Each certificate representing a Unit, if any, will be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

 

THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM UNDER SUCH ACT.

 

THE TRANSFER AND VOTING OF THESE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF UTZ BRANDS HOLDINGS, LLC, DATED AS OF AUGUST 28, 2020, AMONG THE MEMBERS LISTED THEREIN, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED AND/OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH AGREEMENT (COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY AND SHALL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ANY MEMBER MAKING A REQUEST THEREFOR), AND NO TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES WILL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL SUCH CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.”

 

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Article X
ACCOUNTING

 

Section 10.1        Books of Account. The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain true books and records of account in which complete and correct entries shall be made of all its business transactions pursuant to a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and shall set aside on its books all such proper accruals and reserves as shall be required under GAAP.

 

Section 10.2        Tax Elections. The Company Representative shall cause the Company and any eligible Subsidiary to make an election (or continue a previously made election) pursuant to Section 754 of the Code (and any analogous provision of any applicable state, local or non-U.S. Law) for the Taxable Year that includes the date hereof and for each Taxable Year in which an Exchange occurs, shall not thereafter revoke any such election and shall make a new election pursuant to Section 754 of the Code to the extent necessary following any “termination” of the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, under Section 708 of the Code. In addition, the Company shall make the following elections on the appropriate forms or tax returns:

 

(i)           to adopt the Fiscal Year as the Company’s Taxable Year, if permitted under the Code;

 

(ii)          to adopt the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

(iii)         to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company as permitted by Section 709(b) of the Code; and

 

(iv)        except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement, any other election the Company Representative may deem appropriate and in the best interests of the Company.

 

Section 10.3        Tax Returns; Information.

 

(a)         The Company Representative shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all income and other tax and informational returns of the Company. The Company shall prepare and deliver (or cause to be prepared and delivered) to each Person who was a Member at any time during the relevant quarter of the relevant Taxable Year reasonable quarterly estimates of such Member’s state tax apportionment information and the allocations to such Member of taxable income, gains, losses, deductions or credits for such Taxable Year for U.S. federal, and applicable state and local, income tax reporting purposes at least fifteen (15) days prior to the individual or corporate quarterly estimate payment deadline for U.S. federal income taxes for calendar year filers (whichever is earlier). As promptly as reasonably practicable following the end of each Taxable Year, the Company shall prepare and deliver (or cause to be prepared and delivered) to each Person who was a Member at any time during such Taxable Year (i) an estimated IRS Schedule K-1 (and any similar form prescribed for applicable state and local income tax purposes) or similar documents with such information of the Company and all relevant information regarding the Company reasonably necessary for the Members to estimate their taxable income for such Taxable Year, and (ii) in no event later than forty-five (45) days prior to the individual or corporate filing deadline (with extensions) for U.S. federal income taxes for calendar year filers (whichever is earlier), a final IRS Schedule K-1 (and any similar form prescribed for applicable state and local income tax purposes) and all relevant information regarding the Company reasonably necessary for the Members to file their tax returns on a timely basis (including extensions) for such Taxable Year. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to each Member and former Member, as soon as reasonably practicable after an applicable request, all information relating to the Company and in the Company’s possession reasonably requested by such Member and that is reasonably necessary for such Member to prepare and file its own tax returns and pay its own taxes or make distributions to its members in order for them to pay their taxes (including copies of the Company’s federal, state and local income tax returns). Each Member and former Member shall furnish to the Company all pertinent information in its possession that is reasonably necessary to enable the Company’s tax returns to be prepared and filed. Each Member further agrees (including with respect to the Taxable Year that such Member becomes a former Member) that such Member shall notify the Company and consult with the Company regarding a position on its tax return in the event such Member intends to file its tax returns in a manner that is inconsistent with the Schedule K-1 or other statements furnished by the Company to such Member for purposes of preparing tax returns.

 

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(b)          In addition to each Member’s rights to information pursuant to and in accordance with Section 18-305 of the Act, each Member shall be entitled to examine, either directly or through its representatives, the books and records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at the principal office of the Company or such other location as the Managing Member shall reasonably approve during normal business hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Member’s interest as a Member of the Company with the information to which such Member shall be entitled about the Company or any of its Subsidiaries being the same information to which a stockholder of a Delaware corporation would have with respect to such corporation; provided that, in any event, the Managing Member has a right to keep confidential from the Members certain information in accordance with Section 18-305 of the Act.

 

Section 10.4         Company Representative.

 

(a)          PubCo is hereby designated as the Company Representative. In addition, PubCo is hereby authorized to designate or remove any other Person selected by PubCo as the Company Representative; provided that all actions taken by the Company Representative pursuant to this Section 10.4 shall be subject to the overall oversight and authority of the Board. For each Taxable Year in which the Company Representative is an entity, the Company shall appoint the “designated individual” identified by the Company Representative and approved by the Board to act on its behalf in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations or analogous provisions of state or local Law. Each Member hereby expressly consents to such designations and agrees to take, and that the Managing Member is authorized to take (or cause the Company to take), such other actions as may be necessary or advisable pursuant to Treasury Regulations or other Internal Revenue Service or Treasury guidance or state or local Law to cause such designations or evidence such Member’s consent to such designations, including removing any Person designated as the Company Representative (including any “designated individual”) prior to the date of this LLC Agreement.

 

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(b)          Subject to this Section 10.4, the Company Representative shall have the sole authority to act on behalf of the Company in connection with, make all relevant decisions regarding application of, and to exercise the rights and powers provided for in the BBA Rules, including making any elections under the BBA Rules or any decisions to settle, compromise, challenge, litigate or otherwise alter the defense of any Action, audit or examination before the Internal Revenue Service or any other tax authority (each an “Audit”), and to expend Company funds for professional services and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.4(d), the Company Representative will have sole discretion to determine whether the Company (either on its own behalf or on behalf of the Members) will contest or continue to contest any tax deficiencies assessed or proposed to be assessed by any tax authority; provided, that, except as provided in Section 10.4(h), the Company Representative shall obtain the prior written consent of the Continuing Member Representative (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) before (i) except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1(j) of the Business Combination Agreement, making an election under Section 6226(a) of the Code (or any analogous provision of state or local Law) (a “Push-Out Election”) or (ii) taking any material action under the BBA Rules that would reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate (compared to PubCo) and material adverse effect on the Continuing Members, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), for so long as the Continuing Members and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own Economic Interests (as each such term is defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) (in the Company and PubCo, without duplication) representing more than 50% of the Economic Interests (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) held by the Continuing Members immediately after the Effective Time (excluding for these purposes from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Effective Time and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer).

 

(c)          The Company Representative is authorized, to the extent permissible under applicable Law, to cause the Company to pay any imputed underpayment of taxes and any related interest, penalties and additions to tax determined in accordance with Code Section 6225 that may from time to time be required to be made under Code Section 6232 and to pay any similar amounts arising under state, local, or foreign tax Laws (together, “Imputed Tax Underpayments”). Imputed Tax Underpayments also shall include any imputed underpayment within the meaning of Code Section 6225 (any similar amounts arising under state, local, or foreign tax Laws) paid (or payable) by any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which the Company holds (or has held) a direct or indirect interest other than through entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent that the Company bears the economic burden of such amounts, whether by Law or contract. To the extent permissible under applicable Law, the Company Representative may cause the Company to allocate the amount of any Imputed Tax Underpayment among the Members (including any former Members) in an equitable manner, taking into account, among other factors, the magnitude of the Imputed Tax Underpayment, the nature of the tax items that are the subject of the adjustment giving rise to the Imputed Tax Underpayment, the classification of the Members for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the Persons who received (and the proportions in which they received) the benefits of the activities that gave rise to that Imputed Tax Underpayment. To the extent that the Company Representative elects to cause the Company to pay an Imputed Tax Underpayment, the Company Representative shall use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue available procedures under applicable Law to reduce such Imputed Tax Underpayment on account of its Members’ (or any of the Members’ direct or indirect beneficial owners’) tax status, with any corresponding reduction being credited to the applicable Member for purposes of allocating such Imputed Tax Underpayment among the relevant Members or former Members to the extent relevant.

 

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(d)          Without limiting the foregoing, the Company Representative shall give prompt written notice to the Continuing Member Representative of the commencement of any income tax Audit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Continuing Members, other than any Audit that is the subject of Section 9.1(e) of the Business Combination Agreement to the extent that such Audit is governed by such provisions of the Business Combination Agreement (any such Audit that is not the subject of Section 9.1(e) of the Business Combination Agreement, a “Specified Audit”). The Company Representative shall (i) keep the Continuing Member Representative reasonably informed of the material developments and status of any such Specified Audit, (ii) permit the Continuing Member Representative (or its designee) to participate (including using separate counsel), in each case at the Continuing Members’ sole cost and expense, in any such Specified Audit to the extent such Specified Audit would reasonably be expected to affect the Continuing Members or their owners, and (iii) promptly notify the Continuing Member Representative of receipt of a notice of a final partnership adjustment (or equivalent under applicable Laws) or a final decision of a court or IRS Appeals panel (or equivalent body under applicable Laws) with respect to such Specified Audit. The Company Representative or the Company shall promptly provide the Continuing Member Representative with copies of all material correspondence between the Company Representative or the Company (as applicable) and any Governmental Entity in connection with such Specified Audit and shall give the Continuing Member Representative a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any material, non-ministerial correspondence, submission (including settlement or compromise offers) or filing in connection with any such Specified Audit. For so long as the Continuing Members and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own Economic Interests (as each such term is defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) (in the Company and PubCo, without duplication) representing more than 50% of the Economic Interests (as defined in the Investor Rights Agreement) held by the Continuing Members immediately after the Effective Time (excluding for these purposes from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Effective Time and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), the Company Representative shall not (and the Company shall not (and shall not authorize the Company Representative to)) settle, compromise or abandon any Specified Audit in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a disproportionate (compared to PubCo) and material adverse effect on the Continuing Members without the Continuing Member Representative’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned). The obligations of the Company and the Company Representative under this Section 10.4(d) with respect to any Specified Audit affecting Continuing Members as a result of their prior ownership of Units shall continue after the Continuing Members Transfer any or all of such Units.

 

(e)          If the Company Representative causes the Company to make a Push-Out Election, each Member who was a Member of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the “reviewed year” (within the meaning of Code Section 6225(d)(1) or similar concept under applicable state, local, or non-U.S. Law), shall take any adjustment to income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or otherwise (as determined in the notice of final partnership adjustment or similar concept under applicable state, local, or non-U.S. Law) into account as provided for in Code Section 6226(b) (or similar concept under applicable state, local, or non-U.S. Law). The Company shall consult in good faith with the Continuing Member Representative with respect to any material tax election with respect to the Company that could reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Continuing Members.

 

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(f)            Promptly following the written request of the Company Representative, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, reimburse and indemnify the Company Representative (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any “designated individual”) for all reasonable expenses, including reasonable legal and accounting fees, claims, liabilities, losses and damages incurred by the Company Representative in connection with the exercise of its rights and fulfillment of its duties under this Section 10.4, absent willful breach, bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Company Representative or any “designated individual”. Nothing in this LLC Agreement will be construed to restrict the Company or the Company Representative from engaging an accounting firm or legal counsel to assist the Company Representative in discharging its duties under this LLC Agreement.

 

(g)            Each Member agrees to cooperate in good faith with the Company Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably requested by the Company Representative with respect to this Section 10.4, including timely providing any information reasonably necessary or advisable for the Company Representative to comply with its obligations under Section 10.4(c), that is or are reasonably necessary or advisable to reduce the amount of any tax, interest, penalties or similar amounts the cost of which is (or would otherwise be) borne by the Company (directly or indirectly) or to make any election permitted by this LLC Agreement and the Code or other relevant tax Law unless such Member is restricted from providing such information under any applicable Law or contract. Each Member acknowledges that any action taken by the Company Representative in its capacity as such may be binding upon such Members and that such Member shall not independently act with respect to Audits affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries (but the Continuing Member shall in all events retain all rights provided to it under this LLC Agreement, including but not limited to Section 10.4(d)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this LLC Agreement, no provision of this LLC Agreement shall require, or give any Person the right to require, PubCo to file any amended tax return.

 

(h)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this LLC Agreement, in the event of any conflict between Section 9.1 of the Business Combination Agreement and this LLC Agreement, Section 9.1 of the Business Combination Agreement shall control. The Company, the Company Representative, the Managing Member, and the Members hereby acknowledge and agree to the foregoing sentence and expressly agree to be bound by the terms of Section 9.1 of the Business Combination Agreement, including that with respect to any Audit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any taxable period ending before or including the date of the Effective Time and for which a Push-Out Election is available, all such available elections shall be made in accordance with applicable Laws.

 

(i)            This Section 10.4 shall be interpreted to apply to Members and former Members and shall survive the Transfer of a Member’s Units and the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company and, for this purpose to the extent not prohibited by applicable Law, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence.

 

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Section 10.5          Withholding Tax Payments and Obligations.

 

(a)            If the Company or any other Person in which the Company holds an interest is required by Law to withhold or to make tax payments on behalf of or with respect to any Member, or the Company is subjected to tax itself (including any amounts withheld from amounts directly or indirectly payable to the Company or to any other Person in which the Company holds an interest) by reason of the status of any Member as such or that is specifically attributable to a Member (including federal, state, local or foreign withholding, personal property, unincorporated business or other taxes, the amount of any Imputed Tax Underpayments allocated to a Member in accordance with Section 10.4, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, and expenses related to any such amounts) (“Tax Advances”), the Managing Member may cause the Company to withhold such amounts and cause the Company to make such tax payments as so required, and each Member hereby authorizes the Company to do so. All Tax Advances made on behalf of a Member shall be repaid by reducing the amount of the current or next succeeding Tax Distribution or Tax Distributions and, if applicable, the proceeds of liquidation that would otherwise have been made to such Member under this LLC Agreement; provided, that if a Tax Advance is made on behalf of a former Member, then such former Member shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company for the entire amount of such Tax Advance. For all purposes of this LLC Agreement, such Member shall be treated as having received the amount of the distribution, if applicable, that is equal to the Tax Advance at the time of such Tax Advance and (if applicable) as having paid such Tax Advance to the relevant taxing jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the aggregate amount of Tax Advances for any period made on behalf of a Member exceeds the actual Tax Distributions that would have otherwise been made to such Member during the fifteen (15) months following such Tax Advances, then such Member shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company for the entire amount of such excess (which has not offset Tax Distributions pursuant to this Section 10.5); provided, that such indemnification obligation shall be the several obligation of such Member and shall not be treated as Capital Contributions. For the avoidance of doubt, any income taxes, penalties, additions to tax and interest payable by the Company or any fiscally transparent entity in which the Company owns an interest shall be treated as specifically attributable to the Members and shall be allocated among the Members such that the burden of (or any diminution in distributable proceeds resulting from) any such amounts is borne by those Members to whom such amounts are specifically attributable (whether as a result of their status, actions, inactions or otherwise, including pursuant to an allocation made under Section 10.4(c)), in each case as reasonably determined by the Company Representative.

 

(b)            This Section 10.5 shall be interpreted to apply to Members and former Members and shall survive the Transfer of a Member’s Units and the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company and, for this purpose to the extent not prohibited by applicable Law, the Company shall be treated as continuing in existence.

 

Article XI

DISSOLUTION

 

Section 11.1      Liquidating Events. The Company shall dissolve and commence winding up and liquidating upon the first to occur of the following (each, a “Liquidating Event”):

 

(a)            the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;

 

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(b)            the determination of the Managing Member to dissolve the Company;

 

(c)            the termination of the legal existence of the last remaining Member of the Company or the occurrence of any other event which terminates the continued membership of the last remaining Member in the Company unless the Company is continued without dissolution in a manner permitted by this LLC Agreement or the Act; and

 

(d)            the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution under Section 18‒802 of the Act.

 

The Liquidating Events described in clauses (a) and (b) above are subject to the consent rights set forth in Section 2.2 of the Investor Rights Agreement (if any, applicable to such Liquidating Event), subject to the terms and conditions thereof.

 

The Members hereby agree that the Company shall not dissolve prior to the occurrence of a Liquidating Event. In the event of a dissolution pursuant to Section 11.1, the relative economic rights of each class of Units immediately prior to such dissolution shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable with respect to distributions made to Members pursuant to Section 11.3 in connection with such dissolution, taking into consideration tax and other legal constraints that may adversely affect one or more Members and subject to compliance with applicable Laws, unless, with respect to any class of Units, holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Units of such class consent in writing to a treatment other than as described above; provided that unless and until a Vesting Event has occurred with respect to the Restricted Common Units (including a Vesting Event as a result of such Liquidating Event), and in which case, solely with respect to that portion of the Restricted Common Units to which such Vesting Event relates, the Restricted Common Units shall not have any economic rights under this LLC Agreement.

 

Section 11.2     Bankruptcy. For purposes of this LLC Agreement, the “bankruptcy” of a Member shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (a) (i) any Governmental Entity shall take possession of any substantial part of the property of that Member or shall assume control over the affairs or operations thereof, or (ii) a receiver or trustee shall be appointed, or a writ, order, attachment or garnishment shall be issued with respect to any substantial part thereof, and such possession, assumption of control, appointment, writ or order shall continue for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days, (b) a Member shall (i) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts when due, or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) apply for or consent to the appointment of any receiver, trustee or similar officer or for all or any substantial part of its property or (iii) institute (by petition, application, answer, consent or otherwise) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debts, dissolution, liquidation, or similar proceeding under the Laws of any jurisdiction or (c) a receiver, trustee or similar officer shall be appointed for such Member or with respect to all or any substantial part of its property without the application or consent of that Member, and such appointment shall continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar proceedings shall be instituted (by petition, application or otherwise) against that Member and shall remain undismissed for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days.

 

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Section 11.3           Procedure.

 

(a)            In the event of the dissolution of the Company for any reason, the Managing Member (or in the event that there is no Managing Member or the Managing Member is in bankruptcy, any Person selected by the majority of Members holding Common Units) shall commence to wind up the affairs of the Company and, subject to Section 11.4(a), the Managing Member shall have full right to determine in good faith the time, manner and terms of any sale or sales of the property or other assets pursuant to such liquidation, having due regard to the activity and condition of the relevant market and general financial and economic conditions. The Members shall continue to share Profits and Losses during the period of liquidation in the same manner and proportion as immediately prior to the Liquidating Event. The Company shall engage in no further business except as may be necessary to preserve the value of the Company’s assets during the period of dissolution and liquidation.

 

(b)            Following the allocation of all Profits and Losses as provided in Article V, the net proceeds of the liquidation and any other funds of the Company shall be distributed in the following order of priority:

 

(i)            First, to the payment and discharge of all expenses of liquidation and discharge of all of the Company’s Liabilities to creditors (whether third parties or, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Members), in the order of priority as provided by Law, except any obligations to the Members in respect of their Capital Accounts or liabilities under 18-601 or 18-604 of the Act;

 

(ii)           Second, to set up such cash reserves which the Managing Member reasonably deems necessary for contingent, conditional or unmatured Liabilities or future payments described in this Section 11.3(b) (which reserves when they become unnecessary shall be distributed in accordance with the provisions of clause (iii), below); and

 

(iii)          Third, the balance to the Members in accordance with Section 6.1(a).

 

(c)            Except as provided in Section 11.4(b), no Member shall have any right to demand or receive property other than cash upon dissolution and termination of the Company.

 

(d)            Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Company and the distribution of all Company funds, the Company shall terminate and the Managing Member shall have the authority to execute and record a certificate of cancellation of the Company, as well as any and all other documents required to effectuate the dissolution and termination of the Company.

 

(e)            Prior to the distribution of the proceeds of the liquidation and any other funds of the Company in liquidation, a proper accounting shall be made from the date of the last previous accounting to the date of dissolution, and a final allocation of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit in accordance with Article V shall be made in such a manner that, immediately before distribution of assets pursuant to Section 11.3(b)(iii), the positive balance of the Capital Account of each Member shall, to the greatest extent possible, be equal to the net amount that would so be distributed to such Member (and any non-cash assets to be distributed will first be written up or down to their Fair Market Value, thus creating hypothetical gain or loss (if any), which resulting hypothetical gain or loss shall be allocated to the Members’ Capital Accounts in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) and other applicable provisions of the Code and this LLC Agreement).

 

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Section 11.4     Rights of Members.

 

(a)            Each Member irrevocably waives any right that it may have to maintain an action for partition with respect to the property of the Company.

 

(b)            Except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement, (i) each Member shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of its Capital Contributions, and (ii) no Member shall have priority over any other Member as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations, except with respect to the Distribution Catch-Up Payment as provided in Section 6.1(a). The right to a return of Capital Contributions shall be solely to the extent set forth in this LLC Agreement.

 

Section 11.5     Notices of Dissolution. In the event a Liquidating Event occurs, the Company shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, (a) provide written notice thereof to each of the Members and to all other parties with whom the Company regularly conducts business (as reasonably determined by the Managing Member), and (b) comply, in a timely manner, with all filing and notice requirements under the Act or any other applicable Law.

 

Section 11.6     Reasonable Time for Winding Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets in order to minimize any losses that might otherwise result from such winding up.

 

Section 11.7     No Deficit Restoration. No Member shall be personally liable for a deficit Capital Account balance of that Member, it being expressly understood that the distribution of liquidation proceeds shall be made solely from existing Company assets.

 

Article XII

GENERAL

 

Section 12.1     Amendments; Waivers.

 

(a)            Except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement, the terms and provisions of this LLC Agreement may be altered, modified or amended (including by means of merger, consolidation or other business combination to which the Company is a party) only with the approval of the Managing Member; provided, that no alteration, modification or amendment shall be effective until written notice has been provided to the Members, and, for the avoidance of doubt, any Member, shall have the right to file an Exchange Notice prior to the effectiveness of such alteration, modification or amendment with respect to all of such Member’s remaining Common Units; provided, further, that no amendment to this LLC Agreement may (w) disproportionately and adversely affect a Member or remove a right or privilege granted to a Member, without such Member’s prior written consent (provided that the creation or issuance of any new Unit or Equity Security of the Company permitted pursuant to Section 4.1 and Section 4.3 and any amendments or modifications to this LLC Agreement to the extent necessary to reflect such creation or issuance shall not be deemed to disproportionately and adversely affect a Member or remove a right or privilege specifically granted to a Member in any event); or (x) modify the limited liability of any Member, or increase the Liabilities of any Member, in each case, without the prior written consent of each such affected Member; or (y) alter or change any rights, preferences or privileges of any Units in a manner that is different or prejudicial relative to any other Units in the same class of Units, without the prior written consent of each such affected Member; or (z) modify the requirement that any action, election, decision or determination that is required to be approved or made by the Disinterested Majority (including in respect of Section 4.6) be so approved or made by the Disinterested Majority, without the prior written approval of the Disinterested Majority serving on the Board at such time as such modification is proposed to be made.

 

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(b)            Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (a), the Managing Member, acting alone, may amend this LLC Agreement, including Exhibit A, (i) to reflect the admission of new Members, Transfers of Units, the issuance of additional Units, in each case in accordance with the terms of this LLC Agreement, and, subject to Section 12.1(a), subdivisions or combinations of Units made in accordance with Section 4.1(h) and (ii) as necessary, and solely to the extent necessary, based on the reasonable written advice of legal counsel or a qualified tax advisor (including any nationally recognized accounting firm) to the Company, to avoid the Company being classified as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code.

 

(c)            No waiver of any provision or default under, nor consent to any exception to, the terms of this LLC Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Party to be bound and then only to the specific purpose, extent and instance so provided.

 

Section 12.2     Further Assurances. Each Party agrees that it will from time to time, upon the reasonable request of another Party, execute such documents and instruments and take such further action as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions of this LLC Agreement. The consummation of Transfers, Exchanges and issuances of Equity Securities pursuant to this LLC Agreement shall be subject to, and conditioned on, the completion of any required regulatory filings with any applicable Governmental Entity (or the termination or expiration of any waiting period in connection therewith), including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, to the extent required in connection with such Transfer, Exchange or issuance. The Members shall reasonably cooperate in connection with any such filing.

 

Section 12.3     Successors and Assigns. All of the terms and provisions of this LLC Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors and assigns, but shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors and assigns of any Member only to the extent that they are permitted successors and assigns pursuant to the terms of this LLC Agreement. No Party may assign its rights under this LLC Agreement except as permitted pursuant to this LLC Agreement, including assignment of such rights to a Permitted Transferee and a Transferee of Units pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9.3.

 

Section 12.4     Entire Agreement. This LLC Agreement, together with all Exhibits and Schedules to this LLC Agreement, the Business Combination Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement and all other Ancillary Agreements (as such term is defined in the Business Combination Agreement), constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and discussions, whether oral or written, relating to such subject matter in any way and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements between the Parties in connection with such subject matter except as set forth in this LLC Agreement and therein.

 

62

 

 

Section 12.5     Rights of Members Independent. The rights available to the Members under this LLC Agreement and at Law shall be deemed to be several and not dependent on each other and each such right accordingly shall be construed as complete in itself and not by reference to any other such right. Any one or more and/or any combination of such rights may be exercised by a Member and/or the Company from time to time and no such exercise shall exhaust the rights or preclude another Member from exercising any one or more of such rights or combination thereof from time to time thereafter or simultaneously.

 

Section 12.6     Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction. The Law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all Actions, claims or matters related to or arising from this LLC Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforceability of this LLC Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this LLC Agreement, in each case without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. EACH PARTY TO THIS LLC AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS LLC AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS LLC AGREEMENT AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES UNDER THIS LLC AGREEMENT. THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. Each of the Parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of first, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or if such court declines jurisdiction, then to the Federal District Court for the District of Delaware, in any Action arising out of or relating to this LLC Agreement, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined in any such court and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this LLC Agreement in any other courts. Nothing in this Section 12.6, however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law or at equity. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or at equity.

 

Section 12.7     Headings. The descriptive headings of the Articles, Sections and clauses of this LLC Agreement are for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this LLC Agreement.

 

63

 

 

Section 12.8     Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This LLC Agreement and any amendment hereto or any other agreements delivered pursuant to this LLC Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No Party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each Party forever waives any such defense.

 

Section 12.9     Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this LLC Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a Business Day and, if otherwise, on the next Business Day, (b) one (1) Business Day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid) or (c) three (3) calendar days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 12.9, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:

 

If to the Company or the Managing Member:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

  Attention: Dylan B. Lissette
  Email:  

 

and

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

  Attention: Dylan B. Lissette
  Email:  

 

With copies to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Ave.

New York, NY 10022

  Attention: Peter Martelli, P.C.
    Lauren M. Colasacco, P.C.
  Email: peter.martelli@kirkland.com
    lauren.colasacco@kirkland.com

 

64

 

 

Cozen O’Connor

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 2800

Philadelphia, PA 19103

  Attention: Larry Laubach
  Email: llaubach@cozen.com

 

If to the Continuing Members:

 

Series U of UM Partners, LLC

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

  Attention: Dylan B. Lissette
  Email:  

 

With a copy to:

 

Cozen O’Connor

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 2800

Philadelphia, PA 19103

  Attention: Larry Laubach
  Email: llaubach@cozen.com

 

Section 12.10     Representation by Counsel; Interpretation. The Parties acknowledge that each Party to this LLC Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this LLC Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this LLC Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of Law, or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this LLC Agreement against the Party that drafted it has no application and is expressly waived.

 

Section 12.11     Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this LLC Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this LLC Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this LLC Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

Section 12.12     Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this LLC Agreement (or as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement with respect to expenses incurred in connection with the entry into this LLC Agreement), each Party shall bear its own expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by this LLC Agreement.

 

Section 12.13     No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Section 7.4 and Section 10.3(a), this LLC Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties and their permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give any Person, other than the Parties and such permitted assigns, any legal or equitable rights under this LLC Agreement.

 

65

 

 

Section 12.14     Confidentiality. Except as required by applicable Law, each Member (other than the Managing Member) agrees to hold the Company’s Confidential Information in confidence and shall not, unless authorized in writing by the Managing Member, (a) disclose any Confidential Information to any third party or (b) use such information except in furtherance of the business of the Company; provided, however, that (i) each Member may disclose Confidential Information to such Member’s Affiliates, attorneys, accountants, consultants and other advisors who are bound by an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such Confidential Information; provided such Member will be responsible for any violation by any of its Affiliates, attorneys, accountants, consultants or other advisors of the confidentiality provisions in this Section 12.14, (ii) each Member may disclose Confidential Information as required in response to any summons, subpoena or other legal requirement, provided that such Member shall promptly notify the Managing Member in writing so the Company may seek a protective order or appropriate remedy, (iii) each Member may disclose Confidential Information to a proposed Transferee if such disclosure is reasonably required in connection with any proposed Transfer of Units to such Transferee pursuant to the terms of this LLC Agreement, and (iv) each Member may disclose Confidential Information to the extent necessary for such Member to prepare and file its tax returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding such tax returns from any taxing authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any taxing authority with respect to such tax returns.

 

Section 12.15     No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this LLC Agreement (except in the case of the immediately succeeding sentence) or any document, agreement, or instrument delivered contemporaneously herewith, and notwithstanding the fact that any Party may be a partnership or limited liability company, each Party hereto, by its acceptance of the benefits of this LLC Agreement, covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Persons other than the Parties shall have any obligation hereunder and that it has no rights of recovery hereunder against, and no recourse hereunder or under any documents, agreements, or instruments delivered contemporaneously herewith or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith or therewith shall be had against, any former, current or future director, officer, agent, Affiliate, manager, assignee, incorporator, controlling Person, fiduciary, representative or employee of any Party (or any of their successors or permitted assignees), against any former, current, or future general or limited partner, manager, stockholder or member of any Party (or any of their successors or permitted assignees) or any Affiliate thereof or against any former, current or future director, officer, agent, employee, Affiliate, manager, assignee, incorporator, controlling Person, fiduciary, representative, general or limited partner, stockholder, manager or member of any of the foregoing, but in each case not including the Parties (each, but excluding for the avoidance of doubt, the Parties, a “Non-Party Affiliate”), whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil, by or through a claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) by or on behalf of such Party against the Non-Party Affiliates, by the enforcement of any assessment or by any Action, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable Law, or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal Liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on, or otherwise be incurred by any Non-Party Affiliate, as such, for any obligations of the applicable Party under this LLC Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this LLC Agreement, under any documents or instruments delivered contemporaneously herewith, in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith or therewith, or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-Party Affiliate may have obligations under any documents, agreements or instruments delivered contemporaneously herewith or otherwise required by this LLC Agreement if such Non-Party Affiliate is party to such document, agreement or instrument. Except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in, and subject in all cases to the terms and conditions of and limitations herein, this LLC Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action of any kind based upon, arising out of, or related to this LLC Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this LLC Agreement, may only be brought against the Persons that are expressly named as Parties hereto and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such Party. Each Non-Party Affiliate is expressly intended as a third party beneficiary of this Section 12.15.

 

[Signatures on Next Page]

 

66

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties hereto has caused this Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  UTZ BRANDS HOLDINGS, LLC
   
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
   
  MANAGING MEMBER:
   
  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
   
  MEMBERS:
   
  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  SERIES U OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  SERIES R OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Capitalization

 

Members Effective Time
Common Units
Effective Time
Restricted
Common Units
Shares of
Class V
Common
Stock
Closing Date
Capital
Account
Balance*
Capital
Contributions
following the
Effective Time
Utz Brands, Inc. 59,369,050 0 N/A
Series R of UM Partners, LLC 9,187,350 0 9,187,350
Series U of UM Partners, LLC 52,061,650 0 52,061,650

 

* After completion of the Company’s 2020 federal income tax return, the Company will insert amounts for the Members’ Closing Date Capital Account Balances to reflect their pro rata share of the fair market value of the Company as of the Closing Date.

 

Exhibit A to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Exchange Notice

 

See attached.

 

Exhibit B to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

Form of Exchange Notice

 

Dated: _____________

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

Attention: Dylan B. Lissette

 

copy to:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

Attention: Dylan B. Lissette

 

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, dated as of August 28, 2020 (as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “LLC Agreement”) of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (f/k/a UM-U Intermediate, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), by and among Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series U”), Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series R”) and each other Person who is or at any time becomes a Member in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement and the Act (such Persons, together with PubCo, Series U and Series R, the “Unitholders”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the LLC Agreement.

 

Effective as of the Exchange Date as determined in accordance with the LLC Agreement, the undersigned Unitholder hereby transfers and surrenders to the Company the number of Common Units set forth below and an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock held by such Unitholder in Exchange for the issuance to the undersigned Unitholder of that number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of Common Units so exchanged (to be issued in its name as set forth below), or, at the election of PubCo, for a Cash Exchange Payment to the account set forth below, in each case in accordance with the LLC Agreement. The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the Exchange of Common Units shall include the cancellation of an equal number of outstanding shares of Class V Common Stock held by the undersigned that have been surrendered in such Exchange.

 

Legal Name of Unitholder: ________________________________________

 

Address: _______________________________________________________

 

Number of Common Units to be Exchanged: __________________________

 

Cash Exchange Payment instructions: ________________________________

 

 

 

If the Unitholder desires the shares of Class A Common Stock be settled through the facilities of The Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”), please indicate the account of the DTC participant below.

 

In the event PubCo elects to certificate the shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Unitholder, please indicate the following:

 

Legal Name for Certificate Delivery: ___________________________________

 

Address for Certificate Delivery: ______________________________________

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the owner of the number of Common Units the undersigned is electing to Exchange pursuant to this Exchange Notice, and that such Common Units are not subject to any liens or restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions imposed by the LLC Agreement, the charter and governing documents of PubCo and applicable Law).

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of PubCo, as applicable, as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, solely to do any and all things and to take any and all actions necessary to effect the Exchange elected hereby.

  

2

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned has caused this Exchange Notice to be executed and delivered as of the date first set forth above.

 

  [Unitholder]
   
  By:                               
  Name:
Title:

 

[Signature Page - Exchange Notice]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Officers

 

Dylan B. Lissette President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Cary Devore Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
     
Todd M. Staub Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary

 

Exhibit C to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Distribution Policy

 

See attached.

 

Exhibit D to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

Form of Joinder

 

This Joinder (this “Joinder”) to the LLC Agreement (as defined below), made as of                        , is between                        (“Transferor”) and                        (“Transferee”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Transferee is acquiring ______________ ______________ (the “Acquired Interests”) from Transferor;

 

WHEREAS, Transferor is a party to that certain Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (the “Company”), dated as of August 28, 2020, by and among Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company, Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company, and each other Person who is or at any time becomes a Member of the Company (as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, Transferee is required, at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, to become a party to the LLC Agreement by executing and delivering this Joinder, whereupon such Transferee will be treated as a Party (with the rights and obligations as a Member) for all purposes of the LLC Agreement.

 

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

 

Section 1.1     Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Section 1.2     Acquisition. Transferor hereby Transfers to Transferee all of the Acquired Interests.

 

Section 1.3     Joinder. Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) such Transferee has received and read the LLC Agreement, (b) such Transferee is acquiring the Acquired Interests in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement and (c) such Transferee will be treated as a Party (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of the LLC Agreement.

 

Section 1.4     Notice. Any notice, demand or other communication under the LLC Agreement to Transferee shall be given to Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 12.9 of the LLC Agreement.

 

Section 1.5     Governing Law. This Joinder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.

 

Exhibit E to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

Section 1.6     Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Joinder may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts, by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.

 

[Signatures on Next Page]

 

Exhibit E to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by the parties as of the date first above written.

 

  [TRANSFEROR]
     
  By:                                          
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  [TRANSFEREE]
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  Address for notices:

 

Exhibit E to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

 

among

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

and

 

THE PERSONS NAMED HEREIN

 

Dated as of August 28, 2020

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

Article I DEFINITIONS 2
   
Section 1.1. Definitions 2
     
Article II DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFIT 14
   
Section 2.1. Basis Schedule 14
Section 2.2. Tax Benefit Schedule 14
Section 2.3. Procedures, Amendments 16
Section 2.4. Section 754 Election 17
     
Article III TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS 17
   
Section 3.1. Payments 17
Section 3.2. No Duplicative Payments 18
Section 3.3. Pro Rata Payments 18
Section 3.4. Payment Ordering 18
Section 3.5. Overpayments 18
     
Article IV TERMINATION 19
   
Section 4.1. Early Termination of Agreement; Breach of Agreement 19
Section 4.2. Early Termination Notice 22
Section 4.3. Payment upon Early Termination 22
     
Article V SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS 23
   
Section 5.1. Subordination 23
Section 5.2. Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer 23
     
Article VI NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION 24
   
Section 6.1. Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and OpCo’s Tax Matters 24
Section 6.2. Consistency 24
Section 6.3. Cooperation 24
     
Article VII MISCELLANEOUS 25
   
Section 7.1. Notices 25
Section 7.2. Counterparts 26
Section 7.3. Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries 26
Section 7.4. Governing Law 26
Section 7.5. Severability 26

 

i

 

 

Section 7.6. Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers 27
Section 7.7. Interpretation 28
Section 7.8. Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction 28
Section 7.9. Reconciliation 29
Section 7.10. Withholding 30
Section 7.11. Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets 30
Section 7.12. Confidentiality 32
Section 7.13. TRA Party Representative 33

 

Exhibits and Schedules

 

Exhibit A Form of Joinder
   
Schedule I Further Agreements

 

ii

 

 

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

 

This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “TRA Agreement”), is dated as of August 28, 2020, among Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“OpCo”), Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series U”), Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series R”) (each of Series U and Series R, a “TRA Party” and together the “TRA Parties”), Series U in its capacity as the TRA Party Representative, and each of the other Persons from time to time that become a party to this TRA Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the TRA Parties directly or indirectly hold Common Units in OpCo, which is classified as a partnership for United States federal income Tax purposes;

 

WHEREAS, the Corporate Taxpayer is the sole managing member of OpCo and holds Common Units;

 

WHEREAS, each of Series U and Series R is classified as a partnership for United States federal income Tax purposes;

 

WHEREAS, the Corporate Taxpayer, the TRA Parties, and OpCo entered into a Business Combination Agreement (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with such agreement, the “Business Combination Agreement”), pursuant to which the Corporate Taxpayer acquired (i) the Assigned Company Units in exchange for the Net Cash Consideration and shares of Class V Common Stock (the “Purchase”) and (ii) the Issued Company Units in exchange for the Contribution Amount;

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer and BSOF SN, LLC (“BSOF”) entered into a purchase agreement pursuant to which, subject to the Closing, the Corporate Taxpayer purchased all of the preferred equity interests held by BSOF in Sellers (the “BSOF Preferred Interests”) and all of the common equity interests held by BSOF in Sellers (the “BSOF Common Interests”) (such purchases together, the “BSOF Purchase”);

 

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Closing, the Corporate Taxpayer entered into a Redemption Agreement with Series U and Series R, pursuant to which Series U and Series R redeemed the BSOF Common Interests and BSOF Preferred Interests purchased by Corporate Taxpayer in exchange for the Exchanged Company Units (the “Redemption”);

 

WHEREAS, each Common Unit held by a TRA Party may be Exchanged, together with the surrender and delivery by such holder of one (1) share of Class V Common Stock, for one (1) share of Class A Common Stock or for cash in accordance with and subject to the conditions and limitations in the LLC Agreement;

 

 

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2019, entered into between Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Peak Buyer”), and Peak Finance Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Peak Buyer purchased 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated, a Washington corporation (such purchase, the “Peak Acquisition,” and such Person, “Peak Target”), a Code Section 336(e) election was made with respect to such purchase, and Peak Target was subsequently converted into a limited liability company that is disregarded as separate from OpCo for U.S. federal income Tax purposes;

 

WHEREAS, OpCo, Series U, and Series R currently have and will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code for each Taxable Year that includes the Closing Date and (for OpCo only) for each Taxable Year in which an Exchange occurs;

 

WHEREAS, as a result of the Closing and future Exchanges, the income, gain, loss, deduction, expense and other Tax items of the Corporate Taxpayer may be affected by the (i) Basis Adjustments, (ii) Peak Deductions and (iii) any deduction attributable to any payment (including amounts attributable to Imputed Interest) made under this TRA Agreement (collectively, the “Tax Attributes”); and

 

WHEREAS, the parties to this TRA Agreement desire to provide for certain payments and make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Tax Attributes on the liability for Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

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

 

Article I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1.      Definitions. As used in this TRA Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings.

 

Acquired Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Acquired Restricted Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Actual Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of (i) the actual liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year and, if applicable, determined in accordance with a Determination or Amended Schedule (including interest imposed in respect thereof under applicable law), and (ii) the product of (A) the actual amount of taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes for such Taxable Year and, if applicable, determined in accordance with a Determination or Amended Schedule and (B) the Blended Rate for such Taxable Year.

 

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Advisory Firm” means PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, BDO USA, LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, Alvarez & Marsal, RSM US LLP, or, if agreed in writing by the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative, another accounting firm that is nationally recognized as being expert in U.S. federal, state and local income Tax matters.

 

Advisory Firm Letter” means a letter prepared by the Advisory Firm (at the expense of OpCo) that prepared the relevant Schedules, notices or other information to be provided by the Corporate Taxpayer to the TRA Parties stating that such Schedules, notices or other information, along with all supporting schedules and work papers prepared by such Advisory Firm in connection with such Schedules, notices or other information, were prepared in a manner that is consistent with the terms of this TRA Agreement and, to the extent not expressly provided in this TRA Agreement, on a reasonable basis in light of the facts and law in existence on the date such Schedules, notices or other information were delivered to the TRA Parties.

 

Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise. For purposes of this TRA Agreement, no TRA Party shall be considered to be an Affiliate of the Corporate Taxpayer or OpCo.

 

Agreed Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

 

Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

 

Ancillary Agreements” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Assigned Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Attributable” means the portion of any Tax Attribute of the Corporate Taxpayer that is attributable to a TRA Party and shall be determined by reference to the Tax Attributes, under the following principles:

 

(i)            any BSOF Basis Adjustments shall be determined separately with respect to each TRA Party and are Attributable to a TRA Party based on the BSOF Basis Adjustments delivered to the Corporate Taxpayer by such TRA Party as a result of the BSOF Purchase together with the Redemption;

 

(ii)           any Purchase Basis Adjustments shall be determined separately with respect to each TRA Party and are Attributable to each TRA Party in an amount equal to the total Purchase Basis Adjustments relating to such Units Purchased from such TRA Party;

 

(iii)          any Peak Deductions shall be determined separately with respect to each TRA Party and are Attributable to a TRA Party based on such TRA Party’s Weighted Average Percentage Interest;

 

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(iv)          any Exchange Basis Adjustments shall be determined separately with respect to each Exchanging Member and are Attributable to each Exchanging Member in an amount equal to the total Exchange Basis Adjustments relating to such Common Units Exchanged by such Exchanging Member; and

 

(v)            any deduction to the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to a Taxable Year in respect of any payment (including amounts attributable to Imputed Interest) made under this TRA Agreement is Attributable to the Person that is required to include the Imputed Interest or other payment in income (without regard to whether such Person is actually subject to Tax thereon).

 

Bankruptcy Rejection” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

 

Basis Adjustment” means a Purchase Basis Adjustment, a BSOF Basis Adjustment or an Exchange Basis Adjustment.

 

Basis Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

Blended Rate” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the sum of the apportionment-weighted effective rates of Tax imposed on the aggregate net income of the Corporate Taxpayer in each U.S. state or local jurisdiction in which the Corporate Taxpayer files Tax Returns for such Taxable Year, with the maximum effective rate in any state or local jurisdiction being equal to the product of (i) the apportionment factor on the income or franchise Corporate Taxpayer Return in such jurisdiction for such Taxable Year and (ii) the maximum applicable corporate income Tax rate in effect in such jurisdiction in such Taxable Year.  As an illustration of the calculation of Blended Rate for a Taxable Year, if the Corporate Taxpayer solely files Tax Returns in State 1 and State 2 in a Taxable Year, the maximum applicable corporate income Tax rates in effect in such states in such Taxable Year are 6.5% and 5.5%, respectively, and the apportionment factors for such states in such Taxable Year are 55% and 45%, respectively, then the Blended Rate for such Taxable Year is equal to 6.05% (i.e., 6.5% multiplied by 55% plus 5.5% multiplied by 45%).

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

Breach Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

 

BSOF” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

BSOF Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 734(b), 743(b), 754 and/or 755 of the Code and, in each case, analogous sections of United States state and local Tax laws, as a result of the BSOF Purchase together with the Redemption.

 

BSOF Common Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

BSOF Preferred Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

BSOF Purchase” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

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Business Combination Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in the State of New York.

 

Cash Exchange Payment” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Change of Control” means a “Continuing Member COC” as defined in the LLC Agreement.

 

Class A Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Class V Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Closing” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (or any corresponding provisions of succeeding law).

 

Common Unit” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Contribution Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Corporate Taxpayer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the United States federal and/or state and/or local Tax Return, as applicable, of the Corporate Taxpayer filed with respect to Taxes of any Taxable Year.

 

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year means the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Corporate Taxpayer, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same such Taxable Years. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination; provided, that the computation of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit shall be adjusted to reflect any applicable Determination with respect to any Realized Tax Benefits and/or Realized Tax Detriments.

 

Default Rate” means a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

 

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Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state, foreign or local Tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.

 

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.

 

Early Termination Effective Date” means the date on which an Early Termination Schedule becomes binding pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b).

 

Early Termination Rate” means (a) in respect of Tax Benefit Payments resulting solely from the application of clause (6) of the Valuation Assumptions, a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points and (b) in respect of all Tax Benefit Payments not described in the foregoing clause (a), a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points.

 

Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement, and “Exchanged” has a correlative meaning.

 

Exchange Act” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Exchange Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 732, 734(b) and/or 1012 of the Code (in situations where, as a result of one or more Exchanges, OpCo becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for United States federal income Tax purposes) or under Sections 734(b), 743(b), 754 and/or 755 of the Code (in situations where, following an Exchange, OpCo remains in existence as an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income Tax purposes) and, in each case, analogous sections of United States state and local Tax laws, as a result of an Exchange and the payments made pursuant to this TRA Agreement in respect of such Exchange. The amount of any Exchange Basis Adjustment shall be determined using the Market Value with respect to such Exchange, except, for the avoidance of doubt, as otherwise required by a Determination. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this TRA Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in an Exchange Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.

 

Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.

 

Exchanged Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Exchanging Member” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

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Expert” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

 

Final Payment Date” means, with respect to any payment required to be made pursuant to this TRA Agreement, the last date on which such payment may be made within the applicable time period prescribed for such payment under this TRA Agreement (i.e., the date on which such payment is due under this TRA Agreement). For example, the Final Payment Date in respect of a Tax Benefit Payment is determined pursuant to Section 3.1(a) of this TRA Agreement.

 

Future TRAs” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

 

Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of (i) the hypothetical liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year and (ii) the product of (A) the hypothetical amount of taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes for such Taxable Year and (B) the Blended Rate for such Taxable Year, in each case determined using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Return (taking into account any modifications required by an applicable Determination or Amended Schedule), but (a) calculating depreciation, amortization or similar deductions and income, gain or loss using the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis of the Reference Assets and the Corporate Taxpayer’s distributive share of the Peak Hypothetical Deductions (in place of the Peak Deductions) as reflected on the Schedules including amendments thereto for such Taxable Year and (b) excluding any deduction attributable to any payment (including amounts attributable to Imputed Interest) made under this TRA Agreement for such Taxable Year. For the avoidance of doubt, Hypothetical Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to a Tax Attribute as applicable.

 

ICC” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

 

Imputed Interest” in respect of a TRA Party shall mean any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of state and local Tax law with respect to the Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations in respect of such TRA Party under this TRA Agreement.

 

Interest Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Issued Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

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LIBOR” means during any period, the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the Corporate Taxpayer as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (an “Alternate Source”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any LIBOR Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the Corporate Taxpayer at such time, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided, that at no time shall LIBOR be less than 0%. If the Corporate Taxpayer has made the determination, after consultation with the TRA Party Representative, that LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then the Corporate Taxpayer shall, subject to the prior written consent of the TRA Party Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, establish a replacement interest rate (the “Replacement Rate”), after giving due consideration to any evolving or then prevailing conventions for similar loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars for such alternative benchmark, and including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then prevailing convention for similar loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars for such benchmark, which adjustment, method for calculating such adjustment and benchmark shall be published on an information service as selected from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to the prior written consent of the TRA Party Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this TRA Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this TRA Agreement shall be amended, with the consent of the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and the TRA Party Representative (which consent of the TRA Party Representative shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), as necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Corporate Taxpayer, to replace the definition of LIBOR and otherwise to effect the provisions of this definition. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Corporate Taxpayer, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Corporate Taxpayer, after consultation with the TRA Party Representative.

  

Liquidity Exceptions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

 

LLC Agreement” means, with respect to OpCo, the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of OpCo, dated the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement.

 

Market Value” shall mean, with respect to a Common Unit (a) Exchanged for a Stock Exchange Payment or that is subject to a deemed Exchange under this TRA Agreement, the Stock Value on the Exchange Date or the date of the applicable deemed Exchange, as applicable, or (b) Exchanged for a Cash Exchange Payment, the amount of the Cash Exchange Payment paid in respect of such Common Unit.

 

Material Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

 

National Securities Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

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Net Cash Consideration” means the Cash Consideration (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) minus the amount of any Prohibited Affiliate Transactions (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement).

 

Net Tax Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

 

Non-Adjusted Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made.

 

Non-Payment Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

 

Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

 

OpCo” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Payment Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

 

Peak Acquisition” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Peak Asset” means an asset that is held by Peak Target immediately prior to the Closing. A Peak Asset also includes any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Peak Asset.

 

Peak Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Peak Deductions” means the Tax deductions of OpCo arising as a result of the Peak Assets that are either (i) amortizable under Section 197 of the Code or otherwise reported as amortizable on IRS Form 4562 for United States federal income Tax purposes or (ii) of a character subject to the allowance for depreciation provided in Section 167 of the Code, but without taking into account any Basis Adjustments.

 

Peak Denominator” means the sum of (i) total number of Acquired Company Units, (ii) total Acquired Restricted Company Units converted into Common Units upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event as of the end of the relevant Taxable Year and (iii) the total number of Common Units received by the Corporate Taxpayer in Exchanges by the TRA Parties after the Closing Date as of the end of the relevant Taxable Year.

 

Peak Hypothetical Deductions” means the Peak Deductions determined using the Tax basis that the Peak Assets would have had if the Tax basis of the Peak Assets immediately prior to the Closing had been equal to zero.

 

Peak Numerator” means, with respect to a TRA Party, the sum of (I) the product of (A) the quotient of (x) the sum of (i) the number of Assigned Company Units, excluding Acquired Restricted Company Units, Purchased from the TRA Party plus (ii) the number of Exchanged Company Units, excluding Acquired Restricted Company Units, received from the TRA Party in the Redemption divided by (y) the sum of (i) the total number of Assigned Company Units, excluding Acquired Restricted Company Units, Purchased from the TRA Parties at the Closing plus (ii) the total number of Exchanged Company Units, excluding Acquired Restricted Company Units, received from the TRA Parties in the Redemption at the Closing multiplied by (B) the sum of (i) the total number of Acquired Company Units plus (ii) the total Acquired Restricted Company Units converted into Common Units upon the occurrence of a Vesting Event as of the end of the relevant Taxable Year, and (II) the total number of Common Units received by the Corporate Taxpayer in Exchanges by such TRA Party after the Closing Date as of the end of the relevant Taxable Year.

 

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Peak Target” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Permitted Transferee” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Person” means any natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, trust, unincorporated association, corporation, limited liability company, entity or governmental entity.

 

Pre-Closing NOLs” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(f).

 

Purchase” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals, and “Purchased” has a correlative meaning.

 

Purchase Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the Tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 734(b), 743(b), 754 and/or 755 of the Code and, in each case, analogous sections of United States state and local Tax laws, as a result of (a) the Purchase and (b) the payments made pursuant to this TRA Agreement in respect of (i) such Purchase, (ii) the BSOF Purchase and Redemption and (iii) the Peak Deductions. For the avoidance of doubt, payments made under this TRA Agreement shall not be treated as resulting in a Purchase Basis Adjustment to the extent such payments are treated as Imputed Interest.

 

Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability over the Actual Tax Liability. If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.

 

Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess, if any, of the Actual Tax Liability over the Hypothetical Tax Liability.  If all or a portion of the Actual Tax Liability for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit or similar proceeding by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.

 

Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9.

 

Reconciliation Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

 

Redemption” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Reference Asset” means an asset that is held by OpCo, or by any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries treated as a partnership or disregarded entity (but only if such indirect Subsidiaries are held only through Subsidiaries treated as partnerships or disregarded entities) for purposes of the applicable Tax, at the time of the Purchase, the BSOF Purchase and Redemption or an Exchange, as relevant. A Reference Asset also includes any asset the Tax basis of which is determined, in whole or in part, for purposes of the applicable Tax, by reference to the Tax basis of an asset that is described in the preceding sentence, including, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.

 

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Rice Family” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Basis Schedule; (ii) a Tax Benefit Schedule; or (iii) the Early Termination Schedule, and, in each case, any amendments thereto.

 

Securities Act” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Sellers” means, collectively, Series U and Series R.

 

Senior Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

 

Series R” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Series U” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Stock Exchange Payment” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Stock Value” means, on any date, (a) if the Class A Common Stock trades on a National Securities Exchange (as defined in the LLC Agreement) or automated or electronic quotation system, the arithmetic average of the high trading price on such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day (as used in this definition, as defined in the LLC Agreement), the immediately preceding Trading Day) and the low trading price on such date (or if such date is not a Trading Day, the immediately preceding Trading Day) or (b) if the Class A Common Stock is not then traded on a National Securities Exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, as applicable, the Appraiser FMV (as defined in the LLC Agreement) on such date of one (1) share of Class A Common Stock that would be obtained in an arms-length transaction between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, neither of whom is under any compulsion to buy or sell, respectively, and without regard to the particular circumstances of the buyer or seller.

 

Subsidiaries” means, of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power or equity is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such Person, or one (1) or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof.

 

Tax Attributes” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

 

Tax Benefit Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

 

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Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, information returns, claims for refund, disclosures or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to or in connection with Taxes (including any related or supporting schedules, attachments, statements or information filed or required to be filed with respect thereto), including any amendments thereof and declarations of estimated Tax.

 

Taxable Year” means a taxable year of the Corporate Taxpayer as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable section of state or local Tax law, as applicable (and which may include a period of more or less than twelve (12) months for which a Tax Return is made), ending on or after the Closing Date.

 

Taxes” means any and all United States federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits (including franchise taxes that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits), and any interest related to such Tax.

 

Taxing Authority” means any domestic, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body, in each case, exercising any taxing authority or any other authority or jurisdiction of any kind in relation to Tax matters.

 

TRA Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

TRA Disinterested Majority” means a majority of the directors of the Board who are disinterested as determined by the Board in accordance with the DGCL with respect to the matter being considered by the Board; provided that to the extent a matter being considered by the Board is required to be considered by disinterested directors under the rules of the National Securities Exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, such rules with respect to the definition of disinterested director shall apply solely with respect to such matter.

 

TRA Party” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

TRA Party Representative” means, initially, Series U, and thereafter, that TRA Party or committee of TRA Parties determined from time to time by a plurality vote of the TRA Parties ratably in accordance with their right to receive Early Termination Payments under this TRA Agreement determined as if all TRA Parties had fully Exchanged their Common Units for shares of Class A Common Stock or other consideration and the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange.

 

TRA Party’s Weighted Average Percentage Interest” means, with respect to a TRA Party with respect to a Taxable Year, the percentage equal to the quotient of (a) the Peak Numerator with respect to such TRA Party as of the end of the relevant Taxable Year divided by (b) the Peak Denominator as of the end of the relevant Taxable Year; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall reasonably agree on equitable adjustments to each TRA Party’s Weighted Average Percentage Interest to the extent necessary to reflect the parties’ intent that the sum of all of the TRA Parties’ Weighted Average Percentage Interests with respect to any Taxable Year shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%).

 

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Transfer” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement and the terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

 

Units” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Utz C Corp Entities” has the meaning set forth in the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Valuation Assumptions” shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, (1) the Corporate Taxpayer will have taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the Tax items, including deductions, arising from the Tax Attributes (other than any items addressed in clause (2) below) during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years (including deductions and other Tax items arising from Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest that would result from the applicable future payments made under this TRA Agreement that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions, further assuming that such applicable future payments would be paid on the due date (including extensions) for filing the Corporate Taxpayer Return for the applicable Taxable Year) in which such deductions or other Tax items would become available, (2) any loss carryovers generated by deductions arising from any Tax Attributes, which loss carryovers are available in the Taxable Year that includes such Early Termination Date, will be used by the Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from such Early Termination Date through (A) the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers (if any) or (B) if there is no such scheduled expiration, then the fifteen (15) year anniversary of the Early Termination Date, (3) the United States federal, state and local income Tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date and the Blended Rate will be calculated based on such rates and the apportionment factors applicable in the most recently ended Taxable Year, except to the extent any change to such Tax rates for such Taxable Year have already been enacted into law, (4) except as described in clause (5) below, any non-amortizable, non-depreciable Reference Assets (other than the Peak Assets) will be disposed of on the later of (i) the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the applicable Exchange (in the case of Exchange Basis Adjustments) or the Closing Date (in the case of BSOF Basis Adjustments and Purchase Basis Adjustments) or (ii) the Early Termination Date, and any cash equivalents will be disposed of twelve (12) months following the Early Termination Date; provided, that in the event of a Change of Control, such non-amortizable, non-depreciable assets shall be deemed disposed of at the time of sale (if applicable) of the relevant asset in the Change of Control (if earlier than the applicable fifteenth (15th) anniversary), (5) the stock of or other interests in Subsidiaries that are treated as C corporations for U.S. federal income Tax purposes will never be disposed of, and (6) if, on the Early Termination Date, there are Common Units that have not been Exchanged, then each such Common Unit shall be deemed Exchanged for the Market Value (as determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition thereof) that would be transferred if the Exchange occurred on the Early Termination Date.

 

Vesting Event” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

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Article II

 

DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFIT

 

Section 2.1.      Basis Schedule. Within one hundred and fifty (150) calendar days after the due date (including extensions) of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for each relevant Taxable Year, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each TRA Party a schedule (the “Basis Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this TRA Agreement, (i) the actual Tax basis and the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis of the Reference Assets as of the Closing Date and the date of each Exchange, (ii) the Exchange Basis Adjustments Attributable to such TRA Party with respect to the Reference Assets as a result of Exchanges effected by such TRA Party in such Taxable Year, (iii) the Purchase Basis Adjustments and BSOF Basis Adjustments Attributable to such TRA Party for the Taxable Year of the Closing, (iv) the Tax basis in the Peak Assets that will give rise to the Peak Deductions Attributable to such TRA Party for the Taxable Year of the Closing, and (v) the period (or periods) over which such Basis Adjustments and the Tax basis in the Peak Assets are amortizable and/or depreciable, in each case, calculated in the aggregate for all TRA Parties and solely with respect to the TRA Party to which such Basis Schedule is delivered; provided that for each of the first three (3) Taxable Years ending after the Closing Date, such deadline shall be automatically extended from one hundred and fifty (150) calendar days after such due date (including extensions) to one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days after such due date (including extensions). All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision and preparation of the Basis Schedules and Tax Benefit Schedules for each TRA Party in compliance with this TRA Agreement and the obtaining of any Advisory Firm Letter shall be borne by OpCo. Each Basis Schedule shall become final as provided in Section 2.3(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.3(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.3(b)).

 

Section 2.2.      Tax Benefit Schedule.

 

(a)            Tax Benefit Schedule. Within one hundred and fifty (150) calendar days after the due date (including extensions) of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for any Taxable Year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or a Realized Tax Detriment Attributable to a TRA Party, the Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to such TRA Party a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Tax Benefit Payment (and any Realized Tax Benefit) or the lack of a Tax Benefit Payment (and any Realized Tax Detriment), as applicable, Attributable to such TRA Party for such Taxable Year (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”); provided that for each of the first three (3) Taxable Years ending after the Closing Date, such deadline shall be automatically extended from one hundred and fifty (150) calendar days after such due date (including extensions) to one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days after such due date (including extensions). Each Tax Benefit Schedule shall become final as provided in Section 2.3(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.3(b) (subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.3(b)).

 

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(b)            Applicable Principles. Subject to Section 3.3, the Realized Tax Benefit (or the Realized Tax Detriment) for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease (or increase) in the actual liability for Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer for such Taxable Year attributable to the Tax Attributes, determined using a “with and without” methodology. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to any of the Tax Attributes shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of United States state and local income and franchise Tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to any Tax Attribute (“TRA Portion”) and another portion that is not (“Non-TRA Portion”), such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology so that the amount of any Non-TRA Portion is deemed utilized, to the extent available, prior to the amount of any TRA Portion, to the extent available (with the TRA Portion being applied on a proportionate basis consistent with the provisions of Section 3.3). The parties agree that (A) the payments made pursuant to this TRA Agreement in respect of (i) the Purchase, (ii) the BSOF Purchase and Redemption and (iii) the Peak Deductions (in each case, to the extent permitted by applicable law and other than amounts accounted for as Imputed Interest) are intended to be treated and shall be reported for all purposes, including Tax purposes, as additional contingent consideration to the applicable TRA Parties for the sale of Assigned Common Units at the Closing that has the effect of creating additional Purchase Basis Adjustments and the payments made pursuant to this TRA Agreement in respect of an Exchange are intended to be treated and shall be reported for all purposes, including Tax purposes, as additional contingent consideration to the applicable Exchanging Member for such Exchange that has the effect of creating additional Exchange Basis Adjustments, in each case, to the Reference Assets for the Corporate Taxpayer in the Taxable Year of payment, (B) as a result, such additional Purchase Basis Adjustments and Exchange Basis Adjustments shall be incorporated into the calculation for the Taxable Year of the applicable payment and into the calculations for subsequent Taxable Years, as appropriate, (C) the Actual Tax Liability shall take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as Imputed Interest under applicable law, (D) the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes of the Corporate Taxpayer and the amount of taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer for U.S. federal income Tax purposes as determined for purposes of calculating the Actual Tax Liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability shall include, without duplication, such liability for Taxes and such taxable income that is economically borne by or allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer as a result of the provisions of Sections 10.4, 10.5(a), and 10.5(b) of the LLC Agreement; provided, however, that such liability for Taxes and such taxable income shall be included in the Hypothetical Tax Liability and the Actual Tax Liability subject to the adjustments and assumptions set forth in the definitions thereof and, to the extent any such amount is taken into account on an Amended Schedule, such amount shall adjust a Tax Benefit Payment, as applicable, in accordance with Section 2.3(b), and (E) the provisions of Schedule I shall apply as if fully set forth herein.

 

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Section 2.3.      Procedures, Amendments.

 

(a)            Procedure. Every time the Corporate Taxpayer delivers to a TRA Party an applicable Schedule under this TRA Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.3(b), and any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, the Corporate Taxpayer shall also (x) deliver to such TRA Party supporting schedules and work papers, as determined by the Corporate Taxpayer or as reasonably requested by such TRA Party, providing reasonable detail regarding data and calculations that were relevant for purposes of preparing the Schedule, (y) indicate which Advisory Firm prepared the Schedule and, upon the written request of the TRA Party Representative, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Advisory Firm to prepare an Advisory Firm Letter with respect to such Schedule, and (z) allow the TRA Party Representative and its advisors reasonable access to the appropriate representatives at the Corporate Taxpayer and (at the cost and expense of OpCo) at the Advisory Firm that prepared the applicable Schedule in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that any Tax Benefit Schedule or Early Termination Schedule that is delivered to a TRA Party, along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculation of the Actual Tax Liability (the “with” calculation) and the Hypothetical Tax Liability (the “without” calculation) and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which all relevant TRA Parties have been given the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto under Section 7.1 unless the TRA Party Representative (i) within thirty (30) calendar days after having been given the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto, gives the Corporate Taxpayer written notice of a material objection to such Schedule or amendment thereto made in good faith (“Objection Notice”), or (ii) provides a written waiver of its right to give an Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date such waiver is given by the TRA Party Representative and received by the Corporate Taxpayer. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in the Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after the TRA Party Representative gives the Corporate Taxpayer an Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall employ the reconciliation procedures described in Section 7.9 (the “Reconciliation Procedures”), in which case such Schedule or Amended Schedule becomes binding in accordance with Section 7.9. The TRA Party Representative will represent the interests of each of the TRA Parties and shall raise and pursue, in accordance with this Section 2.3(a), any objection to a Schedule or amendment thereto timely given in writing to the TRA Party Representative by a TRA Party.

 

(b)            Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any Taxable Year may be amended from time to time by the Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct material inaccuracies in the Schedule, including those identified as a result of the receipt of additional factual information relating to a Taxable Year after the date the Schedule was provided to a TRA Party, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit, or the Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other Tax item to such Taxable Year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or the Realized Tax Detriment for such Taxable Year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such Taxable Year or (vi) to adjust an applicable TRA Party’s Basis Schedule to take into account payments made pursuant to this TRA Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”). The Corporate Taxpayer shall provide an Amended Schedule to each TRA Party when the Corporate Taxpayer delivers the Basis Schedule for the following Taxable Year. In the event a Schedule is amended after such Schedule becomes final pursuant to Section 2.3(a) or, if applicable, Section 7.9, (A) the Amended Schedule shall not be taken into account in calculating any Tax Benefit Payment in the Taxable Year to which the amendment relates but instead shall be taken into account in calculating the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs, and (B) as a result of the foregoing, any increase of the Net Tax Benefit attributable to an Amended Schedule shall not accrue the Interest Amount (or any other interest hereunder) until after the due date (without extensions) for filing IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to Taxes for the Taxable Year in which the amendment actually occurs.

 

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Section 2.4.      Section 754 Election. In its capacity as the sole managing member of OpCo, the Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that, for the Taxable Year that includes the date hereof and for each Taxable Year in which an Exchange occurs and with respect to which the Corporate Taxpayer has obligations under this TRA Agreement, OpCo and each of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law) for each such Taxable Year; provided that with respect to any direct or indirect Subsidiary of OpCo that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes for which the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Subsidiaries do not have the authority under the governing documents of such Subsidiary to cause or otherwise do not have control over causing such Subsidiary to have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (or under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law), the Corporate Taxpayer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Subsidiary to have such an election in effect.

 

Article III

 

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

 

Section 3.1.      Payments.

 

(a)            Payments. Within five (5) Business Days after a Tax Benefit Schedule delivered to a TRA Party becomes final in accordance with Section 2.3(a) or, if applicable, Section 7.9, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay such TRA Party for such Taxable Year the Tax Benefit Payment determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b) that is Attributable to the relevant TRA Party.  Each such Tax Benefit Payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by such TRA Party to the Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Party. The payments provided for pursuant to the above sentence shall be computed separately for each TRA Party. Without limiting the Corporate Taxpayer’s ability to make offsets against Tax Benefit Payments to the extent permitted by Section 3.5, no TRA Party shall be required under any circumstances to make a payment or return a payment to the Corporate Taxpayer in respect of any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment previously paid by the Corporate Taxpayer to such TRA Party (including any portion of any Early Termination Payment).

 

(b)            A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of a TRA Party for a Taxable Year means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of (i) Net Tax Benefit that is Attributable to such TRA Party and (ii) the Interest Amount with respect thereto. Subject to Section 3.3, the “Net Tax Benefit” for a Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess, if any, of eighty-five percent (85%) of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit as of the end of such Taxable Year, over the total amount of payments previously made under the first sentence of Section 3.1(a) (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts); provided, that if there is no such excess (or if a deficit exists), no TRA Party shall be required to make a payment (or return a payment) to the Corporate Taxpayer in respect of any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment previously paid by the Corporate Taxpayer to such TRA Party. The “Interest Amount” shall equal the interest on the Net Tax Benefit calculated at the Agreed Rate from the due date (without extensions) for filing IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to Taxes for the applicable Taxable Year until the payment date under Section 3.1(a); provided that such interest shall not accrue on the amount of any Net Tax Benefit after the date on which such amount is actually paid to the applicable TRA Party, regardless of whether such payment is made prior to the due date for such payment under Section 3.1(a) and regardless of whether the amount of any unpaid Net Tax Benefit has yet become final in accordance with Section 2.3(a) or, if applicable, Section 7.9.

 

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Section 3.2.      No Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this TRA Agreement will not result in duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this TRA Agreement, including that the aggregate Tax Benefit Payments (excluding payments attributable to Interest Amounts) for any Taxable Year shall not exceed the Net Tax Benefit for such Taxable Year. For purposes of this TRA Agreement, no Tax Benefit Payment shall be based on estimated Tax payments, including United States federal estimated income Tax payments. The provisions of this TRA Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to ensure such intentions are realized.

 

Section 3.3.      Pro Rata Payments. Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate Realized Tax Benefit of the Corporate Taxpayer with respect to the Tax Attributes is limited in a particular Taxable Year because the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient taxable income, the Net Tax Benefit for the Corporate Taxpayer shall be allocated among all parties eligible for Tax Benefit Payments under this TRA Agreement in proportion to the amounts of Net Tax Benefit, respectively, that would have been Attributable to each TRA Party if the Corporate Taxpayer had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation.

 

Section 3.4.      Payment Ordering. If for any reason the Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make all Tax Benefit Payments due under this TRA Agreement in respect of a particular Taxable Year, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Parties agree that (i) Tax Benefit Payments for such Taxable Year shall be allocated to all parties eligible for Tax Benefit Payments under this TRA Agreement in proportion to the amounts of Net Tax Benefit, respectively, that would have been Attributable to each TRA Party if the Corporate Taxpayer had sufficient cash available to make such Tax Benefit Payments and (ii) no Tax Benefit Payments shall be made in respect of any Taxable Year until all Tax Benefit Payments to all TRA Parties in respect of all prior Taxable Years have been made in full.

 

Section 3.5.      Overpayments. To the extent the Corporate Taxpayer makes a payment to a TRA Party in respect of a particular Taxable Year under Section 3.1(a) in an amount in excess of the amount of such payment that should have been made to such TRA Party in respect of such Taxable Year (taking into account Section 3.3 and Section 3.4) under the terms of this TRA Agreement, then such TRA Party shall not receive further payments under Section 3.1(a) until such TRA Party has foregone an amount of payments equal to such excess.

 

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Article IV

 

TERMINATION

 

Section 4.1.     Early Termination of Agreement; Breach of Agreement.

 

(a)            Corporate Taxpayer’s Early Termination Right. The Corporate Taxpayer may, with the prior written consent of the TRA Disinterested Majority, terminate this TRA Agreement (including with respect to all amounts payable to the TRA Parties and with respect to all of the Units held by the TRA Parties, subject to the immediately succeeding sentence) at any time by paying to each TRA Party the Early Termination Payment in respect of such TRA Party; provided, however, that this TRA Agreement shall terminate only upon the receipt by each TRA Party of its respective Early Termination Payment and payments described in the next sentence, if any, and provided, further, that the Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid.  Upon payment of the Early Termination Payment by the Corporate Taxpayer, none of the TRA Parties or the Corporate Taxpayer shall have any further payment obligations under this TRA Agreement, other than with respect to any (i) any Tax Benefit Payments due and payable and that remain unpaid as of the Early Termination Date (which Tax Benefit Payments shall not be included in the Early Termination Payments) and as of the date of payment of the Early Termination Payment and (ii) any Tax Benefit Payments due for the Taxable Year ending immediately prior to or including the Early Termination Date (except to the extent that the amounts described in this clause (ii) are included in the calculation of the Early Termination Payments (at the option of the Corporate Taxpayer) or are included in clause (i)); provided that upon payment of all amounts, to the extent applicable and without duplication, described in this sentence, this TRA Agreement shall terminate. For the avoidance of doubt, if an Exchange occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer makes all of the required Early Termination Payments, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this TRA Agreement with respect to such Exchange.

 

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(b)            Acceleration Upon Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control, the TRA Party Representative shall have the option, by written notice to the Corporate Taxpayer, to cause the acceleration of the unpaid payment obligations as calculated in accordance with this Section 4.1(b), and such payment obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Change of Control and shall include, without duplication: (i) the Early Termination Payments calculated with respect to such TRA Parties as if the Early Termination Date is the date of such Change of Control, (ii) any Tax Benefit Payments due and payable and that remain unpaid as of the date of such Change of Control (which Tax Benefit Payments shall not be included in the Early Termination Payments described in clause (i)); and (iii) any Tax Benefit Payments due for the Taxable Year ending immediately prior to or including the date of such Change of Control (except to the extent that the amounts described in this clause (iii) are included in the calculation of Early Termination Payments described in clause (i) (at the option of the Corporate Taxpayer) or are included in clause (ii)); provided, that the procedures of Section 4.2 (and Section 2.3, to the extent applicable) and Section 4.3 shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to the determination of the amount payable by the Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to this sentence and the payment thereof, except that such amount shall not be due and payable until five (5) Business Days after such amount has become final pursuant to Section 4.2 or, if applicable, Section 7.9. In the event of an acceleration following a Change of Control, any Early Termination Payment described in the preceding sentence shall be calculated utilizing the Valuation Assumptions, substituting in each case the terms “date of a Change of Control” for an “Early Termination Date,” and if an Exchange occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer makes all such required Early Termination Payments and other payments described in this Section 4.1(b), the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this TRA Agreement with respect to such Exchange.

 

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(c)            Acceleration Upon Material Breach of TRA Agreement. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer materially breaches any of its material obligations under this TRA Agreement, whether as a result of (1) a failure to make a payment required to be made pursuant to this TRA Agreement by the Final Payment Date therefor (except for all or a portion of such payment that is being validly disputed in good faith under this TRA Agreement, and then only with respect to the amount in dispute) (a “Payment Default”) or (2) any material breach of any of its material obligations under this TRA Agreement (other than a Payment Default) (a “Non-Payment Default”), which failure or breach, (A) in the case of a Payment Default, continues without payment in full until the later of (y) thirty (30) calendar days following receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of written notice of such Payment Default from the TRA Party Representative following such Payment Default, and (z) sixty (60) calendar days following the relevant Final Payment Date therefor, or (B) in the case of a Non-Payment Default, continues without cure for a period of thirty (30) calendar days following receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of written notice of such Non-Payment Default from the TRA Party Representative following such Non-Payment Default (such written notice delivered under clause (A) or (B), a “Breach Notice”), except in each case to the extent otherwise set forth in the final sentence of this Section 4.1(c) or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this TRA Agreement in a case commenced under bankruptcy laws (such rejection, a “Bankruptcy Rejection”), then, the unpaid payment obligations as calculated in accordance with this Section 4.1(c) shall (I) in the case of a Payment Default, automatically accelerate and become immediately due and payable upon expiration of the applicable period in clause (A) above (but, for the avoidance of doubt, no such acceleration shall occur earlier than thirty (30) calendar days following receipt by the Corporate Taxpayer of a Breach Notice with respect to such Payment Default, and receipt of a Breach Notice shall be a condition precedent to any such acceleration), or (II) in the case of a Non-Payment Default, accelerate and become immediately due and payable upon written notice of acceleration from the TRA Party Representative to the Corporate Taxpayer at any time after the expiration of the applicable period in clause (B) above (provided that in the case of any Bankruptcy Rejection, such acceleration shall be automatic without any such written notice, unless such acceleration is waived in writing by the TRA Party Representative, which waiver may be retroactive). Such payment obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Breach Notice (or, in the case of any Bankruptcy Rejection, on the date of such Bankruptcy Rejection) and shall include, without duplication: (i) the Early Termination Payments calculated with respect to such TRA Parties as if the Early Termination Date is the date of such Breach Notice or such Bankruptcy Rejection, as applicable; (ii) any Tax Benefit Payments due and payable and that remain unpaid as of the date of such Breach Notice or such Bankruptcy Rejection, as applicable (which Tax Benefit Payments shall not be included in the Early Termination Payments described in clause (i)); and (iii) any Tax Benefit Payments due for the Taxable Year ending immediately prior to or including the date of such Breach Notice or such Bankruptcy Rejection, as applicable (except to the extent that the amounts described in this clause (iii) are included in the calculation of Early Termination Payments described in clause (i) (at the option of the Corporate Taxpayer) or are included in clause (ii)); provided, that the procedures of Section 4.2 (and Section 2.3, to the extent applicable) and Section 4.3 shall apply mutatis mutandis with respect to the determination of the amount payable by the Corporate Taxpayer pursuant to this sentence and the payment thereof, except that such amount shall not be due and payable until five (5) Business Days after such amount has become final pursuant to Section 4.2 or, if applicable, Section 7.9. In the event of an acceleration described in this Section 4.1(c), any Early Termination Payment described in the preceding sentence shall be calculated utilizing the Valuation Assumptions, substituting in each case the terms “date of a Breach Notice” or “date of a Bankruptcy Rejection,” as applicable, for an “Early Termination Date,” and if an Exchange occurs after the Corporate Taxpayer makes all such required Early Termination Payments and other payments described in this Section 4.1(c), the Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this TRA Agreement with respect to such Exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Corporate Taxpayer breaches this TRA Agreement and such breach is not a material breach of a material obligation under this TRA Agreement, a TRA Party shall still be entitled to enforce all of its rights otherwise available under this TRA Agreement, but shall not be entitled to an acceleration of amounts payable under this Section 4.1(c). Notwithstanding anything in this TRA Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a Payment Default or Non-Payment Default (and no Breach Notice may be delivered) under this TRA Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer fails to make any payment due pursuant to this TRA Agreement to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer (w) has insufficient funds, or cannot make such payment as a result of obligations imposed in connection with any Senior Obligations, and cannot take commercially reasonable actions to obtain sufficient funds, to make such payment or (x) would become insolvent as a result of making such payment (in each case, as determined by the Board in good faith) (clauses (w) and (x) together, the “Liquidity Exceptions”); provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment (unless the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient funds to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by, or payment obligations under, any Senior Obligations, in which case Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate); provided, further, that any such payment obligation shall nonetheless accrue for the benefit of the TRA Parties and the Corporate Taxpayer shall make such payment at the first opportunity that the Liquidity Exceptions do not apply; provided, further, however, if the Liquidity Exceptions apply and the Corporate Taxpayer declares or pays any dividend of cash to its shareholders (other than the payment of any dividend to the holders of the Class A Common Stock declared (after the Board has taken into account the pendency of any Tax Benefit Payment) in accordance with the Corporate Taxpayer’s Dividend Policy (as defined in the LLC Agreement) prior to the date any such Tax Benefit Payment became due and payable) while any such Tax Benefit Payment is due and payable and remains unpaid more than sixty (60) days following the relevant Final Payment Date, then the Liquidity Exceptions shall no longer apply and a Breach Notice may be immediately delivered.

 

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(d)            Any Tax Attributes attributable to the Closing or to Exchanges (or deemed Exchanges) with respect to which a payment has been made under Section 4.1(a), Section 4.1(b) or Section 4.1(c) shall be excluded in calculating any future Tax Benefit Payments or Early Termination Payments, and in such case, this TRA Agreement shall have no further application to such payments.

 

Section 4.2.     Early Termination Notice. If the Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination in accordance with Section 4.1 above, the Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to each TRA Party written notice of such decision to exercise such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) specifying the Corporate Taxpayer’s decision to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment(s) due for each TRA Party. Each Early Termination Schedule shall become final and binding on all parties thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which all TRA Parties have been given such Schedule under Section 7.1 unless the TRA Party Representative (i) within thirty (30) calendar days after such date gives the Corporate Taxpayer written notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (“Material Objection Notice”) or (ii) provides a written waiver of its right to give a Material Objection Notice within the period described in clause (i) above, in which case such Schedule becomes binding on the date such waiver is given by the TRA Party Representative to the Corporate Taxpayer. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative, for any reason, are unable to successfully resolve the issues raised in such Material Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after the TRA Party Representative gives the Corporate Taxpayer the Material Objection Notice, the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures in which case such Schedule becomes binding in accordance with Section 7.9. The TRA Party Representative will represent the interests of each of the TRA Parties and shall raise and pursue, in accordance with this Section 4.2, any objection to an Early Termination Schedule timely given in writing to the TRA Party Representative by a TRA Party.

 

Section 4.3.     Payment upon Early Termination.

 

(a)            Within five (5) Business Days after an Early Termination Effective Date, the Corporate Taxpayer shall pay to each TRA Party an amount equal to the Early Termination Payment in respect of such TRA Party. Such payment shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by such TRA Party or as otherwise agreed by the Corporate Taxpayer and such TRA Party or, in the absence of such designation or agreement, by check mailed to the last mailing address provided by such TRA Party to the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

(b)            Early Termination Payment” in respect of a TRA Party shall equal the present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of and starting from the applicable Early Termination Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments (excluding the Interest Amount) in respect of such TRA Party that would be required to be paid by the Corporate Taxpayer beginning from the Early Termination Date (but which have not been previously paid as of such date), and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions in respect of such TRA Party are applied and that each such Tax Benefit Payment for each relevant Taxable Year would be paid on the due date (including extensions) under applicable law as of the Early Termination Date for filing of IRS Form 1120 (or any successor form) of the Corporate Taxpayer for each such Taxable Year. For the avoidance of doubt, an Early Termination Payment shall be made to each applicable TRA Party regardless of whether such TRA Party has exchanged all of its Common Units as of the Early Termination Date.

 

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Article V

 

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

 

Section 5.1.     Subordination.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this TRA Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment, Early Termination Payment or any other payment required to be made by the Corporate Taxpayer to any TRA Party under this TRA Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest or other amounts due and payable in respect of any obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money (whether secured or unsecured, senior or subordinated and/or however evidenced, including by bonds, notes or other debt instruments) of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Subsidiaries (the “Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu in right of payment with all current or future unsecured obligations of the Corporate Taxpayer that are not Senior Obligations. To the extent that any payment under this TRA Agreement is not permitted to be made at the time payment is due as a result of this Section 5.1 and the terms of agreements governing Senior Obligations, such payment obligation nevertheless shall accrue for the benefit of TRA Parties and the Corporate Taxpayer shall make such payments at the first opportunity that such payments are permitted to be made in accordance with the terms of the Senior Obligations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this TRA Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates enters into future Tax receivable or other similar agreements (“Future TRAs”), the Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that the terms of any such Future TRA shall provide that the Tax Attributes subject to this TRA Agreement shall be senior in priority in all respects to any Tax attributes subject to any such Future TRA for purposes of calculating the amount and timing of payments under any such Future TRA.

 

Section 5.2.     Late Payments by the Corporate Taxpayer. Subject to the first proviso in the last sentence of Section 4.1(c), the amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to the TRA Parties when due under the terms of this TRA Agreement, whether as a result of Section 5.1 or otherwise, shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate (in place of the Agreed Rate, if applicable) commencing from the Final Payment Date therefor accruing to the date of actual payment; provided, that if the Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient funds to make the payment as a result of limitations imposed by, or payment obligations in respect of, any Senior Obligations, interest shall instead be computed at the Agreed Rate; provided, further, that if any unpaid portion of any Tax Benefit Payment is the subject of a Reconciliation Dispute and is finally determined in such Reconciliation Dispute to be due and payable, then interest shall accrue on such unpaid portion at the Default Rate (in place of the Agreed Rate) from the date that is thirty (30) days following the due date for the applicable Tax Benefit Schedule until the date of actual payment.

 

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Article VI

 

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

 

Section 6.1.     Participation in the Corporate Taxpayer’s and OpCo’s Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided in this TRA Agreement, the Business Combination Agreement or the LLC Agreement, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo, including the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the TRA Party Representative in writing of the commencement of, and keep the TRA Party Representative reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo or any of OpCo’s Subsidiaries by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which would reasonably be expected to materially affect the rights and obligations of a TRA Party under this TRA Agreement, including the Tax Benefit Payments payable to TRA Parties, and shall provide to the TRA Party Representative reasonable opportunity (at the cost and expense of the TRA Party Representative, on behalf of the TRA Parties) to participate in or provide information and other input to the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and its Subsidiaries and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of such audit; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer and OpCo (and its Subsidiaries) shall not be required to take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the LLC Agreement or the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Section 6.2.     Consistency. The Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Parties agree to report and cause their respective Affiliates to report for all purposes, including United States federal, state and local Tax purposes and financial reporting purposes, all Tax-related items (including the Peak Deductions, the Basis Adjustments and each Tax Benefit Payment) in a manner consistent with that set forth in this TRA Agreement or specified by the Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule, or Amended Schedule, provided by or on behalf of the Corporate Taxpayer under this TRA Agreement that is final and binding on the parties unless otherwise required by applicable law. The Corporate Taxpayer shall (and shall cause OpCo and its other Subsidiaries to) use commercially reasonable efforts (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the interests and entitlements of all TRA Parties under this TRA Agreement) to defend the Tax treatment contemplated by this TRA Agreement and any Schedule (or Amended Schedule, as applicable) in any audit, contest or similar proceeding with any Taxing Authority.

 

Section 6.3.     Cooperation. Each of the TRA Parties shall (a) furnish to the Corporate Taxpayer in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as the Corporate Taxpayer may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this TRA Agreement, preparing any Tax Return or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority, (b) make itself available to the Corporate Taxpayer and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as the Corporate Taxpayer or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter. OpCo shall reimburse the TRA Parties for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3.

 

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Article VII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 7.1.     Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this TRA Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a Business Day and, if otherwise, on the next Business Day, (b) one (1) Business Day following delivery by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid) or (c) three (3) calendar days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7.1, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:

 

If to the Corporate Taxpayer, to:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.
900 High Street
Hanover, PA 17331
Attention: Dylan B. Lissette
Email: 

 

which, in the case of delivery of a Breach Notice, shall also include:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.
900 High Street
Hanover, PA 17331
Attention: Cary Devore
Email:  

 

with a copy, in any case, to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:     Dean Shulman, P.C.

Peter Martelli, P.C.

Lauren M. Colasacco, P.C.

Email:           dean.shulman@kirkland.com

peter.martelli@kirkland.com

lauren.colasacco@kirkland.com

 

If to Series U or Series R, to:

 

Series U of UM Partners, LLC

c/o Utz Quality Foods, LLC

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

Attention: Dylan B. Lissette

Email: 

 

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with a copy to:

 

Cozen O’Connor

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 2800

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention: Richard J. Silpe, Esquire

   Larry P. Laubach, Esquire

Email: rsilpe@cozen.com

  llaubach@cozen.com

 

Section 7.2.     Counterparts. This TRA Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

Section 7.3.     Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This TRA Agreement, the Business Combination Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, together with all Exhibits and Schedules to this TRA Agreement, contain the entire agreement and understanding among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter in any way. Nothing in this TRA Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this TRA Agreement.

 

Section 7.4.     Governing Law. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this TRA Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforceability of this TRA Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this TRA Agreement, in each case without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

Section 7.5.     Severability. If any provision of this TRA Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any governmental entity, all other provisions of this TRA Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this TRA Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

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Section 7.6.     Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers.

 

(a)            No TRA Party may assign all or any portion of its rights or obligations under this TRA Agreement to any Person without the prior written approval of the TRA Disinterested Majority, except that, to the extent that a TRA Party Transfers Units to any of such TRA Party’s Permitted Transferees in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Transferring TRA Party shall have the option to assign, without the approval of the Board or TRA Disinterested Majority, to the Transferee of such Units the Transferring TRA Party’s rights and obligations under this TRA Agreement with respect to such Transferred Units. As a condition to any such assignment, each Transferee approved by the TRA Disinterested Majority or Permitted Transferee, as applicable, and the Corporate Taxpayer shall execute and deliver a joinder to this TRA Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, agreeing to become a TRA Party for all purposes of this TRA Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder. If a TRA Party Transfers Units in accordance with the terms of the LLC Agreement but does not assign to the Transferee of such Units its rights and obligations under this TRA Agreement with respect to such Transferred Units, (i) such TRA Party shall remain a TRA Party under this TRA Agreement for all purposes, including with respect to the receipt of Tax Benefit Payments to the extent payable hereunder (including any Tax Benefit Payments in respect of the Exchanges of such Transferred Units by such Transferee), and (ii) the Transferee of such Units shall not be a TRA Party. The Corporate Taxpayer may not assign any of its rights or obligations under this TRA Agreement to any Person (other than in connection with a Mandatory Assignment) without the prior written consent of the TRA Party Representative (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Any purported assignment in violation of the terms of this Section 7.6 shall be null and void.

 

(b)            No provision of this TRA Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by each of the Corporate Taxpayer (as determined by the TRA Disinterested Majority) and by the TRA Parties who would be entitled to receive at least two-thirds of the total amount of the Early Termination Payments payable to all TRA Parties under this TRA Agreement if the Corporate Taxpayer had exercised its right of early termination on the date of the most recent Exchange prior to such amendment (excluding, for purposes of this sentence, all payments made to any TRA Party pursuant to this TRA Agreement since the date of such most recent Exchange); provided, that no such amendment shall be effective if such amendment will have a disproportionate effect on the payments one or more TRA Parties will be entitled to receive under this TRA Agreement unless such amendment is consented to in writing by such TRA Parties disproportionately affected. No provision of this TRA Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

(c)            All of the terms and provisions of this TRA Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporate Taxpayer, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this TRA Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place (any such assignment, a “Mandatory Assignment”).

 

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Section 7.7.     Interpretation. The headings and captions used in this TRA Agreement and the table of contents to this TRA Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this TRA Agreement. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit attached hereto and not otherwise defined therein shall have the meanings set forth in this TRA Agreement. The use of the word “including” herein shall mean “including without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this TRA Agreement, shall refer to this TRA Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this TRA Agreement. References herein to the Preamble or to a specific Section, Subsection, Recital, Clause, Schedule or Exhibit shall refer, respectively, to the Preamble, Sections, Subsections, Recitals, Clauses, Schedules or Exhibits of this TRA Agreement. Terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa. References herein to any gender shall include each other gender. The word “or” shall not be exclusive unless the context clearly requires the selection of one (1) (but not more than one (1)) of a number of items. References to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form. References herein to any Person shall include such Person’s heirs, executors, personal representatives, administrators, successors and permitted assigns; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 7.7 is intended to authorize any assignment or transfer not otherwise permitted by this TRA Agreement. References herein to a Person in a particular capacity or capacities shall exclude such Person in any other capacity. Any reference to “days” shall mean calendar days unless Business Days are expressly specified; provided that if any action is required to be done or taken on a day that is not a Business Day, then such action shall be required to be done or taken not on such day but on the first succeeding Business Day thereafter. References herein to any contract or agreement (including this TRA Agreement) mean such contract or agreement as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof. With respect to the determination of any period of time, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding.” References herein to any law shall be deemed also to refer to such law, as amended (and any successor laws), and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” (or similar phrases) shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” Except where otherwise expressly provided, all amounts in this TRA Agreement are stated and shall be paid in United States dollars. The parties to this TRA Agreement and their respective counsel have reviewed and negotiated this TRA Agreement as the joint agreement and understanding of such parties, and the language used in this TRA Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by such parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any Person.

 

Section 7.8.     Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction.

 

(a)            EACH PARTY TO THIS TRA AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS TRA AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS TRA AGREEMENT AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES HEREUNDER. THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

 

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(b)            Subject to Section 7.9, each of the parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of first, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or if such court declines jurisdiction, then to the Federal District Court for the District of Delaware, in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this TRA Agreement, agrees that all claims in respect of such action, suit or proceeding shall be heard and determined in any such court and agrees not to bring any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this TRA Agreement in any other courts. Nothing in this Section 7.8, however, shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or at equity. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any action, suit or proceeding so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law or at equity.

 

Section 7.9.     Reconciliation. In the event that the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the calculation of amounts owed pursuant to Sections 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2 within the relevant period designated in this TRA Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert in the particular area of disagreement, acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator (the “Expert”), mutually acceptable to the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative. The Expert shall be a partner or principal of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG, BDO USA, LLP, Grant Thornton LLP, Alvarez & Marsal, or RSM US LLP, and unless the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative agree in writing otherwise, the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with any party to this TRA Agreement, any Affiliate of any such parties, any member of the Rice Family, or any Affiliate of any such member or any other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt by the respondent(s) of written notice of a Reconciliation Dispute, then the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative shall cause the Expert to be selected by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise (the “ICC”) in accordance with the criteria set forth above in this Section 7.9. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Basis Schedule or an amendment thereto or the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement) or any Tax Return reflecting the subject of a disagreement is due, the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this TRA Agreement and such Tax Return may be filed as prepared by the Corporate Taxpayer, subject to adjustment or amendment upon resolution.  The sum of (a) the costs and expenses relating to (i) the engagement (and, if applicable, selection by the ICC) of such Expert and (ii) if applicable, amending any Tax Return in connection with the decision of such Expert and (b) the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Corporate Taxpayer and the TRA Party Representative incurred in the conduct of such proceeding shall be allocated between the Corporate Taxpayer, on the one hand, and the TRA Party Representative (on behalf of the TRA Parties), on the other hand, in the same proportion that the aggregate amount of the disputed items so submitted to the Expert that is unsuccessfully disputed by each such party (as finally determined by the Expert) bears to the total amount of such disputed items so submitted, and each such party shall promptly reimburse the other party for the excess that such other party has paid in respect of such costs and expenses over the amount it has been so allocated. The Corporate Taxpayer may withhold payments under this TRA Agreement to collect amounts due under the preceding sentence. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.9 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.9 shall be binding on the Corporate Taxpayer and each of the TRA Parties and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

 

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Section 7.10.     Withholding. The Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this TRA Agreement such amounts as the Corporate Taxpayer is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local, foreign or other Tax law; provided, however, that the Corporate Taxpayer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify and shall reasonably cooperate with the applicable TRA Party prior to the making of such deductions and withholding payments to determine whether any such deductions or withholding payments (other than any deduction or withholding required by reason of such TRA Party’s failure to comply with the last sentence of this Section 7.10) are required under applicable law and in obtaining any available exemption or reduction of, or otherwise minimizing to the extent permitted by applicable law, such deduction and withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this TRA Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such withholding was made. Each TRA Party shall promptly provide the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo or other applicable withholding agent with any applicable Tax forms and certifications (including IRS Form W-9 or the applicable version of IRS Form W-8) reasonably requested and shall promptly provide an update of any such Tax form or certificate previously delivered if the same has become incorrect or has expired.

 

Section 7.11.     Admission of the Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

 

(a)            If the Corporate Taxpayer is or becomes a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group of corporations that files a consolidated, combined or unitary income Tax Return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local Tax law, then: (i) the provisions of this TRA Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated, combined or unitary taxable income of the group as a whole.

 

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(b)            If the Corporate Taxpayer (or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) transfers or is deemed to transfer any Unit or any Reference Asset to a transferee that is treated as a corporation for United States federal income Tax purposes (other than a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) in a transaction in which the transferee’s basis in the property acquired is determined in whole or in part by reference to such transferor’s basis in such property, then the Corporate Taxpayer shall cause such transferee to assume the obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to the applicable Tax Attributes associated with any Reference Asset or interest therein acquired (directly or indirectly) in such transfer (taking into account any gain recognized in the transaction) in a manner consistent with the terms of this TRA Agreement as the transferee (or one of its Affiliates) actually realizes Tax benefits from the Tax Attributes.

 

(c)            If OpCo transfers (or is deemed to transfer for United States federal income Tax purposes) any Reference Asset to a transferee that is treated as a corporation for United States federal income Tax purposes (other than a member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) in a transaction in which the transferee’s basis in the property acquired is determined in whole or in part by reference to such transferor’s basis in such property, OpCo shall be treated as having disposed of the Reference Asset in a wholly taxable transaction in which income, gain or loss is allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer in accordance with the LLC Agreement. The consideration deemed to be received by OpCo in a transaction contemplated in the prior sentence shall be equal to the fair market value of the deemed transferred asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest. The transactions described in this Section 7.11(c) and Section 7.11(e) below shall be taken into account in determining the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, as applicable, for such Taxable Year based on the income, gain or loss deemed allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer using the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis of the Referenced Assets in calculating its Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year and using the actual Tax basis of the Reference Assets in calculating its Actual Tax Liability, determined using the “with and without” methodology. Thus, for example, in determining the Hypothetical Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer, the taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer shall be determined by treating OpCo as having sold the applicable Reference Asset for its fair market value, recovering any basis applicable to such Reference Asset (using the Non-Adjusted Tax Basis), while the Actual Tax Liability of the Corporate Taxpayer would be determined by recovering the actual Tax basis of the Reference Asset that reflects any Basis Adjustments.

 

(d)            If any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a) that owns any Unit deconsolidates from the group (or the Corporate Taxpayer deconsolidates from the group), then the Corporate Taxpayer shall cause such member (or the parent of the consolidated group in a case where the Corporate Taxpayer deconsolidates from the group) to assume the obligation to make payments hereunder with respect to the applicable Tax Attributes associated with any Reference Asset it owns (directly or indirectly) in a manner consistent with the terms of this TRA Agreement as the member (or one of its Affiliates) actually realizes Tax benefits.

 

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(e)            Except as otherwise set forth in Section 7.11(d), if the Corporate Taxpayer (or any member of a group described in Section 7.11(a)) transfers (or is deemed to transfer for United States federal income Tax purposes) any Unit in a transaction that is wholly or partially taxable, then for purposes of calculating payments under this TRA Agreement, OpCo shall be treated as having disposed of the portion of any Reference Asset (determined based on a pro rata share of an undivided interest in each Reference Asset) that is indirectly transferred by the Corporate Taxpayer or other entity described above (i.e., taking into account the number of Units transferred) in a wholly or partially taxable transaction, as applicable, in which all income, gain or loss is allocated to the Corporate Taxpayer in accordance with the LLC Agreement. The consideration deemed to be received by OpCo shall be equal to the fair market value of the deemed transferred asset, plus (i) the amount of debt to which such asset is subject, in the case of a transfer of an encumbered asset or (ii) the amount of debt allocated to such asset, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest.

 

(f)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent any net operating loss carryforwards that exist as of the Closing Date (“Pre-Closing NOLs”) of the Utz C Corp Entities (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such Pre-Closing NOLs under Section 382 of the Code or otherwise under applicable law) become available to offset the taxable income of the Corporate Taxpayer, except as a result of (i) a Change of Control or (ii) any transaction in which OpCo is no longer treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the parties hereto agree that such Pre-Closing NOLs shall be disregarded in the calculation of Realized Tax Benefit (and the components thereof), Realized Tax Detriment (and the components thereof) and the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment for any taxable period in which such Pre-Closing NOLs have become available.

 

Section 7.12.     Confidentiality.

 

(a)            Subject to Section 6.3, each TRA Party acknowledges and agrees that the information of the Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this TRA Agreement, such person shall keep and retain in confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters of the Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates and successors or concerning OpCo and its Affiliates and successors learned by the TRA Party pursuant to this TRA Agreement. This Section 7.12 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of the TRA Party in violation of this TRA Agreement) or is generally known and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for the TRA Party to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such returns.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this TRA Agreement, to the extent required by applicable law or to the extent reasonably necessary for the TRA Party to comply with any applicable reportable transaction requirements under applicable law, each TRA Party (and each employee, representative or other agent of the TRA Party, as applicable) may disclose the Tax treatment and Tax structure of the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and their Affiliates, and any of their transactions, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other Tax analyses) that are provided to the TRA Party relating to such Tax treatment and Tax structure.

 

32

 

 

(b)            If a TRA Party breaches any of the provisions of this Section 7.12, the Corporate Taxpayer shall have the right to seek to have the provisions of this Section 7.12 specifically enforced by injunctive relief by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach shall cause irreparable injury to the Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Subsidiaries and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons.  Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

 

(c)            In no event shall this Section 7.12 limit any obligation of any party under the LLC Agreement or the Business Combination Agreement.

 

Section 7.13.     TRA Party Representative. By executing this TRA Agreement, each of the TRA Parties shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed the TRA Party Representative as its agent and attorney in fact with full power of substitution to act from and after the date hereof and to do any and all things and execute any and all documents on behalf of such TRA Parties which may be necessary, convenient or appropriate to facilitate any matters under this TRA Agreement, including: (i) execution of the documents and certificates required pursuant to this TRA Agreement; (ii) except to the extent provided in this TRA Agreement, receipt and forwarding of notices and communications pursuant to this TRA Agreement; (iv) administration of the provisions of this TRA Agreement; (v) any and all consents, waivers, amendments or modifications deemed by the TRA Party Representative to be necessary or appropriate under this TRA Agreement and the execution or delivery of any documents that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith; (vi) taking actions the TRA Party Representative is authorized to take pursuant to the other provisions of this TRA Agreement; (vii) negotiating and compromising, on behalf of such TRA Parties, any dispute that may arise under, and exercising or refraining from exercising any remedies available under, this TRA Agreement and executing, on behalf of such TRA Parties, any settlement agreement, release or other document with respect to such dispute or remedy; and (viii) engaging attorneys, accountants, agents or consultants on behalf of such TRA Parties in connection with this TRA Agreement and paying any fees related thereto on behalf of such TRA Parties, subject to reimbursement by such TRA Parties. The TRA Party Representative may resign upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Corporate Taxpayer.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

33

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo, Series U, Series R and the TRA Party Representative have duly executed this TRA Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  Corporate Taxpayer:
   
  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  OpCo:
   
  UTZ BRANDS HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  TRA Parties:
   
  SERIES U OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  SERIES R OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  TRA Party Representative:
   
  SERIES U OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit A
Form of Joinder

 

This JOINDER (this “Joinder”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below), is by and among UTZ BRANDS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporate Taxpayer”), ______________________ (“Transferor”) and ______________________ (“Transferee”).

 

WHEREAS, on ______________________, Transferee shall acquire ______________________ percent of the Transferor’s right to receive payments that may become due and payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below) (the “Acquired Interests”) from Transferor (the “Acquisition”); and

 

WHEREAS, Transferor, in connection with the Acquisition, has required Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.6(a) of the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2020, among the Corporate Taxpayer, OpCo and the TRA Parties (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”).

 

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

 

Section 1.1     Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

Section 1.2     Acquisition. The Transferor hereby transfers and assigns to the Transferee all of the Acquired Interests.

 

Section 1.3     Joinder. Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees (i) that such Transferee has received and read the Tax Receivable Agreement, (ii) that such Transferee is acquiring the Acquired Interests in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Tax Receivable Agreement and (iii) such Transferee will be treated as a “TRA Party” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

Section 1.4     Notice. Any notice, demand or other communication under the TRA Agreement to Transferee shall be given to Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

Section 1.5     Governing Law. This Joinder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 1.6     Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Joinder may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts, by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

35

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by the parties as of the date first above written.

 

  Corporate Taxpayer:
   
  UTZ BRANDS,INC.
   
  By:                                        
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
  [TRANSFEROR]
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
  [TRANSFEREE]
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
  Address for notices:

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Investor Rights Agreement, the “Investor Rights Agreement”), dated as of August 28, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and among (i) Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Collier Creek Holdings, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“PubCo”); (ii) Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series U”), in its own capacity and in its capacity as the Seller Representative hereunder; (iii) Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series R” and, together with Series U, the “Sellers”); (iv) Collier Creek Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; (v) (A) Chinh E. Chu, (B) CC Collier Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (C) Roger K. Deromedi, (D) Roger K. Deromedi, as Trustee of the Roger K. Deromedi Revocable Trust, Dated 2/11/2000, Amended and Restated 11/9/2011, (E) Jason K. Giordano and (F) Erika Giordano, each in their capacity as a Founder Holder, (vi) Sponsor Representative and (vii) Antonio F. Fernandez, Matthew M. Mannelly, Craig D. Steeneck and William D. Toler (each, a “CCH Independent Director” and, collectively, the “CCH Independent Directors”). Each of PubCo, Sellers, Sponsor, the Sponsor Representative, each CCH Independent Director and each Founder Holder may be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, PubCo has entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020 (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “BCA”), by and among PubCo, Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (formerly known as UM-U Intermediate, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Operating Company”), and the Sellers, in connection with the business combination (the “Business Combination”) set forth in the BCA;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the BCA at the Closing, (i) PubCo acquired from the Sellers certain limited liability company interests of the Operating Company, (ii) the Sellers retained certain limited liability company interests in the Operating Company (the “Retained Company Units”) and certain unvested performance limited liability company interests in the Operating Company (the “Retained Restricted Company Units”), and PubCo issued to Sellers shares of Class V Common Stock of PubCo equal to the number of Retained Company Units, and (iii) the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors agreed to receive, instead of an aggregate of two million shares of Class A Common Stock of PubCo the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors would have received upon the consumation of the Business Combination upon the automatic conversion of their Class B Ordinary Shares of PubCo held prior thereto, two million shares of Class B Common Stock of PubCo (the “Restricted Sponsor Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the consummation of the Business Combination, PubCo and the Sellers entered into that certain third amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “LLC Agreement”);

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the LLC Agreement, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement, (i) the Retained Restricted Company Units will vest (the “Vested Retained Restricted Company Units”) and (ii) PubCo will issue to the Sellers that additional number of shares of the Class V Common Stock of PubCo equal to the number of the Vested Retained Restricted Company Units, and upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in that certain letter agreement entered into with PubCo, the Sponsor, the Founder Holders and the CCH Independent Directors, dated June 5, 2020 (the “Sponsor Side Letter”), the Restricted Sponsor Shares will convert automatically into shares of Class A Common Stock of PubCo;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Sellers has the right to exchange the Utz Units, along with the cancelation of an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock, for shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, PubCo, the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2018 (the “Original RRA”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the execution of this Investor Rights Agreement, PubCo, the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors desire to terminate the Original RRA and replace it with this Investor Rights Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, on the Effective Date, the Parties desire to set forth their agreement with respect to governance, registration rights and certain other matters, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Investor Rights Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1     Definitions. As used in this Investor Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Action” means any action, suit, charge, litigation, arbitration, or other proceeding at law or in equity (whether civil, criminal or administrative) by or before any Governmental Entity.

 

Adverse Disclosure” means any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith determination of the Board, after consultation with counsel to PubCo, (a) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any Prospectus and any preliminary Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (b) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (c) PubCo has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

2

 

 

Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise; provided that no Party shall be deemed an Affiliate of PubCo or any of its subsidiaries for purposes of this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act.

 

BCA” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Beneficially Own” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

Board” means the board of directors of PubCo.

 

Business Combination” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in the State of New York.

 

Bylaws” means the bylaws of PubCo, as in effect on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

CCH Independent Director” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Certificate of Incorporation” means the certificate of incorporation of PubCo, as in effect on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Class A Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo, or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person that are issued or issuable in consideration for the Class A common stock or into which the Class A common stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

Class B Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo, or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person that are issued or issuable in consideration for the Class B common stock or into which the Class B common stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

Class V Common Stock” means, as applicable, (a) the Class V common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo, or (b) following any consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event involving PubCo, any shares or other securities of PubCo or any other Person that are issued or issuable in consideration for the Class V common stock or into which the Class V common stock is exchanged or converted as a result of such consolidation, merger, reclassification or other similar event.

 

3

 

 

Closing” has the meaning given to such term in the BCA.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning given to such term in the BCA.

 

Common Stock” means shares of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and the Class V Common Stock, including any shares of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and the Class V Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of any warrant or other right to acquire shares of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B Common Stock and the Class V Common Stock.

 

Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

 

Demanding Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).

 

Economic Interests” mean (a) for the Sellers, (i) Utz Units and (ii) shares of Class A Common Stock, in each case owned by the Sellers and (b) for the Sponsor, 9,555,671.61 shares of Class A Common Stock plus any shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to clause (B) below upon such conversion, in the case of clause (a) and (b), as equitably adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations and the like. For purposes of computing the percentage of Economic Interests held by the Sponsor or the Sellers in Section 2.1, Section 2.2 or Section 5.4(b), in each case, Retained Restricted Company Units and Restricted Sponsor Shares shall (A) not be included as held as of the Closing Date or at the applicable time while unvested or while Class B Common Stock and (B) be included as being held as of the Closing Date and at the applicable time beginning only if and when they vest or convert into Class A Common Stock.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or equity of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares or equity (or such other interests), restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights, profit participation and all of the other ownership or profit interests of such Person (including partnership or member interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto, as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

Family Member” means with respect to any Person, a spouse, lineal descendant (whether natural or adopted) or spouse of a lineal descendant of such Person or any trust created for the benefit of such Person or of which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary.

 

4

 

 

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

Form S-1 Shelf” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

Form S-3 Shelf” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

Forward Purchase Agreements” means those certain forward purchase agreements, dated as of September 7, 2018, among PubCo, the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors, as applicable, pursuant to which the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors each agreed to purchase an aggregate of 3,500,000 Class A ordinary shares of PubCo and 1,166,666 redeemable warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares of PubCo in a private placement to occur concurently with the Closing.

 

Foundation” means The Rice Family Foundation.

 

Foundation Transfer” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Foundation Transfer Amount” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Founder Holder” means each of (i) Chinh E. Chu, (ii) CC Collier Holdings, LLC, (iii) Roger K. Deromedi, (iv) Roger K. Deromedi, as Trustee of the Roger K. Deromedi Revocable Trust, Dated 2/11/2000, Amended and Restated 11/9/2011, (v) Jason K. Giordano and (vi) Erika Giordano.

 

Governmental Entity” means any nation or government, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any court, arbitrator (public or private) or other body or administrative, regulatory or quasi-judicial authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction.

 

Holder” means any holder of Registrable Securities who is a Party to, or who succeeds to rights under, this Investor Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 5.1; provided that a Party who does not hold Registrable Securities as of the Effective Date and who acquires Registrable Securities after the Effective Date will not be a Holder until such Party gives PubCo a representation in writing of the number of Registrable Securities it holds.

 

Holder Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.10(b).

 

Investor Rights Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Laws” means all laws, acts, statutes, constitutions, treaties, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, and rulings of a Governmental Entity, including common law. All references to “Laws” shall be deemed to include any amendments thereto, and any successor Law, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

LLC Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Lock-Up Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

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Lock-Up Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(d).

 

Minimum Takedown Threshold” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).

 

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Necessary Action” means, with respect to any Party and a specified result, all actions (to the extent such actions are not prohibited by applicable Law and within such Party’s control, and in the case of any action that requires a vote or other action on the part of the Board to the extent such action is consistent with fiduciary duties that the Company’s directors may have in such capacity) necessary to cause such result, including (a) calling special meetings of stockholders, (b) voting or providing a written consent or proxy, if applicable in each case, with respect to shares of Common Stock, (c) causing the adoption of stockholders’ resolutions and amendments to the Organizational Documents, (d) executing agreements and instruments, (e) making, or causing to be made, with Governmental Entities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result and (f) nominating certain Persons for election to the Board in connection with the annual or special meeting of stockholders of PubCo.

 

Operating Company” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Original RRA” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Organizational Documents” means the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws.

 

Outside CEO” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

Party” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Permitted Transferee” means (a) with respect to any Person, (i) any Family Member of such Person, (ii) any Affiliate of such Person, and (iii) any Affiliate of any Family Member of such Person (excluding any Affiliate under this clause (iii) who operates or engages in a business which competes with the business of PubCo or the Operating Company), and (b) with respect to any Seller, (i) any member of the Rice Family, and (ii) any Affiliate of a member of the Rice Family (excluding any Affiliate under this clause (ii) who operates or engages in a business which competes with the business of PubCo or the Operating Company), but excluding the Foundation (and the Foundation shall not be a Permitted Transferee of (y) a Seller, or (z) a Permitted Transferee of a Seller, but the Foundation shall be entitled to the benefit of the Foundation Transfer).

 

Person” means any natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, trust, unincorporated association, corporation, limited liability company, entity or Governmental Entity.

 

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

 

6

 

 

Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such prospectus, and all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

PubCo” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Registrable Securities” means (a) any shares of Class A Common Stock (including Class A Common Stock (i) to be issued pursuant to the LLC Agreement upon exchange of Utz Units, along with an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock, and (ii) to be issued as a result of the conversion of the Restricted Sponsor Shares), (b) any Warrants or any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise thereof and (c) any Equity Securities of PubCo or any Subsidiary of PubCo that may be issued or distributed or be issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clauses (a) or (b) by way of conversion, dividend, stock split or other distribution, merger, consolidation, exchange, recapitalization or reclassification or similar transaction, in each case held by a Holder, other than any security received pursuant to an incentive plan adopted by PubCo on or after the Closing Date; provided, however, that any such Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities to the extent (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Registrable Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with the plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement, (B) such Registrable Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding or (C) such Registrable Securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

 

Registration” means a registration, including any related Shelf Takedown, effected by preparing and filing a registration statement, prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registration Expenses” means the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including the following:

 

(a) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA) and any securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed;

 

(b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky Laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

(c) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(d) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for PubCo;

 

(e) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of PubCo incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

 

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(f) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders in an Underwritten Offering in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for each Registration.

 

Registration Statement” means any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Investor Rights Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Requesting Holder” shall mean any Special Holder requesting piggyback rights pursuant to Section 3.2 of this Investor Rights Agreement with respect to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

 

Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, actuaries, consultants, equity financing partners or financial advisors or other Person acting on behalf of such Person.

 

Restricted Sponsor Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Retained Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Retained Restricted Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Rice Family” means Michael W. Rice or any Family Member of Michael W. Rice.

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto, as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

Seller Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

Seller Representative” means Series U, or such other Person, which Person must be an Affiliate of the Sellers, who is identified as the replacement Seller Representative by the then existing Seller Representative giving prior written notice to PubCo.

 

Sellers” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Series R” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Series U” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Shelf” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

Shelf Registration” means a registration of securities pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the SEC in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

8

 

 

Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” means a Registration Statement of PubCo filed with the SEC on either (i) Form S-3 (or any successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act) or (ii) if PubCo is not permitted to file a Registration Statement on Form S-3, a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act), in each case for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act covering the Registrable Securities, as applicable.

 

Special Holder” means each of the Sponsor and each Seller, at such times as such Party is a Holder.

 

Sponsor” means Collier Creek Partners LLC, or, upon its dissolution, the Founder Holders.

 

Sponsor Director” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

Sponsor Representative” means Collier Creek Partners LLC or, after the dissolution of Collier Creek Partners LLC, Jason K. Giordano, or such other Person who is an Affiliate of one or more of Chinh E. Chu, Roger K. Deromedi or Jason K. Giordano, who is identified as the replacement Sponsor Representative by the then existing Sponsor Representative giving prior written notice to PubCo and the Sellers.

 

Sponsor Side Letter” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Subsequent Shelf Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b).

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, quoted or admitted to trading and is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day).

 

Transfer” means, when used as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary transfer, sale, pledge or hypothecation or other disposition by the Transferor (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and, when used as a verb, the Transferor voluntarily or involuntarily, transfers, sells, pledges or hypothecates or otherwise disposes of (whether by operation of law or otherwise), including, in each case, (a) the establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to, or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security or (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise. The terms “Transferee,” “Transferor,” “Transferred,” and other forms of the word “Transfer” shall have the correlative meanings.

 

Underwriter” means any investment banker(s) and manager(s) appointed to administer the offering of any Registerable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering.

 

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Underwritten Offering” means a Registration in which securities of PubCo are sold to an Underwriter for distribution to the public.

 

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).

 

Utz Units” means Units (as defined in the LLC Agreement) owned by the Sellers or their Permitted Transferees, including the Retained Company Units and the Vested Retained Restricted Company Units.

 

Utz Group” means, collectively, the Operating Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Utz Quality Foods.

 

Utz Quality Foods” means Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Vested Retained Restricted Company Units” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Warrants” means the following outstanding warrants of PubCo, each exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock, (a) warrants to purchase 7,200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Sponsor pursuant to that certain private placement warrants purchase agreement, dated October 4, 2018, by and among the Sponsor and PubCo, for a purchase price of $1.50 per warrant and (b) warrants to purchase 1,166,666 shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreements.

 

Well-Known Seasoned Issuer” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act.

 

Withdrawal Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(e).

 

Section 1.2     Interpretive Provisions. For all purposes of this Investor Rights Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this Investor Rights Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)            the meanings of defined terms are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms.

 

(b)            the words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Investor Rights Agreement, refer to this Investor Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(c)            references in this Investor Rights Agreement to any Law shall be deemed also to refer to such Law, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(d)            whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Investor Rights Agreement, they shall mean “without limitation.”

 

(e)            the captions and headings of this Investor Rights Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

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(f)            pronouns of any gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms.

 

Article II
GOVERNANCE

 

Section 2.1     Board of Directors.

 

(a)            Composition of the Board. The Sponsor, the Sellers and PubCo shall take all Necessary Action to cause the Board to be comprised of ten (10) directors, (i) five (5) of whom have been nominated by the Seller Representative, initially Dylan B. Lissette, Michael W. Rice, Timothy P. Brown, B. John Lindeman and John W. Altmeyer and thereafter designated pursuant to Section 2.1(b) or Section 2.1(e) of this Investor Rights Agreement (each, a “Seller Director”), (ii) five (5) of whom have been nominated by the Sponsor Representative, initially Roger K. Deromedi, Craig D. Steeneck, Antonio F. Fernandez, Christina Choi and Jason K. Giordano and thereafter designated pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or Section 2.1(e) of this Investor Rights Agreement (each, a “Sponsor Director”), provided that at such time as a chief executive officer that is not an Affiliate of either the Sellers or the Sponsor (the “Outside CEO”) is elected by the Board, the Sponsor, the Sellers and PubCo shall take all Necessary Action to cause (x) the Board to be comprised of eleven (11) directors, and (y) such Outside CEO to be elected to the Board as the eleventh member. At such time as the Outside CEO is elected to the Board as the eleventh member, and for so long as both the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees, on the one hand, and the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees, on the other hand, Beneficially Own Economic Interests (in PubCo and the Operating Company, without duplication) representing at least 75% of the Economic Interests held by such Party(ies) immediately after the Closing (excluding for these purposes, with respect to the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees, from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Closing and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), the Sponsor, the Sellers and PubCo shall take all Necessary Action to require that all actions of the Board be approved by seven (7) directors. The Sponsor, the Sellers and PubCo shall take all Necessary Action to cause the foregoing directors to be divided into three classes of directors, with each class serving for staggered three year-terms as follows:

 

(i)            the Class I directors shall include: two (2) Seller Directors, initially B. John Lindeman and John W. Altmeyer, and one (1) Sponsor Director, initially Jason K. Giordano;

 

(ii)            the Class II directors shall include: one (1) Seller Director, initially Michael W. Rice, and two (2) Sponsor Directors, initially Craig D. Steeneck and Antonio F. Fernandez; and

 

(iii)            the Class III directors shall include: two (2) Seller Directors, initially Timothy P. Brown and Dylan B. Lissette, and two (2) Sponsor Directors, initially Roger K. Deromedi and Christina Choi.

 

The initial term of the Class I directors shall expire immediately following PubCo’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected. The initial term of the Class II directors shall expire immediately following PubCo’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected. The initial term of the Class III directors shall expire immediately following PubCo’s 2023 annual meeting at which directors are elected.

 

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(b)            Seller Representation. For so long as the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own Economic Interests (in PubCo and the Operating Company, without duplication) representing at least the percentage, shown below, of the Economic Interests held by the Sellers immediately after the Closing (excluding for these purposes from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Closing and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), PubCo, the Sponsor and the Sellers shall take all Necessary Action to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election as directors at each applicable annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, that number of individuals designated by the Seller Representative that, if elected, will result in the Sellers having the number of directors serving on the Board that is shown below; provided, that after the number of Seller Directors is reduced because the percentage Beneficially Owned of such Economic Interests is reduced, the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees cannot subsequently increase the number of Seller Directors entitled to be designated as a result of their acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Economic Interests (in PubCo and the Operating Company, without duplication).

 

Economic Interests Beneficially Owned by the Sellers (and their Permitted Transferees) as a Percentage of the Economic Interests Held by the Sellers on the Closing Date   Number of Seller Directors  
75% or greater   5  
60% or greater, but less than 75%   4  
45% or greater, but less than 60%   3  
30% or greater, but less than 45%   2  
15% or greater, but less than 30%   1  
Less than 15%   0  

 

(c)            Sponsor Representation. For so long as the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees Beneficially Own Economic Interests in Pubco representing at least the percentage, shown below, of the Economic Interests held by the Sponsor immediately after the Closing, PubCo, the Sponsor and the Sellers shall take all Necessary Action to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election as directors at each applicable annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that number of individuals designated by the Sponsor Representative that, if elected, will result in the Sponsor having the number of directors serving on the Board that is shown below; provided, that after the number of Sponsor Directors is reduced because the percentage Beneficially Owned of such Economic Interests is reduced, the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees cannot subsequently increase the number of Sponsor Directors entitled to be designated as a result of its acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Economic Interests in PubCo.

 

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Economic Interests Beneficially Owned by the Sponsor (and its Permitted Transferees) as a Percentage of the Economic Interests Held by the Sponsor on the Closing Date   Number of Sponsor Directors  
75% or greater   5  
60% or greater, but less than 75%   4  
45% or greater, but less than 60%   3  
30% or greater, but less than 45%   2  
15% or greater, but less than 30%   1  
Less than 15%   0  

 

(d)            Decrease in Directors. Upon any decrease in the number of directors that the Seller Representative or the Sponsor Representative, as applicable, is entitled to designate for nomination to the Board pursuant to Section 2.1(b) or Section 2.1(c), the Sellers or the Sponsor, as applicable, shall take all Necessary Action to cause the appropriate number of Seller Directors or Sponsor Directors, as applicable, to offer to tender their resignation at least 60 days prior to the expected date of PubCo’s next annual meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may, in its sole discretion, recommend for nomination a Seller Director or Sponsor Director that has tendered his or her resignation pursuant to this Section 2.1(d).

 

(e)            Removal; Vacancies. The Seller Representative or the Sponsor Representative, as applicable, shall have the exclusive right to (i) remove their nominees from the Board, and PubCo shall take all Necessary Action to cause the removal of any such nominee at the request of the applicable Party and (ii) designate directors for election to the Board to fill vacancies created by reason of death, removal or resignation of its nominees to the Board, and PubCo, the Sponsor and the Sellers shall take all Necessary Action to cause any such vacancies created pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above to be filled by replacement directors designated by the applicable Party as promptly as practicable after such designation (and in any event prior to the next meeting or action of the Board or applicable committee). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.1(e), no Party shall have the right to designate a replacement director, and PubCo shall not be required to take any action to cause any vacancy to be filled by any such designee, to the extent that election or appointment of such designee to the Board would result in a number of directors nominated or designated by such Party in excess of the number of directors that such Party is then entitled to nominate for membership on the Board pursuant to this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(f)            Committees. In accordance with PubCo’s Organizational Documents, (i) the Board shall establish and maintain committees of the Board for (x) Audit, (y) Compensation and (z) Nominating and Corporate Governance, and (ii) the Board may from time to time by resolution establish and maintain other committees of the Board. Subject to applicable Laws and stock exchange regulations, and subject to requisite independence requirements applicable to such committee, (i) for so long as the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees or the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees, as applicable, Beneficially Own Economic Interests (in PubCo and the Operating Company, without duplication) representing at least 30% of the Economic Interests held by such Party(ies) immediately after the Closing (excluding for these purposes, with respect to the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees, from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Closing and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), each of the Seller Representative and the Sponsor Representative shall have the right to have at least one director designated by such Party appointed to serve on each committee of the Board, and (ii) for so long as the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees or the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees, as applicable, Beneficially Own Economic Interests (in PubCo and the Operating Company, without duplication) representing at least 15% (but less than 30%) of the Economic Interests held by such Party(ies) immediately after the Closing (excluding for these purposes, with respect to the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees, from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Closing and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), each of the Seller Representative and the Sponsor Representative shall have the right to have at least one director designated by such Party appointed to serve on the following committees of the Board: (y) Compensation and (z) Nominating and Corporate Governance.

 

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(g)            Reimbursement of Expenses. PubCo shall reimburse the directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings of the Board and any committees thereof, including travel, lodging and meal expenses.

 

(h)            Indemnification. For so long as any Seller Director or Sponsor Director serves as a director of PubCo, (i) PubCo shall provide such Seller Director or Sponsor Director with the same expense reimbursement, benefits, indemnity, exculpation and other arrangements provided to the other directors of PubCo and (ii) PubCo shall not amend, alter or repeal any right to indemnification or exculpation covering or benefiting any Seller Director or Sponsor Director nominated pursuant to this Investor Rights Agreement as and to the extent consistent with applicable Law, the last sentence of Section 10.1(G) of the Certificate of Incorporation, Article VIII of the Certificate of Incorporation, Article IV of the Bylaws and any indemnification agreements with directors (whether such right is contained in the Organizational Documents or another document) (except to the extent such amendment or alteration permits PubCo to provide broader indemnification or exculpation rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto).

 

Section 2.2     Actions Requiring Special Approval. For so long as the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees continue to Beneficially Own Economic Interests (in the Operating Company and PubCo, without duplication) representing more than 50% of the Economic Interests held by the Sellers immediately after the Closing (excluding for these purposes from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Closing and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), PubCo will not, and will not permit any member of the Utz Group to, undertake, or agree to undertake, whether directly or indirectly, any of the following without the prior written consent of the Seller Representative: (a) any transaction or series of related transactions that results in a direct or indirect sale (including by way of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, Transfer, sale or other business combination or similar transaction) of greater than 50% of the property or assets, or greater than 50% of the voting securities, of PubCo (other than (i) pursuant to any offer to purchase securities made directly to the stockholders of PubCo that is not approved by the Board, (ii) any merger or issuance of voting securities that does not result in a Person or group of Persons acting together that would constitute a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act becoming the holder of greater than 50% of the voting securities of PubCo or (iii) any reorganization or recapitalization that does not violate clauses (b) or (c) below)) or greater than 50% of the property or assets, or greater than 50% of the voting securities, of the Operating Company or Utz Quality Foods (including the voting securities, property or assets of the Utz Group, taken as a whole), (b) any liquidation or dissolution (or the adoption of a plan of liquidation or dissolution) of PubCo, the Operating Company or Utz Quality Foods, except for a liquidation or dissolution (or the adoption of a plan of liquidation or dissolution) in connection with an involuntary case within the meaning of any bankruptcy Law, (c) any amendment to or modification of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of PubCo that materially and adversely impact the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees in their capacity as stockholders of PubCo or equityholders of the Operating Company, (d) any move of the corporate headquarters of PubCo or any member of the Utz Group currently headquartered in Hanover, Pennsylvania, (e) any name change of PubCo or any member of the Utz Group, and (f) take any corporate action that would have the effect of eliminating, or materially adversely affecting, any consent right to which the Sellers are then entitled pursuant to clauses (a) through (e) this Section 2.2.

 

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Section 2.3     Voting Agreement. Each of the Sponsor and the Sellers agrees to cast all votes as a stockholder of PubCo to which such Party is entitled in respect of its Common Stock, whether at any annual or special meeting of PubCo, by written consent or otherwise, so as to cause to be elected to the Board those individuals nominated in accordance with this Article II. Each of the Sponsor and the Sellers agrees not to take action to remove each other’s director nominees from office unless such removal is for cause or if the applicable Party is no longer entitled to nominate such director pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

Section 2.4     Sharing of Information. To the extent permitted by antitrust, competition or any other applicable Law, each of the Sellers and the Sponsor agrees and acknowledges that the directors designated by the Seller Representative and the Sponsor Representative may share confidential, non-public information about PubCo and its subsidiaries (“Confidential Information”) with the Sellers and the Sponsor, respectively. Each of the Sellers and the Sponsor recognizes that it, or its Affiliates and Representatives, has acquired or will acquire Confidential Information the use or disclosure of which could cause PubCo substantial loss and damages that could not be readily calculated and for which no remedy at Law would be adequate. Accordingly, each of the Sellers and the Sponsor covenants and agrees with PubCo that it will not (and will cause its respective controlled Affiliates and Representatives not to) at any time, except with the prior written consent of PubCo, directly or indirectly, disclose any Confidential Information known to it to any third party, unless (a) such information becomes known to the public through no fault of such Party, (b) disclosure is required by applicable Law or court of competent jurisdiction or requested by a Governmental Entity; provided that such Party promptly notifies PubCo of such requirement or request and takes commercially reasonable steps, at the sole cost and expense of PubCo, to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure, (c) such information was available or becomes available to such Party before, on or after the Effective Date, without restriction, from a source (other than PubCo) without any breach of duty to PubCo or (d) such information was independently developed by such Party or its Representatives without the use of the Confidential Information. Nothing in this Investor Rights Agreement shall prohibit any of the Sellers and the Sponsor from disclosing Confidential Information to any Affiliate, Representative, limited partner, member or shareholder of such Party; provided that such Party shall be responsible for any breach of this Section 2.4 by any such Person. No Confidential Information shall be deemed to be provided to any Person, including any Affiliate of a Seller or Sponsor, unless such Confidential Information is actually provided to such Person.

 

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Section 2.5     Legend. In order to enforce the obligations set forth in this Article II, PubCo shall place restrictive legends in the form set forth below on the certificates or book entries representing the Registrable Securities subject to this Investor Rights Agreement, including any Registrable Securities Transferred to a Permitted Transferee. Within two (2) Business Days of PubCo’s receiving a request to remove such legend by a Holder or the duly appointed transfer agent of PubCo, PubCo shall notify the Sponsor Representative and the Seller Representative of such request in writing, including the number of Registrable Securities with respect to which such request relates and, if in connection with a proposed Transfer, the date such Transfer is, or is to be, effected. All certificates or book entries representing Registrable Securities, as the case may be, shall bear a legend substantially in the following form:

 

THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AUGUST 28, 2020 (THE “INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT”), BY AND AMONG UTZ BRANDS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”), SERIES U OF UM PARTNERS, LLC, SERIES R OF UM PARTNERS, LLC, COLLIER CREEK PARTNERS LLC AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS NAMED THEREIN, AS THE SAME MAY BE AMENDED OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME (COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY AND SHALL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ANY PARTY MAKING A BONA FIDE REQUEST THEREFOR). AND NO TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES WILL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNTIL ANY CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, IF ANY, HAVE BEEN FULFILLED.

 

Article III
REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 3.1     Shelf Registration.

 

(a)            Filing. PubCo shall file, within 30 days of the Closing Date, a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf”), or if PubCo is ineligible to use a Form S-3 Shelf, a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf,” and together with the Form S-3 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration), the “Shelf”), in each case, covering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two Business Days prior to such filing) on a delayed or continuous basis. PubCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf to become effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such filing, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the initial filing thereof. The Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Special Holder. PubCo shall maintain the Shelf in accordance with the terms of this Investor Rights Agreement, and shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep such Shelf continuously effective, available for use and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event PubCo files a Form S-1 Shelf, PubCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) to a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after PubCo is eligible to use Form S-3.

 

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(b)            Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while there are any Registrable Securities, PubCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including obtaining the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional Registration Statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”) registering the resale of all outstanding Registrable Securities from time to time, and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Special Holder. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, PubCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if PubCo is a Well-Known Seasoned Issuer) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective, available for use and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that PubCo is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on another appropriate form. In the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, PubCo, upon request of a Holder, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at PubCo’s option, the Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or a Subsequent Shelf Registration and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be subject to the terms of this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(c)            Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. At any time and from time to time after the Shelf has been declared effective by the SEC, the Special Holders may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that PubCo shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering (i) shall include securities with a total offering price (exclusive of piggyback securities and before deduction of underwriting discounts) reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $10.0 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”) or (ii) shall be made with respect to all of the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holder, provided that any request for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to this clause (ii) made by the Sponsor Representative as representative of the Founder Holders, shall apply to all Registrable Securities then held by the Founder Holders. All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to PubCo, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, provided that each Holder agrees that the fact that such a notice has been delivered shall constitute Confidential Information subject to Section 2.4. The Special Holders that requested such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Demanding Holders”) shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally or regionally recognized investment banks), and to agree to the pricing and other terms of such offering; provided that such selection shall be subject to the consent of PubCo, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Investor Rights Agreement, in no event shall any Special Holder or any Transferee thereof request an Underwritten Shelf Takedown during the Lock-Up Period. There shall be no limit to the number of Underwritten Shelf Takedowns that may be requested by any Special Holder, subject to the proviso in the first sentence of this Section 3.1(c).

 

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(d)            Reduction of Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advise PubCo, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other Equity Securities that PubCo desires to sell and all other Common Stock or other Equity Securities, if any, that have been requested to be sold in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights held by any other stockholders, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of Equity Securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then PubCo shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: at all times (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Common Stock or other Equity Securities that PubCo desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other Equity Securities of other Persons that PubCo is obligated to include in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such Persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

(e)            Withdrawal. Any of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to PubCo and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of such Demanding Holder’s intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, prior to the public announcement of the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by PubCo; provided that a Special Holder may elect to have PubCo continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied or if the Underwritten Shelf Takedown would be made with respect to all of the Registrable Securities of such Special Holder. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, PubCo shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Special Holders that had elected to participate in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Investor Rights Agreement, PubCo shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Underwritten Shelf Takedown prior to delivery of a Withdrawal Notice under this Section 3.1(e).

 

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(f)            Long-Form Demands. Upon the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and during such times as no Shelf is effective, each Special Holder may demand that PubCo file a Registration Statement on Form S-1 for the purpose of conducting an Underwritten Offering of any or all of such Special Holder’s Registrable Securities. PubCo shall file such Registration Statement within 30 days of receipt of such demand and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to be declared effective within 60 days of filing. The provisions of Sections 3.1(c), (d) and (e) shall apply to this Section 3.1(f) as if a demand under this Section 3.1(f) were an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, provided that in order to withdraw a demand under this Section 3.1(f), such withdrawal must be received by PubCo prior to PubCo having publicly filed a Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 3.1(f).

 

Section 3.2      Piggyback Registration.

 

(a)            Piggyback Rights. If PubCo or any Special Holder proposes to conduct a registered offering of, or if PubCo proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of Equity Securities of PubCo, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into Equity Securities of PubCo, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of PubCo (or by PubCo and by the stockholders of PubCo including an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to PubCo’s existing stockholders, or (iii) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then PubCo shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all Special Holders as soon as practicable but not less than four calendar days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an underwritten offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the launch date of such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any and if known, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Special Holders the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Special Holders may request in writing within three calendar days after receipt of such written notice (such registered offering, a “Piggyback Registration”); provided that each Holder agrees that the fact that such a notice has been delivered shall constitute Confidential Information subject to Section 2.4. PubCo shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Special Holders pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of PubCo included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Special Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Special Holder’s agreement to abide by the terms of Section 3.6 below.

 

(b)            Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration (other than an Underwritten Shelf Takedown), in good faith, advises PubCo and the Special Holders participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock or other Equity Securities that PubCo desires to sell, taken together with (i) the Common Stock or other Equity Securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with Persons other than the Special Holders hereunder and (ii) the Common Stock or other Equity Securities, if any, as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

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(i)            If the Registration is initiated and undertaken for PubCo’s account, PubCo shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other Equity Securities that PubCo desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Special Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3.2(a) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Special Holder has requested be included in such Registration), which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock or other Equity Securities, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggyback registration rights of other stockholders of PubCo, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; or

 

(ii)            If the Registration is pursuant to a request by Persons other than the Special Holders, then PubCo shall include in any such Registration (A) first, the Common Stock or other Equity Securities, if any, of such requesting Persons, other than the Special Holders, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Special Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3.2(a) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Special Holder has requested be included in such Registration) which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock or other Equity Securities that PubCo desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Common Stock or other Equity Securities, if any, for the account of other Persons that PubCo is obligated to register pursuant to separate written contractual piggyback registration rights of such Persons, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.2(b), in the event a Demanding Holder has submitted notice for a bona fide Underwritten Shelf Takedown and all sales pursuant to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 3.1 have not been effected in accordance with the applicable plan of distribution or submitted a Withdrawal Notice prior to such time that PubCo has given written notice of a Piggyback Registration to all Special Holders pursuant to Section 3.2, then any reduction in the number of Registrable Securities to be offered in such offering shall be determined in accordance with Section 3.1(d), instead of this Section 3.2(b).

 

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(c)            Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Special Holder shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to PubCo and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of such Special Holder’s intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. PubCo (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by Persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the SEC in connection with a Piggyback Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include the Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Investor Rights Agreement, PubCo shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 3.2(c).

 

Section 3.3      Restriction on Transfer. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of Equity Securities of PubCo, each Holder that holds more than 2.5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (after giving effect to the exchange of all outstanding Utz Units), agrees that it shall not Transfer any Common Stock (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Investor Rights Agreement), without the prior written consent of PubCo, during the seven days prior to and the 90-day period beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except in the event the Underwriter managing the offering otherwise agrees by written consent, and further agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder shall not be subject to this Section 3.3 with respect to an Underwritten Offering unless each Holder that holds at least 2.5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock (after giving effect to the exchange of all outstanding Utz Units) and each of PubCo’s directors and executive officers have executed a lock-up on terms at least as restrictive with respect to such Underwritten Offering as requested of the Holders.

 

Section 3.4      General Procedures. In connection with effecting any Registration and/or Shelf Takedown, subject to applicable Law and any regulations promulgated by any securities exchange on which PubCo’s Equity Securities are then listed, each as interpreted by PubCo with the advice of its counsel, PubCo shall use its reasonable best efforts (except as set forth in clause (d) below) to effect such Registration to permit the sale of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto PubCo shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

(a)            prepare and file with the SEC as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;

 

(b)            prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Special Holder or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by PubCo or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

 

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(c)            prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Special Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Special Holders’ legal counsel, if any, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters or the Special Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Special Holders, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Special Holders;

 

(d)            prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” Laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other Governmental Entities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of PubCo and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that PubCo shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

(e)            cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by PubCo are then listed;

 

(f)            provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

(g)            advise each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the SEC suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

(h)            at least three calendar days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus furnish a draft thereof to each Special Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, or its counsel, if any (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);

 

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(i)            notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.7 hereof;

 

(j)            permit Representatives of the Special Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Special Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such Person’s own expense except to the extent such expenses constitute Registration Expenses, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause PubCo’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Representative, Underwriter, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such Persons agree to confidentiality arrangements reasonably satisfactory to PubCo, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

 

(k)            obtain a “cold comfort” letter, and a bring-down thereof, from PubCo’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering which the participating Special Holders may rely on, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to the participating Special Holders;

 

(l)            on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion and negative assurances letter, dated such date, of counsel representing PubCo for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Special Holders, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the Special Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to the participating Special Holders;

 

(m)            in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

(n)            make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months beginning within three months after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the SEC);

 

(o)            if an Underwritten Offering involves Registrable Securities with a total offering price (including piggyback securities and before deduction of underwriting discounts) reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $35.0 million, use its reasonable best efforts to make available senior executives of PubCo to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and

 

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(p)            otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested, by the Special Holders, in connection with such Registration.

 

Section 3.5      Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by PubCo. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders selling any Registrable Securities in an offering shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing such Holders, in each case pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities that such Holders have sold in such Registration.

 

Section 3.6      Requirements for Participating in Underwritten Offerings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Investor Rights Agreement, if any Holder does not provide PubCo with its requested Holder Information, PubCo may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if PubCo determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No Person may participate in any Underwritten Offering of Equity Securities of PubCo pursuant to a Registration under this Investor Rights Agreement unless such Person (a) agrees to sell such Person’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting and other arrangements approved by PubCo in the case of an Underwritten Offering initiated by PubCo, and approved by the Demanding Holders in the case of an Underwritten Offering initiated by the Demanding Holders and (b) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. Subject to the minimum thresholds set forth in Section 3.1(c) and 3.4(o) of this Investor Rights Agreement, the exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.6 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.

 

Section 3.7      Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from PubCo that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (and PubCo hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after giving such notice), or until it is advised in writing by PubCo that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require PubCo to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to PubCo for reasons beyond PubCo’s control, PubCo may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than 90 days in any 12-month period, determined in good faith by PubCo to be necessary for such purpose. In the event PubCo exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to such Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. PubCo shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.7.

 

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Section 3.8      Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, PubCo, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by PubCo after the Effective Date pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the SEC pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System shall be deemed to have been furnished to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.8.

 

Section 3.9      Other Obligations. In connection with a Transfer of Registrable Securities exempt from Section 5 of the Securities Act or through any broker-dealer transactions described in the plan of distribution set forth within the Prospectus and pursuant to the Registration Statement of which such Prospectus forms a part, PubCo shall, subject to applicable Law, as interpreted by PubCo with the advice of counsel, and the receipt of any customary documentation required from the applicable Holders in connection therewith, (a) promptly instruct its transfer agent to remove any restrictive legends applicable to the Registrable Securities being Transferred and (b) cause its legal counsel to deliver the necessary legal opinions, if any, to the transfer agent in connection with the instruction under clause (a). In addition, PubCo shall cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with the aforementioned Transfers; provided, however, that PubCo shall have no obligation to participate in any “road shows” or assist with the preparation of any offering memoranda or related documentation with respect to any Transfer of Registrable Securities in any transaction that does not constitute an Underwritten Offering.

 

Section 3.10      Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a)            PubCo agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by Law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, managers, directors and Representatives and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) caused by, resulting from, arising out of or based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by PubCo of the Securities Act or any other similar federal or state securities Laws, except in each case insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to PubCo by such Holder expressly for use therein. PubCo shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing sentence with respect to the indemnification of each Holder.

 

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(b)            In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to PubCo in writing such information and affidavits as PubCo reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by Law, such Holder shall indemnify PubCo, its directors and officers and each Person who controls PubCo (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each Person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing sentence with respect to indemnification of PubCo.

 

(c)            Any Person entitled to indemnification under this Section 3.10 shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which such Person seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any Person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

(d)            The indemnification provided under this Investor Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, manager, director, Representative or controlling Person of such indemnified party and shall survive the Transfer of securities.

 

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(e)            If the indemnification provided in this Section 3.10 from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 3.10(e) shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a Party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3.10(a), 3.10(b) and 3.10(c), any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such Party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.10(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 3.10(e). No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 3.10(e) from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

Section 3.11      Other Registration Rights. Other than the registration rights set forth in the Original RRA, PubCo represents and warrants that no Person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Investor Rights Agreement, has any right to require PubCo to register any securities of PubCo for sale or to include such securities of PubCo in any Registration Statement filed by PubCo for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other Person. Further, each of PubCo, the Sponsor and the Sponsor Representative represents and warrants that this Investor Rights Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement.

 

Section 3.12      Rule 144. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, PubCo covenants that it will (a) make available at all times information necessary to comply with Rule 144, if such Rule is available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, and (b) take such further action as the Holders may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable them to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (if available with respect to resales of the Registrable Securities), as such rule may be amended from time to time. Upon the request of any Holder, PubCo will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether PubCo has complied with such information requirements, and, if not, the specific reasons for non-compliance.

 

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Section 3.13      Term. Article III shall terminate with respect to any Holder on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.10 shall survive any such termination with respect to such Holder.

 

Section 3.14      Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing by PubCo, to represent to PubCo the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for PubCo to make determinations under this Investor Rights Agreement, including for purposes of Section 3.12 hereof.

 

Section 3.15      Termination of Original RRA. Upon the Closing, PubCo, the Sponsor and the CCH Independent Directors hereby agree that the Original RRA and all of the respective rights and obligations of the parties thereunder are hereby terminated in their entirety and shall be of no further force or effect.

 

Section 3.16      Distributions.

 

(a)            In the event that, pursuant to a dissolution of the Sponsor, the Sponsor distributes all of its Registrable Securities to its members, the Founder Holders shall be treated as the Sponsor under this Investor Rights Agreement; provided that such Founders Holders, taken as a whole, shall not be entitled to rights in excess of those conferred on the Sponsor, as if the Sponsor remained a single entity party to this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(b)            In the event that the Sellers distribute all of their Registrable Securities to their members, such distributees shall be treated as the Sellers under this Investor Rights Agreement; provided that such distributees, taken as a whole, shall not be entitled to rights in excess of those conferred on the Sellers, as if they remained a single party to this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Section 3.17      Adjustments. If there are any changes in the Common Stock as a result of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other similar event, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Investor Rights Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations under this Investor Rights Agreement shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.

 

Article IV
LOCK-UP

 

Section 4.1      Lock-Up.

 

(a)            Other than pursuant to the LLC Agreement, no Special Holder (including a Founder Holder) or CCH Independent Director shall Transfer, or make a public announcement of any intention to effect such Transfer, of any Lock-Up Shares (as defined below) Beneficially Owned or otherwise held by such Person during the Lock-Up Period (as defined below); provided, that such prohibition shall not apply to Transfers permitted pursuant to Section 4.2. The “Lock-Up Period” shall be the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is one year following the Closing Date and (ii) the date that the closing price of a share of Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal United States securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, quoted or admitted to trading equals or exceeds $12.00 for any 20 Trading Days within any 30-Trading Day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing Date. The “Lock-Up Shares” means (i) the Equity Securities in PubCo and the Operating Company held by the Special Holders or the CCH Independent Directors as of the Closing Date, including Class A Common Stock and Class V Common Stock, (ii) the Retained Restricted Company Units and the Restricted Sponsor Shares, in each case, to the extent vested prior to the end of the Lock-Up Period and (iii) shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the LLC Agreement upon exchange of Utz Units held as of the Closing Date, along with an equal number of Class V Common Stock, for Class A Common Stock; provided however that (x) any Equity Securities purchased by the Sponsor, Founder Holders, or CCH Independent Directors pursuant to one or more Forward Purchase Agreements entered into with PubCo in connection with PubCo’s initial public offering and (y) Equity Securities up to the Foundation Transfer Amount transferred to the Foundation pursuant to the LLC Agreement, in each case shall not be “Lock-Up Shares” under this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

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(b)            During the Lock-Up Period, any purported Transfer of Lock-Up Shares other than in accordance with this Investor Rights Agreement shall be null and void, and PubCo shall refuse to recognize any such Transfer for any purpose.

 

(c)            The Special Holders and the CCH Independent Directors acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Investor Rights Agreement, the Equity Securities in the Operating Company (including Retained Company Units and Retained Restricted Company Units), Restricted Sponsor Shares, shares of Class V Common Stock and shares of Class A Common Stock, in each case, Beneficially Owned by such Person shall remain subject to any restrictions on Transfer under applicable securities Laws of any Governmental Entity, including all applicable holding periods under the Securities Act and other rules of the SEC.

 

Section 4.2      Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Investor Rights Agreement, during the Lock-Up Period, the Special Holders and the CCH Independent Directors may Transfer, without the consent of PubCo, any of such Person’s Lock-Up Shares to (i) any of such Person’s Permitted Transferees, upon written notice to PubCo and, in the case of such a Transfer by the Sponsor (including a Founder Holder) or any CCH Independent Director, the Seller Representative, and in the case of such a Transfer by a Seller or its Permitted Transferees, the Sponsor Representative or (ii) (a) a charitable organization, upon written notice to PubCo and, in the case of such a Transfer by the Sponsor (including a Founder Holder) or any CCH Independent Director, the Seller Representative, and in the case of such a Transfer by a Seller or its Permitted Transferees, the Sponsor Representative; (b) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (c) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; or (d) pursuant to any liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of PubCo’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Business Combination; provided, that in connection with any Transfer of such Lock-Up Shares pursuant to clause (ii) above, (x) the restrictions and obligations contained in Section 4.1 and this Section 4.2 will continue to apply to such Lock-Up Shares after any Transfer of such Lock-Up Shares, and (y) the Transferee of such Lock-Up Shares shall have no rights under this Investor Rights Agreement, unless, for the avoidance of doubt, such Transferee is a Permitted Transferee in accordance with this Investor Rights Agreement. Any Transferee of Lock-Up Shares who is a Permitted Transferee of the Transferor pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be required, at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, to become a party to this Investor Rights Agreement, the Standstill Agreement (as defined below) and, if applicable, the Sponsor Side Letter by executing and delivering a joinder in the form attached to this Investor Rights Agreement as Exhibit A, whereupon such Transferee will be treated as a Party (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of this Investor Rights Agreement, the Standstill Agreement and, if applicable, the Sponsor Side Letter.

 

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Article V
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 5.1      Assignment; Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

(a)            Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Investor Rights Agreement, no Party may assign such Party’s rights and obligations under this Investor Rights Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Seller Representative, in the case of an assignment by the Sponsor (including a Founder Holder) or a CCH Independent Director, or the Sponsor Representative, in the case of an assignment by a Seller. Any such assignee may not again assign those rights, other than in accordance with this Article V. Any attempted assignment of rights or obligations in violation of this Article V shall be null and void.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Investor Rights Agreement (other than the succeeding sentence of this Section 5.1(b)), (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period to the extent applicable to such Holder, no Holder may Transfer such Holder’s rights or obligations under this Investor Rights Agreement in connection with a Transfer of such Holder’s Registrable Securities, in whole or in part, except in connection with a Transfer pursuant to Section 4.2; and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period to the extent applicable to such Holder, a Holder may Transfer such Holder’s rights or obligations under this Investor Rights Agreement in connection with a Transfer of such Holder’s Registrable Securities, in whole or in part, to (x) any of such Holder’s Permitted Transferees, or (y) any Person with the prior written consent of PubCo. In no event can the Sponsor (including the Founder Holders), the Sponsor Representative or the Sellers or the Seller Representative assign any of such Person’s rights under Section 2.1. Any Transferee of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 5.1(b) shall be required, at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, to become a party to this Investor Rights Agreement, and, to the extent a Permitted Transferee of the Transferor, that certain Standstill Agreement, dated the date hereof, among PubCo and the other persons party thereto (the “Standstill Agreement”) and, if applicable, that certain Sponsor Side Letter, by executing and delivering a joinder in the form attached to this Investor Rights Agreement as Exhibit A, whereupon such Transferee will be treated as a Party (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of this Investor Rights Agreement, the Standstill Agreement and, if applicable, the Sponsor Side Letter.

 

(c)            All of the terms and provisions of this Investor Rights Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and representatives, but shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors, assigns, heirs and representatives of any Party only to the extent that they are permitted successors, assigns, heirs and representatives pursuant to the terms of this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

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(d)            Nothing in this Investor Rights Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Party, other than the Parties and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs and representatives, any rights or remedies under this Investor Rights Agreement or otherwise create any third party beneficiary hereto.

 

Section 5.2      Termination. Except for Sections 2.1(h) and 2.2 (which section shall terminate at such time as the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees are no longer entitled to any rights pursuant to such section), Article II shall terminate automatically (without any action by any Party) as to the Sellers or the Sponsor (including each Founder Holder) at such time at which such Party no longer has the right to designate an individual for nomination to the Board under this Investor Rights Agreement. Article III of this Investor Rights Agreement shall terminate as set forth in Section 3.13. The remainder of this Investor Rights Agreement shall terminate automatically (without any action by any Party) as to each Holder when such Holder ceases to hold any Registrable Securities.

 

Section 5.3      Severability. If any provision of this Investor Rights Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any Governmental Entity, the remaining provisions of this Investor Rights Agreement, to the extent permitted by Law shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 5.4      Entire Agreement; Amendments; No Waiver.

 

(a)            This Investor Rights Agreement, together with the Exhibit to this Investor Rights Agreement, the BCA, the LLC Agreement, and all other Ancillary Agreements (as such term is defined in the BCA), constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and discussions, whether oral or written, relating to such subject matter in any way and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements among the Parties in connection with such subject matter except as set forth in this Investor Rights Agreement and therein.

 

(b)            No provision of this Investor Rights Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part at any time without the express written consent of (i) PubCo, (ii) for so long as the Sellers and their Permitted Transferees collectively Beneficially Own Economic Interests (in the Operating Company and PubCo, without duplication) representing 15% or more of the Economic Interests held by the Sellers immediately after the Closing (excluding for these purposes from both the percentage Beneficially Owned immediately after the Closing and percentage then Beneficially Owned at any time, the Foundation Transfer Amount, from and after the occurrence of the Foundation Transfer), the Seller Representative, (iii) for so long as the Sponsor and its Permitted Transferees collectively Beneficially Own Economic Interests in PubCo representing 15% or more of the Economic Interests held by the Sponsor immediately after the Closing, the Sponsor Representative, and (iv) in any event at least the Holders holding in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities Beneficially Owned by the Holders; provided that any such amendment or modification that would be materially adverse in any respect to any Holder shall require the prior written consent of such Holder; provided, further that a provision that has terminated with respect to a Party shall not require any consent of such Party (and such Party’s Economic Interests shall not be considered in computing any percentages) with respect to amending or modifying such provision.

 

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(c)            No waiver of any provision or default under, nor consent to any exception to, the terms of this Investor Rights Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Party to be bound and then only to the specific purpose, extent and instance so provided.

 

Section 5.5      Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Investor Rights Agreement and any other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents delivered pursuant to this Investor Rights Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No Party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each Party forever waives any such defense.

 

Section 5.6      Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Investor Rights Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a Business Day and, if otherwise, on the next Business Day, (b) one (1) Business Day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid) or (c) three (3) calendar days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.6, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below

 

if to PubCo, to:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

Attention: Dylan B. Lissette

Email: 

 

if to the Sellers, to:

 

Series U of UM Partners, LLC
c/o Utz Quality Foods, LLC
900 High Street
Hanover, PA 17331
Attention: Dylan B. Lissette
Email: 

 

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with a copy to:

 

Cozen O’Connor
One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street, Suite 2800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Larry P. Laubach, Esq.
Email: llaubach@cozen.com

 

if to the Sponsor or the CCH Independent Directors, as applicable, to:

 

Collier Creek Partners LLC

200 Park Avenue, 58th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Attention: Jason K. Giordano

Email: 

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:      Peter Martelli, P.C.

Lauren M. Colasacco, P.C.

Christian Nagler

Peter Seligson

Email:   peter.martelli@kirkland.com

lauren.colasacco@kirkland.com

christian.nagler@kirkland.com

peter.seligson@kirkland.com

 

Section 5.7          Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction. The Law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all Actions, claims or matters related to or arising from this Investor Rights Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforceability of this Investor Rights Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Investor Rights Agreement, in each case without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. EACH PARTY TO THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES UNDER THIS INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE PARTIES FURTHER WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH SUCH PARTY’S LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES SUCH PARTY’S JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. Each of the Parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of first, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or if such court declines jurisdiction, then to the Federal District Court for the District of Delaware, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Investor Rights Agreement, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined in any such court and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Investor Rights Agreement in any other courts. Nothing in this Section 5.7, however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law or at equity. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or at equity.

 

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Section 5.8      Specific Performance. Each Party hereby agrees and acknowledges that it will be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the Parties fail to comply with any of the obligations imposed on them by this Investor Rights Agreement and that, in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved Party will be irreparably damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at Law. Any such Party shall, therefore, be entitled (in addition to any other remedy to which such Party may be entitled at Law or in equity) to seek injunctive relief, including specific performance, to enforce such obligations, without the posting of any bond, and if any Action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Investor Rights Agreement, none of the Parties shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at Law.

 

Section 5.9      Subsequent Acquisition of Shares. Any Equity Securities of PubCo or Operating Company acquired subsequent to the Effective Date by a Holder shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Investor Rights Agreement and such shares shall be considered to be “Registrable Securities” as such term is used in this Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Section 5.10      Sponsor Matters.

 

(a)            The Sponsor represents and warrants to the Sellers that as of the Effective Date the Founder Holders Beneficially Own in the aggregate 9,555,671.61 shares of Class A Common Stock resulting from the automatic conversion of the Class B Ordinary Shares of PubCo Beneficially Owned by the Founder Holders prior to the Effective Date and 1,935,328.38 shares of Restricted Sponsor Shares that are owned by the Sponsor.

 

(b)            The Sponsor Representative shall give written notice to PubCo and the Sellers promptly following the dissolution of the Sponsor, which notice shall include (i) the effective date of such dissolution, and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Restricted Sponsor Shares referred to in Section 5.10(a) that will be distributed to each Founder Holder as a result of such dissolution. Upon dissolution of the Sponsor, all obligations of the Sponsor under this Investor Rights Agreement will thereafter automatically become obligations of the Founder Holders, without any further action or execution of any agreements or documents by any Founder Holder, and any and all notices to be delivered to the Sponsor under this Investor Rights Agreement after the dissolution of the Sponsor shall be delivered solely to the Sponsor Representative.

 


[Signature Pages Follow]

 

34

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has duly executed this Investor Rights Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  PUBCO:
   
  UTZ BRANDS, INC. (f/k/a COLLIER CREEK HOLDINGS)
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

  SPONSOR:
   
  COLLIER CREEK PARTNERS LLC
   
  By: /s/ Jason K. Giordano
  Name: Jason K. Giordano
  Title: Manager

 

[Signature Page - Investor Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SELLERS:
   
  SERIES U OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

  SERIES R OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page - Investor Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  FOUNDER HOLDERS:
   
  /s/ Chinh E. Chu
  Chinh E. Chu
   
  /s/ Roger K. Deromedi
  Roger K. Deromedi
   
  /s/ Jason K. Giordano
  Jason K. Giordano
   
  /s/ Erika Giordano
  Erika Giordano
   
  ROGER K. DEROMEDI REVOCABLE TRUST, DATED 2/11/2000, AMENDED AND RESTATED 11/9/2011
   
  By: /s/ Roger K. Deromedi
  Name: Roger K. Deromedi
  Title: Trustee
   
  CC COLLIER HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Chinh E. Chu
  Name: Chinh E. Chu
  Title: President and Senior Managing Director

 

[Signature Page - Investor Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  THE CCH INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS:
   
  /a/ Antonio F. Fernandez
  Antonio F. Fernandez
   
  /s/ Matthew M. Mannelly
  Matthew M. Mannelly
   
  /s/ Craig D. Steeneck
  Craig D. Steeneck
   
  /s/ William D. Toler
  William D. Toler

 

[Signature Page - Investor Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Joinder

 

This Joinder (this “Joinder”) to the Investor Rights Agreement [and the Standstill Agreement (each as defined below)], made as of                                        , is between                                         (“Transferor”) and                                        (“Transferee”).

 

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Transferee is acquiring                    Registrable Securities (the “Acquired Interests”) from Transferor;

 

WHEREAS, Transferor is a party to that certain Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2020, among Utz Brands, Inc. ( “PubCo”) and the other persons party thereto (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) [and that certain Standstill Agreement, dated as of August 28, 2020, among PubCo and the other persons party thereto (the “Standstill Agreement”)] [and that certain letter agreement, dated June 5, 2020, among PubCo and the other persons party thereto (the “Sponsor Side Letter”)]; and

 

WHEREAS, Transferee is required, at the time of and as a condition to such Transfer, to become a party to the Investor Rights Agreement [and the Standstill Agreement] [and the Sponsor Side Letter] by executing and delivering this Joinder, whereupon such Transferee will be treated as a Party (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of the Investor Rights Agreement [and the Standstill Agreement] [and the Sponsor Side Letter].

 

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

 

Section 1.1       Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Section 1.2       Acquisition. The Transferor hereby Transfers to the Transferee all of the Acquired Interests.

 

Section 1.3       Joinder. Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) such Transferee has received and read the Investor Rights Agreement [and the Standstill Agreement] [and the Sponsor Side Letter], (b) such Transferee is acquiring the Acquired Interests in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Investor Rights Agreement [and the Standstill Agreement] [and the Sponsor Side Letter] and (c) such Transferee will be treated as a Party (with the same rights and obligations as the Transferor) for all purposes of the Investor Rights Agreement [and the Standstill Agreement] [and the Sponsor Side Letter].

 

Section 1.4       Notice. Any notice, demand or other communication under the Investor Rights Agreement [or the Standstill Agreement] [or the Sponsor Side Letter] to Transferee shall be given to Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 5.6 of the Investor Rights Agreement [or Section 3.6 of the Standstill Agreement, as applicable] or [Section 3.4 of the Sponsor Side Letter, as applicable].

 

Section 1.5       Governing Law. This Joinder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 1.6       Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Joinder may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts, by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by the parties as of the date first above written.

 

  [TRANSFEROR]
   
  By:                                 

  Name:  

  Title:  

 

  [TRANSFEREE]
   
  By:                            

  Name:  

  Title:  

 

  Address for notices:

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

STANDSTILL AGREEMENT

 

THIS STANDSTILL AGREEMENT (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Standstill Agreement, the “Standstill Agreement”), dated as of August 28, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), is made by and among (i) Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Collier Creek Holdings, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“PubCo”); (ii) Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series U”); (iii) Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company (“Series R” and, together with Series U, the “Sellers”); (iv) Collier Creek Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company; (v) (A) Chinh E. Chu, (B) CC Collier Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (C) Roger K. Deromedi, (D) Roger K. Deromedi, as Trustee of the Roger K. Deromedi Revocable Trust, Dated 2/11/2000, Amended and Restated 11/9/2011, (E) Jason K. Giordano and (F) Erika Giordano, each in their capacity as a Founder Holder, and (vi) Michael W. Rice, Jane E. Rice, Stacie R. Lissette, Dylan B. Lissette, UQF Holdings, Inc., the Stacie R. Lissette 2012 Generations Trust, the Michael W. Rice 2009 GST Exempt Family Trust, the Michael W. Rice 2010 Multigenerational Trust, SRS GP, LLC and Rice Investments II, LP (each, a “Rice Family Party” and, collectively, the “Rice Family Parties”). Each of PubCo, Sellers, Sponsor, each Founder Holder and each Rice Family Party may be referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, PubCo has entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020 (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “BCA”), by and among PubCo, Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (formerly known as UM-U Intermediate, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Operating Company”), and the Sellers;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the BCA, PubCo, the Sellers, the Sponsor and the Founder Holders entered into that certain Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement, the “Investor Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Sellers, the Sponsor and the Founder Holders entered into a nomination and voting agreement with respect to the election of directors of PubCo; and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the BCA and the entry into the Investor Rights Agreement, the Parties desire to set forth their agreement with respect to certain standstill provisions in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Standstill Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Standstill Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

 

 

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1           Definitions. As used in this Standstill Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Action” means any action, suit, charge, litigation, arbitration, or other proceeding at law or in equity (whether civil, criminal or administrative) by or before any Governmental Entity.

 

Affiliate” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, its capacity as a sole or managing member or otherwise; provided that no Party shall be deemed an Affiliate of PubCo or any of its subsidiaries for purposes of this Standstill Agreement.

 

Beneficially Own” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

Board” means the board of directors of PubCo.

 

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required or authorized to close in the State of New York.

 

Bylaws” means the bylaws of PubCo, as in effect on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Certificate of Incorporation” means the certificate of incorporation of PubCo, as in effect on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning given to such term in the BCA.

 

Common Stock” means, without duplication, the Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and the Class V Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo, and any securities of PubCo or any of its subsidiaries that are convertible into or exchangable or exercisable for any of the foregoing.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto, as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

Family Member” means with respect to any Person, a spouse, lineal descendant (whether natural or adopted) or spouse of a lineal descendant of such Person or any trust created for the benefit of such Person or of which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary.

 

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Foundation” means The Rice Family Foundation.

 

Foundation Transfer” has the meaning set forth in the LLC Agreement.

 

Founder Holder” means each of (a) Chinh E. Chu, (b) CC Collier Holdings, LLC, (c) Roger K. Deromedi, (d) Roger K. Deromedi, as Trustee of the Roger K. Deromedi Revocable Trust, Dated 2/11/2000, Amended and Restated 11/9/2011, (e) Jason K. Giordano and (f) Erika Giordano.

 

Governmental Entity” means any nation or government, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any court, arbitrator (public or private) or other body or administrative, regulatory or quasi-judicial authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction.

 

Laws” means all laws, acts, statutes, constitutions, treaties, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, and rulings of a Governmental Entity, including common law. All references to “Laws” shall be deemed to include any amendments thereto, and any successor Law, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

LLC Agreement” means that certain third amended and restated limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company (as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of such agreement), by and among PubCo and the Sellers, to be entered into on the Closing Date.

 

Person” means any natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, trust, unincorporated association, corporation, limited liability company, entity or Governmental Entity.

 

Permitted Transferee” means (a) with respect to any Person, (i) any Family Member of such Person, (ii) any Affiliate of such Person, and (iii) any Affiliate of any Family Member of such Person (excluding any Affiliate under this clause (iii) who operates or engages in a business which competes with the business of PubCo or the Operating Company), and (b) with respect to any Seller, (i) any member of the Rice Family, and (ii) any Affiliate of a member of the Rice Family (excluding any Affiliate under this clause (ii) who operates or engages in a business which competes with the business of PubCo or the Operating Company), but excluding the Foundation (and the Foundation shall not be a Permitted Transferee of (y) a Seller, or (z) a Permitted Transferee of a Seller, but the Foundation shall be entitled to the benefit of the Foundation Transfer).

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Seller Director” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Seller Representative” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Sponsor” means Collier Creek Partners LLC, or, upon its dissolution, the Founder Holders.

 

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Sponsor Director” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Sponsor Representative” has the meaning set forth in the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

Section 1.2           Interpretive Provisions. For all purposes of this Standstill Agreement, except as otherwise provided in this Standstill Agreement or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)        the meanings of defined terms are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms.

 

(b)       the words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Standstill Agreement, refer to this Standstill Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Standstill Agreement.

 

(c)        references in this Standstill Agreement to any Law shall be deemed also to refer to such Law, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(d)        whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Standstill Agreement, they shall mean “without limitation.”

 

(e)        the captions and headings of this Standstill Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Standstill Agreement.

 

(f)        pronouns of any gender or neuter shall include, as appropriate, the other pronoun forms.

 

Article II
STANDSTILL

 

Section 2.1           Standstill.

 

(a)        Each Seller and each Rice Family Party agrees that, for a period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the Closing Date, it shall not, and shall cause its controlled Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)          acquire, agree to acquire, or make any public announcement of any proposal or offer to acquire any Common Stock (other than as a result of an issuance of Common Stock in connection with any stock split, pro rata stock dividend, subdivision (by any equity split, equity distribution, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise), combination (by reverse equity split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) or any transfer between or among the Sellers and/or Rice Family Parties and/or their respective controlled Affiliates) if, after consummation of such acquisition, the Sellers and the Rice Family Parties collectively would Beneficially Own (the “Seller Shares”) more than 55.8% of the voting power of the Common Stock on a fully diluted basis (the “Cap”); provided that for purposes of calculating the Seller Shares subject to the Cap, (A) any shares of Common Stock acquired as a result of any issuance of Common Stock in connection with any equity award or employee benefit plan, and (B) shares of Class A Common Stock of PubCo acquired by Dylan B. Lissette for an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $1 million, in each case will not be included as Beneficially Owned by any Seller or any Rice Family Party; or

 

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(ii)         other than in connection with any matter recommended by the Board, enter, agree to enter or make any public announcement of any proposal or offer to enter into any merger, business combination, recapitalization, restructuring, tender offer, change in control transaction or other similar extraordinary transaction involving PubCo or any of its subsidiaries or an acquisition of any assets of PubCo and its subsidiaries, in any case which would result in the Sellers and the Rice Family Parties collectively Beneficially Owning more than the Cap.

 

(b)       Each Seller and each Rice Family Party, on the one hand, for so long as the Sponsor Representative is entitled to designate a Sponsor Director pursuant to Sections 2.1(a) and 2.1(c) of the Investor Rights Agreement, and the Sponsor and each Founder Holder, on the other hand, for so long as the Seller Representative is entitled to designate a Seller Director pursuant to Sections 2.1(a) and 2.1(b) of the Investor Rights Agreement, shall not, directly or indirectly, including through any Affiliate within such Party’s control, or through any other Persons who are part of a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with such Party, make, engage in, or in any way, directly or indirectly, participate in any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are used in the rules of the SEC, but without regard to the exclusion set forth in Rule 14a-1(l)(2)(iv) of the Exchange Act) to vote, or seek to influence any other Person with respect to voting of, any voting securities of PubCo or any securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for any such securities, in each case in favor of the election of any Person as a director who is not nominated pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement or by the Board (or its nominating committee) or to approve stockholder proposals with respect to any provision of this Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.1(c).

 

(c)        Until the annual meeting of stockholders held by PubCo after the third anniversary of the Closing Date, each Seller, each Rice Family Party, the Sponsor and each Founder Holder shall not, directly or indirectly, including through any Affiliate within its control, or through any other Persons who are part of a “group” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) with such Party, other than in accordance with the Investor Rights Agreement:

 

(i)          act, alone or in concert with others, to nominate or elect any Person as a director who is not nominated pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement or by the Board (or its nominating committee) or propose any matter covered by this Section 2.1(c) to be voted upon by the stockholders of PubCo;

 

(ii)         take any action in support of or make any proposal or request that constitutes: (A) advising, controlling, engaging or influencing the Board with respect to any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill any vacancies on the Board, (B) any other material change with respect to the governance of PubCo, (C) seeking to have PubCo waive provisions in or make amendments or modifications to the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (D) a change to the composition of the Board, in each case, other than by making a non-public proposal or request to the Board (or its nominating committee);

 

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(iii)        publicly disclose any intention, plan or arrangement inconsistent with any provision of Section 2.1(b) and this Section 2.1(c);

 

(iv)        knowingly assist or knowingly encourage or enter into any negotiations, agreements or other contracts with any other Persons which would (or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby would) violate any provision of Section 2.1(b) and this Section 2.1(c);

 

(v)         with respect to any provision of Section 2.1(b) and this Section 2.1(c), (x) form, join or in any way participate in (subject to Section 2.1(d)) a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), except with respect to any group consisting of the Sellers and the Rice Family Parties, on the one hand as applicable, or the Sponsor and the Founder Holders, on the other hand as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock (including knowingly selling shares of Common Stock to any such group); (y) call, or seek to call, a meeting of the stockholders of PubCo or initiate any stockholder proposal for action by stockholders of PubCo with respect to a matter described in Section 2.1(b) or this Section 2.1(c); or (z) take any action that would reasonably be expected to require PubCo to make a public announcement regarding a matter described in Section 2.1(b) or this Section 2.1(c); or

 

(vi)        enter into any negotiations, agreements or understandings with any third party with respect to a matter described in Section 2.1(b) or this Section 2.1(c), or knowingly encourage, seek to persuade, or knowingly assist any third party to take any action or make any public statement with respect to a matter described in Section 2.1(b) or this Section 2.1(c) or direct or knowingly assist any Person to do any of the foregoing set forth in this clause (vi), or make any public statement inconsistent with any provision of Section 2.1(b) or this Section 2.1(c).

 

(d)        Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the foregoing provisions of Section 2.1(a), Section 2.1(b), and Section 2.1(c) shall not, and are not intended to:

 

(i)          prohibit any Party or its controlled Affiliates from privately communicating with, including making any offer or proposal to, the Board;

 

(ii)         restrict in any manner how a Party or its controlled Affiliates vote their Common Stock or other Common Stock, except as provided in the Investor Rights Agreement or Section 2.1(b) of this Standstill Agreement;

 

(iii)        restrict the manner in which any Seller Director or Sponsor Director may (A) vote on any matter submitted to the Board or the stockholders of PubCo, (B) participate in deliberations or discussions of the Board (including making suggestions or raising issues to the Board) in his or her capacity as a member of the Board, or (C) take actions to the extent reasonably taken in connection with his or her exercise of legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board or refrain from taking any action prohibited to the extent reasonably not taken in connection with his or her legal duties and obligations as a member of the Board; or

 

(iv)        restrict any Seller or Rice Family Party or Sponsor or Founder Holder or any of such Party’s Permitted Transferees from selling or transferring any of its Common Stock so long as, in each case, such sale or transfer is in accordance with the Investor Rights Agreement; provided, that the joinder executed by any Permitted Transferee in connection with such sale or transfer shall include an obligation to be bound by this Standstill Agreement.

 

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Article III
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 3.1           Assignment; Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

(a)        Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Standstill Agreement, no Party may assign such Party’s rights and obligations under this Standstill Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Seller Representative, in the case of an assignment by the Sponsor or a Founder Holder, or the Sponsor Representative, in the case of an assignment by a Seller or a Rice Family Party. Any such assignee may not again assign those rights, other than in accordance with this Article III. Any attempted assignment of rights or obligations in violation of this Article III shall be null and void.

 

(b)       All of the terms and provisions of this Standstill Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and representatives, but shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors, assigns, heirs and representatives of any Party only to the extent that they are permitted successors, assigns, heirs and representatives pursuant to the terms of this Standstill Agreement.

 

(c)        Nothing in this Standstill Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any Party, other than the Parties and their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs and representatives, any rights or remedies under this Standstill Agreement or otherwise create any third party beneficiary hereto.

 

Section 3.2           Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Agreement shall immediately and without further action by any of the Parties, automatically terminate upon the termination of the Investor Rights Agreement, provided that prior to such time (a) Section 2.1(a) shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Closing Date and (b) Section 2.1(c) shall terminate on the date of the first annual meeting of stockholders held by PubCo after the third anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

Section 3.3           Severability. If any provision of this Standstill Agreement is determined to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any Governmental Entity, the remaining provisions of this Standstill Agreement, to the extent permitted by Law shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 3.4           Entire Agreement; Amendments; No Waiver.

 

(a)        This Standstill Agreement, the Investor Rights Agreement, the BCA, the LLC Agreement, and all other Ancillary Agreements (as such term is defined in the BCA), constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and discussions, whether oral or written, relating to such subject matters and there are no warranties, representations or other agreements among the Parties in connection with such subject matters except as set forth in this Standstill Agreement and therein. Nothing in this Standstill Agreement shall limit the rights of any Person under Article II of the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

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(b)        No provision of this Standstill Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part at any time without the express written consent of the Parties and, in the case of PubCo, the unanimous vote of the members of the Board who are not designated by either the Sellers or the Sponsor.

 

(c)        No waiver of any provision or default under, nor consent to any exception to, the terms of this Standstill Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the Party to be bound and then only to the specific purpose, extent and instance so provided.

 

Section 3.5           Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Standstill Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No Party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each Party forever waives any such defense.

 

Section 3.6           Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Standstill Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a Business Day and, if otherwise, on the next Business Day, (b) one (1) Business Day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid) or (c) three (3) calendar days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.6, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below

 

if to PubCo, to:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

900 High Street

Hanover, PA 17331

Attention: Dylan B. Lissette

Email: 

 

if to the Sellers, to:

 

Series U of UM Partners, LLC
c/o Utz Quality Foods, LLC
900 High Street
Hanover, PA 17331
Attention: Dylan B. Lissette
Email: 

 

with a copy to:

 

Cozen O’Connor
One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street, Suite 2800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Larry P. Laubach, Esq.
Email: llaubach@cozen.com

 

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if to Rice Family Parties, to:

 

c/o Sageworth

1861 Santa Barbara Drive

Lancaster, PA 17601

Attention: Alan Niebel

Email: 

 

with a copy to:

 

Cozen O’Connor
One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street, Suite 2800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention: Larry P. Laubach, Esq.
Email: llaubach@cozen.com

 

if to the Sponsor, to:

 

Collier Creek Partners LLC

200 Park Avenue, 58th Floor

New York, NY 10166

Attention: Jason K. Giordano

Email: 

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:     Peter Martelli, P.C.

Lauren M. Colasacco, P.C.

Christian Nagler

Peter Seligson

Email: peter.martelli@kirkland.com

lauren.colasacco@kirkland.com

christian.nagler@kirkland.com

peter.seligson@kirkland.com

 

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Section 3.7           Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction. The Law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all Actions, claims or matters related to or arising from this Standstill Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforceability of this Standstill Agreement, and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Standstill Agreement, in each case without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. EACH PARTY TO THIS STANDSTILL AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THIS STANDSTILL AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS STANDSTILL AGREEMENT AND/OR THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED AMONG THE PARTIES UNDER THIS STANDSTILL AGREEMENT. THE PARTIES FURTHER WARRANT AND REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH SUCH PARTY’S LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES SUCH PARTY’S JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. Each of the Parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of first, the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or if such court declines jurisdiction, then to the Federal District Court for the District of Delaware, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Standstill Agreement, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined in any such court and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Standstill Agreement in any other courts. Nothing in this Section 3.7, however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law or at equity. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law or at equity.

 

Section 3.8           Specific Performance. Each Party hereby agrees and acknowledges that it will be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered if the Parties fail to comply with any of the obligations imposed on them by this Standstill Agreement and that, in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved Party will be irreparably damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at Law. Any such Party shall, therefore, be entitled (in addition to any other remedy to which such Party may be entitled at Law or in equity) to seek injunctive relief, including specific performance, to enforce such obligations, without the posting of any bond, and if any Action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Standstill Agreement, none of the Parties shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at Law.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has duly executed this Standstill Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

  PUBCO:
   
  UTZ BRANDS, INC. (f/k/a COLLIER CREEK HOLDINGS)
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
   
  SPONSOR:
   
  COLLIER CREEK PARTNERS LLC
   
  By: /s/ Jason K. Giordano
  Name: Jason K. Giordano
  Title: Manager

 

[Signature Page - Standstill Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  FOUNDER HOLDERS:
   
  /s/ Chinh E. Chu
  Chinh E. Chu
   
  /s/ Jason K. Deromedi
  Roger K. Deromedi
   
  /s/ Jason K. Giordano
  Jason K. Giordano
   
  /s/ Erika Giordano
  Erika Giordano
   
  ROGER K. DEROMEDI REVOCABLE TRUST, DATED 2/11/2000, AMENDED AND RESTATED 11/9/2011
   
  By: /s/ Roger K. Deromedi
  Name: Roger K. Deromedi
  Title: Trustee
   
  CC COLLIER HOLDINGS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Chinh E. Chu
  Name: Chinh E. Chu
  Title: President and Senior Managing Director

 

[Signature Page - Standstill Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  SELLERS:
   
  SERIES U OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  SERIES R OF UM PARTNERS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page - Standstill Agreement]

 

 

 

 

THE RICE FAMILY PARTIES:    
     
/s/ Michael W. Rice   /s/ Jane E. Rice
Michael W. Rice   Jane E. Rice
     
/s/ Stacie R. Lissette   /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
Stacie R. Lissette   Dylan B. Lissette
     
UQF HOLDINGS, INC.     STACIE R. LISSETTE 2012 GENERATIONS TRUST
     
By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette   By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
Name: Dylan B. Lissette   Name: Dylan B. Lissette
Title: President   Title: Trustee
     
MICHAEL W. RICE 2009 GST EXEMPT FAMILY TRUST       MICHAEL W. RICE 2010 MULTIGENERATIONAL TRUST    
     
By: Sageworth Trust Company, its Trustee   By: Sageworth Trust Company, its Trustee
     
By: /s/ Timothy P. Brown   By: /s/ Timothy P. Brown
Name: Timothy P. Brown   Name: Timothy P. Brown
Title: President & CEO   Title: President & CEO
     
SRS GP, LLC     RICE INVESTMENTS II, LP      
     
By: /s/ Michael W. Rice   By: Michael W. Rice 2009 GST Exempt Family Trust, its general partner
Name: Michael W. Rice    
Title: Sole Member   By: Sageworth Trust Company, its Trustee
     
    By: /s/ Timothy P. Brown
    Name: Timothy P. Brown
    Title: President & CEO

 

[Signature Page - Standstill Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

Certain portions of this exhibit, marked with [***], have been excluded from this exhibit because it is not material and would likely cause competitive harm to the Company if publicly disclosed.

 

August 28, 2020

 

Dylan Lissette

 

c/o Utz Quality Foods, LLC

900 High Street

Hanover PA 17331

 

Re:          Offer of Employment

 

Dear Dylan:

 

1.                   Defined Terms

 

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Offer Letter (as defined below) shall have the meanings set forth on Appendix A attached hereto.

 

2.                   Offer and Position

 

We are very pleased to extend an offer of employment to you for the position of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), effective upon and following the consummation of the transactions (collectively, the “Transaction”) contemplated by that certain Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”), dated as of June 5, 2020, by and among Collier Creek Holdings (“CCH”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, which shall domesticate as a Delaware corporation, Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company, and Series R of UM Partners, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company. Your employment will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this letter (the “Offer Letter”). This Offer Letter will be binding upon execution but the obligations under this Offer Letter are not effective until the consummation of the Transaction (with the date on which the Transaction is consummated, the “Closing Date”) and if the Business Combination Agreement terminates in accordance with Article XI of the Business Combination Agreement, then this Offer Letter will be null and void ab initio. The board of directors of PubCo (the “Board”) will take all such actions required for you to be appointed as CEO as of the Start Date (as defined below).

 

3.                   Duties, Authority and Responsibilities

 

In your capacity as CEO, you will have such duties, authorities and responsibilities as are (i) commensurate with such title (including managing the day-to-day business activities of PubCo and its subsidiaries subject to oversight by the Board), (ii) required of such position (including but not limited to such responsibilities as set forth in PubCo’s Bylaws) and (iii) assigned to you from time to time that are reasonably consistent with your position. You will report directly to the Board and will comply with PubCo’s written policies during your employment with PubCo. You agree to devote substantially all of your business time and attention to the performance of your duties; provided that following the Closing Date, (A) you will continue to serve as CEO of the Company and its subsidiaries; (B) you will be permitted to perform any role for any “Rice family owned” entity that is a non-operating entity and/or trust; (C) you shall not be precluded from engaging in civic, charitable or religious activities, (D) you shall not be precluded from serving on the board of directors of other companies that are not competitors to PubCo or its subsidiaries and that are approved by the Board, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, provided however, that while you are CEO you will not serve on more than one other board of directors for any other company that is a public company (i.e., a company subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and (E) you shall not be precluded from managing your and your family’s personal passive investments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any outside activities must be in compliance with PubCo’s Code of Ethics, including approval procedures, and must not materially interfere with your duties as CEO.

 

 

 

 

4.                   Start Date

 

Your start date will be the first calendar day after the Closing Date (the “Start Date”).

 

5.                   Base Salary

 

In consideration of your services, you will be paid an initial base salary of $750,000 per year, subject to at least annual reviews for increases by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), payable in accordance with the standard payroll practices of PubCo. Your initial base salary and any such upward adjustment in initial base salary shall constitute “Base Salary” for the purposes of this Offer Letter.

 

6.                   Annual Bonus Award

 

During your employment, you will be eligible to participate in PubCo’s annual bonus award plan, with terms and conditions as approved by the Committee, and as part of the same annual bonus award plan as other named executive officers of PubCo. Your target bonus opportunity will be 100% of your Base Salary, subject to annual review by the Committee, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 200% of your Base Salary. Your actual bonus payment will be based on performance as measured against goals approved annually by the Committee. For fiscal year 2020, your goals for your annual bonus award are set forth in PubCo’s summary annual bonus award plan for 2020 and your award thereunder, both of which have been approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of CCH and are attached hereto as Exhibit A. For fiscal years 2021 and thereafter, your goals for your annual bonus award will be set forth in PubCo’s summary annual bonus award plan for such fiscal year and your award thereunder, each as adopted by the Committee after consultation with you.

 

7.                   PubCo’s 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

 

During your employment with PubCo, you will be eligible to participate in PubCo’s 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, as mutually agreed upon by CCH and the Company pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, approved by PubCo’s stockholders, and amended from time to time thereafter (the “OEIP”), and receive equity awards thereunder in the form as determined by the Committee, and subject to vesting and other conditions as set forth in the OEIP and the applicable award agreements.

 

You will receive an initial grant under the OEIP with an aggregate grant date fair value equal to $1,500,000, with 50% of the grant value to be awarded on the Start Date in the form of a stock option (the “Initial Option Grant”) exercisable for shares of PubCo’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”) The remaining 50% of the grant value will subsequently be awarded to you during calendar year 2020 in the form of performance share units (the “Initial PSU Grant”), subject to Pubco’s filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8. The forms of Initial Option Grant and Initial PSU Grant have been approved by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of CCH and are attached hereto as Exhibits C and D.

 

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8.                   Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

On or around the Closing Date, the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “LTIP”) and your existing awards thereunder will be amended, as set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, to provide that your awards will be converted into restricted stock units that settle in shares of Class A Common Stock issued under the OEIP (the “Converted RSU Grant”) in accordance with the terms of the Converted RSU Grant in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E. Contingent upon the closing under the Business Combination Agreement, you hereby agree to consent to such amendment and to making such election for conversion. Following the Closing Date, you will retain your existing LTIP awards, as so amended, and remain eligible to vest in any unvested portion thereof. For clarity and the avoidance of doubt, Utz Quality Foods, LLC will make no new awards under the LTIP following the Closing Date.

 

9.                   Severance

 

Following the Start Date, you will participate in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) attached hereto as Exhibit F, in accordance with its terms and conditions as in effect from time to time.

Except for the Severance Plan, after the Start Date you will no longer be eligible to participate in any other severance plans, programs, policies or practices of PubCo, the Company or their respective subsidiaries, including but not limited to the Utz Quality Foods, LLC Executive Officer Team Change in Control Severance Benefit Policy.

 

10.                 Other Benefits and Perquisites

 

Following the Start Date, you will also be eligible and/or continue to be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs (excluding severance) generally available to PubCo’s senior executives and consistent with such plans and programs of Utz Quality Foods, LLC as in effect as of the date hereof, including but not limited to medical, life and disability insurance, retirement, vacation, fringe benefit, perquisite, business expense reimbursement and travel plans or programs, in accordance with and subject to eligibility and other terms and conditions of such plans and programs, as in effect from time to time. PubCo reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate any of its benefit plans or programs at any time and for any reason except as set forth in this Offer Letter.

 

11.                 Withholding

 

All forms of compensation paid to you as an employee of PubCo shall be less all applicable withholdings.

 

12.                 At-will Employment

 

Your employment with PubCo will be for no specific period of time. Rather, your employment will be at-will, meaning that you or the Board may terminate your employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice and for any reason or no particular reason. Although your compensation and benefits may change from time to time, the at-will nature of your employment may only be changed by an express written agreement signed on behalf of PubCo by an authorized officer of PubCo. Upon any termination of your employment with PubCo, you will immediately and without the need for any additional action be deemed to have resigned from all officer positions with PubCo, the Company, and each of their respective subsidiaries and as a member of the governing boards of the Company and its subsidiaries but not as a member of the Board.

 

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13.                 Governing Law, Disputes and Waiver of Jury Trial

 

This Offer Letter shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles, and any dispute between the parties will be resolved only in the courts of the State of Delaware or in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. You and PubCo hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to trial by jury resulting from any proceeding or cause of action brought to resolve any dispute between the parties arising out of, connected with, or related to your employment after the Closing Date with PubCo, the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise.

 

14.                 Representations

 

You represent that you are not party to any agreement that would limit your ability to discharge your duties to PubCo, the Company and their respective subsidiaries. As a condition of accepting this offer of employment, you agree to be subject to PubCo’s terms of employment which include restrictive covenants, assignment of inventions, confidentiality and non-disparagement, and non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, customers and suppliers provisions, all as set forth in the form of agreement as attached hereto as Exhibit G.

 

15.                 Section 409A

 

The intent of the parties is that the payments and benefits under this Offer Letter comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Offer Letter shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. 

 

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If any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to you under this Offer Letter in connection with your “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) is determined, in whole or in part, to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and you are a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(2)(B)(i), no part of such payments shall be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of termination or, if earlier, ten (10) business days following your death (the “New Payment Date”).  The aggregate of any payments and benefits that otherwise would have been paid and/or provided to you during the period between the date of termination and the New Payment Date shall be paid to you in a lump sum on such New Payment Date.  Thereafter, any payments and/or benefits that remain outstanding as of the day immediately following the New Payment Date shall be paid without delay over the time period originally scheduled, in accordance with the terms of this Offer Letter.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that the foregoing delay applies to the provision of any ongoing welfare benefits, you shall pay the full cost of premiums for such welfare benefits due and payable prior to the New Payment Date and PubCo will pay you an amount equal to the amount of such premiums which otherwise would have been paid by PubCo during such period within five (5) business days following its conclusion.

 

A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Offer Letter providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and for purposes of any such provision of this Offer Letter, references to a “resignation,” “termination,” “terminate,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean separation from service.

 

All expenses or other reimbursements as provided herein shall be payable in accordance with PubCo’s policies in effect from time to time, but in any event shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which you incurred the expenses.  With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A: (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year.

 

For purposes of Section 409A, your right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Offer Letter shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  Whenever a payment under this Offer Letter specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., payment shall be made within 30 days following the date of termination), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of PubCo.

 

If you wish to accept this position, please sign below and return this Offer Letter to me. This offer is open for you to accept until August 28, 2020, at which time it will be deemed to be withdrawn.

 

  Sincerely,
   
  COLLIER CREEK HOLDINGS
   
  By: /s/ Roger Deromedi
  Name: Roger Deromedi
  Title: Co-Executive Chairman
  Date: August 28, 2020

 

Acceptance of Offer

 

I have read, understood and accept all the terms of this Offer Letter. I have not relied on any agreements or representations, express or implied, with respect to such employment which are not set forth expressly in this Offer Letter or in the documents referred herein, and this Offer Letter supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to my employment by PubCo.

   
/s/ Dylan B. Lissette  
Dylan B. Lissette  
   
Date: August 28, 2020  

 

[Signature Page to Dylan Lissette Offer Letter]

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A
Certain Definitions

 

1. Bylaws” shall mean the bylaws of PubCo, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

 

2. Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

3. Section 409A” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and Internal Revenue Service notices thereunder.

  

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

2020 Annual Bonus Award Plan

 

 

 

 

2020 Bonus Program for EOT Similar to2019; with a Progressive Scale consisting of three components: 1) Adjusted EBITDA: 2020’s 53 weektarget will be $120M paying at 100% to $132M paying at 200%. 30% 50% 2) GAAP Net Sales: 2020’s 53 weektarget will be $907M paying at 100% to paying at 200%. 50% 30% 3) IDP: Now 20% of Total Matrix for payout, vs 2019 at 10% and now includes the opportunity to earn up to 200% based on individual performance 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan 

 

 

 

 

 

Execution Version

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC. 2020 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.                  Purpose; Eligibility.

 

1.1              General Purpose. The name of this plan is the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants, and Independent Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors with those of the stockholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

1.2              Eligible Award Recipients. The Persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors after the receipt of Awards.

 

1.3              Available Awards. Awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Awards, (e) Performance Share Awards, (f) Cash Awards, and (g) Other Equity-Based Awards. Except with respect to the conversion of phantom units into Restricted Stock Units in accordance with the LTIP, following the Effective Date, no further equity compensation awards shall be granted pursuant to any Predecessor Plan (it being understood that outstanding awards under any Predecessor Plan will continue to be settled pursuant to the terms of such Predecessor Plan).

 

2.                  Definitions.

 

Affiliate” means a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in Section 424 of the Code (substituting “Company” for “employer corporation”), any other entity that is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, including a parent or subsidiary which becomes such after the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

Applicable Laws” means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

 

Award” means any right granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Award, a Performance Share Award, a Cash Award, or an Other Equity-Based Award.

 

Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

 

 

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” have a corresponding meaning.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.

 

Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash that is granted under Section 10 of the Plan.

 

Cause” means:

 

(a)       With respect to any Employee or Consultant, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, if the Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause (or any term of similar effect), the definition contained therein; or if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause (or any term of similar effect): (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) any acts, omissions or statements that are, or are reasonably likely to be, detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, prospects or business relations of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, or willful or repeated failure or refusal to substantially perform assigned duties; (iv) violation of state or federal securities laws; (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct; (vi) any act of fraud, embezzlement, material misappropriation or dishonesty against the Company or an Affiliate; (vii) any material breach of a written agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, a breach of any employment, consulting, confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement or similar agreement.

 

(b)       With respect to any Independent Director, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Independent Director has engaged in any of the following: (i) malfeasance in office; (ii) gross misconduct or negligence; (iii) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the Independent Director’s appointment; (iv) willful conversion of corporate funds; or (v) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.

 

The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

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Change in Control” means any of the following:

 

(a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of shares of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (d) below) whereby any Person (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a Person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities that are outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

(b) During any period of 24 months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, that any Person becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such Person is named as a nominee for Director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a Director during such period as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or

 

(c) The date that is ten (10) business days prior to the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

(d) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions, or (z) the acquisition of assets or shares of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

(i) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the Person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such Person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

(ii) after which no Person Beneficially Owns securities representing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no Person shall be treated for purposes of this clause (ii) as Beneficially Owning 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

A Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Sponsor, any Family Member or any of their respective Affiliates Beneficially Own or acquire more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company (or any successor to substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries) or any direct or indirect parent company.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or portion of any Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or one or more subcommittees appointed by the Committee to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 or, if no such Compensation Committee or subcommittee thereof exists, or in its sole discretion, the Board.

 

Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.

 

Company” means Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

Consultant” means any individual or entity which performs bona fide services for the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee or Independent Director, and who may be offered securities registerable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

 

Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Independent Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Independent Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to an Independent Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Awards, and any such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.

 

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Deferred Stock Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b) hereof.

 

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

Disability” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 6.9 hereof within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

 

Disqualifying Disposition” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.11.

 

Effective Date” shall mean the later of (i) the date that the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan and (ii) August 28, 2020.

 

Employee” means any Person, including an Officer or Director who is not an Independent Director employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that, for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as an Independent Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a share of Common Stock as of a given date of determination hereunder, (i) subject to clause (iii), the closing price as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded on such date of determination, or (ii) if the Common Stock was not traded on such date, then the immediately preceding date on which sales of shares of Common Stock have been so quoted or reported shall be used, or (iii) with respect to any Awards issued on the Effective Date, the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of a share of Class A common stock of Collier Creek Holdings on the immediately preceding date on which shares of Common Stock were traded. If there should not be a public market for the Common Stock on such date, “Fair Market Value” shall be such value as determined by the Board in its discretion and, to the extent necessary, shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Any such determination by the Board shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all parties.

 

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Family Member” means any of (a) Michael Rice, (b) the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice, (c) any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice, (d) a trust solely for the benefit of any individuals described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), and (e) any entity in which the Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

 

Fiscal Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Free Standing Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.

 

Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.

 

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.

 

Independent Director” means any member of the Board or any member of the board of directors of an Affiliate (or similar governing body of an Affiliate that is not a corporation) who is not an Employee or Consultant.

 

LTIP” means the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a sub-plan to this Plan.

 

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

 

Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Officer” means a Person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

Optionholder” means a Person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

Option Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option.

 

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Other Equity-Based Award” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, or Performance Share Award that is granted under Section 10 and is payable by delivery of Common Stock and/or which is measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.

 

Participant” means an eligible Person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

Performance Criteria” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Award under the Plan. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (or Affiliate, division, business unit or operational unit of the Company) or any Participant, which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis including, but not limited to, one or more of the following measures: (a) terms relative to a peer group or index; (b) basic, diluted, or adjusted earnings per share; (c) sales or revenue;(d) earnings before interest, taxes, and other adjustments (in total or on a per share basis); (e) cash available for distribution; (f) basic or adjusted net income; (g) returns on equity, assets, capital, revenue or similar measure; (h) level and growth of dividends; (i) the price or increase in price of Common Stock; (j) total shareholder return; (k) total assets;(l) growth in assets, new originations of assets, or financing of assets; (m) equity market capitalization; (n) reduction or other quantifiable goal with respect to general and/or specific expenses; (o) equity capital raised; (p) mergers, acquisitions, increase in enterprise value of Affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions or business units or sales of assets of Affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions or business units or sales of assets; and (q) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be stated as a percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business units, business segments, administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices.

 

Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon Performance Criteria determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Share Award or a Cash Award.

 

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Performance Share Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

 

Performance Share” means the grant of a right to receive a number of actual shares of Common Stock or share units based upon the performance of the Company during a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

 

Permitted Transferee” means: (a) a member of the Participant’s immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), any Person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee) in each case as approved by the Committee, a trust in which these Persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these Persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these Persons (or the Participant) own more than 50% of the voting interests; and (b) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

Person” means an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act).

 

Plan” means this Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.

 

Predecessor Plan” means any of the plans maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates under which equity or equity-based awards were granted, including the LTIP.

 

Related Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.

 

Restricted Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 8.

 

Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.

 

Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Sponsor” means Collier Creek Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 7 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.

 

Stock for Stock Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

 

Substitute Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

 

Ten Percent Stockholder” means a Person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.

 

Total Share Reserve” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

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3.                  Administration.

 

3.1              Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, or in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. The Board may revoke such delegation to the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

(a)               to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;

 

(b)               to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;

 

(c)               to authorize any Person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

(d)               to delegate its authority to one or more Officers of the Company with respect to Awards that do not involve “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act;

 

(e)               to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date;

 

(f)                from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, those eligible Award recipients to whom Awards shall be granted;

 

(g)               to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award;

 

(h)               to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option;

 

(i)                 to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant;

 

(j)                 to determine the target number of Performance Shares to be granted pursuant to a Performance Share Award, the performance measures that will be used to establish the Performance Goals, the Performance Period(s) and the number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant;

 

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(k)               to amend any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting or the term of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;

 

(l)                 to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;

 

(m)             to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;

 

(n)               to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan;

 

(o)               to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan; and

 

(p)               to impose a “blackout” or other periods during which Awards may not be exercised or settled.

 

The Committee also may modify the purchase price or the exercise price of any outstanding Award, provided that if the modification effects a repricing or a cash buyout of underwater Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, stockholder approval shall be required before the repricing is effective.

 

3.2              Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

3.3              Delegation. The Committee may delegate administration of the Plan to a subcommittee or subcommittees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any Person or Persons to whom such authority has been delegated, subject, however, to Applicable Law and to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Any such delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

 

3.4              Committee Composition. To the extent the Board desires to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3 (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan), with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors, or one or more officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the authority to grant Awards to eligible Persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a Committee that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.

 

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3.5              Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such Person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.

 

4.                  Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

4.1              Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 14, no more than 9,500,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan (the “Total Share Reserve”). During the terms of the Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Awards.

 

4.2              Shares of Common Stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.

 

4.3              Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 14, no more than 9,500,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the “ISO Limit”).

 

4.4              The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single Fiscal Year to any Director, together with any cash fees paid to such Director during the Fiscal Year shall not exceed a total value of $500,000 (calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may provide, in its discretion, for exceptions to this limit for a Non-Employee Director, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.

 

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4.5              Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, cash-settled or terminated without issuance of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related will again be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute shares not issued to the Participant and shall be deemed to again be made available for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such shares are (a) shares tendered in payment of an Option, (b) shares delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) shares covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award.

 

4.6              Awards: (i) may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines, and (ii) shall be granted in the form of restricted stock units under the LTIP for all LTIP participants who elect to convert their LTIP benefit into Restricted Stock Units (collectively, the “Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Total Share Reserve; provided, that, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be counted against the ISO limit. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, converted awards of Restricted Stock Units under the LTIP and available shares under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect such acquisition or transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not count toward the Total Share Reserve.

 

4.7              Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that provides for or includes a right to dividends or dividend equivalents, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity Award is outstanding, such dividends (or dividend equivalents) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Award or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable Award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied. In no event shall dividends or dividend equivalents be paid with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

5.                  Eligibility.

 

5.1              Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors following the Grant Date.

 

5.2              Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.

 

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6.                  Option Provisions. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5 and this Section 6, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other Person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time or if an Option is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

6.1              Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date. The term of a Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Non-qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.

 

6.2              Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

6.3              Exercise Price of a Non-qualified Stock Option. The Option Exercise Price of each Non-qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option, as determined by the Committee using one of the methods permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(A). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.4              Consideration. The Option Exercise Price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, either (a) in cash or by certified or bank check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve: (i) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the difference between the number of shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation shares of Common Stock (a “Stock for Stock Exchange”); (ii) a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker; (iii) by reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise; (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the exercise price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery (or attestation) to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period for which the Common Stock is publicly traded (i.e., the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system) an exercise by a Director who is not an Independent Director or by an Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited with respect to any Award under the Plan.

 

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6.5              Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

 

6.6              Vesting of Options. Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions and limitations described in the Award Agreement as the Committee may impose in its discretion, including vesting conditions, restrictions on exercise, and forfeiture provisions. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that some or all of such restrictions shall lapse upon (a) the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified period of time, (b) the occurrence of any one or more other events or the satisfaction of any one or more other conditions, as specified by the Committee, including satisfaction of performance criteria, a termination of Continuous Services under certain circumstances (such as death or Disability), or a Change in Control, or (c) a combination of any of the foregoing. In its discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of a Stock Option at any time, in whole or in part, or otherwise waive or modify any such restrictions.

 

6.7              Termination of Continuous Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Committee, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

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6.8              Extension of Termination Date. An Optionholder’s Award Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the term of the Option in accordance with Section 6.1 or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements.

 

6.9              Disability of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within the period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following such termination or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.10          Death of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a Person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a Person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Optionholder’s death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.11          Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options.

 

7.                  Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in tandem with an Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”).

 

7.1              Grant Requirements for Related Rights.  Any Related Right that relates to a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

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7.2              Term. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.

 

7.3              Vesting. Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions and limitations set forth in the Award Agreement as the Committee may impose in its discretion, including vesting conditions and forfeiture provisions. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that some or all of such restrictions shall lapse upon (a) the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified period of time, (b) the occurrence of any one or more other events or the satisfaction of any one or more other conditions, as specified by the Committee, including satisfaction of performance criteria, a termination of Continuous Services under certain circumstances (such as death or Disability), or a Change in Control, or (c) a combination of any of the foregoing. In its discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right at any time, in whole or in part, or otherwise waive or modify any such restrictions.

 

7.4              Exercise and Payment. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right or related Option. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

 

7.5              Exercise Price. The exercise price of a Free Standing Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right. A Related Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option; provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements of Section 7.1 are satisfied.

 

7.6              Reduction in the Underlying Option Shares. Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of shares of Common Stock for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of shares of Common Stock for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Option has been exercised.

 

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8.                  Restricted Awards. A Restricted Award is an Award of actual shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”) or hypothetical Common Stock units (“Restricted Stock Units”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Common Stock, which may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “Restricted Period”) as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.1              Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)               Each Participant granted Restricted Stock shall execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock. If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends; provided that, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

 

(b)               The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside funds for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock Units with a deferral feature, whereby settlement is deferred beyond the vesting date until the occurrence of a future payment date or event set forth in an Award Agreement (“Deferred Stock Units”). At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (representing one share of Common Stock) may be credited with an amount equal to the cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one share of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”).

 

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(c)               Dividend Equivalents shall be withheld by the Company and credited to the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents credited to the Participant’s account at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents.

 

8.2              Restrictions.

 

(a)               Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant shall be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate; (B) the shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such shares are forfeited, the stock certificates shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect to such shares shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.

 

(b)               Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units awarded to any Participant shall be subject to (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(c)               The Committee shall have the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate.

 

8.3              Restricted Period. With respect to Restricted Awards, the Restricted Period shall commence on the Grant Date and end at the time or times set forth on a schedule established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.4              Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in Section 8.2 and the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, or at the expiration of the deferral period with respect to any outstanding Deferred Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding vested Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (“Vested Unit”) and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit in accordance with Section 8.1(c) hereof and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock for Vested Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed in the case of Restricted Stock Units, or the delivery date in the case of Deferred Stock Units, with respect to each Vested Unit.

 

8.5              Stock Restrictions. Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate.

 

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9.                  Performance Share Awards. Each Performance Share Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Performance Share Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or stock-denominated units subject to a Performance Share Award granted to any Participant; (ii) the Performance Period applicable to any Award; (iii) the conditions that must be satisfied for a Participant to earn an Award; and (iv) the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

 

9.1              Earning Performance Share Awards. The number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant will depend on the extent to which the Performance Goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

 

10.              Other Equity-Based Awards and Cash Awards. The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Each Other Equity-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and shall be subject to such conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may grant Cash Awards in such amounts and subject to such Performance Goals, other vesting conditions, and such other terms as the Committee determines in its discretion. Cash Awards shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine.

 

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11.              Securities Law Compliance. Each Award Agreement shall provide that no shares of Common Stock shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (a) any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.

 

12.              Use of Proceeds from Stock. Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, shall constitute general funds of the Company.

 

13.              Miscellaneous.

 

13.1          Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

13.2          Stockholder Rights. Except as provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Common Stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 14 hereof.

 

13.3          No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the By-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

13.4          Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer of employment to the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.

 

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13.5          Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

13.6          Permitted Transfers. Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee upon written approval by the Committee. Any such permitted transfer of Awards shall be for zero consideration.

 

14.              Adjustments.

 

14.1          Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock. In the event of any changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or other relevant change in capitalization (any of the foregoing, an “Adjustment Event”), the Committee shall, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of: (i) the Total Share Reserve, or any other limit applicable under the Plan with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be issued in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan; and (iii) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (A) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate; (B) the exercise price with respect to any Award; or (C) any applicable performance measures; provided, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 14, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 14 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and in the case of Non-qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 14 will not constitute a modification of such Non-qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 14 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

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14.2          Adjustment Upon a Change in Control. Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, in connection with any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

 

(a)               substitution or assumption of Awards (or awards of an acquiring company);

 

(b)               acceleration of the exercisability of an Award, lapse of restrictions on an Award, or alteration of the period of time for Participants to exercise outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control (which shall be a period of at least ten days); and

 

(c)               subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, cancellation of any one or more outstanding Awards and payment to the holders of such Awards of the value of such Awards, if any, as shall be determined by the Committee as follows:

 

(i)                 in the case of an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right over the aggregate exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right having a per share exercise price specified in the Award Agreement that is equal to, or in excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor), or

 

(ii)              in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards, Cash Awards or Other Equity-Based Awards that are not vested as of such cancellation, a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the same vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards, Cash Awards or Other Equity-Based Awards prior to cancellation, or the underlying shares in respect thereof, with Performance Goals with respect to each outstanding Performance Period, if any, that are applicable to such Awards deemed to be achieved at the greater of 100% of the applicable “target” performance levels and the performance levels actually achieved as of the date of such event, as determined by the Committee.

 

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Payments to holders pursuant to clause (c) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of shares of Common Stock, or such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the Change in Control if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such Change in Control, the holder of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable exercise price).

 

14.3          Other Requirements. Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 14, the Committee may require a Participant to (a) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards; (b) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

 

14.4          Binding Effect. Any adjustment, substitution, determination of value or other action taken by the Committee under this Section 14 shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

15.              Amendment of the Plan and Awards.

 

15.1          Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 14 relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock and Section 15.3, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on stockholder approval.

 

15.2          Stockholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.

 

15.3          Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.

 

15.4          No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be materially impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

15.5          Amendment of Awards. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

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16.              General Provisions.

 

16.1          Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.

 

16.2          Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in connection with the following: (a) any material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities Laws that requires the Company to file a restatement of its financial statements; (b) any action by a Participant that constitutes Cause; and (c) any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time. In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Plan. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by this Section 16.2, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with Applicable Law).

 

16.3          Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

16.4          Sub-Plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.

 

16.5          Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.

 

16.6          Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.

 

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16.7          Delivery. Upon exercise of a right granted under the Plan, the Company shall issue Common Stock or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of the Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

 

16.8          No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan, including pursuant to any adjustment under Section 14. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

16.9          Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with the Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.

 

16.10      Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

 

16.11      Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “Disqualifying Disposition”) shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Common Stock.

 

16.12      Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 16.12, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.

 

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16.13      Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.

 

16.14      Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

16.15      Severability. If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

16.16      Plan Headings. The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

16.17      Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.

 

17.              Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date.

 

18.              Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate automatically on August 28, 2030. No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

19.              Choice of Law. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from the Plan (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of the Plan, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

As adopted by the Board of Directors of Utz Brands, Inc. on June 4, 2020.

 

As approved by the stockholders of Utz Brands, Inc. on August 27, 2020.

 

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Exhibit C

Form of Initial Option Grant

 

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

Stock Option Agreement

 

This Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 29, 2020 by and between Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Dylan B. Lissette (the “Participant”).

 

Grant Date:

 

Exercise Price per Share:

 

Number of Option Shares:

 

Expiration Date:

 

1.             Grant of Option.

 

1.1              Grant; Type of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Participant an option (the “Option”) to purchase the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to the number of Option Shares set forth above, at the Exercise Price set forth above. The Option is being granted pursuant to the terms of the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as then amended (the “Plan”). The Option is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

1.2              Consideration; Subject to Plan. The grant of the Option is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Participant to the Company and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2.             Exercise Period; Vesting.

 

2.1              Vesting Schedule. The Option will become vested and exercisable with respect to 50% of the total number of Option Shares on December 31, 2022, and with respect to an additional 50% of the total number of Option Shares on December 31, 2023. The unvested portion of the Option will not be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

2.2              Expiration. The Option will expire on the Expiration Date set forth above, or earlier as provided in this Agreement or the Plan.

 

3.             Termination of Continuous Service.

 

3.1              Termination for Reasons Other Than Cause, Death, Disability. If the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for any reason other than Cause, death or Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested portion of the Option, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of: (a) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

 

 

 

3.2              Termination for Cause. If the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable.

 

3.3              Termination due to Disability. If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested portion of the Option, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of: (a) the date 12 months following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.4              Termination due to Death. If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised by the Participant’s estate, by a Person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by the Person designated to exercise the Option upon the Participant’s death, but only within the time period ending on the earlier of: (a) the date 12 months following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.5              Extension of Termination Date. If following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service for any reason the exercise of the Option is prohibited because the exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the expiration of the Option shall be tolled until the date that is thirty (30) days after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities requirements.

 

4.             Manner of Exercise.

 

4.1              Election to Exercise. To exercise the portion of the Option which is vested and exercisable, the Participant (or in the case of exercise after the Participant’s death or incapacity, the Participant’s executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) must deliver written notice of exercise in a form and in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee or the Board in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan, and the notice of exercise shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price.

 

4.2              Payment of Exercise Price. The entire Exercise Price of the Option shall be payable, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, as follows: (a) in cash (including check, bank draft, money order or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (b) by delivery of outstanding shares of Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Exercise Price payable with respect to the Option’s exercise, (c) by means of any cashless exercise procedures established with a broker and approved by the Committee and as may be in effect on the date of exercise, (d) by any combination of the foregoing, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan or (e) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee or the Board as the administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 3 thereof.

 

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4.3              Withholding. If the Company, in its discretion, determines that it is obligated to withhold any tax in connection with the exercise of the Option, the Participant must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay or provide for any applicable federal, state and local withholding obligations of the Company. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise of the Option by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws:

 

(a)                 tendering a cash payment;

 

(b)               authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise of the Option; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law;

 

(c)               delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price; or

 

(d)               delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

The Company has the right to withhold from any compensation paid to a Participant.

 

4.4              Issuance of Shares. Provided that the notice of exercise and payment are in form and substance satisfactory to the Committee or the Board in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan, the Company shall issue the shares of Common Stock registered in the name of the Participant, the Participant’s authorized assignee, or the Participant’s legal representative which shall be evidenced by stock certificates representing the shares with the appropriate legends affixed thereto, appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent, or other appropriate means as determined by the Company.

 

5.             No Right to Continued Service; No Rights as Stockholder. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in any position, as an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause. The Participant shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to the Option unless and until certificates representing the shares have been issued by the Company to the holder of such shares, or the shares have otherwise been recorded on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent as owned by such holder.

 

6.             Transferability. The Option may be transferred to a Permitted Transferee upon written approval by the Committee.

 

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7.             Change in Control.

 

7.1              Acceleration of Vesting. In the event the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to the Participant’s death or Disability) or by the Participant for Good Reason (as defined in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan), in each case within two (2) years following a Change in Control, then, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Option shall become immediately vested and exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to the Option. To the extent practicable, such acceleration of vesting and exercisability shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows the Participant the ability to participate in the Change in Control with respect to the shares of Common Stock received.

 

7.2              Cash-out. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its discretion and upon at least ten (10) days’ advance notice to the Participant, cancel the Option and pay to the Participant the value of the Option in accordance with the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of a Change in Control the Exercise Price of the Option equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option without the payment of consideration therefor.

 

8.             Adjustments. The shares of Common Stock subject to the Option may be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 14 of the Plan.

 

9.             Tax Liability and Withholding. Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting, or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of any shares acquired on exercise; and (b) does not commit to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

 

10.         Restrictive Covenants.

 

10.1          Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)               The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Participant’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of Participant’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to Participant on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, which source is not known by Participant, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Companies.

 

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(b)               The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the Grant Date and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Company, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

10.2          Assignment of Inventions.

 

(a)               The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (i) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any of the Companies’ resources and/or within the scope of the Participant’s duties to the Companies or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Companies, and that are made or conceived by the Participant, solely or jointly with others, during the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies; or (ii) suggested by any work that the Participant performs in connection with any of the Companies, either while performing the Participant’s duties to the Companies or on the Participant’s own time, will belong exclusively to the Companies (or their designees), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”). The Participant will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Companies, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Companies. The Records are the sole and exclusive property of the Companies, and the Participant will surrender them upon termination of employment, or upon any of the Companies’ request. The Participant irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies, together with the right to file, in the Participant’s name or in the name of any of the Companies (or their designees), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). The Participant will, at any time during and subsequent to employment by or service to any of the Companies, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by any of the Companies to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Companies’ rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Participant from the Companies. The Participant will also execute assignments to the Companies (or their designees) of the Applications, and give the Companies and their attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Companies’ benefit.

 

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(b)               In addition, the Inventions are deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Companies, and the Participant agrees that the Companies are the sole owners of the Inventions and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Participant. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Companies, the Participant hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, before the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Participant hereby waives any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Participant has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Participant’s service to the Companies that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Participant agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Participant hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Participant’s benefit by virtue of the Participant being an employee of or other service provider to any of the Companies.

 

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10.3          Return of Companies’ Property and Companies’ Information. The Participant agrees to return, promptly following the termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, or earlier if directed by any of the Companies, any and all of the Companies’ property in the Participant’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to any of the Companies’ operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in the Participant’s possession (including on any personal computer).

 

10.4          Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Participant from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that the Participant uses the Participant’s reasonable best efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. The Participant does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, the Participant has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

10.5          In consideration of the Option, the Participant agrees and covenants not to:

 

(a)               During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for the longer of (A) the Restriction Period (as defined in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan) applicable to the Participant, if any, and (B) a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(i)                 own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 10.5(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

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(ii)              contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(iii)            hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such Person terminate his or her employment or engagement with any of the Companies.

 

(b)               The Participant will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage (i) any of the Companies or any of their businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice.

 

10.6          Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in this Section 10 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of this Section 10 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent the Participant from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Participant is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in this Section 10 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in this Section 10; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

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10.7          If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

10.8          If the Committee determines in good faith that the Participant has breached or threatened to breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 10:

 

(a)               any unvested or vested but unexercised portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited effective as of the date of such breach, unless sooner terminated by operation of another term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan, and the Participant shall deliver to the Company (or take all steps necessary to effectuate the delivery of), no later than five (5) days following such determination, any shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Participant’s Option and any proceeds resulting from the sale or other disposition (including to the Company) of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Participant’s Option; and

 

(b)               the Participant hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. Each of the Companies not party to this Agreement is intended to be third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of this Section 10, and such provisions may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to each such entity hereunder.

 

11.         Compliance with Law. The exercise of the Option and the issuance and transfer of shares of Common Stock shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Participant with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock may be listed. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or transferred pursuant to this Option unless and until any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel.

 

12.         Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a business day and, if otherwise, on the next business day, (b) one (1) business day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid), or (c) three (3) days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 12, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:

 

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If to the Company:

 

If to the Participant:

 

13.         Governing Law Jurisdiction; Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The Participant hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. The Participant will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by the Participant of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) the Participant challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

14.         Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant and the Company.

 

15.         Options Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the Plan as approved by the Company’s stockholders. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

16.         Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the Option may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

17.         Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

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18.         Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the Option in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any Options or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant's employment with the Company.

 

19.         Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the Option, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Participant’s material rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. The failure of the Company or Committee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

20.         Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

21.         No Impact on Other Benefits. The value of the Participant’s Option is not part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, retirement, welfare, insurance or similar employee benefit.

 

22.         Data Privacy. The Participant expressly authorizes and consents to the collection, possession, use, retention and transfer of personal data of the Participant, whether in electronic or other form, by and among Company, its Affiliates, third-party administrator(s) and other possible recipients, in each case for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, facilitating and/or managing the Participant’s Awards under, and participation in, the Plan. Such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, job title and other job-related information, tax information, the number of Company shares held or sold by the Participant, and the details of all Awards (including any information contained in this Award and all Award-related materials) granted to the Participant, whether exercised, unexercised, vested, unvested, cancelled or outstanding (“Data”). The Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that Data may be transferred to third parties, which will assist the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.

 

23.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of this Agreement and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

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24.         Acceptance. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant has read and understands the terms and provisions thereof, and accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the Option or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised to consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise or disposition.

 

25.         Complete Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan and the other documents referred to herein and therein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

26.         No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

* * * * *

 

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

 

  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
  By:        
  Name: Roger Deromedi
  Title: Chairman  
   
   
  DYLAN B. LISSETTE

 

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Exhibit D

Form of Initial PSU Grant

 

 

 

 

Exhibit D

 

Performance Share Unit Agreement

 

This Performance Share Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of (the “Grant Date”) by and between Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Dylan B. Lissette (the “Participant”).

 

1.          Grant of Performance Share Units.

 

1.1           Grant. The Company hereby grants to the Participant an Award for a target number of Performance Share Units (“PSUs”, and such award, the “Target Award”). The PSUs are being granted pursuant to the terms of the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as then amended (the “Plan”). Each PSU represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan. The number of PSUs that the Participant actually earns for the applicable Performance Period (up to a maximum of                     1 in aggregate) will be determined by the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) in accordance with Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

1.2           Consideration; Subject to Plan. The grant of the PSUs is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Participant to the Company and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2.          Performance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Performance Period” shall be the period commencing on the Grant Date, and (a) ending on December 31, 2022 for 50% of the PSUs and (b) ending on December 31, 2023 for the remaining 50% of the PSUs, as applicable.

 

3.          Performance Goals.

 

3.1           The number of PSUs earned by the Participant for a Performance Period will be determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) in accordance with Exhibit A. All determinations of whether Performance Goal(s) have been achieved, the number of PSUs earned by the Participant, and all other matters related to this Section 3 shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

3.2           Promptly following completion of a Performance Period (and no later than thirty (30) days following the end of the Performance Period), the Committee will review and certify in writing (a) whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goal(s) for the Performance Period have been achieved, and (b) the number of PSUs that the Participant shall earn, if any, subject to compliance with the requirements of Section 4. Such certification shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Participant, and on all other Persons, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

 

 

1 NTD: To be 200% of Target Award.

 

 

 

 

4.          Vesting of PSUs. The PSUs are subject to forfeiture until they vest. Except as otherwise provided herein, the PSUs will vest and become nonforfeitable on the last day of the applicable Performance Period subject to (a) the achievement of the minimum threshold Performance Goal(s) for payout set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, and (b) the Participant’s Continuous Service from the Grant Date through the last day of the applicable Performance Period. The number of PSUs that vest and become payable under this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and shall be rounded to the nearest whole PSU.

 

5.          Termination of Continuous Service.

 

5.1          Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, if the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason at any time before all of his or her PSUs have vested, the Participant’s unvested PSUs shall be automatically forfeited upon such termination of Continuous Service and neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any further obligations to the Participant under this Agreement.

 

5.2           Notwithstanding Section 5.1, if the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates during a Performance Period as a result of the Participant’s death, Disability or termination by the Company without Cause, the target number of PSUs granted hereunder shall be prorated and then remain eligible to vest in accordance with Section 4 subject to achievement of the Performance Goal(s) as if the Participant’s Continuous Service had not terminated, with such pro ration based on the number of days in the Performance Period prior to the Termination Date relative to the number of the days in the full Performance Period.

 

6.          Effect of a Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if there is a Change in Control during a Performance Period, then on the effective date of the Change in Control, the applicable Performance Period shall be deemed to have ended as of such date and the Committee shall determine the number of PSUs that performance vest as of such date based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) as of such date, with the price paid per share of Common Stock in connection with such Change in Control deemed to be the Ending Price. Following the Change in Control, the PSUs will continue to time vest and become nonforfeitable on the last day of the original Performance Period subject only to the Participant’s Continuous Service through the last day of such original Performance Period; provided that, the PSUs shall immediately vest in the event the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to the Participant’s death or Disability) or by the Participant for Good Reason (as defined in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan), in each case, within two (2) years following a Change in Control.

 

7.          Payment of PSUs. Payment in respect of the PSUs earned for a Performance Period shall be made in shares of Common Stock and shall be issued to the Participant as soon as practicable following the vesting date and in any event within sixty (60) days following the vesting date. The Company shall (a) issue and deliver to the Participant the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested PSUs, and (b) enter the Participant’s name on the books of the Company as the stockholder of record with respect to the shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant.

 

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8.          Transferability. Subject to any exceptions set forth in this Agreement or the Plan, the PSUs or the rights relating thereto may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and upon any such transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution, the transferee shall hold such PSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Participant immediately prior to such transfer.

 

9.          Rights as Stockholder; Dividend Equivalents.

 

9.1           The Participant shall not have any rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs, including, but not limited to, voting rights.

 

9.2           As of any date that the Company pays an ordinary cash dividend on its shares of Common Stock, the Participant will be credited by the Company with a Dividend Equivalent, which entitles the Participant to a dividend equivalent payment equal to the amount of such dividends per share of Common Stock subject to the number of PSUs held by Participant under this Agreement, which Dividend Equivalent shall be paid in cash (or if elected by the Committee in its sole discretion, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value as of the settlement date equal to the amount of such dividends), at the same time as the underlying PSUs are settled following vesting of such PSUs. Any such Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same vesting, forfeiture, payment, termination and other terms, conditions and restrictions as the PSUs to which they relate; provided that, the Dividend Equivalents will vest at the same percentage (not to exceed 100%) that the related PSUs vest. For the sake of clarity, if the related PSUs vest (A) at 50% of target, 50% of the Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such PSUs will vest, or (B) at 200% of target, 100% of the Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such PSUs will vest. No Dividend Equivalents shall be granted with respect to any PSUs which, as of the record date, have either been paid or terminated.

 

9.3           Upon and following the vesting of the PSUs and the issuance of shares, the Participant shall be the record owner of the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs unless and until such shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and as record owner shall be entitled to all rights of a stockholder of the Company (including voting and dividend rights).

 

10.        No Right to Continued Service. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in any position, as an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause.

 

11.        Adjustments. The PSUs shall be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 14 of the Plan.

 

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12.        Tax Liability and Withholding.

 

12.1         The Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation paid to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the PSUs and to take all such other action as the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws:

 

(a)             tendering a cash payment;

 

(b)            authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to the Participant as a result of the settlement of the PSUs; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law;

 

(c)             delivery of a properly executed notice of settlement together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the required tax withholding amount; or

 

(d)            delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

The Company has the right to withhold from any compensation paid to a Participant.

 

12.2         Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting, or settlement of the PSUs or the subsequent sale of any shares; and (b) does not commit to structure the PSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

 

13.        Restrictive Covenants.

 

13.1         Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)            The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of the Participant’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of the Participant’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to the Participant on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, which source is not known by the Participant, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Companies.

 

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(b)            The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the Grant Date and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Company, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

13.2             Assignment of Inventions.

 

(a)             The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (i) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any of the Companies’ resources and/or within the scope of the Participant’s duties to the Companies or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Companies, and that are made or conceived by the Participant, solely or jointly with others, during the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies; or (ii) suggested by any work that the Participant performs in connection with any of the Companies, either while performing the Participant’s duties to the Companies or on the Participant’s own time, will belong exclusively to the Companies (or their designees), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”). The Participant will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Companies, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Companies. The Records are the sole and exclusive property of the Companies, and the Participant will surrender them upon termination of employment, or upon any of the Companies’ request. The Participant irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies, together with the right to file, in the Participant’s name or in the name of any of the Companies (or their designees), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). The Participant will, at any time during and subsequent to employment by or service to any of the Companies, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by any of the Companies to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Companies’ rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Participant from the Companies. The Participant will also execute assignments to the Companies (or their designees) of the Applications, and give the Companies and their attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Companies’ benefit.

 

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(b)            In addition, the Inventions are deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Companies, and the Participant agrees that the Companies are the sole owners of the Inventions and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Participant. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Companies, the Participant hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, before the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Participant hereby waives any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Participant has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Participant’s service to the Companies that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Participant agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Participant hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Participant’s benefit by virtue of the Participant being an employee of or other service provider to any of the Companies.

 

13.3         Return of Companies’ Property and Companies’ Information. The Participant agrees to return, promptly following the termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, or earlier if directed by any of the Companies, any and all of the Companies’ property in the Participant’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to any of the Companies’ operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in the Participant’s possession (including on any personal computer).

 

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13.4         Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Participant from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that the Participant uses the Participant’s reasonable best efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. The Participant does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, the Participant has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

13.5         In consideration of the PSUs, the Participant agrees and covenants not to:

 

(a)             During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for the longer of (A) the Restriction Period (as defined in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan) applicable to the Participant, if any, and (B) a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

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(i)            own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 13.5(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

(ii)           contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(iii)          hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such Person terminate his or her employment or engagement with any of the Companies.

 

(b)            The Participant will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage (i) any of the Companies or any of their respective businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice.

 

13.6         Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in this Section 13 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of this Section 13 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent the Participant from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Participant is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in this Section 13 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in this Section 13; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

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13.7         If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

13.8         If the Committee determines in good faith that the Participant has breached or threatened to breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 13:

 

(a)            any unvested or vested but unsettled PSUs shall be immediately forfeited effective as of the date of such breach, unless sooner terminated by operation of another term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan, and the Participant shall deliver to the Company (or take all steps necessary to effectuate the delivery of), no later than five (5) days following such determination, any shares of Common Stock issued upon the settlement of the Participant’s PSUs and any proceeds resulting from the sale or other disposition (including to the Company) of shares of Common Stock issued upon settlement of the Participant’s PSUs; and

 

(b)            the Participant hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. Each of the Companies not party to this Agreement is intended to be third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of this Section 13, and such provisions may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to each such entity hereunder.

 

14.        Compliance with Law. The issuance and transfer of shares of Common Stock in connection with the PSUs shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Participant with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock may be listed. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or transferred unless and until any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel.

 

15.        Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a business day and, if otherwise, on the next business day, (b) one (1) business day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid), or (c) three (3) days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 15, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated below:

 

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If to the Company:

 

If to the Participant:

 

16.        Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The Participant hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. The Participant will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by the Participant of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) the Participant challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

17.        Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant and the Company.

 

18.        PSUs Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the Plan as approved by the Company’s stockholders. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

19.        Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the PSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

20.        Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

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21.        Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the PSUs in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any PSUs or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant’s employment with the Company.

 

22.        Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the PSUs, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Participant’s material rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. The failure of the Company or Committee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

23.        Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

24.        No Impact on Other Benefits. The value of the Participant’s PSUs is not part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, retirement, welfare, insurance or similar employee benefit.

 

25.        Data Privacy. The Participant expressly authorizes and consents to the collection, possession, use, retention and transfer of personal data of the Participant, whether in electronic or other form, by and among Company, its Affiliates, third-party administrator(s) and other possible recipients, in each case for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, facilitating and/or managing the Participant’s Awards under, and participation in, the Plan. Such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, job title and other job-related information, tax information, the number of Company shares held or sold by the Participant, and the details of all Awards (including any information contained in this Award and all Award-related materials) granted to the Participant, whether exercised, unexercised, vested, unvested, cancelled or outstanding (“Data”). The Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that Data may be transferred to third parties, which will assist the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.

 

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26.        Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of this Agreement and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

27.        Acceptance. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant has read and understands the terms and provisions thereof, and accepts the PSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the vesting or settlement of the PSUs or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised to consult a tax advisor prior to such vesting, settlement or disposition.

 

28.        Complete Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan and the other documents referred to herein and therein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

29.        No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

* * * * *

 

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

 

  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
  By:                
  Name: Roger Deromedi
  Title: Chairman of the Board
   
   
 

DYLAN B. LISSETTE

 

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Exhibit E

Form of Converted RSU Grant

 

 

 

 

 

Utz Quality Foods, LLC

Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

 

This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Dylan B. Lissette (the “Participant”).

 

WHEREAS, Utz Quality Foods, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Utz”), previously issued 37.50 Phantom Units to Participant under the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2018 LTIP”) pursuant to one or more Phantom Unit Award Agreements (the “Prior Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with and contingent upon the occurrence of the closing under the Business Combination Agreement by and among the Company (formerly known as Collier Creek Holdings), Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (the parent company of Utz), Series U of UM Partners, LLC and Series R of UM Partners, LLC (the “Business Combination”), Utz amended and restated the 2018 LTIP into the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which constitutes a sub-plan under the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and provided each participant in the 2018 LTIP the opportunity to elect to convert his or her Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units under the terms of the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, the Participant previously elected, contingent on the closing of the Business Combination, to convert his or her Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units, and pursuant to that election has agreed to sign an award agreement with similar provisions to the Prior Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, a copy of the Plan has been furnished to the Participant and shall be deemed a part of this Agreement, as if fully set forth herein, and the terms capitalized but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, the Participant and the Company desire to formally document in this Agreement the Restricted Stock Units issued upon the conversion of the Phantom Units and to terminate the Prior Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and for other valuable consideration hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound agree as follows:

 

1.            Number of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the conditions set forth below and in the Plan, the Company hereby awards to the Participant, as a matter of separate inducement but not in lieu of any salary or other compensation for the Participant’s services for the Company, 119,454 Restricted Stock Unit(s) (the “Award”) representing the number of Restricted Stock Units to which the Participant’s Phantom Units converted. The Participant agrees that the Prior Agreement is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect.

 

 

 

 

2.             Vesting.

 

2.1           Vesting Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, the Award is credited to the Participant’s Account and is 100% vested under the terms of the Plan.

 

2.2           Forfeitures. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Participant’s Account shall be forfeited (including any amount that is or otherwise would be vested) upon the earliest to occur of (i) the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or voluntarily by the Participant without the Company’s written consent other than for Good Reason; (ii) the Participant violates any of the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2; (iii) the Participant would be in violation of any of the provisions of Section 5.2(a) if such provisions terminated thirty-six (36) months (rather than twelve (12) months) following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason; or (iv) as otherwise provided in the Plan with respect to the forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units.

 

3.                  Payment of Account.

 

3.1           Payment of Vested Account. The Company shall pay the value of the Participant’s Account by the issuance of an equal number of shares of Class A common stock of Utz Brands, Inc. in one lump sum payment on the Payment Date. All payments shall be made in the form of Class A common stock of Utz Brands, Inc. In addition to payment of the value of the Participant’s Account (the “Account Value”), the Company shall pay the Participant on the Payment Date an additional amount, either in the form of cash or additional shares of Class A common stock, as elected by the Company, as a tax “gross-up” (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the amount that the Participant retains after receipt of the Account Value and the Gross-Up Payment and payment of all local, state and federal taxes owed with respect to the receipt thereof (taking into account income and payroll taxes) is equal to the amount that the Participant would retain if the Participant receives the Account Value (but not the Gross-Up Payment) and the receipt of the Account Value is treated as long-term capital gain for income tax purposes. For purposes of the preceding calculation, the Participant shall be presumed to be subject to income tax at the highest marginal income tax bracket to which individuals are subject.

 

3.2           Payment Delay. Notwithstanding Section 3.1, to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code, payments will be delayed if making the payment on the Payment Date would jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. If payment is delayed, payment will be made during the first taxable year in which making the payment would not so jeopardize the Company, together with simple interest computed on the deferred amount at the applicable LIBOR rate of interest (or successor rate of interest if LIBOR is no longer reported) set forth in The Wall Street Journal plus five percent for the period of time from the date of the Distribution Event until the date of actual payment.

 

4.             Payment of Taxes. If the Company, in its discretion, determines that it is obligated to withhold any tax in connection with the payment of the Participant’s Account, the Participant must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay or provide for any applicable federal, state and local withholding obligations of the Company. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the payment of the Participant’s Account by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by applicable laws:

 

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(a)           tendering to the Company a certified or official bank check or a wire transfer;

 

(b)          authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Class A common stock from the shares of Class A common stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the payment of the Participant’s Account; or

 

(c)           delivery of properly executed irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds required to satisfy the tax withholding obligations.

 

5.             Restrictive Covenants.

 

5.1           Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)             The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean all confidential and proprietary technical, business and financial information relating to the respective businesses of the Company and any of its affiliates (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes confidential or proprietary information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include any information that is in the public domain other than as a result of breach by the Participant of this Agreement.

 

(b)             The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the date hereof and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of one of the Companies. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Companies, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with the Company or any affiliate of the Company, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

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5.2          Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation; Nondisparagement. As an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement and provide the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement, the Participant agrees that:

 

(a)             During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(i)              own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 5.2(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

(ii)             contact, solicit, induce or attempt to induce any person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(iii)            hire any person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to induce any employee who is an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such employee terminate his or her employment with any of the Companies.

 

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(b)             The Participant will not, at any time during the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, intentionally disparage any of the Companies or any of their respective directors, officers, managers, owners or employees.

 

5.3           Extension of Restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of a breach by the Participant of any covenant set forth in Section 5.2, the term of such covenant will be extended by the period of the duration of such breach.

 

5.4           Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of great value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in Section 5.2 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

5.5           Specific Performance. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury to the Companies will result in the event the Participant breaches any covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 and that any remedy at law for the breach of any such covenant will be inadequate. Therefore, if the Participant engages in any act in violation of any of the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2, the Participant agrees that the Companies shall be entitled, in addition to such other remedies and damages as may be available to them at law or under this Agreement, to temporary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages, and without the necessity of posting a bond, and to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any such breach, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Companies may be entitled. If the Participant violates Section 5.1 or Section 5.2, the Participant shall be liable to the Companies for any attorneys’ fees it incurs to enforce this Agreement, in addition to any other remedies that the Companies may have.

 

5.6           Assignment. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement except that the Participant agrees that the Company shall have the right to assign its rights under this Agreement to any one or more of its affiliates, to any entity that acquires a substantial part of the assets of the Company or one or more of its affiliates or to a successor by merger, consolidation or other corporate restructuring. The obligations of the Participant may not be delegated or assigned. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 5.6 shall be null and void.

 

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5.7           Severability. Whenever possible each provision and term of this Agreement will be interpreted in a manner to be effective and valid, but if any provision or term of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by law or invalid, then such provision or term will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or affecting in any manner whatsoever the remainder of such provision or term or the remaining provisions or terms of this Agreement. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of Section 5.2(a) is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be automatically modified to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the term or provision to its maximum allowable extent, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. If any of the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 are held to be unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, such covenants will be considered divisible with respect to scope, time and geographic area, and in such lesser scope, time and geographic area, will be effective, binding and enforceable against the Participant.

 

6.             Right of the Companies to Terminate Services. Nothing in this Agreement confers upon the Participant the right to continue in the employ or service of the Companies, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Companies to terminate the Participant’s employment or service relationship at any time.

 

7.             Remedies. The parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to recover from each other reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the successful enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, whether by an action to enforce specific performance or for damages for its breach or otherwise.

 

8.             No Liability for Good Faith Determinations. The Company and the members of the Committee or the Board shall not be liable for any act, omission or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to this Agreement or the Award granted hereunder.

 

9.             No Guarantee of Interests. The Board and the Company do not guarantee the Account from loss or depreciation.

 

10.           Information Confidential. As partial consideration for the granting of the Award hereunder, the Participant hereby agrees to keep confidential all information and knowledge, except that which has been disclosed in any public filings required by law, that the Participant has relating to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, however, that such information may be disclosed as required by law and may be given in confidence to the Participant’s spouse and tax and financial advisors. The Company may disclose information regarding the Award as the Company deems necessary and proper.

 

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11.           Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs, legatees, and distributees, and upon the Company, its successors, and assigns.

 

12.           Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

13.           Headings; Recitals. The titles and headings of Sections are included for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construction of the provisions hereof. The recitals set forth above hereby are incorporated by reference and made a part hereof as if fully rewritten herein.

 

14.           Governing Law. All questions arising with respect to the provisions of this Agreement shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving any effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent preempted by federal law.

 

15.           Arbitration. Except as provided in Section 5 (relating to enforcement of restrictive covenants), any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement shall be submitted to and decided by binding arbitration. Arbitration shall be administered exclusively by the American Arbitration Association in Hanover, Pennsylvania (or such other location mutually agreed by the parties) and shall be conducted consistent with the rules, regulations, and requirements of the courts situated therein as well as any requirements imposed by state law. Any arbitral award determination shall be final and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

16.           Amendment and Termination. This Agreement may be amended or terminated by the Company at any time; provided, that, no amendment or termination that adversely affects the Participant’s rights with respect to the value of the Participant’s Account shall be made without the Participant’s consent. No payment of benefits shall be made upon termination of the Plan unless the requirements of Section 409A of the Code have been met.

 

17.           No Waiver. The Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of, or to assert any right under, this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or of any other provision or right under this Agreement.

 

18.           Section 409A. The Company intends that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable and they shall be operated and interpreted consistent with that intent.

 

19.           Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the parties, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

20.           Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan or this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, and each provision of the Plan and this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

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21.           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterpart signature pages to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing an original signature.

 

22.           Acknowledgement; Release. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant is not relying upon any determination by the Company, its affiliates, or any of their respective employees, directors, officers, attorneys or agents (collectively, the “Company Parties”) of the fair market value of the Restricted Stock Units or value of the Account; (b) the Participant is not relying upon any written or oral statement or representation of the Company Parties regarding the tax effects associated with the Participant’s execution of this Agreement and the Participant’s receipt, and ultimate distribution, of the Award; and (c) in deciding to enter into this Agreement, the Participant is relying on the Participant’s own judgment and the judgment of the professionals of the Participant’s choice with whom the Participant has consulted. The Participant hereby releases, acquits, and forever discharges the Company Parties from all actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, obligations, liabilities, claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, on account of, arising out of, or in any way related to the tax effects associated with the Participant’s execution of this Agreement and the Participant’s receipt of, and ultimate distribution with respect to, the Award.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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

 

  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
  By:  
  Name: Roger Deromedi
  Title: Chairman of the Board
   
  PARTICIPANT
   
     
  Name: DYLAN B. LISSETTE

 

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Exhibit F

Form of Executive Change in Control Severance Plan

 

 

 

 

Exhibit G

PubCo’s terms of employment

 

In consideration of your employment with PubCo, you acknowledge that you owe a duty of loyalty to PubCo and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) at all times to act in its best interest and to safeguard and protect its trade secrets and confidential information. Intending to be legally bound, you hereby agree to the following terms (these “Terms of Employment”):

 

1.             Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)             The term “Confidential Information,” as used herein, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company, including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with the Company and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by you from third parties in connection with your employment by the Company subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of your violation of the Terms of Employment; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of your violation of the Terms of Employment; or (c) is or becomes available to you on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, which source is not known by you, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Company.

 

(b)             You acknowledge and agree that all Confidential Information known or obtained by you, whether before or after the Start Date and regardless of whether you participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by Pubco or as necessary to perform your services while an employee of the Company, you agree that you will not, at any time, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (“Person”) Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by you under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, you shall promptly notify Pubco and shall provide Pubco with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

 

 

 

2.             Whistleblower Protection. Nothing in these Terms of Employment is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in these Terms of Employment shall prohibit you from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that you use your reasonable efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) request that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. You do not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and you are not required to notify the Company that you have made such reports or disclosures. In addition, you have the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

3.             Restrictive Covenants. You agree that during your employment, you will have access to Confidential Information. Such access and knowledge would put the Company at an unfair competitive disadvantage were you to use it on behalf of another person or entity. Therefore, during your employment with the Company and for a period of two (2) years following the termination of your employment with the Company, you agree that you shall not, directly or indirectly, for your own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Company) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(a)             own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit your name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 3(a) of these Terms of Employment for you to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

(b)             contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to the termination of your employment with the Company, a customer, supplier or agent of the Company or with which the Company or you had contact during your employment with the Company, to terminate their relationship with the Company, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between the Company and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

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(c)             hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of your employment with the Company, an employee of the Company; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of your employment with the Company, an employee of the Company for the purpose of seeking to have such employee terminate his or her employment with the Company.

 

(d)             You will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage: (i) the Company or any of its businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice.

 

(e)             In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 3 of these Terms of Employment, the Company may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or temporary or permanent injunctive or other equitable relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security), without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. In addition to any other relief, the prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorney’s fees. If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

4.             Employee Invention Assignment.

 

(a)             You acknowledge and agree that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (i) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any of the Company’s resources and/or within the scope of your duties to the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by you, solely or jointly with others, during your employment by the Company; or (ii) suggested by any work that you perform in connection with the Company, either while performing your duties to the Company or on your own time, will belong exclusively to the Company (or its designees), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”). You will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records are the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and you will surrender them upon termination of your employment, or upon the Company’s request. You irrevocably convey, transfer and assign to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to your employment by the Company, together with the right to file, in your name or in the name of the Company (or their designees), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). You will, at any time during and subsequent to employment by the Company, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company’s rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to you from the Company. You will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designees) of the Applications, and give the Company and their attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company’s benefit.

 

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(b)             In addition, the Inventions are deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company, and you agree that the Company is the sole owner of the Inventions and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to you. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, you hereby irrevocably convey, transfer and assign to the Company all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of your right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, before the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, you hereby waive any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that you have any rights in the results and proceeds of your service to the Company that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, you agree to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. You hereby waive any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to your benefit by virtue of you being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.

 

5.             Return of Company Property and Company Information. You agree to return, promptly following the termination of your employment with the Company, or earlier if directed by the Company, any and all of Company’s property in your possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to the Company’s operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in your possession (including on any personal computer).

 

6.             Acknowledgments. You acknowledge and agree that: (a) you will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Company and become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company; (c) Pubco has required that you make the covenants set forth in Sections 1 through 5 of these Terms of Employment as a condition to the execution by Pubco of the Offer Letter; (d) the provisions of Sections 1 through 5 of these Terms of Employment are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Company, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent you from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which you are bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Company is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in Sections 1 through 5 of these Terms of Employment to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Company would be irreparably damaged if you were to breach the covenants set forth in Sections 1 through 5 of these Terms of Employment; and (g) the potential benefits to you available under the Offer Letter are sufficient to compensate you fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions in these Terms of Employment.

 

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7.             Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from these Terms of Employment (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of these Terms of Employment, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. You hereby agree to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waive any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. You will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by you of any covenants contained in these Terms of Employment if (i) you challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

8.             Severability. If any term, provision or paragraph of these Terms of Employment is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such determination shall be limited to the narrowest possible scope in order to preserve the enforceability of the remaining portions of the term, provision or paragraph, and such determination shall not affect the remaining terms, provisions or paragraphs of these Terms of Employment, which shall continue to be given full force and effect.

 

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Exhibit 10.12

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC. 2020 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.            Purpose; Eligibility.

 

1.1            General Purpose. The name of this plan is the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and any Affiliate to attract and retain the types of Employees, Consultants, and Independent Directors who will contribute to the Company’s long range success; (b) provide incentives that align the interests of Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors with those of the stockholders of the Company; and (c) promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

1.2            Eligible Award Recipients. The Persons eligible to receive Awards are the Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors of the Company and its Affiliates and such other individuals designated by the Committee who are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors after the receipt of Awards.

 

1.3            Available Awards. Awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-qualified Stock Options, (c) Stock Appreciation Rights, (d) Restricted Awards, (e) Performance Share Awards, (f) Cash Awards, and (g) Other Equity-Based Awards. Except with respect to the conversion of phantom units into Restricted Stock Units in accordance with the LTIP, following the Effective Date, no further equity compensation awards shall be granted pursuant to any Predecessor Plan (it being understood that outstanding awards under any Predecessor Plan will continue to be settled pursuant to the terms of such Predecessor Plan).

 

2.            Definitions.

 

Affiliate” means a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in Section 424 of the Code (substituting “Company” for “employer corporation”), any other entity that is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, including a parent or subsidiary which becomes such after the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

Applicable Laws” means the requirements related to or implicated by the administration of the Plan under applicable state corporate law, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.

 

Award” means any right granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Restricted Award, a Performance Share Award, a Cash Award, or an Other Equity-Based Award.

 

Award Agreement” means a written agreement, contract, certificate or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award granted under the Plan which may, in the discretion of the Company, be transmitted electronically to any Participant. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

 

 

 

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” have a corresponding meaning.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time.

 

Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash that is granted under Section 10 of the Plan.

 

Cause” means:

 

(a)            With respect to any Employee or Consultant, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, if the Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause (or any term of similar effect), the definition contained therein; or if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause (or any term of similar effect): (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) any acts, omissions or statements that are, or are reasonably likely to be, detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, prospects or business relations of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, or willful or repeated failure or refusal to substantially perform assigned duties; (iv) violation of state or federal securities laws; (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct; (vi) any act of fraud, embezzlement, material misappropriation or dishonesty against the Company or an Affiliate; (vii) any material breach of a written agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, a breach of any employment, consulting, confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement or similar agreement.

 

(b)            With respect to any Independent Director, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, a determination by a majority of the disinterested Board members that the Independent Director has engaged in any of the following: (i) malfeasance in office; (ii) gross misconduct or negligence; (iii) false or fraudulent misrepresentation inducing the Independent Director’s appointment; (iv) willful conversion of corporate funds; or (v) repeated failure to participate in Board meetings on a regular basis despite having received proper notice of the meetings in advance.

 

The Committee, in its absolute discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to whether a Participant has been discharged for Cause.

 

Change in Control” means any of the following:

 

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(a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of shares of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (d) below) whereby any Person (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a Person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities that are outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

(b) During any period of 24 months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, that any Person becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such Person is named as a nominee for Director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a Director during such period as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or

 

(c) The date that is ten (10) business days prior to the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

(d) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions, or (z) the acquisition of assets or shares of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

(i) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the Person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such Person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

(ii) after which no Person Beneficially Owns securities representing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no Person shall be treated for purposes of this clause (ii) as Beneficially Owning 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

A Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Sponsor, any Family Member or any of their respective Affiliates Beneficially Own or acquire more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company (or any successor to substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries) or any direct or indirect parent company.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or portion of any Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or one or more subcommittees appointed by the Committee to administer the Plan in accordance with Section 3.3 and Section 3.4 or, if no such Compensation Committee or subcommittee thereof exists, or in its sole discretion, the Board.

 

Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company, or such other securities of the Company as may be designated by the Committee from time to time in substitution thereof.

 

Company” means Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto.

 

Consultant” means any individual or entity which performs bona fide services for the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee or Independent Director, and who may be offered securities registerable pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act.

 

Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Consultant or Independent Director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Independent Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to an Independent Director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Awards, and any such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.

 

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Deferred Stock Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b) hereof.

 

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

Disability” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee. Except in situations where the Committee is determining Disability for purposes of the term of an Incentive Stock Option pursuant to Section 6.9 hereof within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

 

Disqualifying Disposition” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.11.

 

Effective Date” shall mean the later of (i) the date that the Company’s stockholders approve the Plan and (ii) August 28, 2020.

 

Employee” means any Person, including an Officer or Director who is not an Independent Director employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, that, for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as an Independent Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a share of Common Stock as of a given date of determination hereunder, (i) subject to clause (iii), the closing price as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock is traded on such date of determination, or (ii) if the Common Stock was not traded on such date, then the immediately preceding date on which sales of shares of Common Stock have been so quoted or reported shall be used, or (iii) with respect to any Awards issued on the Effective Date, the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange of a share of Class A common stock of Collier Creek Holdings on the immediately preceding date on which shares of Common Stock were traded. If there should not be a public market for the Common Stock on such date, “Fair Market Value” shall be such value as determined by the Board in its discretion and, to the extent necessary, shall be determined in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Any such determination by the Board shall be final, conclusive, and binding on all parties.

 

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Family Member” means any of (a) Michael Rice, (b) the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice, (c) any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice, (d) a trust solely for the benefit of any individuals described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), and (e) any entity in which the Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

 

Fiscal Year” means the Company’s fiscal year.

 

Free Standing Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.

 

Grant Date” means the date on which the Committee adopts a resolution, or takes other appropriate action, expressly granting an Award to a Participant that specifies the key terms and conditions of the Award or, if a later date is set forth in such resolution, then such date as is set forth in such resolution.

 

Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.

 

Independent Director” means any member of the Board or any member of the board of directors of an Affiliate (or similar governing body of an Affiliate that is not a corporation) who is not an Employee or Consultant.

 

LTIP” means the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a sub-plan to this Plan.

 

Non-Employee Director” means a Director who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

 

Non-qualified Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

Officer” means a Person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

Optionholder” means a Person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Option.

 

Option Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of an Option.

 

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Other Equity-Based Award” means an Award that is not an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, or Performance Share Award that is granted under Section 10 and is payable by delivery of Common Stock and/or which is measured by reference to the value of Common Stock.

 

Participant” means an eligible Person to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other Person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

Performance Criteria” means the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Award under the Plan. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company (or Affiliate, division, business unit or operational unit of the Company) or any Participant, which may be determined in accordance with GAAP or on a non-GAAP basis including, but not limited to, one or more of the following measures: (a) terms relative to a peer group or index; (b) basic, diluted, or adjusted earnings per share; (c) sales or revenue;(d) earnings before interest, taxes, and other adjustments (in total or on a per share basis); (e) cash available for distribution; (f) basic or adjusted net income; (g) returns on equity, assets, capital, revenue or similar measure; (h) level and growth of dividends; (i) the price or increase in price of Common Stock; (j) total shareholder return; (k) total assets;(l) growth in assets, new originations of assets, or financing of assets; (m) equity market capitalization; (n) reduction or other quantifiable goal with respect to general and/or specific expenses; (o) equity capital raised; (p) mergers, acquisitions, increase in enterprise value of Affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions or business units or sales of assets of Affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions or business units or sales of assets; and (q) any combination of the foregoing. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria may be stated as a percentage of another Performance Criteria, or used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates as a whole or any divisions or operational and/or business units, business segments, administrative departments of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices.

 

Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon Performance Criteria determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

Performance Period” means the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment of a Performance Share Award or a Cash Award.

 

Performance Share Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof.

 

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Performance Share” means the grant of a right to receive a number of actual shares of Common Stock or share units based upon the performance of the Company during a Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

 

Permitted Transferee” means: (a) a member of the Participant’s immediate family (child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships), any Person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee) in each case as approved by the Committee, a trust in which these Persons have more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these Persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these Persons (or the Participant) own more than 50% of the voting interests; and (b) such other transferees as may be permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

Person” means an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act).

 

Plan” means this Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.

 

Predecessor Plan” means any of the plans maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates under which equity or equity-based awards were granted, including the LTIP.

 

Related Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.

 

Restricted Award” means any Award granted pursuant to Section 8.

 

Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.

 

Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Sponsor” means Collier Creek Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Stock Appreciation Right” means the right pursuant to an Award granted under Section 7 to receive, upon exercise, an amount payable in cash or shares equal to the number of shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (b) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement.

 

Stock for Stock Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

 

Substitute Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

 

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Ten Percent Stockholder” means a Person who owns (or is deemed to own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.

 

Total Share Reserve” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

3.            Administration.

 

3.1            Authority of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, or in the Board’s sole discretion, by the Board. The Board may revoke such delegation to the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee’s charter and Applicable Laws, and in addition to other express powers and authorization conferred by the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority:

 

(a)            to construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;

 

(b)            to promulgate, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;

 

(c)            to authorize any Person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

(d)            to delegate its authority to one or more Officers of the Company with respect to Awards that do not involve “insiders” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act;

 

(e)            to determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan and the applicable Grant Date;

 

(f)            from time to time to select, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, those eligible Award recipients to whom Awards shall be granted;

 

(g)            to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be made subject to each Award;

 

(h)            to determine whether each Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-qualified Stock Option;

 

(i)            to prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including, without limitation, the exercise price and medium of payment and vesting provisions, and to specify the provisions of the Award Agreement relating to such grant;

 

(j)            to determine the target number of Performance Shares to be granted pursuant to a Performance Share Award, the performance measures that will be used to establish the Performance Goals, the Performance Period(s) and the number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant;

 

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(k)            to amend any outstanding Awards, including for the purpose of modifying the time or manner of vesting or the term of any outstanding Award; provided, however, that if any such amendment impairs a Participant’s rights or increases a Participant’s obligations under his or her Award or creates or increases a Participant’s federal income tax liability with respect to an Award, such amendment shall also be subject to the Participant’s consent;

 

(l)            to determine the duration and purpose of leaves of absences which may be granted to a Participant without constituting termination of their employment for purposes of the Plan, which periods shall be no shorter than the periods generally applicable to Employees under the Company’s employment policies;

 

(m)            to make decisions with respect to outstanding Awards that may become necessary upon a change in corporate control or an event that triggers anti-dilution adjustments;

 

(n)            to interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, the Plan;

 

(o)            to exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan; and

 

(p)            to impose a “blackout” or other periods during which Awards may not be exercised or settled.

 

The Committee also may modify the purchase price or the exercise price of any outstanding Award, provided that if the modification effects a repricing or a cash buyout of underwater Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, stockholder approval shall be required before the repricing is effective.

 

3.2            Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

3.3            Delegation. The Committee may delegate administration of the Plan to a subcommittee or subcommittees of one or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any Person or Persons to whom such authority has been delegated, subject, however, to Applicable Law and to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Any such delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time.

 

3.4            Committee Composition. To the extent the Board desires to comply with the exemption requirements of Rule 16b-3 (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under the Plan), with respect to any insider subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall be a compensation committee of the Board that at all times consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors. Within the scope of such authority, the Board or the Committee may delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not Non-Employee Directors, or one or more officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the authority to grant Awards to eligible Persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Nothing herein shall create an inference that an Award is not validly granted under the Plan in the event Awards are granted under the Plan by a Committee that does not at all times consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors.

 

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3.5            Indemnification. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or members of the Committee, and to the extent allowed by Applicable Laws, the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with any appeal therein, to which the Committee may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan, and against all amounts paid by the Committee in settlement thereof (provided, however, that the settlement has been approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) or paid by the Committee in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such Committee did not act in good faith and in a manner which such Person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, or in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reason to believe that the conduct complained of was unlawful; provided, however, that within 60 days after the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding, such Committee shall, in writing, offer the Company the opportunity at its own expense to handle and defend such action, suit or proceeding.

 

4.            Shares Subject to the Plan.

 

4.1            Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 14, no more than 9,500,000 shares of Common Stock shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan (the “Total Share Reserve”). During the terms of the Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Awards.

 

4.2            Shares of Common Stock available for distribution under the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares reacquired by the Company in any manner.

 

4.3            Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 14, no more than 9,500,000 shares of Common Stock may be issued in the aggregate pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options (the “ISO Limit”).

 

4.4            The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards granted during a single Fiscal Year to any Director, together with any cash fees paid to such Director during the Fiscal Year shall not exceed a total value of $500,000 (calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may provide, in its discretion, for exceptions to this limit for a Non-Employee Director, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.

 

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4.5            Any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, cash-settled or terminated without issuance of the full number of shares of Common Stock to which the Award related will again be available for issuance under the Plan. Shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall be deemed to constitute shares not issued to the Participant and shall be deemed to again be made available for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such shares are (a) shares tendered in payment of an Option, (b) shares delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, or (c) shares covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award.

 

4.6            Awards: (i) may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines, and (ii) shall be granted in the form of restricted stock units under the LTIP for all LTIP participants who elect to convert their LTIP benefit into Restricted Stock Units (collectively, the “Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards shall not be counted against the Total Share Reserve; provided, that, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be counted against the ISO limit. Subject to applicable stock exchange requirements, converted awards of Restricted Stock Units under the LTIP and available shares under a stockholder-approved plan of an entity directly or indirectly acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (as appropriately adjusted to reflect such acquisition or transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not count toward the Total Share Reserve.

 

4.7            Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that provides for or includes a right to dividends or dividend equivalents, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity Award is outstanding, such dividends (or dividend equivalents) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Award or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable Award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied. In no event shall dividends or dividend equivalents be paid with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

5.            Eligibility.

 

5.1            Eligibility for Specific Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors and those individuals whom the Committee determines are reasonably expected to become Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors following the Grant Date.

 

5.2            Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the Option Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Grant Date and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date.

 

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6.            Option Provisions. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5 and this Section 6, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to any Participant or any other Person if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as such at any time or if an Option is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the terms of such Option do not satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

6.1            Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date. The term of a Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Non-qualified Stock Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the Grant Date.

 

6.2            Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.2 regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the Option Exercise Price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

 

6.3            Exercise Price of a Non-qualified Stock Option. The Option Exercise Price of each Non-qualified Stock Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option, as determined by the Committee using one of the methods permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(A). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted with an Option Exercise Price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

 

6.4            Consideration. The Option Exercise Price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, either (a) in cash or by certified or bank check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) in the discretion of the Committee, upon such terms as the Committee shall approve: (i) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of shares being acquired, or by means of attestation whereby the Participant identifies for delivery specific shares of Common Stock that have an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of attestation equal to the Option Exercise Price (or portion thereof) and receives a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the difference between the number of shares thereby purchased and the number of identified attestation shares of Common Stock (a “Stock for Stock Exchange”); (ii) a “cashless” exercise program established with a broker; (iii) by reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable upon exercise of such Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Exercise Price at the time of exercise; (iv) by any combination of the foregoing methods; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the exercise price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery (or attestation) to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during any period for which the Common Stock is publicly traded (i.e., the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system) an exercise by a Director who is not an Independent Director or by an Officer that involves or may involve a direct or indirect extension of credit or arrangement of an extension of credit by the Company, directly or indirectly, in violation of Section 402(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall be prohibited with respect to any Award under the Plan.

 

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6.5            Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

 

6.6            Vesting of Options. Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions and limitations described in the Award Agreement as the Committee may impose in its discretion, including vesting conditions, restrictions on exercise, and forfeiture provisions. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that some or all of such restrictions shall lapse upon (a) the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified period of time, (b) the occurrence of any one or more other events or the satisfaction of any one or more other conditions, as specified by the Committee, including satisfaction of performance criteria, a termination of Continuous Services under certain circumstances (such as death or Disability), or a Change in Control, or (c) a combination of any of the foregoing. In its discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of a Stock Option at any time, in whole or in part, or otherwise waive or modify any such restrictions.

 

6.7            Termination of Continuous Service. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or in an employment agreement the terms of which have been approved by the Committee, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date three months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, if the termination of Continuous Service is by the Company for Cause, all outstanding Options (whether or not vested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

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6.8            Extension of Termination Date. An Optionholder’s Award Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for any reason would be prohibited at any time because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the expiration of the term of the Option in accordance with Section 6.1 or (b) the expiration of a period after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service that is three months after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities law requirements.

 

6.9            Disability of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within the period of time ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following such termination or (b) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.10            Death of Optionholder. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a Person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a Person designated to exercise the Option upon the Optionholder’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) the date 12 months following the date of death or (b) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement. If, after the Optionholder’s death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein or in the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

6.11            Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, the Options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options.

 

7.            Stock Appreciation Rights. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award Agreement. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted alone (“Free Standing Rights”) or in tandem with an Option granted under the Plan (“Related Rights”).

 

7.1            Grant Requirements for Related Rights.  Any Related Right that relates to a Non-qualified Stock Option may be granted at the same time the Option is granted or at any time thereafter but before the exercise or expiration of the Option. Any Related Right that relates to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted at the same time the Incentive Stock Option is granted.

 

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7.2            Term. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable later than the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.

 

7.3            Vesting. Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions and limitations set forth in the Award Agreement as the Committee may impose in its discretion, including vesting conditions and forfeiture provisions. In its discretion, the Committee may provide in the Award Agreement that some or all of such restrictions shall lapse upon (a) the Participant’s continued employment with the Company or an Affiliate for a specified period of time, (b) the occurrence of any one or more other events or the satisfaction of any one or more other conditions, as specified by the Committee, including satisfaction of performance criteria, a termination of Continuous Services under certain circumstances (such as death or Disability), or a Change in Control, or (c) a combination of any of the foregoing. In its discretion, the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the vesting of a Stock Appreciation Right at any time, in whole or in part, or otherwise waive or modify any such restrictions.

 

7.4            Exercise and Payment. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the holder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the exercise price specified in the Stock Appreciation Right or related Option. Payment with respect to the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be made on the date of exercise. Payment shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock (with or without restrictions as to substantial risk of forfeiture and transferability, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

 

7.5            Exercise Price. The exercise price of a Free Standing Right shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the Grant Date of such Stock Appreciation Right. A Related Right granted simultaneously with or subsequent to the grant of an Option and in conjunction therewith or in the alternative thereto shall have the same exercise price as the related Option, shall be transferable only upon the same terms and conditions as the related Option, and shall be exercisable only to the same extent as the related Option; provided, however, that a Stock Appreciation Right, by its terms, shall be exercisable only when the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right and related Option exceeds the exercise price per share thereof and no Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option unless the Committee determines that the requirements of Section 7.1 are satisfied.

 

7.6            Reduction in the Underlying Option Shares. Upon any exercise of a Related Right, the number of shares of Common Stock for which any related Option shall be exercisable shall be reduced by the number of shares for which the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The number of shares of Common Stock for which a Related Right shall be exercisable shall be reduced upon any exercise of any related Option by the number of shares of Common Stock for which such Option has been exercised.

 

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8.            Restricted Awards. A Restricted Award is an Award of actual shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”) or hypothetical Common Stock units (“Restricted Stock Units”) having a value equal to the Fair Market Value of an identical number of shares of Common Stock, which may, but need not, provide that such Restricted Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of, pledged or hypothecated as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any obligation or for any other purpose for such period (the “Restricted Period”) as the Committee shall determine. Each Restricted Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Restricted Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.1            Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)            Each Participant granted Restricted Stock shall execute and deliver to the Company an Award Agreement with respect to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions and other terms and conditions applicable to such Restricted Stock. If the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than delivered to the Participant pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (A) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable and (B) the appropriate blank stock power with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant fails to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and stock power, the Award shall be null and void. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Award, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends; provided that, any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

 

(b)            The terms and conditions of a grant of Restricted Stock Units shall be reflected in an Award Agreement. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted, and the Company will not be required to set aside funds for the payment of any such Award. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock Units with a deferral feature, whereby settlement is deferred beyond the vesting date until the occurrence of a future payment date or event set forth in an Award Agreement (“Deferred Stock Units”). At the discretion of the Committee, each Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (representing one share of Common Stock) may be credited with an amount equal to the cash and stock dividends paid by the Company in respect of one share of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”).

 

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(c)            Dividend Equivalents shall be withheld by the Company and credited to the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of cash Dividend Equivalents credited to the Participant’s account at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant’s account and attributable to any particular Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalents and earnings, if applicable, to the Participant upon settlement of such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit and, if such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalents.

 

8.2            Restrictions.

 

(a)            Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant shall be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and to such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement: (A) if an escrow arrangement is used, the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate; (B) the shares shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in the Award Agreement; (C) the shares shall be subject to forfeiture to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement; and (D) to the extent such shares are forfeited, the stock certificates shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect to such shares shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.

 

(b)            Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units awarded to any Participant shall be subject to (A) forfeiture until the expiration of the Restricted Period, and satisfaction of any applicable Performance Goals during such period, to the extent provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and to the extent such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are forfeited, all rights of the Participant to such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company and (B) such other terms and conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(c)            The Committee shall have the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units are granted, such action is appropriate.

 

8.3            Restricted Period. With respect to Restricted Awards, the Restricted Period shall commence on the Grant Date and end at the time or times set forth on a schedule established by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

8.4            Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in Section 8.2 and the applicable Award Agreement shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, the stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock which have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (to the nearest full share) and any cash dividends or stock dividends credited to the Participant’s account with respect to such Restricted Stock and the interest thereon, if any. Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, or at the expiration of the deferral period with respect to any outstanding Deferred Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his or her beneficiary, without charge, one share of Common Stock for each such outstanding vested Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit (“Vested Unit”) and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to each such Vested Unit in accordance with Section 8.1(c) hereof and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents and the interest thereon, if any; provided, however, that, if explicitly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay cash or part cash and part Common Stock in lieu of delivering only shares of Common Stock for Vested Units. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed in the case of Restricted Stock Units, or the delivery date in the case of Deferred Stock Units, with respect to each Vested Unit.

 

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8.5            Stock Restrictions. Each certificate representing Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall bear a legend in such form as the Company deems appropriate.

 

9.            Performance Share Awards. Each Performance Share Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Each Performance Share Award so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the discretion to determine: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or stock-denominated units subject to a Performance Share Award granted to any Participant; (ii) the Performance Period applicable to any Award; (iii) the conditions that must be satisfied for a Participant to earn an Award; and (iv) the other terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award.

 

9.1            Earning Performance Share Awards. The number of Performance Shares earned by a Participant will depend on the extent to which the Performance Goals established by the Committee are attained within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee.

 

10.            Other Equity-Based Awards and Cash Awards. The Committee may grant Other Equity-Based Awards, either alone or in tandem with other Awards, in such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Each Other Equity-Based Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and shall be subject to such conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may grant Cash Awards in such amounts and subject to such Performance Goals, other vesting conditions, and such other terms as the Committee determines in its discretion. Cash Awards shall be evidenced in such form as the Committee may determine.

 

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11.            Securities Law Compliance. Each Award Agreement shall provide that no shares of Common Stock shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (a) any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (b) if required to do so by the Company, the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Committee may require. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.

 

12.            Use of Proceeds from Stock. Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Awards, or upon exercise thereof, shall constitute general funds of the Company.

 

13.            Miscellaneous.

 

13.1            Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Committee shall have the power to accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

13.2            Stockholder Rights. Except as provided in the Plan or an Award Agreement, no Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Common Stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 14 hereof.

 

13.3            No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (a) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without Cause or (b) the service of a Director pursuant to the By-laws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

 

13.4            Transfer; Approved Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, no termination of employment by an Employee shall be deemed to result from either (a) a transfer of employment to the Company from an Affiliate or from the Company to an Affiliate, or from one Affiliate to another, or (b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the Employee’s right to reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing, in either case, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code if the applicable Award is subject thereto.

 

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13.5         Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of an Award Agreement and subject to the discretion of the Committee, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under an Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment; (b) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Award, provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law; or (c) delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

13.6         Permitted Transfers. Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be transferable to a Permitted Transferee upon written approval by the Committee. Any such permitted transfer of Awards shall be for zero consideration.

 

14.            Adjustments.

 

14.1         Adjustments Upon Changes in Stock. In the event of any changes in the outstanding Common Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of any dividend (other than regular cash dividends) or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or other relevant change in capitalization (any of the foregoing, an “Adjustment Event”), the Committee shall, in respect of any such Adjustment Event, make such proportionate substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems equitable, to any or all of: (i) the Total Share Reserve, or any other limit applicable under the Plan with respect to the number of Awards which may be granted hereunder; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) which may be issued in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan; and (iii) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (A) the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate; (B) the exercise price with respect to any Award; or (C) any applicable performance measures; provided, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor pronouncement thereto)), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. In the case of adjustments made pursuant to this Section 14, unless the Committee specifically determines that such adjustment is in the best interests of the Company or its Affiliates, the Committee shall, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 14 will not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Incentive Stock Options within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and in the case of Non-qualified Stock Options, ensure that any adjustments under this Section 14 will not constitute a modification of such Non-qualified Stock Options within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any adjustments made under this Section 14 shall be made in a manner which does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

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14.2         Adjustment Upon a Change in Control. Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, in connection with any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for any one or more of the following:

 

(a)           substitution or assumption of Awards (or awards of an acquiring company);

 

(b)           acceleration of the exercisability of an Award, lapse of restrictions on an Award, or alteration of the period of time for Participants to exercise outstanding Awards prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control (which shall be a period of at least ten days); and

 

(c)           subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, cancellation of any one or more outstanding Awards and payment to the holders of such Awards of the value of such Awards, if any, as shall be determined by the Committee as follows:

 

(i)            in the case of an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right over the aggregate exercise price of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right having a per share exercise price specified in the Award Agreement that is equal to, or in excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor), or

 

(ii)            in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards, Cash Awards or Other Equity-Based Awards that are not vested as of such cancellation, a cash payment or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the same vesting restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards, Cash Awards or Other Equity-Based Awards prior to cancellation, or the underlying shares in respect thereof, with Performance Goals with respect to each outstanding Performance Period, if any, that are applicable to such Awards deemed to be achieved at the greater of 100% of the applicable “target” performance levels and the performance levels actually achieved as of the date of such event, as determined by the Committee.

 

Payments to holders pursuant to clause (c) above shall be made in cash or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the form of shares of Common Stock, or such other consideration necessary for a Participant to receive property, cash, or securities (or combination thereof) as such Participant would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the Change in Control if the Participant had been, immediately prior to such Change in Control, the holder of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award at such time (less any applicable exercise price).

 

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14.3         Other Requirements. Prior to any payment or adjustment contemplated under this Section 14, the Committee may require a Participant to (a) represent and warrant as to the unencumbered title to the Participant’s Awards; (b) bear such Participant’s pro rata share of any post-closing indemnity obligations, and be subject to the same post-closing purchase price adjustments, escrow terms, offset rights, holdback terms, and similar conditions as the other holders of Common Stock, subject to any limitations or reductions as may be necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and (iii) deliver customary transfer documentation as reasonably determined by the Committee.

 

14.4         Binding Effect. Any adjustment, substitution, determination of value or other action taken by the Committee under this Section 14 shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

 

15.            Amendment of the Plan and Awards.

 

15.1         Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend or terminate the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 14 relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock and Section 15.3, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy any Applicable Laws. At the time of such amendment, the Board shall determine, upon advice from counsel, whether such amendment will be contingent on stockholder approval.

 

15.2         Stockholder Approval. The Board may, in its sole discretion, submit any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.

 

15.3         Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees, Consultants and Independent Directors with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options or to the nonqualified deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the Code and/or to bring the Plan and/or Awards granted under it into compliance therewith.

 

15.4            No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be materially impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

15.5            Amendment of Awards. The Committee at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Awards; provided, however, that the Committee may not affect any amendment which would otherwise constitute an impairment of the rights under any Award unless (a) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (b) the Participant consents in writing.

 

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16.            General Provisions.

 

16.1         Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain events, in addition to applicable vesting conditions of an Award. Such events may include, without limitation, breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant, a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service for Cause, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company and/or its Affiliates.

 

16.2         Clawback. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, the Company may cancel any Award, require reimbursement of any Award by a Participant, and effect any other right of recoupment of equity or other compensation provided under the Plan in connection with the following: (a) any material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities Laws that requires the Company to file a restatement of its financial statements; (b) any action by a Participant that constitutes Cause; and (c) any Company policies that may be adopted and/or modified from time to time. In addition, a Participant may be required to repay to the Company previously paid compensation, whether provided pursuant to the Plan or an Award Agreement, in accordance with the Plan. By accepting an Award, the Participant is agreeing to be bound by this Section 16.2, as in effect or as may be adopted and/or modified from time to time by the Company in its discretion (including, without limitation, to comply with Applicable Law).

 

16.3         Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

16.4         Sub-Plans. The Committee may from time to time establish sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying securities, tax or other laws of various jurisdictions in which the Company intends to grant Awards. Any sub-plans shall contain such limitations and other terms and conditions as the Committee determines are necessary or desirable. All sub-plans shall be deemed a part of the Plan, but each sub-plan shall apply only to the Participants in the jurisdiction for which the sub-plan was designed.

 

16.5         Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of shares of Common Stock or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on amounts, shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.

 

16.6         Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee shall be required to establish any special or separate fund or to segregate any assets to assure the performance of its obligations under the Plan.

 

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16.7         Delivery. Upon exercise of a right granted under the Plan, the Company shall issue Common Stock or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory or regulatory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of the Plan, 30 days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

 

16.8         No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan, including pursuant to any adjustment under Section 14. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards or other securities or property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

16.9         Other Provisions. The Award Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with the Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of Awards, as the Committee may deem advisable.

 

16.10       Section 409A. The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered to be in compliance therewith. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the “short-term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A of the Code shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6) month period immediately following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service shall instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s separation from service (or the Participant’s death, if earlier). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee shall have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any additional tax or penalty on any Participant under Section 409A of the Code and neither the Company nor the Committee will have any liability to any Participant for such tax or penalty.

 

16.11       Disqualifying Dispositions. Any Participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or within one year after the issuance of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option (a “Disqualifying Disposition”) shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Common Stock.

 

16.12       Section 16. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 16.12, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict.

 

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16.13       Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries by whom any right under the Plan is to be exercised in case of such Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime.

 

16.14       Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

16.15       Severability. If any of the provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.

 

16.16       Plan Headings. The headings in the Plan are for purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

16.17       Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Persons who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements.

 

17.            Effective Date of Plan. The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date.

 

18.            Termination or Suspension of the Plan. The Plan shall terminate automatically on August 28, 2030. No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan after such date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any earlier date pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

19.            Choice of Law. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from the Plan (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of the Plan, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

As adopted by the Board of Directors of Utz Brands, Inc. on June 4, 2020.

 

As approved by the stockholders of Utz Brands, Inc. on August 27, 2020.

 

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Utz Brands, Inc.

2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Utz Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) will have the same meanings in this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and the electronic representation of this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Notice”) established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

Name:   [Participant Name]
     
Address:   [Participant Address]

 

You (“Participant”) have been granted an award of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) under the Plan subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, this Notice and the attached Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), which together constitute the Agreement.

 

Grant Number:   [Grant Number]
     
Number of RSUs:   [Shares subject to RSU Award]
     
Date of Grant:   [Date of Grant]
     
Vesting Commencement Date:   [Vesting Commencement Date]
     
Vesting Schedule:  

Except as otherwise provided in this Notice, in the Agreement or in the Plan, provided that Participant remains in Continuous Service through the applicable vesting date, the RSUs will vest and no longer be subject to any restrictions in accordance with the following schedule (the period during which restrictions apply, the “Restricted Period”): [insert applicable vesting schedule].

 

Once vested, the RSUs become “Vested Units.”

 

[Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall have no impact on the vesting of the RSUs.]1

     
Dividend Equivalent Rights:  

¨ Award includes Dividend Equivalent Rights

 

¨ Award does not include Dividend Equivalent Rights

 

If neither box is checked, the Award does not include Dividend Equivalent Rights.

 

 

1 Subject to modification in the event the Committee determines to grant an award subject to acceleration upon a Change in Control.

 

 

 

By accepting (whether in writing, electronically or otherwise) the RSUs, Participant acknowledges and agrees to the following:

 

1. Participant understands that Participant’s service with the Company or a parent or subsidiary or Affiliate is for an unspecified duration, can be terminated at any time (i.e., is “at-will”), except where otherwise prohibited by applicable law or pursuant to a written agreement between Participant and the Company or a parent or subsidiary, and that nothing in this Notice, the Agreement or the Plan changes the nature of that relationship. Participant acknowledges that the vesting of the RSUs pursuant to this Notice is subject to Participant’s continuing Service as an Employee, Director or Consultant. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Participant agrees and acknowledges that the vesting schedule described in this Notice (the “Vesting Schedule”) may change prospectively in the event that Participant’s Service status changes between full- and part-time or in the event Participant is on a leave of absence, in accordance with the Company policies relating to work schedules and vesting of RSUs as determined by the Committee.

 

2. This grant is made under and governed by the Plan, the Agreement and this Notice, and this Notice is subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and the Plan, both of which are incorporated hereby by reference. Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of this Notice, the Plan and the Agreement. Participant has read the Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

3. Participant has read the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, and agrees to comply with such policy, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

4. Participant consents to electronic delivery and participation as set forth in the Agreement.

 

5. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the vesting or settlement of the RSUs or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised to consult a tax advisor prior to such vesting, settlement or disposition.

 

[This Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterpart signature pages to this Notice transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing an original signature.

 

IN WITNESS WHERE, the Company has caused this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award to be executed by its duly authorized representative and Participant has executed this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award, each as of the Grant Date:

 

 

 

Company:   Participant:
         
UTZ BRANDS, INC.   [Participant Name]
         
By:      
Name:        
Title:        
         
Address     Address:  
     
    ]2

 

 

2 Note to Draft: Include for awards to be manually signed.

 

 

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

 

Unless otherwise defined in this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), any capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning ascribed to them in the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”).

 

Participant has been granted Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) subject to the terms, restrictions and conditions of the Plan, the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Notice”) and this Agreement, including any applicable country-specific provisions in the appending attached hereto (the “Appendix”), which constitutes part of this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and terms and conditions of the Notice or this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

 

1.          Restrictions. Subject to any exceptions set forth in this Agreement, the Notice or the Plan, during the Restricted Period and until such time as the RSUs are settled in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement, the RSUs or the rights relating thereto may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant. Any attempt to assign, alienate, pledge, attach, sell or otherwise transfer or encumber the RSUs or the rights relating thereto shall be wholly ineffective and, if any such attempt is made, the RSUs will be forfeited by the Participant and all of the Participant's rights to such units shall immediately terminate without any payment or consideration by the Company.

 

2.          Rights as Stockholder; Dividend Equivalents.

 

2.1           The Participant shall not have any rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs unless and until the RSUs vest and are settled by the issuance of such shares of Common Stock.

 

2.2           Upon and following the settlement of the RSUs, the Participant shall be the record owner of the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs unless and until such shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and as record owner shall be entitled to all rights of a shareholder of the Company (including voting rights).

 

2.3           If the Notice provides that the Award will include Dividend Equivalent Rights then in the event, prior to the settlement date, the Company declares a cash dividend on the shares of Common Stock, then, on the payment date of the dividend, the Participant's Account shall be credited with Dividend Equivalents in an amount equal to the dividends that would have been paid to the Participant if one share of Common Stock had been issued on the Grant Date for each unvested RSU granted to the Participant as set forth in this Agreement. Except as set forth in this Section 2.3, the Participant shall not be entitled to any Dividend Equivalents with respect to the RSUs to reflect any dividends payable on shares of Common Stock.

 

1

 

 

2.4           Any Dividend Equivalents awarded pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement shall be credited by the Company to the Participant's Account and interest shall not be credited on the Dividend Equivalents unless otherwise provided by the Committee. Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as the RSUs to which they are attributable and shall be paid on the same date that the RSUs to which they are attributable are settled in accordance with Section 3 hereof. Dividend Equivalents credited to a Participant's Account shall be distributed in cash and interest, if any.

 

3.         Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.

 

3.1           Subject to Section 6 of this Agreement, promptly following the vesting date, and in any event no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such vesting occurs, the Company shall (a) issue and deliver to the Participant the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Vested Units and cash equal to any Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such Vested Units and the interest thereon or, at the discretion of the Committee, shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to such Dividend Equivalents; and (b) enter the Participant's name on the books of the Company as the stockholder of record with respect to the shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant.

 

3.2           Notwithstanding Section 3.1 of this Agreement, in accordance with Section 16.5 of the Plan, the Committee may, but is not required to, prescribe rules pursuant to which the Participant may elect to defer settlement of the RSUs. Any deferral election must be made in compliance with such rules and procedures as the Committee deems advisable.

 

3.3           Notwithstanding anything else provided in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent any payments provided under this Agreement in connection with Participant’s termination of employment constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, and Participant is deemed a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, as determined by the Committee, at a time when the Participant becomes eligible for settlement of the RSUs upon his “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then to the extent necessary to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such settlement will be delayed until the earlier of: (a) the date that is six months following the Participant's separation from service and (b) the Participant's death; provided, however, that such deferral shall only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to Participant including, without limitation, the additional tax for which Participant would otherwise be liable under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code in the absence of such a deferral.

 

3.4           To the extent that the Participant does not vest in any RSUs, all interest in such RSUs and any related Dividend Equivalents shall be forfeited. The Participant has no right or interest in any RSUs that are forfeited.

 

4.          Adjustments. If any change is made to the outstanding Common Stock or the capital structure of the Company, if required, the RSUs shall be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 14 of the Plan.

 

2

 

 

5.          Tax Liability and Withholding.

 

5.1           The Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation paid to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the RSUs and to take all such other action as the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws:

 

(a)           tendering a cash payment;

 

(b)           authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to the Participant as a result of the vesting of the RSUs; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law;

 

(c)           delivery of a properly executed notice of settlement together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the required tax withholding amount; or

 

(d)           delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

The Company has the right to withhold from any compensation paid to a Participant.

 

5.2           Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant's responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting or settlement of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of any shares; and (b) does not commit to structure the RSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant's liability for Tax-Related Items.

 

3

 

 

6.          Restrictive Covenants.

 

6.1           Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)           The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of the Participant’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of the Participant’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to the Participant on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, which source is not known by the Participant, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Companies.

 

(b)           The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the Grant Date and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Company, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

4

 

 

6.2           [Assignment of Inventions. 3

 

(a)           The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (i) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any of the Companies’ resources and/or within the scope of the Participant’s duties to the Companies or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Companies, and that are made or conceived by the Participant, solely or jointly with others, during the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies; or (ii) suggested by any work that the Participant performs in connection with any of the Companies, either while performing the Participant’s duties to the Companies or on the Participant’s own time, will belong exclusively to the Companies (or their designees), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”). The Participant will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Companies, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Companies. The Records are the sole and exclusive property of the Companies, and the Participant will surrender them upon termination of employment, or upon any of the Companies’ request. The Participant irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies, together with the right to file, in the Participant’s name or in the name of any of the Companies (or their designees), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). The Participant will, at any time during and subsequent to employment by or service to any of the Companies, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by any of the Companies to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Companies’ rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Participant from the Companies. The Participant will also execute assignments to the Companies (or their designees) of the Applications, and give the Companies and their attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Companies’ benefit.

 

(b)           In addition, the Inventions are deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Companies, and the Participant agrees that the Companies are the sole owners of the Inventions and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Participant. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Companies, the Participant hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, before the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Participant hereby waives any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Participant has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Participant’s service to the Companies that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Participant agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Participant hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Participant’s benefit by virtue of the Participant being an employee of or other service provider to any of the Companies.]

 

 

3 Note to Draft: Include for Employee-Participants only.

 

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6.3           Return of Companies’ Property and Companies’ Information. The Participant agrees to return, promptly following the termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, or earlier if directed by any of the Companies, any and all of the Companies’ property in the Participant’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to any of the Companies’ operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in the Participant’s possession (including on any personal computer).

 

6.4           Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Participant from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that the Participant uses the Participant’s reasonable best efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. The Participant does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, the Participant has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

6.5           In consideration of the RSUs, the Participant agrees and covenants as follows:

 

(a)           4[During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

 

4 Note to Draft: Include for Employee-Participants only.

 

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(i)              own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 6.5(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

(ii)              contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(iii)            hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such Person terminate his or her employment or engagement with any of the Companies.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 6.5(a) shall limit or reduce the period for any similar covenant set forth in any other agreement, arrangement, or other document between the Company and the Participant.]

 

(b)                5[The Participant will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage (i) any of the Companies or any of their respective businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice.]

 

 

5 Note to Draft: Duration of non-disparagement to be unlimited for ELT and three years for EOT and other employee Participants.

 

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6.6           Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in this Section 6 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of this Section 6 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent the Participant from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Participant is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in this Section 6 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in this Section 6; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

6.7           If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

6.8           If the Committee determines in good faith that the Participant has breached or threatened to breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 6:

 

(a)           any unvested or vested but unsettled RSUs shall be immediately forfeited effective as of the date of such breach, unless sooner terminated by operation of another term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan, and the Participant shall deliver to the Company (or take all steps necessary to effectuate the delivery of), no later than five (5) days following such determination, any shares of Common Stock issued upon the settlement of the Participant’s RSUs and any proceeds resulting from the sale or other disposition (including to the Company) of shares of Common Stock issued upon settlement of the Participant’s RSUs; and

 

(b)           the Participant hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. Each of the Companies not party to this Agreement is intended to be third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of this Section 6, and such provisions may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to each such entity hereunder.

 

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7.         Compliance with Law. This Award shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Participant with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company's shares of Common Stock may be listed. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or transferred unless and until any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel.

 

8.         Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a business day and, if otherwise, on the next business day, (b) one (1) business day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid), or (c) three (3) days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated on the signature page to the Notice.

 

9.         Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The Participant hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. The Participant will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by the Participant of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) the Participant challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

10.        Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review (excluding the Participant with respect to interpretation of this particular Award, if the Participant serves on the Committee (for the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall preclude Participant from interpreting the Plan or all Award agreements of this type in the event the Participant serves on the Committee)). The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant and the Company.

 

11.        Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant's beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the person(s) to whom the RSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

12.        Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan or this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, and each provision of the Plan and this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

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13.        Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the RSUs in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any RSUs or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant's employment with the Company.

 

14.        Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the RSUs, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Participant's material rights under this Agreement without the Participant's consent. The failure of the Company or Committee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

15.        Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

16.        No Impact on Other Benefits. The value of the Participant's RSUs is not part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, retirement, welfare, insurance or similar employee benefit.

 

17.        Data Privacy. The Participant expressly authorizes and consents to the collection, possession, use, retention and transfer of personal data of the Participant, whether in electronic or other form, by and among Company, its Affiliates, third-party administrator(s) and other possible recipients, in each case for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, facilitating and/or managing the Participant’s Awards under, and participation in, the Plan. Such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, job title and other job-related information, tax information, the number of Company shares held or sold by the Participant, and the details of all Awards (including any information contained in this Award and all Award-related materials) granted to the Participant, whether exercised, unexercised, vested, unvested, cancelled or outstanding (“Data”). The Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that Data may be transferred to third parties, which will assist the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.

 

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18.        Consent to Electronic Delivery of All Plan Documents and Disclosures. By Participant’s acceptance of the Notice (whether in writing or electronically), Participant and the Company agree that the RSUs are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Notice and this Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Notice and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice and Agreement, and fully understands all provisions of the Plan, the Notice and this Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions relating to the Plan, the Notice and this Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in Participant’s residence address. By acceptance of the RSUs, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company and consents to the electronic delivery of the Notice, this Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses required by the SEC, U.S. financial reports of the Company, and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including, without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements) or other communications or information related to the RSUs and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to the Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of documents via e-mail or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant acknowledges that Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service or electronic mail to Stock Administration. Participant further acknowledges that Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails; similarly, Participant understands that Participant must provide on request to the Company or any designated third party a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails. Also, Participant understands that Participant’s consent may be revoked or changed, including any change in the electronic mail address to which documents are delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address), at any time by notifying the Company of such revised or revoked consent by telephone, postal service or electronic mail to Stock Administration.

 

19.         Complete Agreement. This Agreement, the Notice and the Plan and the other documents referred to herein and therein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

20.         No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement and the Notice shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

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Utz Brands, Inc.

2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Performance Share Unit Agreement

 

This Performance Share Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [GRANT DATE] (the “Grant Date”) by and between Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and [PARTICIPANT NAME] (the “Participant”).

 

1.          Grant of Performance Share Units.

 

1.1                Grant. The Company hereby grants to the Participant an Award for a target number of [TARGET NUMBER] Performance Share Units (“PSUs”, and such award, the “Target Award”). The PSUs are being granted pursuant to the terms of the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as then amended (the “Plan”). Each PSU represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan. The number of PSUs that the Participant actually earns for the applicable Performance Period (up to a maximum of [MAXIMUM NUMBER] in aggregate) will be determined by the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) in accordance with Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

1.2                Consideration; Subject to Plan. The grant of the PSUs is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Participant to the Company and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2.         Performance Period. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Performance Period” shall be the period commencing on the Grant Date, and [DESCRIPTION OF PERFORMANCE PERIOD].

 

3.          Performance Goals.

 

3.1                The number of PSUs earned by the Participant for a Performance Period will be determined at the end of the Performance Period based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) in accordance with Exhibit A. All determinations of whether Performance Goal(s) have been achieved, the number of PSUs earned by the Participant, and all other matters related to this Section 3 shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

3.2                Promptly following completion of a Performance Period (and no later than thirty (30) days following the end of the Performance Period), the Committee will review and certify in writing (a) whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goal(s) for the Performance Period have been achieved, and (b) the number of PSUs that the Participant shall earn, if any, subject to compliance with the requirements of Section 4. Such certification shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Participant, and on all other Persons, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

4.         Vesting of PSUs. The PSUs are subject to forfeiture until they vest. Except as otherwise provided herein, the PSUs will vest and become nonforfeitable on the last day of the applicable Performance Period subject to (a) the achievement of the minimum threshold Performance Goal(s) for payout set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto, and (b) the Participant’s Continuous Service from the Grant Date through the last day of the applicable Performance Period. The number of PSUs that vest and become payable under this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee based on the level of achievement of the Performance Goal(s) set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and shall be rounded to the nearest whole PSU.

 

 

 

 

5.          Termination of Continuous Service.

 

5.1                Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, if the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason at any time before all of his or her PSUs have vested, the Participant’s unvested PSUs shall be automatically forfeited upon such termination of Continuous Service and neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any further obligations to the Participant under this Agreement.

 

5.2                Notwithstanding Section 5.1, if the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates during a Performance Period as a result of the Participant’s death, Disability or termination by the Company without Cause, the target number of PSUs granted hereunder shall be prorated and then remain eligible to vest in accordance with Section 4 subject to achievement of the Performance Goal(s) as if the Participant’s Continuous Service had not terminated, with such pro ration based on the number of days in the Performance Period prior to the Termination Date relative to the number of the days in the full Performance Period.

 

6.           Effect of a Change in Control. [TO BE DETERMINED BY COMMITTEE.]

 

7.           Payment of PSUs. Payment in respect of the PSUs earned for a Performance Period shall be made in shares of Common Stock and shall be issued to the Participant as soon as practicable following the vesting date and in any event within sixty (60) days following the vesting date. The Company shall (a) issue and deliver to the Participant the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested PSUs, and (b) enter the Participant’s name on the books of the Company as the stockholder of record with respect to the shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant.

 

8.          Transferability. Subject to any exceptions set forth in this Agreement or the Plan, the PSUs or the rights relating thereto may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and upon any such transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution, the transferee shall hold such PSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Participant immediately prior to such transfer.

 

9.          Rights as Stockholder; Dividend Equivalents.

 

9.1                The Participant shall not have any rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs, including, but not limited to, voting rights.

 

9.2                As of any date that the Company pays an ordinary cash dividend on its shares of Common Stock, the Participant will be credited by the Company with a Dividend Equivalent, which entitles the Participant to a dividend equivalent payment equal to the amount of such dividends per share of Common Stock subject to the number of PSUs held by Participant under this Agreement, which Dividend Equivalent shall be paid in cash (or if elected by the Committee in its sole discretion, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value as of the settlement date equal to the amount of such dividends), at the same time as the underlying PSUs are settled following vesting of such PSUs. Any such Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to the same vesting, forfeiture, payment, termination and other terms, conditions and restrictions as the PSUs to which they relate; provided that, the Dividend Equivalents will vest at the same percentage (not to exceed 100%) that the related PSUs vest. For the sake of clarity, if the related PSUs vest (A) at 50% of target, 50% of the Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such PSUs will vest, or (B) at 200% of target, 100% of the Dividend Equivalents credited with respect to such PSUs will vest. No Dividend Equivalents shall be granted with respect to any PSUs which, as of the record date, have either been paid or terminated.

 

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9.3                Upon and following the vesting of the PSUs and the issuance of shares, the Participant shall be the record owner of the shares of Common Stock underlying the PSUs unless and until such shares are sold or otherwise disposed of, and as record owner shall be entitled to all rights of a stockholder of the Company (including voting and dividend rights).

 

10.        No Right to Continued Service. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in any position, as an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause.

 

11.        Adjustments. The PSUs shall be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 14 of the Plan.

 

12.        Tax Liability and Withholding.

 

12.1             The Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation paid to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, the amount of any required withholding taxes in respect of the PSUs and to take all such other action as the Committee deems necessary to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding taxes. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws:

 

(a)                 tendering a cash payment;

 

(b)                authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable to the Participant as a result of the settlement of the PSUs; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law;

 

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(c)                delivery of a properly executed notice of settlement together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the required tax withholding amount; or

 

(d)                delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

The Company has the right to withhold from any compensation paid to a Participant.

 

12.2             Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting, or settlement of the PSUs or the subsequent sale of any shares; and (b) does not commit to structure the PSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

 

13.        Restrictive Covenants.

 

13.1              Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)                 The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of the Participant’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of the Participant’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to the Participant on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, which source is not known by the Participant, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Companies.

 

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(b)                The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the Grant Date and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Company, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

13.2             [Assignment of Inventions. 1

 

(a)                 The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (i) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any of the Companies’ resources and/or within the scope of the Participant’s duties to the Companies or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Companies, and that are made or conceived by the Participant, solely or jointly with others, during the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies; or (ii) suggested by any work that the Participant performs in connection with any of the Companies, either while performing the Participant’s duties to the Companies or on the Participant’s own time, will belong exclusively to the Companies (or their designees), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”). The Participant will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Companies, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Companies. The Records are the sole and exclusive property of the Companies, and the Participant will surrender them upon termination of employment, or upon any of the Companies’ request. The Participant irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies, together with the right to file, in the Participant’s name or in the name of any of the Companies (or their designees), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). The Participant will, at any time during and subsequent to employment by or service to any of the Companies, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by any of the Companies to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Companies’ rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Participant from the Companies. The Participant will also execute assignments to the Companies (or their designees) of the Applications, and give the Companies and their attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Companies’ benefit.

 

 

1 Note to Draft: Include for Employee-Participants only.

 

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(b)                In addition, the Inventions are deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Companies, and the Participant agrees that the Companies are the sole owners of the Inventions and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Participant. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Companies, the Participant hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, before the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Participant hereby waives any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Participant has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Participant’s service to the Companies that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Participant agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Participant hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Participant’s benefit by virtue of the Participant being an employee of or other service provider to any of the Companies.]

 

13.3             Return of Companies’ Property and Companies’ Information. The Participant agrees to return, promptly following the termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, or earlier if directed by any of the Companies, any and all of the Companies’ property in the Participant’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to any of the Companies’ operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in the Participant’s possession (including on any personal computer).

 

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13.4             Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Participant from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that the Participant uses the Participant’s reasonable best efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. The Participant does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, the Participant has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

13.5             In consideration of the PSUs, the Participant agrees and covenants not to:

 

(a)                 2 [During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(i)                 own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 13.5(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

(ii)              contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(iii)            hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such Person terminate his or her employment or engagement with any of the Companies.]

 

 

2 Note to Draft: Include for Employee-Participants only.

 

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(b)                3[The Participant will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage (i) any of the Companies or any of their respective businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice.]

 

13.6             Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in this Section 13 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of this Section 13 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent the Participant from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Participant is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in this Section 13 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in this Section 13; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

 

3 Note to Draft: Duration of non-disparagement to be unlimited for ELT and three years for EOT and other employee Participants.

 

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13.7              If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

13.8              If the Committee determines in good faith that the Participant has breached or threatened to breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 13:

 

(a)                 any unvested or vested but unsettled PSUs shall be immediately forfeited effective as of the date of such breach, unless sooner terminated by operation of another term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan, and the Participant shall deliver to the Company (or take all steps necessary to effectuate the delivery of), no later than five (5) days following such determination, any shares of Common Stock issued upon the settlement of the Participant’s PSUs and any proceeds resulting from the sale or other disposition (including to the Company) of shares of Common Stock issued upon settlement of the Participant’s PSUs; and

 

(b)                 the Participant hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. Each of the Companies not party to this Agreement is intended to be third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of this Section 13, and such provisions may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to each such entity hereunder.

 

14.        Compliance with Law. The issuance and transfer of shares of Common Stock in connection with the PSUs shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Participant with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock may be listed. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or transferred unless and until any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel.

 

15.        Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a business day and, if otherwise, on the next business day, (b) one (1) business day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid), or (c) three (3) days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 15, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated on the signature page below.

 

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16.         Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The Participant hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. The Participant will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by the Participant of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) the Participant challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

17.         Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant and the Company.

 

18.         PSUs Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the Plan as approved by the Company’s stockholders. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

19.         Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the PSUs may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

20.         Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

21.         Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the PSUs in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any PSUs or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant’s employment with the Company.

 

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22.         Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the PSUs, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Participant’s material rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. The failure of the Company or Committee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

23.         Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

24.         No Impact on Other Benefits. The value of the Participant’s PSUs is not part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, retirement, welfare, insurance or similar employee benefit.

 

25.         Data Privacy. The Participant expressly authorizes and consents to the collection, possession, use, retention and transfer of personal data of the Participant, whether in electronic or other form, by and among Company, its Affiliates, third-party administrator(s) and other possible recipients, in each case for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, facilitating and/or managing the Participant’s Awards under, and participation in, the Plan. Such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, job title and other job-related information, tax information, the number of Company shares held or sold by the Participant, and the details of all Awards (including any information contained in this Award and all Award-related materials) granted to the Participant, whether exercised, unexercised, vested, unvested, cancelled or outstanding (“Data”). The Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that Data may be transferred to third parties, which will assist the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.

 

26.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of this Agreement and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

27.        Acceptance. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement (whether in writing, electronically or otherwise). The Participant has read and understands the terms and provisions thereof, and accepts the PSUs subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the vesting or settlement of the PSUs or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised to consult a tax advisor prior to such vesting, settlement or disposition.

 

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28.         Consent to Electronic Delivery of All Plan Documents and Disclosures. By Participant’s acceptance of this Agreement (whether in writing or electronically), Participant and the Company agree that the PSUs are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions relating to the Plan and this Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in Participant’s residence address. By acceptance of the PSUs, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company and consents to the electronic delivery of this Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses required by the SEC, U.S. financial reports of the Company, and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including, without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements) or other communications or information related to the PSUs and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to the Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of documents via e-mail or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant acknowledges that Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service or electronic mail to Stock Administration. Participant further acknowledges that Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails; similarly, Participant understands that Participant must provide on request to the Company or any designated third party a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails. Also, Participant understands that Participant’s consent may be revoked or changed, including any change in the electronic mail address to which documents are delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address), at any time by notifying the Company of such revised or revoked consent by telephone, postal service or electronic mail to Stock Administration.

 

29.         Complete Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan and the other documents referred to herein and therein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

30.         No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

*      *      *      *      *

 

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

 
Company: Participant:
 
UTZ BRANDS, INC. [Participant Name]

 

By:      
Name:      
Title:      

 

Address     Address:  
     
    ]

  

[Signature Page to Performance Share Unit Agreement] 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

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Utz Brands, Inc.

2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Stock Option Agreement

 

This Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [GRANT DATE] by and between Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and [PARTICIPANT NAME] (the “Participant”).

 

Grant Date: ________ __, 20__
Exercise Price Per Share: $ ________
Number of Option Shares: ________________
Expiration Date: ________ __, 20__; This Option expires earlier if Participant’s Service terminates earlier, as described in the Option Agreement.
Type of Option:

¨ Incentive Stock Option

 

¨ Non-qualified Stock Option

 

If neither box is checked, the Award shall be a Non-qualified Stock Option.

Vesting Commencement Date: ________ __, 20__
Vesting Schedule:

Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, this Option will vest in accordance with the following schedule: [insert applicable vesting schedule, which may be time-based, performance-based or a combination of both].

 

[Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of a Change in Control, a Change in Control shall have no impact on the vesting of the Options.]1

 

1.             Grant of Option.

 

1.1              Grant; Type of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Participant an option (the “Option”) to purchase the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to the number of Option Shares set forth above, at the Exercise Price set forth above. The Option is being granted pursuant to the terms of the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as then amended (the “Plan”). If designated in the Notice as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an ISO, to the extent that it exceeds the U.S. $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option (“NSO”).

 

 

 

1 Subject to modification in the event the Committee determines to grant an award subject to acceleration upon a Change in Control.

 

 

 

 

1.2              Consideration; Subject to Plan. The grant of the Option is made in consideration of the services to be rendered by the Participant to the Company and is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

 

2.             Exercise Period; Vesting.

 

2.1              Vesting Schedule. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Agreement, this Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth above. Participant acknowledges that the vesting of the Option pursuant to this Agreement is subject to Participant’s Continuous Service as an Employee, Director or Consultant. The unvested portion of the Option will not be exercisable after the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

2.2              Expiration. The Option will expire on the Expiration Date set forth above, or earlier as provided in this Agreement or the Plan.

 

3.             Termination of Continuous Service.

 

3.1              Termination for Reasons Other Than Cause, Death, Disability. If the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for any reason other than Cause, death or Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested portion of the Option, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of: (a) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.2              Termination for Cause. If the Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option (whether vested or unvested) shall immediately terminate and cease to be exercisable.

 

3.3              Termination due to Disability. If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise the vested portion of the Option, but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of: (a) the date 12 months following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

3.4              Termination due to Death. If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, the vested portion of the Option may be exercised by the Participant’s estate, by a Person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by the Person designated to exercise the Option upon the Participant’s death, but only within the time period ending on the earlier of: (a) the date 12 months following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service or (b) the Expiration Date.

 

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3.5              Extension of Termination Date. If following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service for any reason the exercise of the Option is prohibited because the exercise of the Option would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act or any other state or federal securities law or the rules of any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, then the expiration of the Option shall be tolled until the date that is thirty (30) days after the end of the period during which the exercise of the Option would be in violation of such registration or other securities requirements, provided that any exercise beyond three months after the date Participant’s Continuous Service terminates shall be deemed to be the exercise of an NSO.

 

4.             Manner of Exercise.

 

4.1              Election to Exercise. To exercise the portion of the Option which is vested and exercisable, the Participant (or in the case of exercise after the Participant’s death or incapacity, the Participant’s executor, administrator, heir or legatee, as the case may be) must deliver written notice of exercise in a form and in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee or the Board in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan, and the notice of exercise shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price.

 

4.2              Payment of Exercise Price. The entire Exercise Price of the Option shall be payable, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, as follows: (a) in cash (including check, bank draft, money order or wire transfer of immediately available funds), (b) by delivery of outstanding shares of Common Stock, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate Exercise Price payable with respect to the Option’s exercise, (c) by means of any cashless exercise procedures established with a broker and approved by the Committee and as may be in effect on the date of exercise, (d) by any combination of the foregoing, in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan or (e) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Committee or the Board as the administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 3 thereof.

 

4.3              Withholding. If the Company, in its discretion, determines that it is obligated to withhold any tax in connection with the exercise of the Option, the Participant must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay or provide for any applicable federal, state and local withholding obligations of the Company. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise of the Option by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws:

 

(a)                 tendering a cash payment;

 

(b)               authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise of the Option; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock shall be withheld with a value exceeding the maximum amount of tax required to be withheld by law;

 

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(c)               delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price; or

 

(d)               delivering to the Company previously owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

The Company has the right to withhold from any compensation paid to a Participant.

 

4.4              Issuance of Shares. Provided that the notice of exercise and payment are in form and substance satisfactory to the Committee or the Board in accordance with Section 3 of the Plan, the Company shall issue the shares of Common Stock registered in the name of the Participant, the Participant’s authorized assignee, or the Participant’s legal representative which shall be evidenced by stock certificates representing the shares with the appropriate legends affixed thereto, appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent, or other appropriate means as determined by the Company.

 

5.             No Right to Continued Service; No Rights as Stockholder. Neither the Plan nor this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to be retained in any position, as an Employee, Consultant or Director of the Company. Further, nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed to limit the discretion of the Company to terminate the Participant’s Continuous Service at any time, with or without Cause. The Participant shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to the Option unless and until certificates representing the shares have been issued by the Company to the holder of such shares, or the shares have otherwise been recorded on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent as owned by such holder.

 

6.             Transferability. The Option may be transferred to a Permitted Transferee upon written approval by the Committee.

 

7.             Change in Control.

 

7.1              Acceleration of Vesting. In connection with a Change in Control, the Option shall become exercisable as set forth in the vesting schedule above.

 

7.2              Cash-out. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee may, in its discretion and upon at least ten (10) days’ advance notice to the Participant, cancel the Option and pay to the Participant the value of the Option in accordance with the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at the time of a Change in Control the Exercise Price of the Option equals or exceeds the price paid for a share of Common Stock in connection with the Change in Control, the Committee may cancel the Option without the payment of consideration therefor.

 

8.             Adjustments. The shares of Common Stock subject to the Option may be adjusted or terminated in any manner as contemplated by Section 14 of the Plan.

 

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9.             Tax Liability and Withholding.

 

9.1              Notwithstanding any action the Company takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and the Company (a) makes no representation or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with the grant, vesting, or exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of any shares acquired on exercise; and (b) does not commit to structure the Option to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items.

 

9.2              If Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in the United States and sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Option Shares acquired pursuant to an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii) one year after the exercise date, Participant will immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition. Participant agrees that he or she may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized from such early disposition of Option Shares under an ISO by payment in cash or out any wages or other cash compensation paid to Participant by the Company or any Affiliate.

 

10.         Restrictive Covenants.

 

10.1          Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)               The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company and any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Participant’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of Participant’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to Participant on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, which source is not known by Participant, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Companies.

 

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(b)               The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the Grant Date and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Company, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

10.2          [Assignment of Inventions. 2

 

(a)               The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, work products, developments, software, know-how, processes, techniques, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (i) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any of the Companies’ resources and/or within the scope of the Participant’s duties to the Companies or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Companies, and that are made or conceived by the Participant, solely or jointly with others, during the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies; or (ii) suggested by any work that the Participant performs in connection with any of the Companies, either while performing the Participant’s duties to the Companies or on the Participant’s own time, will belong exclusively to the Companies (or their designees), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”). The Participant will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Companies, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Companies. The Records are the sole and exclusive property of the Companies, and the Participant will surrender them upon termination of employment, or upon any of the Companies’ request. The Participant irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies, together with the right to file, in the Participant’s name or in the name of any of the Companies (or their designees), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). The Participant will, at any time during and subsequent to employment by or service to any of the Companies, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by any of the Companies to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Companies’ rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to the Participant from the Companies. The Participant will also execute assignments to the Companies (or their designees) of the Applications, and give the Companies and their attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Companies’ benefit.

 

 

 

2 Note to Draft: Include for Employee-Participants only.

 

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(b)               In addition, the Inventions are deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Companies, and the Participant agrees that the Companies are the sole owners of the Inventions and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to the Participant. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Companies, the Participant hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Companies all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of the Participant’s right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, before the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, the Participant hereby waives any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. To the extent that the Participant has any rights in the results and proceeds of the Participant’s service to the Companies that cannot be assigned in the manner described herein, the Participant agrees to unconditionally waive the enforcement of such rights. The Participant hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to the Participant’s benefit by virtue of the Participant being an employee of or other service provider to any of the Companies.]

 

10.3          Return of Companies’ Property and Companies’ Information. The Participant agrees to return, promptly following the termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, or earlier if directed by any of the Companies, any and all of the Companies’ property in the Participant’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to any of the Companies’ operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in the Participant’s possession (including on any personal computer).

 

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10.4          Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Participant from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that the Participant uses the Participant’s reasonable best efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. The Participant does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, the Participant has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

10.5          In consideration of the Option, the Participant agrees and covenants not to:

 

(a)               3[During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of six (6) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(i)                 own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 10.5(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

 

 

3 Note to Draft: Include for Employee-Participants only.

 

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(ii)              contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(iii)            hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such Person terminate his or her employment or engagement with any of the Companies.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 10.5(a) shall limit or reduce the period for any similar covenant set forth in any other agreement, arrangement, or other document between the Company and the Participant.]

 

(b)               4[The Participant will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage (i) any of the Companies or any of their businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice.]

 

10.6          Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in this Section 10 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of this Section 10 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent the Participant from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which the Participant is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in this Section 10 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in this Section 10; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

 

 

4 NTD: Duration of non-disparagement to be unlimited for ELT and three years for EOT and other employee Participants.

 

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10.7          If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

10.8          If the Committee determines in good faith that the Participant has breached or threatened to breach any of the covenants contained in this Section 10:

 

(a)               any unvested or vested but unexercised portion of the Option shall be immediately forfeited effective as of the date of such breach, unless sooner terminated by operation of another term or condition of this Agreement or the Plan, and the Participant shall deliver to the Company (or take all steps necessary to effectuate the delivery of), no later than five (5) days following such determination, any shares of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Participant’s Option and any proceeds resulting from the sale or other disposition (including to the Company) of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Participant’s Option; and

 

(b)               the Participant hereby consents and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. Each of the Companies not party to this Agreement is intended to be third-party beneficiaries of the provisions of this Section 10, and such provisions may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to each such entity hereunder.

 

11.         Compliance with Law. The exercise of the Option and the issuance and transfer of shares of Common Stock shall be subject to compliance by the Company and the Participant with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws and with all applicable requirements of any stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock may be listed. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or transferred pursuant to this Option unless and until any then applicable requirements of state and federal laws and regulatory agencies have been fully complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel.

 

12.         Notices. All notices, demands and other communications to be given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when personally delivered (or, if delivery is refused, upon presentment) or received by email (with confirmation of transmission) prior to 5:00 p.m. eastern time on a business day and, if otherwise, on the next business day, (b) one (1) business day following sending by reputable overnight express courier (charges prepaid), or (c) three (3) days following mailing by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested. Unless another address is specified in writing pursuant to the provisions of this Section 12, notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the addresses indicated on the signature page to this Agreement.

 

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13.         Governing Law Jurisdiction; Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. The Participant hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. The Participant will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by the Participant of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) the Participant challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

14.         Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by the Participant or the Company to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant and the Company.

 

15.         Options Subject to Plan. This Agreement is subject to the Plan as approved by the Company’s stockholders. The terms and provisions of the Plan as it may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of the Plan will govern and prevail.

 

16.         Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein, this Agreement will be binding upon the Participant and the Participant’s beneficiaries, executors, administrators and the Person(s) to whom the Option may be transferred by will or the laws of descent or distribution.

 

17.         Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable Law in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

 

18.         Discretionary Nature of Plan. The Plan is discretionary and may be amended, cancelled or terminated by the Company at any time, in its discretion. The grant of the Option in this Agreement does not create any contractual right or other right to receive any Options or other Awards in the future. Future Awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company. Any amendment, modification, or termination of the Plan shall not constitute a change or impairment of the terms and conditions of the Participant's employment with the Company.

 

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19.         Amendment. The Committee has the right to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or cancel the Option, prospectively or retroactively; provided, that, no such amendment shall adversely affect the Participant’s material rights under this Agreement without the Participant’s consent. The failure of the Company or Committee to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

20.         Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for avoiding additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

21.         No Impact on Other Benefits. The value of the Participant’s Option is not part of his or her normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, retirement, welfare, insurance or similar employee benefit.

 

22.         Data Privacy. The Participant expressly authorizes and consents to the collection, possession, use, retention and transfer of personal data of the Participant, whether in electronic or other form, by and among Company, its Affiliates, third-party administrator(s) and other possible recipients, in each case for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, facilitating and/or managing the Participant’s Awards under, and participation in, the Plan. Such personal data may include, without limitation, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, job title and other job-related information, tax information, the number of Company shares held or sold by the Participant, and the details of all Awards (including any information contained in this Award and all Award-related materials) granted to the Participant, whether exercised, unexercised, vested, unvested, cancelled or outstanding (“Data”). The Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that Data may be transferred to third parties, which will assist the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.

 

23.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of this Agreement and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

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24.         Acceptance. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant has read and understands the terms and provisions thereof, and accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon exercise of the Option or disposition of the underlying shares and that the Participant has been advised to consult a tax advisor prior to such exercise or disposition.

 

25.         Consent to Electronic Delivery of All Plan Documents and Disclosures. By Participant’s acceptance of this Agreement (whether in writing or electronically), Participant and the Company agree that the Options are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement, and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and this Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions relating to the Plan and this Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in Participant’s residence address. By acceptance of the Options, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company and consents to the electronic delivery of this Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses required by the SEC, U.S. financial reports of the Company, and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including, without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements) or other communications or information related to the Options and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to the Company intranet or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of documents via e-mail or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant acknowledges that Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service or electronic mail to Stock Administration. Participant further acknowledges that Participant will be provided with a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails; similarly, Participant understands that Participant must provide on request to the Company or any designated third party a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically if electronic delivery fails. Also, Participant understands that Participant’s consent may be revoked or changed, including any change in the electronic mail address to which documents are delivered (if Participant has provided an electronic mail address), at any time by notifying the Company of such revised or revoked consent by telephone, postal service or electronic mail to Stock Administration.

 

26.         Complete Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan and the other documents referred to herein and therein embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

 

27.         No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

*     *     *     *     *

 

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

 

Company:   Participant:
     
UTZ BRANDS, INC.   [Participant Name]
     
By:      
Name:      
Title:      
     
Address     Address:  
     
    ]

 

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Exhibit 10.13

 

Utz Quality Foods, LLC
2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

1.             Establishment of Plan. Effective February 27, 2018, Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) established the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Effective as of, and contingent upon the occurrence of the Closing, the Company amended and restated the Plan into this Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which shall constitute a sub-plan under the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “PubCo Plan”).

 

2.             Purpose of Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide the Company with a means of attracting and retaining highly qualified employees and aligning the interests of those employees with the financial success of the Company. Employees of the Company are responsible for operating the day-to-day business of the Company and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the Plan intends to provide Participants with incentives that are aligned with the owners of the Company.

 

3.             Definitions.

 

Account” means a bookkeeping account established in the name of each Participant and maintained by the Company which is credited with either Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units awarded to the Participant from time to time, the value of which shall be calculated as of the date of the Distribution Event.

 

Adjusted Equity Value” means the sum of the Company Equity Value plus $300 million.

 

Beneficiary” means any person or entity, designated in accordance with Section 10(a) entitled to receive benefits which are payable upon or after a Participant’s death pursuant to the terms of the Plan.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”), which is the ultimate parent of the Company, as such board is constituted from time to time, or any successor board or other person or persons authorized to oversee the activities of the Company, to establish management-related policies and to make decisions on major company issues.

 

Capital Transaction Proceeds” means the net proceeds from a financing or refinancing of the Company (other than net proceeds used to make tax distributions or other distributions consistent with historic practice from or in respect of the Company) or from a sale, disposition or other transfer of assets of the Company outside the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

 

Cause” means, if there is an employment agreement between the Participant and the Company and the agreement contains a definition of “Cause” (or similar term, such as “For Cause”), the definition contained therein; otherwise “Cause” shall mean any of the following:

 

 

 

 

(a) The Participant’s conviction of a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such action occurred;

 

(b) The Participant’s dishonesty in the course of fulfilling employment duties;

 

(c) The Participant’s disclosure of Company trade secrets;

 

(d) Willful and deliberate failure of the Participant to perform employment duties in any material respect;

 

(e) The Participant’s unauthorized use of a controlled substance; or

 

(f) The Participant’s repeated failure to follow Company policies.

 

Change in Control” means the occurrence of either of the following:

 

(a) one person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires ownership of equity interests of the Company that, together with the equity interests held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the equity interests of the Company (or any holding company owning, directly or indirectly, all of the equity interests in the Company); provided, however, that, a Change in Control shall not occur (i) if any person (or more than one person acting as a group) owns more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the equity interests and acquires additional equity interests; or (ii) if the equity interests are acquired from a person by the person’s family members or trusts or entities established for their benefit; or

 

(b) one person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition) assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall occur only if such transaction constitutes a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in the effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets under Section 409A of the Code and the Rice Family Members, any corporation, partnership or other entity of which Rice Family Members are the direct, indirect or beneficial owners of the ownership interests of such entity or any affiliate of any of the foregoing, individually or collectively, fail to own at least a majority of the outstanding ownership interests of the Company (by vote or value). Any acquisition of equity interests of the Company or its parent entities by PubCo shall not constitute a Change in Control under the Plan with respect to Participants who (i) were active employees as of the date of the election described in Section 4(b); and (ii) who elected to convert their Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units and as a result to treat any acquisition of equity interests of the Company or its parent entities by PubCo as not constituting a Change in Control under the Plan.

 

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Closing” means the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2020, by and among Collier Creek Holdings (which after such closing is referred to as PubCo), Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, Series U of UM Partners, LLC, and Series R of UM Partners, LLC.

 

Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute, and the Treasury Regulations and other authoritative guidance issued thereunder.

 

Committee” means either (i) the Compensation Committee of the Board or (ii) if the Board fails to designate such a committee, the Board.

 

Company” means Utz Quality Foods, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or any successor thereto (including a corporation into which the Company converts or merges).

 

Company Equity Value” means the fair market value of 100% of the equity interests in the Company, determined in accordance with Section 5(b).

 

Distribution Event” means the first to occur of a Change in Control with respect to such Participant or December 31, 2021.

 

Effective Date” means the date of the Closing.

 

Election Form” has the meaning described in Section 4(b).

 

Eligible Employee” means an Employee who is selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

 

Employee” means an employee of the Company.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

Good Reason” means, if there is an employment agreement between the Participant and the Company and the agreement contains a definition of “Good Reason” (or similar term, such as “For Good Reason”), the definition contained therein; otherwise “Good Reason” shall mean, without the prior written consent of the Participant, any of the following:

 

(a) a material diminution in the Participant’s authority, title, duties, responsibilities or reporting line;

 

(b) a material reduction in the Participant’s base salary (other than a reduction in connection with an across-the-board reduction in the base salaries of the class of employees to which the Participant belongs) or maximum bonus opportunity (if applicable); or

 

(c) a material breach of any material term of any written agreement between the Participant and the Company (or any of its affiliates) by the Company (or applicable affiliate).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no event shall constitute grounds for a Good Reason termination unless the Participant notifies the Company in writing of the occurrence of such event within ninety (90) days after the Participant first has (or reasonably should have had) knowledge of such occurrence, the Company fails to cure such event to the Participant’s reasonable satisfaction within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, and the Participant resigns within thirty (30) days after the end of such cure period.

 

Hurdle” means, (i) with respect to a Participant who became an Employee prior to January 1, 2018, $690 million and (ii) with respect to a Participant who becomes an Employee on or after January 1, 2018, the value established by the Committee as the Hurdle as of January 1 of the year in which the Participant becomes an Employee (which generally will be equal to $300 million over the estimated value of 100% of the equity interests in the Company as of January 1 of the applicable year); provided, however, that if the Committee does not establish a new Hurdle for an applicable year prior to the date the Committee awards Phantom Units to a Participant, the Hurdle with respect to the Participant shall be the most recently established prior Hurdle; provided further, however, that the Hurdle automatically shall be increased by the amount of any equity capital contributions made to the Company and shall be reduced by the amount of any Capital Transaction Proceeds distributed from or in respect of the Company (excluding net proceeds from a transaction that constitutes a Change in Control).

 

Net Equity Value” means, with respect to a Participant, the amount the Adjusted Equity Value exceeds the applicable Hurdle.

 

Participant” means an Eligible Employee who was selected to participate in the Plan and received a Phantom Unit award and any former Eligible Employee who continues to be entitled to a benefit under the Plan. An Eligible Employee became a Participant upon the Eligible Employee’s acknowledgement, execution and delivery to the Company of the Phantom Unit Award Agreement.

 

Payment Date” means the date established by the Company on which the applicable Participant is entitled to receive a distribution of the value of the Participant’s vested Account in connection with a Distribution Event, which date shall be no later than 30 days following the date of the Distribution Event.

 

Phantom Unit” means an award of an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to pay to a Participant the Phantom Unit Value subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan (which Phantom Units do not constitute issued and outstanding equity in the Company for any purposes and do not confer on the Participant any voting rights or the right to receive dividends).

 

Phantom Unit Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant that specifies the number of Phantom Units awarded to the Participant and any additional terms as determined by the Committee.

 

Phantom Unit Value” means the value of one Phantom Unit, as determined in accordance with Section 5(c).

 

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Restricted Stock Unit” means an award of an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to pay to a Participant, upon the occurrence of a Distribution Event, one share of Class A common stock of PubCo, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan. Restricted Stock Units do not constitute issued and outstanding equity in the Company for any purposes and do not confer on the Participant any voting rights or the right to receive dividends.

 

Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement” means a written notice issued by the Company to a Participant that specifies the number of Restricted Stock Units awarded to the Participant as a result of the conversion of Phantom Units held by such Participant.

 

Plan” means this Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a sub-plan under the PubCo Plan, each as amended from time to time.

 

Rice Family Member” means Michael W. Rice, any spouse, lineal descendant or spouse of a lineal descendant of Michael W. Rice or any trust created for the benefit of Michael W. Rice or of which any of the foregoing is a beneficiary.

 

4.             Eligibility and Conversion of Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a)            Eligibility for Conversion. Only individuals holding Phantom Units on the date of the Closing can hold Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units in the Plan. No further awards under the Plan shall be made on or after the date of Closing, other than the conversion of existing Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units.

 

(b)           Conversion into Restricted Stock Units. Prior to, and contingent upon the occurrence of Closing, each Participant received a written offer to elect to convert all of his or her Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units (the “Election Form”). Each Participant who elected to convert his or her Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units shall receive a Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement that indicates the number of Restricted Stock Units issued to such Participant under the terms of the offer to elect to convert. The number of Restricted Stock Units offered in connection with the election to convert was determined by the Committee prior to the Closing, in its discretion. Effective upon conversion into Restricted Stock Units, the Phantom Units are automatically cancelled and cease to be outstanding, and the Participant has no further rights with respect to such Phantom Units.

 

5.             Accounts.

 

(a)            Establishment of Accounts. The Company shall establish and maintain an Account for each Participant. Each Participant’s Account shall be credited with either Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units, and the value of the Participant’s Account shall be equal to the number of vested Phantom Units or vested Restricted Stock Units credited to the Account (which Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units have not been forfeited pursuant to Section 6(c) or pursuant to the terms of the Participant’s Phantom Unit Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement) multiplied by the Phantom Unit Value or Restricted Stock Unit value, determined as of the date of the Distribution Event.

 

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(b)           Determination of the Company Equity Value. The Company Equity Value for purposes of Phantom Units shall be determined as of the date of the Distribution Event as follows:

 

1.              if consideration paid in the Distribution Event includes cash, then the Company Equity Value shall be determined by imputing the value of 100% of the equity interests in the Company based on the nature of the transaction in which the cash is paid (for example, if the purchaser acquires 60% of the equity interests in the Company for $600 million in cash, the Company Equity Value is equal to $1 billion); or

 

2.              if no portion of the consideration paid in the Distribution Event includes cash and consideration paid in the Distribution Event includes stock listed on a public securities exchange, then the Company Equity Value shall be determined by imputing the value of 100% of the equity interests in the Company based on the nature of the transaction in which the stock is paid and the trading price of such stock as of the date of the Distribution Event;

3.             if no portion of the consideration paid in the Distribution Event includes cash or stock listed on a public securities exchange or the Distribution Event is December 31, 2021, and if the equity interests in the Company are listed on a public securities exchange as of the date of the Distribution Event, then the portion of the Company Equity Value relating to the Company shall be equal to the trading closing price of 100% of the equity interests in the Company as of date of the Distribution Event; provided, however, if a closing price is not quoted on a public securities exchange, then the determination shall be based upon the mid-point between the bid and ask price for the Company’s equity interests as of the close of business on such date; and

 

4.             if no portion of the consideration paid in the Distribution Event includes cash or stock listed on a public securities exchange or the Distribution Event is December 31, 2021, and if the equity interests in the Company are not listed on a public securities exchange as of the date of the Distribution Event, then the Company Equity Value shall be equal to the fair market value of 100% of the equity interests in the Company, using a valuation method selected by the Committee and consistent with the rules set forth in Section 409A of the Code (including Treasury Regulations Section 1.409-1(b)(5)(iv)(B)), without taking into account any discounts for lack of control or marketability.

 

(c)           Determination of Phantom Unit Value. As of the date of the Distribution Event, the Phantom Unit Value shall be equal to the Net Equity Value divided by 10,000. Example calculations of Phantom Unit Value are set forth on the attached Exhibit.

 

6.             Vesting.

 

(a)            Vesting. The vesting provisions of a Phantom Unit or Restricted Stock Unit award shall be set forth in the Participant’s Phantom Unit Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. Such provisions notwithstanding, if the Distribution Event is a Change in Control and either (i) the Participant is an Employee as of the date of the Distribution Event or (ii) the Participant was an Employee within 180 days prior to the date of the Distribution Event and the Participant’s employment was terminated for any reason before the date of the Distribution Event, excluding termination by the Company for Cause and excluding voluntary termination by the Participant without the Company’s written consent other than for Good Reason, then 100% of the Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units awarded to the Participant shall vest as of the Distribution Event. In addition, the Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the vesting of any unvested Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units awarded to a Participant at any time (including if the Participant’s employment is terminated on or before December 31, 2021).

 

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(b)           Forfeiture of Unvested Phantom Units and Restricted Stock Units. Except as expressly set forth in a Participant’s Phantom Unit Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (or otherwise by the Committee vesting some or all of such Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units prior to the occurrence of such event in accordance with the final sentence of Section 6(a), the Participant’s unvested Phantom Units or unvested Restricted Stock Units (if any) shall be forfeited on the earliest to occur of: (i) 180 days after the date the Participant’s employment is terminated for any reason; (ii) the date the Participant’s employment is terminated if the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or voluntarily by the Participant without the Company’s written consent other than for Good Reason; or (iii) on December 31, 2021, if such date is the Distribution Event.

 

(c)            Forfeiture of Vested Phantom Units or Restricted Stock Units. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, except for such additional occurrences expressly set forth in a Participant’s Phantom Unit Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, the Participant’s vested Phantom Units or vested Restricted Stock Units (if any) shall be forfeited on the earlier to occur of: (i) the date the Participant’s employment is terminated if the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or voluntarily by the Participant without the Company’s written consent other than for Good Reason or (ii) 3 years after the date the Participant’s employment is terminated if a Distribution Event does not occur by such 3-year anniversary date.

 

7.             Payment of Participant Accounts.

 

(a)            Payment of Vested Accounts. The Company shall pay the value of the Participant’s Account on the Payment Date. Any payment of the value of a Participant’s Account represented by Phantom Units shall be made in cash, publicly traded stock that is listed on a securities exchange, or partly in cash and partly in publicly traded stock that is listed on a securities exchange, at the sole discretion of the Company. Any payment of the value of a Participant’s Account represented by Restricted Stock Units shall be made by the issuance of an equal number of shares of Class A common stock of PubCo.

 

(b)           Payment Delay. Notwithstanding Section 7(a), to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code, payments will be delayed if making the payment on the Payment Date specified herein would jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. If a payment is delayed pursuant to this Section 7(b), the payment will be made during the first taxable year in which making the payment would not so jeopardize the Company, together with simple interest computed on the deferred amount at the applicable LIBOR rate of interest (or successor rate of interest if LIBOR is no longer reported) set forth in The Wall Street Journal plus five percent for the period of time from the date of the Distribution Event until the date of actual payment.

 

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(c)           Determining Value of Accounts. The value of a Participant’s Account represented by Phantom Units shall be determined as of the applicable Distribution Event and the Participant shall not be entitled to any increases in Phantom Unit Value thereafter.

 

8.             Plan Administration.

 

(a)            Administration by Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have the authority to:

 

1.             Construe and interpret the Plan and apply its provisions;

 

2.             Promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of the Plan;

 

3.             Authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

4.             Interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any defect in and/or supply any omission in the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to the Plan; and

 

5.             Exercise discretion to make any and all other determinations which it determines to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

(b)           Non-Uniform Treatment. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and any such determinations may be made selectively among Participants.

 

(c)            Committee Decisions Final. All decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction or arbitrator, if applicable, to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

(d)          Indemnification. No member of the Committee or any designee shall be liable for any action, failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan except for any liability arising from his or her own willful malfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee against any liabilities, costs, fees and expenses associated with any action or failure to act with respect to the Plan (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) absent a determination of willful malfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. If the Company advances any such indemnification amounts and the indemnified member of the Committee subsequently is determined not to be entitled to such indemnification hereunder, then he or she promptly shall reimburse the Company for such advances (and the advances by the Company shall be conditioned on the member of the Committee agreeing to such a reimbursement obligation).

 

9.             Amendment and Termination. The Company may, at any time, and in its discretion, alter, amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof; provided, however, that no such amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect such Participant’s rights with respect to amounts credited to or accrued in his or her Account; and provided, further, that, no payment of benefits shall occur upon termination of the Plan unless the requirements of Section 409A of the Code have been met. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, upon the occurrence of a Distribution Event, the Plan shall terminate and the only right that a Participant shall have with respect to the Plan (or the Participant’s Phantom Unit Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement) shall be the right to receive payment on the Payment Date in accordance with Section 7(a) (subject to Section 7(b) and any other relevant terms set forth in the Participant’s Phantom Unit Award Agreement or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement) until paid in full.

 

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10.           Miscellaneous.

 

(a)           No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any subsidiary to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.

 

(b)           Other Benefits. Amounts paid under the Plan shall not be considered part of a Participant’s salary or compensation for purposes of determining or calculating other benefits under any other employee benefit plan or program of the Company.

 

(c)           Tax Withholding. The Company and its subsidiaries shall have the right to deduct from any amounts otherwise payable under the Plan any federal, state, local, or other applicable taxes required to be withheld. A Participant may pay all or any part of any applicable tax withholding required on the payment of the value of a Participant’s Account: (i) by certified or official bank check or by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company, (ii) by having the Company “net settle” any payment made in the form of shares by withholding from the shares paid to the Participant such shares with a market value sufficient to satisfy the minimum withholding required with respect thereto as determined by the Committee, (iii) through any broker’s cashless exercise procedure which has been approved by the Committee, or (iv) a combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the market value of any such shares so tendered to the Company as of the date of such tender is at least equal to the minimum withholding required.

 

(d)           Governing Law. The Plan shall be administered, construed and governed in all respects under and by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law (except and to the extent preempted by applicable federal law).

 

(e)            Section 409A of the Code. The Company intends that the Plan comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be operated and interpreted consistent with that intent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation that the Plan complies with Section 409A of the Code and shall have no liability to any Participant for any failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code. Each Participant is fully responsible for any and all taxes or other amounts imposed by Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall constitute an “account balance plan” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 31.3121(v)(2)-1(c)(1)(ii)(A). For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, all amounts deferred under the Plan shall be aggregated with amounts deferred under other account balance plans.

 

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(f)            Unfunded Benefit. All amounts provided under the Plan shall be paid from the general assets of the Company and no separate fund shall be established to secure payment. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payment from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.

 

(g)           Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant under the Plan may from time to time name any beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the Participant’s interest in the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form reasonably prescribed by the Committee and shall be effective only when filed by the Participant in writing with the Company during the Participant’s lifetime. If a Participant does not designate a beneficiary, then the Participant’s designated beneficiary shall be deemed to be the Participant’s estate.

 

(h)           No Assignment. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall have any right to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate or convey any amounts payable hereunder prior to the date that such amounts are paid (except for the designation of beneficiaries pursuant to Section 10.(g)).

 

(i)             Expenses. The costs of administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

 

(j)            Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

 

(k)           Headings and Subheadings. Headings and subheadings in the Plan are for convenience only and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.

 

(l)            Conflict. With respect to Phantom Units and Restricted Stock Units issued under the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of the PubCo Plan, the terms of the Plan shall prevail. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Phantom Units and Restricted Stock Units issued under the Plan shall be subject to the terms of Section 14.1 of the PubCo Plan.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Utz Quality Foods, LLC has adopted this 2020 Utz Quality Foods, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan as of the Effective Date written above.

 

  UTZ QUALITY FOODS, LLC
   
  By:  
  Name:    
  Title:  

 

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Utz Quality Foods, LLC
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement

 

This Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between Utz Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [Insert Name] (the “Participant”).

 

WHEREAS, Utz Quality Foods, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Utz”), previously issued [Insert Number] Phantom Units to Participant under the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2018 LTIP”) pursuant to one or more Phantom Unit Award Agreements (the “Prior Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with and contingent upon the occurrence of the closing under the Business Combination Agreement by and among the Company (formerly known as Collier Creek Holdings), Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (the parent company of Utz), Series U of UM Partners, LLC and Series R of UM Partners, LLC (the “Business Combination”), Utz amended and restated the 2018 LTIP into the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which constitutes a sub-plan under the Utz Brands, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and provided each participant in the 2018 LTIP the opportunity to elect to convert his or her Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units under the terms of the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, the Participant previously elected, contingent on the closing of the Business Combination, to convert his or her Phantom Units into Restricted Stock Units, and pursuant to that election has agreed to sign an award agreement with similar provisions to the Prior Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, a copy of the Plan has been furnished to the Participant and shall be deemed a part of this Agreement, as if fully set forth herein, and the terms capitalized but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, the Participant and the Company desire to formally document in this Agreement the Restricted Stock Units issued upon the conversion of the Phantom Units and to terminate the Prior Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and for other valuable consideration hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound agree as follows:

 

1.             Number of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the conditions set forth below and in the Plan, the Company hereby awards to the Participant, as a matter of separate inducement but not in lieu of any salary or other compensation for the Participant’s services for the Company, [Insert Number of Units] Restricted Stock Unit(s) (the “Award”) representing the number of Restricted Stock Units to which the Participant’s [vested]1 Phantom Units converted. The Participant agrees that the Prior Agreement is hereby terminated and of no further force or effect.

 

 

1 Note to Draft: Include for terminated employees.

 

 

 

 

2.             Vesting.

 

2.1              Vesting Schedule. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2, the Award is credited to the Participant’s Account and is 100% vested under the terms of the Plan.

 

2.2              Forfeitures. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the Participant’s Account shall be forfeited (including any amount that is or otherwise would be vested) upon the earliest to occur of (i) [the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or voluntarily by the Participant without the Company’s written consent other than for Good Reason; (ii)]2 the Participant violates any of the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2; [(iii)] the Participant would be in violation of any of the provisions of Section 5.2(a) if such provisions terminated thirty-six (36) months (rather than twelve (12) months) following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason; or [(iv)] as otherwise provided in the Plan with respect to the forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units.

 

3.             Payment of Account.

 

3.1              Payment of Vested Account. The Company shall pay the value of the Participant’s Account by the issuance of an equal number of shares of Class A common stock of Utz Brands, Inc. in one lump sum payment on the Payment Date. All payments shall be made in the form of Class A common stock of Utz Brands, Inc. [In addition to payment of the value of the Participant’s Account (the “Account Value”), the Company shall pay the Participant on the Payment Date an additional amount, either in the form of cash or additional shares of Class A common stock, as elected by the Company, as a tax “gross-up” (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the amount that the Participant retains after receipt of the Account Value and the Gross-Up Payment and payment of all local, state and federal taxes owed with respect to the receipt thereof (taking into account income and payroll taxes) is equal to the amount that the Participant would retain if the Participant receives the Account Value (but not the Gross-Up Payment) and the receipt of the Account Value is treated as long-term capital gain for income tax purposes. For purposes of the preceding calculation, the Participant shall be presumed to be subject to income tax at the highest marginal income tax bracket to which individuals are subject.]3

 

3.2              Payment Delay. Notwithstanding Section 3.1, to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code, payments will be delayed if making the payment on the Payment Date would jeopardize the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. If payment is delayed, payment will be made during the first taxable year in which making the payment would not so jeopardize the Company, together with simple interest computed on the deferred amount at the applicable LIBOR rate of interest (or successor rate of interest if LIBOR is no longer reported) set forth in The Wall Street Journal plus five percent for the period of time from the date of the Distribution Event until the date of actual payment.

 

4.             Payment of Taxes. If the Company, in its discretion, determines that it is obligated to withhold any tax in connection with the payment of the Participant’s Account, the Participant must make arrangements satisfactory to the Company to pay or provide for any applicable federal, state and local withholding obligations of the Company. The Committee may permit the Participant to satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the payment of the Participant’s Account by any of the following means, or by a combination of such means, to the extent permitted by applicable laws:

 

 

2 Note to Draft: Include for current employees.

3 Note to Draft: Include for awards subject to tax gross-up.

 

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(a)                tendering to the Company a certified or official bank check or a wire transfer;

 

(b)               authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Class A common stock from the shares of Class A common stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the payment of the Participant’s Account; or

 

(c)               delivery of properly executed irrevocable instructions to a broker registered under the Exchange Act to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds required to satisfy the tax withholding obligations.

 

5.             Restrictive Covenants.

 

5.1            Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)               The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean all confidential and proprietary technical, business and financial information relating to the respective businesses of the Company and any of its affiliates (collectively, the “Companies”) including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with any of the Companies and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes confidential or proprietary information received by the Participant from third parties in connection with the Participant’s employment by any of the Companies subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include any information that is in the public domain other than as a result of breach by the Participant of this Agreement.

 

(b)               The Participant acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by the Participant, whether before or after the date hereof and regardless of whether the Participant participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of one of the Companies. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform the Participant’s services while an employee of the Companies, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, during or after the Participant’s employment with the Company or any affiliate of the Company, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by the Participant under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, the Participant shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

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5.2            Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation; Nondisparagement. As an inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement and provide the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement, the Participant agrees that:

 

(a)            During the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, for the Participant’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other person (other than on behalf of the Companies) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(i)                 own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit the Participant’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 5.2(a)(i) for the Participant to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

(ii)                contact, solicit, induce or attempt to induce any person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, a customer, supplier or agent of any of the Companies or with which any of the Companies or the Participant had contact during the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, to terminate their relationship with any of the Companies, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between any of the Companies and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

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(iii)                hire any person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies, an employee of any of the Companies; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to induce any employee who is an employee of any of the Companies for the purpose of seeking to have such employee terminate his or her employment with any of the Companies.

 

(b)            The Participant will not, at any time during the entire period of the Participant’s employment with any of the Companies and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, intentionally disparage any of the Companies or any of their respective directors, officers, managers, owners or employees.

 

5.3            Extension of Restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of a breach by the Participant of any covenant set forth in Section 5.2, the term of such covenant will be extended by the period of the duration of such breach.

 

5.4            Acknowledgments by the Participant. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant has occupied or will occupy a position of trust and confidence with the Companies and has or will become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of great value to the Companies; (c) the Company has required that the Participant make the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Companies; (e) the scope of the business of the Companies is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in Section 5.2 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Companies would be irreparably damaged if the Participant were to breach the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2; and (g) the potential benefits to the Participant available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate the Participant fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

5.5           Specific Performance. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury to the Companies will result in the event the Participant breaches any covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 and that any remedy at law for the breach of any such covenant will be inadequate. Therefore, if the Participant engages in any act in violation of any of the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2, the Participant agrees that the Companies shall be entitled, in addition to such other remedies and damages as may be available to them at law or under this Agreement, to temporary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages, and without the necessity of posting a bond, and to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any such breach, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Companies may be entitled. If the Participant violates Section 5.1 or Section 5.2, the Participant shall be liable to the Companies for any attorneys’ fees it incurs to enforce this Agreement, in addition to any other remedies that the Companies may have.

 

5.6           Assignment. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement except that the Participant agrees that the Company shall have the right to assign its rights under this Agreement to any one or more of its affiliates, to any entity that acquires a substantial part of the assets of the Company or one or more of its affiliates or to a successor by merger, consolidation or other corporate restructuring. The obligations of the Participant may not be delegated or assigned. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 5.6 shall be null and void.

 

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5.7            Severability. Whenever possible each provision and term of this Agreement will be interpreted in a manner to be effective and valid, but if any provision or term of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by law or invalid, then such provision or term will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or affecting in any manner whatsoever the remainder of such provision or term or the remaining provisions or terms of this Agreement. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision of Section 5.2(a) is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that this Agreement shall be automatically modified to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the term or provision to its maximum allowable extent, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified. If any of the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 are held to be unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, such covenants will be considered divisible with respect to scope, time and geographic area, and in such lesser scope, time and geographic area, will be effective, binding and enforceable against the Participant.

 

6.             Right of the Companies to Terminate Services. Nothing in this Agreement confers upon the Participant the right to continue in the employ or service of the Companies, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Companies to terminate the Participant’s employment or service relationship at any time.

 

7.             Remedies. The parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to recover from each other reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the successful enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, whether by an action to enforce specific performance or for damages for its breach or otherwise.

 

8.             No Liability for Good Faith Determinations. The Company and the members of the Committee or the Board shall not be liable for any act, omission or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to this Agreement or the Award granted hereunder.

 

9.             No Guarantee of Interests. The Board and the Company do not guarantee the Account from loss or depreciation.

 

10.           Information Confidential. As partial consideration for the granting of the Award hereunder, the Participant hereby agrees to keep confidential all information and knowledge, except that which has been disclosed in any public filings required by law, that the Participant has relating to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, however, that such information may be disclosed as required by law and may be given in confidence to the Participant’s spouse and tax and financial advisors. The Company may disclose information regarding the Award as the Company deems necessary and proper.

 

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11.           Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant, the Participant’s legal representatives, heirs, legatees, and distributees, and upon the Company, its successors, and assigns.

 

12.           Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

13.           Headings; Recitals. The titles and headings of Sections are included for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construction of the provisions hereof. The recitals set forth above hereby are incorporated by reference and made a part hereof as if fully rewritten herein.

 

14.           Governing Law. All questions arising with respect to the provisions of this Agreement shall be determined by application of the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving any effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent preempted by federal law.

 

15.           Arbitration. Except as provided in Section 5 (relating to enforcement of restrictive covenants), any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or any breach of this Agreement shall be submitted to and decided by binding arbitration. Arbitration shall be administered exclusively by the American Arbitration Association in Hanover, Pennsylvania (or such other location mutually agreed by the parties) and shall be conducted consistent with the rules, regulations, and requirements of the courts situated therein as well as any requirements imposed by state law. Any arbitral award determination shall be final and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

16.           Amendment and Termination. This Agreement may be amended or terminated by the Company at any time; provided, that, no amendment or termination that adversely affects the Participant’s rights with respect to the value of the Participant’s Account shall be made without the Participant’s consent. No payment of benefits shall be made upon termination of the Plan unless the requirements of Section 409A of the Code have been met.

 

17.           No Waiver. The Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of, or to assert any right under, this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or of any other provision or right under this Agreement.

 

18.           Section 409A. The Company intends that the Plan and this Agreement comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable and they shall be operated and interpreted consistent with that intent.

 

19.           Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted to the Committee for review. The resolution of such dispute by the Committee shall be final and binding on the parties, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

20.           Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan or this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, and each provision of the Plan and this Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

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21.           Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterpart signature pages to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing an original signature.

 

22.           Acknowledgement; Release. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Participant is not relying upon any determination by the Company, its affiliates, or any of their respective employees, directors, officers, attorneys or agents (collectively, the “Company Parties”) of the fair market value of the Restricted Stock Units or value of the Account; (b) the Participant is not relying upon any written or oral statement or representation of the Company Parties regarding the tax effects associated with the Participant’s execution of this Agreement and the Participant’s receipt, and ultimate distribution, of the Award; and (c) in deciding to enter into this Agreement, the Participant is relying on the Participant’s own judgment and the judgment of the professionals of the Participant’s choice with whom the Participant has consulted. The Participant hereby releases, acquits, and forever discharges the Company Parties from all actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, obligations, liabilities, claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, on account of, arising out of, or in any way related to the tax effects associated with the Participant’s execution of this Agreement and the Participant’s receipt of, and ultimate distribution with respect to, the Award.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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

 

  UTZ BRANDS, INC.
   
  By:  
  Name:             
  Title:  
   
  PARTICIPANT
   
     
  Name:  

 

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Exhibit 10.14 

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

SEVERANCE BENEFIT PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

Effective August 28, 2020

 

 

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE BENEFIT PLAN

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1              “Affiliate” means a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in Section 424 of the Code (substituting “Company” for “employer corporation”), any other entity that is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, including a parent or subsidiary which becomes such after the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

1.2              “Annual Compensation Amount” means an Eligible Employee’s Base Salary and Bonus Amount, in each case, immediately prior to the Termination Date and determined without giving effect to any reduction which is alleged to constitute Good Reason.

 

1.3              “Base Salary” means an Employee’s annual base salary and does not include any other compensation including but not limited to incentive bonuses, car allowances or any other type of perquisites.

 

1.4              “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

1.5              “Bonus Amount” means an Eligible Employee’s target annual cash bonus.

 

1.6              “Cause” means, if the Employee is a party to an employment agreement with the Company and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause (or any term of similar effect), the definition contained therein; or if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause (or any term of similar effect): (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) any acts, omissions or statements that are, or are reasonably likely to be, detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, prospects or business relations of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, or willful or repeated failure or refusal to substantially perform assigned duties; (iv) violation of state or federal securities laws; (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct; (vi) any act of fraud, embezzlement, material misappropriation or dishonesty against the Company or an Affiliate; (vii) any material breach of a written agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, a breach of any employment, consulting, confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement or similar agreement.

 

1.7              “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.8              “Company” means Utz Brands, Inc. and its Affiliates.

 

1.9              “Disability” means that the Employee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which the Employee participates.

 

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1.10          “Effective Date” means August 28, 2020.

 

1.11          “Eligible Employee” means each member of the Executive Leadership Team and each member of the Executive Officer Team . Any determination of whether an individual is an Eligible Employee shall be made by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Employee shall exclude: (i) any Employee that has entered into an employment or other agreement with the Company providing for severance benefits which, in the aggregate, exceed the benefits available under this Plan, or (ii) any Employee whose terms and conditions of employment are governed by a collective bargaining agreement, unless such agreement specifically provides for coverage under the Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall not be an Eligible Employee.

 

1.12          “Employee” means any individual who is employed full-time by the Company and who is regularly scheduled to work at least 37-1/2 hours per week for the Company.

 

1.13          “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

1.14          Executive Leadership Team” means any Employee with a title of “Executive Vice President,” or above (but excluding the Chief Executive Officer), and any other Employee designated by the Compensation Committee of the Company from time to time.

 

1.15          Executive Officer Team” means any Employee with a title of “Senior Vice President,” and any other Employee designated by the Compensation Committee of the Company from time to time.

 

1.16          “Good Reason” means, with respect to any member of the Executive Leadership Team, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Executive Leadership Team member’s written consent prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Effective Date: (a) a reduction of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the Executive Leadership Team member’s total annual compensation opportunity that is not part of a broad-based reduction applicable to all Executive Leadership Team members; or (b) the Company’s requiring the Executive Leadership Team member to be based at an office location which is at least fifty (50) miles from his or her then-current office location or home and which materially increases such Eligible Employee’s travel time from his or her then-current residence; provided, that an Executive Leadership Team member may not rely on any particular action or event as a basis for terminating his or her employment due to Good Reason unless he or she delivers a notice based on that action or event within 90 (ninety) days after its occurrence and the Company has failed to correct the circumstances cited by the Executive Leadership Team member as constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days of receiving such notice, and the Executive Leadership Team member terminates employment within sixty (60) days following the Company’s failure to correct.

 

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1.17          “Person” means an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act).

 

1.18          “Plan” means this Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

1.19          “Plan Administrator” means the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), unless and until the Board designates another committee of the Board to serve in such capacity. The Compensation Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and responsibilities as Plan Administrator to an individual, a committee, or both.

 

1.20          “Qualifying Termination” means termination of employment by an Executive Leadership Team member with Good Reason or any termination of an Eligible Employee’s employment by the Company other for than Cause, and other than during the Eligible Employee’s Disability, provided, that, any termination of the employment of an Eligible Employee will not be considered a Qualifying Termination if the Eligible Employee is offered comparable employment by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any of their respective successors, regardless of whether the Eligible Employee accepts such offer of employment.

 

1.21          “Restriction Period” means the date beginning on the Eligible Employee’s Termination and ending on the last day of the Severance Period.

 

1.22          “Section 409A” refers to Section 409A of the Code.

 

1.23          “Severance Period” means the date beginning on the Eligible Employee’s Payment Commencement Date and ending on the period specified in Section 3.1, as applicable.

 

1.24          “Termination Date” means the date on which a Qualifying Termination occurs. For the avoidance of doubt, the determination of the Termination Date shall be made consistent with the definition of “separation from service” under Section 409A.

 

Article II
GENERAL SEVERANCE BENEFIT

 

2.1              Severance Benefit. The Company shall provide severance benefits as set forth in Article III to Eligible Employees, pursuant to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in the Plan and subject to the execution and non-revocation of a Release and Non-Competition Agreement by the Eligible Employee in accordance with Section 3.5. Except with respect to the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change In Control Severance Plan, after the Effective Date of the Plan, the Plan supersedes all prior practices, policies, procedures, plans or agreements relating to severance benefits from the Company and/or Affiliate or predecessor entities which would result in any duplication of benefits. No individual can receive payment under this Plan and the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change In Control Severance Plan and in the event that an individual becomes eligible for payments under both this Plan and the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan, he or she shall receive payment under the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change In Control Severance Plan.

 

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Article III
SEVERANCE BENEFITS

 

3.1              Qualifying Termination Severance Benefits. Except as otherwise provided herein, an Eligible Employee shall be entitled to the following severance benefits under the Plan if such Eligible Employee experiences a Qualifying Termination, paid in cash as payroll continuation payments, beginning on the Payment Commencement Date and ending on the last day of the Severance Period as set forth in the chart below, subject to any applicable withholding taxes.

 

Eligible Employee Severance
Period
Cash Severance Amount
Executive Leadership Team 1 year 1.0x Base Salary
Executive Officer Team .5 years .5x Base Salary

 

Nothing in this Plan shall preclude the Plan Administrator, in its complete discretion, from providing benefits under the Plan in addition to those set forth in this Section 3.1.

 

3.2              Annual Bonus. If an Eligible Employee experiences a Qualifying Termination and on the Termination Date was eligible to earn a performance based annual cash bonus pursuant to any Company plan or other agreement or arrangement with the Company in respect of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, the Eligible Employee shall receive a payment equal to the annual target bonus, calculated based on actual performance during the applicable performance period as though such Eligible Employee continued in the employment of the Company. Such payment shall be prorated based on the number of days during the applicable performance period that the Eligible Employee was employed by the Company, and paid at such time that annual bonuses are paid to active employees of the Company.

 

3.3              Outplacement Services. If an Eligible Employee experiences a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide the Eligible Employee with outplacement services during the Restriction Period with the Person of the Company’s choosing suitable to the Eligible Employee’s position, as determined by the Company.

 

3.4              Welfare Benefits. After the Termination Date, coverage under the Company medical, vision, dental and prescription benefits will continue to be available to the Eligible Employee and his/her covered dependents by the Company for up to eighteen (18) months pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”). Until the earliest of (i) eighteen (18) months following the Termination Date, (ii) last day of the Severance Period or (iii) the first day the Eligible Employee becomes eligible for comparable benefits under the welfare benefit plans of a subsequent employer (such date, the “COBRA Subsidy Cessation Date”), the Eligible Employee will be responsible for the payment of the same amount of premiums for such coverage as would be paid by a similarly situated full-time employee of the Company, and the Company will pay all additional premium amounts. Following the COBRA Subsidy Cessation Date and for the remainder of the eighteen (18) month period described above, the Eligible Employee will be responsible for the full cost of any premiums associated with such coverage, in such amount as determined by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator has the right to modify or terminate such benefits or to increase the associated costs of such benefits if such benefits are modified or terminated or the costs are increased with respect to similarly situated employees employed by the Company. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of any Eligible Employee to any benefits under COBRA. Except as set forth above, after the Termination Date, the Eligible Employee will not be entitled to participate in any other health or welfare benefits, or insurance plans, maintained by the Company.

 

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3.5              Release and Other Agreements. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, as consideration for receiving severance benefits under the Plan, an Eligible Employee who is otherwise entitled to receive benefits under the Plan must (a) execute and not revoke a release of claims attached hereto as Annex A (the “Release and Non-Competition Agreement”), including any restrictive covenants contained therein, and such other documents and agreements as reasonably required by the Plan Administrator, in the form and pursuant to the procedures reasonably established by the Plan Administrator, and (b) return to the Company all confidential information of the Company, Company property, Company assets, written, recorded or computer-readable information or materials (including copies thereof) regarding the Company, Company equipment (including computer hardware or software and/or any memory storage devices), keys, credit cards and identification. If an Eligible Employee fails to properly execute such Release and Non-Competition Agreement and other documents or agreements within 45 days following receipt thereof, the Eligible Employee shall not be entitled to severance benefits under the Plan.

 

3.6              Voluntary Termination/Employee’s Death or Disability. An Eligible Employee who voluntarily terminates employment with the Company shall receive no severance benefits under the Plan except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or by the Plan Administrator. An Employee will not be considered to have voluntarily terminated employment if such employee terminates employment due to Good Reason. Further, no benefits will be paid under this Plan if the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment occurs following such Eligible Employee’s death or during such Eligible Employee’s Disability.

 

3.7              Termination for Cause. The Plan Administrator shall have absolute discretion to determine whether an Eligible Employee has been terminated for Cause. If the Plan Administrator determines that an otherwise Eligible Employee has been terminated for Cause, such Eligible Employee shall receive no severance benefits under the Plan. If after termination it is determined that an Employee that is receiving severance benefits under this Plan could have been terminated for Cause, the Plan Administrator shall have absolute discretion to terminate the Release and Non-Competition Agreement with that Employee, to terminate making any remaining severance payments due under the Plan and seek to recover from such Employee any previously made severance payments made under the Plan.

 

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3.8              Form of Benefit. Provided a Release and Non-Competition Agreement has been delivered by the Eligible Employee and not revoked in accordance with the terms of such Release and Non-Competition Agreement, and subject to Section 5.12 of the Plan and continued compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Release and Non-Competition Agreement, severance payments hereunder shall commence as of the first day of the payroll period immediately following both (x) the Termination Date and (y) the date on which the Release and Non-Competition Agreement becomes effective and non-revocable (the “Payment Commencement Date”), provided, that if the consideration and revocation periods set forth in the Release and Non-Competition Agreement begin in one calendar year and end in a second calendar year, then such Payment Commencement Date shall not occur before the first day in the second of such two calendar years. Benefits shall be paid in cash as payroll continuation payments paid over the Severance Period.

 

3.9              No Other Benefits. An Employee receiving severance benefits under the Plan will not be eligible to continue participation as an active employee in the qualified retirement plans maintained by the Company and no service will be counted with respect to vesting under any other Company plan including without limitation the bonus and/or stock option plans. However, all amounts previously deferred or accrued to the benefit of the Eligible Employee under any nonqualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Company (including, without limitation, any vested amounts deferred under incentive plans) together with any accrued earnings thereon, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

Article IV
LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS

 

4.1              Excess Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event that an Eligible Employee becomes entitled to receive or receives any payments, options, awards or benefits (including, without limitation, the monetary value of any non-cash benefits and the accelerated vesting of stock awards) under the Plan or under any other plan, agreement or arrangement with the Company or an Affiliate, or with any person whose actions result in a Change in Control (as defined in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change In Control Severance Plan) or an affiliate of such person whose actions result in a Change in Control (collectively, the “Payments”) that may separately or in the aggregate constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and it is determined that, but for this Section 4.1, any of the Payments will be subject to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or any similar or successor provision or any comparable state or local law provision (the “Excise Tax”), the Company shall pay to the Eligible Employee either (i) the full amount of the Payments or (ii) an amount equal to the Payments reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from being an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) (the “Capped Payments”), whichever of the foregoing amounts results in the receipt by the Eligible Employee, on an after-tax basis (with consideration of all taxes incurred in connection with the Payments, including the Excise Tax), of the greatest amount of Payments, notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of determining whether the Eligible Employee would receive a greater after-tax benefit from receipt of the Capped Payments than from receipt of the full amount of the Payments and for purposes of Section 4.3 (if applicable), the Eligible Employee shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the applicable calendar year.

 

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4.2              Calculation of Payments. All computations and determinations called for by Section 4.1 shall be made and reported in writing to the Company and the Eligible Employee by a third-party service provider selected by the Plan Administrator (the “Tax Advisor”), and all such computations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and the Eligible Employee. For purposes of such calculations and determinations, the Tax Advisor may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Plan Administrator and the Eligible Employee shall furnish to the Tax Advisor such information and documents as the Tax Advisor may reasonably request in order to make their required calculations and determinations. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses charged by the Tax Advisor in connection with its services.

 

4.3              Order of Reduction of Payments. In the event that Section 4.1 applies and a reduction is required to be applied to the Payments thereunder, the Payments shall be reduced by the Company in the following order: (a) payments and benefits due under Article III (if necessary, to zero) in such order with amounts that are payable last reduced first; provided, however, that, in all events such payments which are not subject to Section 409A shall be reduced first; (b) payments and benefits due in respect of any options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company shall be reduced second; (c) payments and benefits due in respect of any fully valued equity (i.e., restricted shares of common stock, performance share units, or restricted stock units of the Company) for which an election under Section 83(b) of the Code has not been made shall be reduced third, and (d) payments and benefits due in respect of any fully valued equity (i.e., restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units of the Company) for which an election under Section 83(b) of the Code has been made shall be reduced fourth. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any such reduction shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

 

Article V
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

5.1              Funding and Cost of Plan. The benefits provided herein shall be unfunded and shall be provided from the Company’s general assets. The cost of administering the Plan and providing benefits under the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

 

5.2              Named Fiduciary. The Plan Administrator shall be the named fiduciary for purposes of ERISA.

 

5.3              Administration. The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for the management and control of the operation and the administration of the Plan, including without limitation, interpretation of the Plan, decisions pertaining to eligibility to participate in the Plan, computation of Plan benefits, granting or denial of benefit claims, and review of claims denials. The Plan Administrator has absolute discretion in the exercise of its powers and responsibilities. The Plan Administrator may delegate any or all of its powers and responsibilities as Plan Administrator to an individual, a committee, or both. To the extent the Compensation Committee delegates its responsibilities and powers as Plan Administrator, the Company shall, without limiting any rights that the delegate may have under the Company’s charter or bylaws, applicable law or otherwise, indemnify and hold harmless each such delegate (and any other individual acting on such delegate’s behalf) against any and all expenses and liabilities arising out of such Person’s administrative functions or fiduciary responsibilities, excepting only expenses and liabilities arising out of the Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct; expenses against which such Person shall be indemnified hereunder include without limitation the amounts of any settlement, judgment, attorneys’ fees, costs of court, and any other related charges reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, proceeding, settlement, or other action under the Plan.

 

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5.4              Plan Year. The plan shall be administered on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, the plan year shall be the twelve-consecutive-month period commencing January 1 of each year.

 

5.5              Amendment and Termination; Successors.

 

(a)               Amendment; Termination. The Plan may be amended, terminated or discontinued in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the discretion of the Company, provided, however, that during the period prior to the one (1) year anniversary of the Effective Date, the Plan may not be amended, terminated or discontinued in a manner adverse to any Executive Leadership Team member who is then employed by the Company or receiving Plan benefits from the Company on the effective date of such amendment, termination or discontinuation, except with the written consent of such Executive Leadership Team member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may be amended with respect to its administrative provisions if such amendment is considered by counsel to be required pursuant to applicable law.

 

(b)               Successors. The Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors. The Company shall require any corporation, entity, individual or other Person who is the successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform, by a written agreement in form and in substance satisfactory to the Company, all of the obligations of the Company under the Plan. As used in the Plan, the term “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform the Plan by operation of law, written agreement or otherwise. It is a condition of the Plan, and all rights of each Person eligible to receive benefits under the Plan shall be subject hereto, that no right or interest of any such Person in the Plan shall be assignable or transferable in whole or in part, except by operation of law, including, but not by way of limitation, lawful execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy, alimony, child support or qualified domestic relations order.

 

5.6              Claims Procedure and Review. In the event that any Eligible Employee or other individual believes he or she is entitled to a benefit under the Plan which has not been paid, the Eligible Employee or other individual must bring a claim for benefits under this Section 5.6. Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing to the Plan Administrator. If a claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, the Plan Administrator shall, within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety days after receipt of the claim (or 180 days after receipt of the claim if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim), notify the claimant of the denial. Such notice shall (i) be in writing, (ii) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, (iii) contain the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim, (iv) refer specifically to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, (v) describe any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim (and explain why such material or information is necessary), (vi) explain the Plan’s claim review procedure including steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to appeal the denial of the claim, and (vii) include a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA upon completion of the Plan’s claim review procedure. Within sixty (60) days of the receipt by the claimant of this notice, the claimant may file a written appeal with the Plan Administrator. In connection with the appeal, the claimant may review plan documents and may submit written issues and comments. The Plan Administrator shall deliver to the claimant a written decision on the appeal promptly, but not later than sixty days after the receipt of the claimant’s appeal (or one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the claimant’s appeal if there are special circumstances which require an extension of time for processing). Such decision shall (i) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, (ii) include specific reasons for the decision, (iii) refer specifically to the Plan provisions upon which the decision is based, (iv) include a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA upon completion of the Plan’s claim review procedure, and (v) include a statement of the claimant’s right to access and receive copies, upon request and free of charge, of all documents and other information relevant to such claim for benefits. If a claimants claim is denied, in whole or in part, the claimant (or any individual authorized by such claimant) will be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. § 2560.503-l(m)(8)) to his or her claim. Likewise, a claimant (or any individual authorized by such claimant) who submits a written request to appeal a denied claim shall have the right to submit any comments, documents, records or other information relating to the claim that he or she wished to provide. If special circumstances require an extension for the Plan Administrator to reach a decision, up to one hundred eighty (180) or one hundred twenty (120) days, whichever applies, the Plan Administrator shall send written notice of the extension. This notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension and state when the Plan Administrator expects to render the decision.

 

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5.7              Notice. For the purpose of the Plan, notices and all other communications provided for in the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when actually delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at the Company’s corporate headquarters address, and to the Eligible Employee (at the last address of the Eligible Employee on the Company’s books and records).

 

5.8              Not Contract of Employment. The adoption and maintenance of the Plan shall not be deemed to be a contract of employment between the Company and any Person, to be consideration for the employment of any Person, or to have any effect whatsoever on the at-will employment relationship. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Person the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or to restrict the right of the Company to discharge any Person at any time. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give the Company the right to require any Person to remain in the employ of such Company or to restrict any Person’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

5.9              Governing Law. This Plan shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Delaware, except to the extent preempted by federal law.

 

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5.10          Gender; Number. Wherever appropriate herein, the masculine, neuter, and feminine genders shall be deemed to include each other, and the plural shall be deemed to include the singular and vice versa.

 

5.11          Independent Contractors. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, no individual who is designated, compensated, or otherwise classified as an independent contractor shall be eligible for benefits under the Plan.

 

5.12          Section 409A.

 

(a)               It is intended that the Plan and its applicable provisions be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and that the Plan shall be administered and interpreted to maintain such compliance. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if any Plan provision or benefits under the Plan would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A, that Plan provision or benefit will be reformed (without the consent of any Eligible Employee) to avoid imposition of the applicable tax and no action to comply with Section 409A shall be deemed to adversely affect the Eligible Employee’s right to benefits; provided, that, such reformation of the Plan shall to the extent practicable endeavor to maintain the original intent and economics of the Plan.

 

(b)               Each of the payments of severance, continued medical and welfare benefits and outplacement benefits stated above are designated as separate payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) and for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(b)(4)(i)(F), the exemption for involuntary terminations under separation pay plans under Treasury Regulation Section 1 409A-1 (b)(9)(iii), the exemption for medical expense reimbursements under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- l(b)(9)(v)(B) and the exemption for in-kind benefits under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(b)(9)(v)(C). As a result, (i) payments that are made on or before the 15th day of the third month of the calendar year following the applicable year of the Termination Date, and (ii) any additional payments that are made on or before the last day of the second calendar year following the year of the Termination Date and do not exceed the lesser of two times the Eligible Employee’s base salary in the year prior to his or her termination or two times the limit under Section 401(a)(17) then in effect, are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(c)               Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, severance benefits, in excess of those described in the preceding paragraph or that are otherwise subject to the six (6)-month payment delay requirements of Section 409A, to an Eligible Employee who is a specified employee within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(i) (a “Specified Employee”), shall not commence until at least six (6) months after the Termination Date. To the extent the payments to be made during the first six (6)-month period following a Specified Employee’s Termination Date exceed such exempt amounts described in Section 5.12(b) or are otherwise subject to the six (6)-month payment delay requirements of Section 409A, those payments shall be withheld and the amount of the payments withheld will be paid in a lump sum, without interest, on the first business day following the expiration of such 6-month period (or within 30 days following the death of the Eligible Employee, if earlier).

 

10

 

 

5.13          Overpayment. If, due to mistake or any other reason, a Person receives benefits under this Plan in excess of what the Plan provides, that Person shall repay the overpayment to the Company in a lump sum within thirty days of notice of the amount of overpayment. If that Person fails to so repay the overpayment, then without limiting any other remedies available to the Company, the Company may deduct the amount of the overpayment from any other benefits which become payable to that Person under the Plan.

 

5.14          Headings. The headings of the Articles and Sections are included solely for convenience. If the headings and the text of the Plan conflict, the text shall control. All references to Articles and Sections are to the Plan unless otherwise indicated.

 

5.15          Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, that holding shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan. Instead, the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been contained herein.

 

5.16          Mitigation. An Eligible Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment required hereunder, and no reduction of payment shall occur as a result of any future employment or as a result of any claims made by the Company for amounts owed to the Company by an Eligible Employee except as set forth in this Plan.

 

5.17          Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under the Plan any federal, state or local taxes that Company is required to withhold pursuant to any law or government regulation or ruling.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

11

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Utz Brands, Inc. has approved this Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan effective as of the Effective Date.

 

  UTZ Brands, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan]

 

 

 

Annex A
Release and Non-Competition Agreement

 

This Release and Non-Competition Agreement (“Agreement”), is entered into by and between Utz Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) and ______________ (“Executive”). The Company and Executive will be jointly referred to as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan (the “Plan”).

 

WHEREAS, the Plan Administrator of the Plan has determined that Executive is an Eligible Employee under the terms of the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, the Plan requires Executive to sign and not revoke this Agreement in order to be eligible for the benefits under the Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, Executive has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions and effects of this Agreement, which includes a general release and post-employment restrictions on Executive.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, Executive and the Company, for the good and sufficient consideration set forth below and intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.                  Separation from Employment. Executive agrees that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates or has been terminated effective _____________ __, 20__ (“the Separation Date”). Regardless of whether Executive signs this Agreement, Executive will be paid for all of Executive’s accrued but unused paid time off through the Separation Date. The Company will also pay Executive for all properly reported and reimbursable expenses incurred prior to the Separation Date. Following the Separation Date, Executive shall not be, or represent that Executive is, an employee, agent, or representative of the Company, any of the other Releasees (as defined below), or any of their respective funds or portfolio companies and Executive shall take any actions required by the Company to effectuate the foregoing.

 

2.                  Severance Benefits. As of the Effective Date of this Agreement set forth below, and subject to Executive’s continued compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, Executive will receive the benefits set forth in Article III of the Plan, in accordance with the terms of the Plan including but not limited to the Limitation of Payments in Article IV and the Section 409A provisions in Section 5.12 thereof.

 

3.                  No Consideration Absent Execution of this Agreement. Executive understands and agrees that Executive would not receive the consideration specified in Section 2, except for Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the promises contained herein.

 

 

 

4.                  General Release of Claims.

 

(a)               In exchange for the consideration provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, Executive, on behalf of Executive and all of Executive’s spouse, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Releasors”), hereby knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever waives and discharges the Company and/or its current and former parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessor companies, related companies, their successors and assigns, their affiliated and predecessor companies and the current and former employees, attorneys, representatives, insurers, shareholders, owners, members, officers, general partners, limited partners, directors and agents thereof, and the current and former trustees or administrators of any pension or other benefit plan applicable to Executive or former Executives of the Company, and investment funds (and the other investment vehicles any of the foregoing manage and/or for which they perform services) (collectively, with the Company, the “Company Group” and each a “Company Group Member”), and each Company Group Member’s respective current and former directors, members, trustees, controlling shareholders, subsidiaries, general partners, limited partners, affiliates, related companies, divisions, officers, employees, agents, insurers, representatives, and attorneys (collectively with the Company Group, referred to throughout the remainder of this Agreement as “Releasees,” and each a “Releasee”), of and from any and all claims, including statutory claims, regulatory claims and claims under this Agreement, demands, debts, obligations, promises, controversies, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, any other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, rights, actions and causes of action, losses or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity and any other claims, liabilities or matters, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, foreseen or unforeseen, whether accrued or contingent, which Executive or any of the other Releasors had, has or may have against the Releasees, or any of them, as of the date of execution of this Agreement, by reason of, arising out of, connected with, or concerning Executive’s employment with the Company and/or separation from the Company, from the beginning of the world up through the date of execution of this Agreement, except claims that the law does not permit Executive or any of the Releasors to waive (collectively, the “Released Claims”). Executive acknowledges that the Released Claims specifically include, but are not limited to, any and all claims for fraud, breach of express or implied contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference with contractual rights, violation of public policy, invasion of privacy, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing laws, intentional or negligent misrepresentation, defamation, libel, slander, or breach of privacy; claims for failure to pay wages, benefits, deferred compensation, commissions, bonuses, vacation / PTO pay, expenses, severance pay, pay in lieu of notice, attorneys’ fees, or other compensation of any sort; claims related to stock options, equity awards or costs, or other grants, awards, or warrants; claims related to any tangible or intangible property of Employee that remains with the Company; claims for retaliation, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic or criteria protected by law; any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII, as amended), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq., the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq., the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, et seq., the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. §206(a), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“COBRA”), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”), 38 U.S.C. §§ 4301-4333, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 301, et seq., the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101, et seq., the Equal Pay Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2101 et seq., the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”) 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000ff, et seq., the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) 42 U.S.C. §§ 18001, et seq., all claims arising under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-204), including whistleblowing claims under 18 U.S.C.§§ 1513(e) and 1514A, and any and all other foreign, federal, state, or local laws, common law, or case law, including but not limited to all statutes, regulations, common law, and any other applicable law, as such laws are amended from time to time.

 

 

 

(b)               This release is intended to be a general release and excludes only those claims under any statute or common law that Executive is legally barred from releasing, including (i) claims for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits and vested retirement or welfare benefits, if any, under any Company sponsored plans; (ii) any right to enforce any term of this Agreement; (iii) any claims based on acts or events occurring after Executive signs this Agreement, except for claims arising from Executive’s employment or separation of employment with Company, which are being released by this Agreement; (iv) any challenge to the validity of this Agreement; (v) the right to file a charge or complaint with, or provide testimony, assistance or participation in, any investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted by any federal, state or local governmental agency, including but not limited to the EEOC; or (vi) the right to report violations of any law administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), or make other disclosures protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an administrative agency or court assumes jurisdiction over any charge or complaint involving claims that are released by Section 4(a), Executive hereby agrees not to accept, recover, or receive any resulting money damages or other relief that otherwise would be due; provided that Executive may receive financial awards from OSHA, or any other federal agency for reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation in cases where the law prohibits Executives from waiving their rights to receive such payments.

 

5.                  Consult With an Attorney. The Company hereby advises Executive to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choice (and at Executive’s expense) before Executive signs this Agreement.

 

6.                  Affirmations. Executive represents and agrees by signing below that, other than the Severance Benefits set forth in Section 2 above, Executive (a) has not been denied any leave or benefit requested, and has received all compensation for all hours worked for the Company; (b) is not entitled to any compensation or benefits under any other severance policy or plan maintained or followed by the Company; (c) has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases; (d) is not aware of any alleged violations of the law or the Company’s agreements or policies by Executive or any other employee or other party that have not been reported in writing to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chairperson of the Board of Directors; and (e) is not aware of wrongdoing by the Company or its officers, including any alleged corporate fraud that should be reported to authorities.

 

7.                  Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement and all matters relating to the terms and negotiation of this Agreement are Confidential Information and shall not be disclosed to any other person except as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties, as may be compelled by a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the requirements of federal, state, or local authorities or codes, or as related and strictly limited to statements made as part of Executive’s testimony, assistance or participation in an administrative investigation described in Section 4(b) above. The Parties hereto agree that the terms of this Agreement may be disclosed to Executive’s immediate family and each of the Parties’ accounting, payroll, legal, financial, and tax professionals and the appropriate members of the Company’s management or ownership.

 

 

 

8.                  Return of Company Property and Company Information. Executive agrees to return, on or before the Separation Date, or earlier if directed by the Company, any and all of Company’s property in Executive’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to the Company’s operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in his possession (including on any personal computer).

 

9.                  Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)               The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company, including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with the Company and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by Executive from third parties in connection with Executive’s employment by the Company subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Executive’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of Executive’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to Executive on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, which source is not known by Executive, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Company.

 

(b)               Executive acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by Executive, whether before or after the Separation Date and regardless of whether Executive participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform Executive’s services while an employee of the Company, Executive agrees that Executive will not, at any time, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by Executive under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, Executive shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

 

 

10.              Whistleblower Protection. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Executive from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that Executive uses Executive’s reasonable efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. Executive does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, Executive has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

11.              Restrictive Covenants. Executive agrees that during Executive’s employment, Executive has had access to the Company’s Confidential Information. Such access and knowledge would put the Company at an unfair competitive disadvantage were Executive to use it on behalf of another person or entity. Therefore, during the Restriction Period (as defined in the Plan), Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for Executive’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Company) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(a)               own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit Executive’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 11(a) for Executive to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

 

 

(b)               contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, a customer, supplier or agent of the Company or with which the Company or Executive had contact during Executive’s employment with the Company, to terminate their relationship with the Company, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between the Company and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(c)               hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, an employee of the Company; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, an employee of the Company for the purpose of seeking to have such employee terminate his or her employment with the Company.

 

(d)               Executive will not, at any time during Executive’s employment with the Company and for a period of three (3) years following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, make any statement that is intended to disparage: (i) the Company or any of its businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice (collectively, the “Rice Family”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Executive is a member of the Executive Leadership Team, such Executive will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage the Company or any of its businesses, products, services, directors or officers or the Rice Family.

 

(e)               In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 11, the Company may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or temporary or permanent injunctive or other equitable relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security), without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. In addition to any other relief, the prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorney’s fees. If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

12.              Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) Executive has occupied a position of trust and confidence with the Company and has become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company; (c) the Company has required that Executive make the covenants set forth in Sections 7 through 11 herein as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of Sections 7 through 11 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Company, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent Executive from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which Executive is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Company is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in Sections 7 through 11 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Company would be irreparably damaged if Executive were to breach the covenants set forth in Sections 7 through 11; and (g) the potential benefits to Executive available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate Executive fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

 

 

13.              Termination of Benefits for Violating this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches or fails to abide by the terms of this Agreement, then in addition to any other remedies which the Company may have pursuant to this Agreement or in equity or at law, the Company may permanently discontinue the Severance Benefits described in Section 2 above, and may seek restitution of any benefits provided to, or on behalf of, Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

14.              Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Executive hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. Executive will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by Executive of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) Executive challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

15.              Severability. If any term, provision or paragraph of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such determination shall be limited to the narrowest possible scope in order to preserve the enforceability of the remaining portions of the term, provision or paragraph, and such determination shall not affect the remaining terms, provisions or paragraphs of this Agreement, which shall continue to be given full force and effect.

 

16.              No Admission of Wrongdoing. Neither this Agreement nor the furnishing of the consideration for this Agreement shall be deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by either of the parties or any of the Releasees of any liability, or evidence of any liability, wrongful acts or unlawful conduct of any kind against Executive or any other person.

 

17.              Cooperation. During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive acknowledges that Executive has been involved in business matters on behalf of the Company. As a further material inducement to the Company to make the payments described herein, after the Separation Date, Executive hereby agrees to (a) provide Executive’s full and timely cooperation to the Company regarding its business matters, specifically including but not limited to matters over which Executive had responsibility or in which Executive was involved, as well as any legal, equitable, or business matters or proceedings which involve the Company or any of its Executives, officers, or directors; (b) be reasonably available for questions or inquiries by phone, text, or email, and at the Company’s reasonable request for any meetings or conferences deemed necessary to assist the Company; (c) cooperate in the defense of any actual and potential claims, litigation, inquiry, investigation, or other matter, action or proceeding filed against the Company or its officers, directors, employees or agents, including but not limited to, any actual or potential claims which may require Executive’s involvement post-employment and (d) help transition Executive’s role and responsibilities to other Company personnel, and provide information in response to the Company’s requests and inquiries, in connection with Executive’s separation. The Company will pay reasonable travel and other expenses related to Executive’s cooperation in this regard. The Company agrees to provide reasonable advance notice of the need for Executive’s cooperation.

 

 

 

18.              Entire Agreement, Amendment and Construction. No prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements or representations may be offered to alter the terms of this Agreement which represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed except in writing and signed by both parties wherein specific reference is made to this Agreement. The captions appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or intent of such Sections. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to the party that drafted it. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. Any ambiguity shall not be interpreted against either party but shall, instead, be resolved in accordance with other applicable rules concerning the interpretation of contracts. The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

19.              Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which to be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of this Agreement and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

20.              Assignment. Company and Releasees have the right to assign this Agreement, but Executive does not. This Agreement inures to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company, who are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

 

21.              Time to Consider and Revoke. Executive understands that Executive has up to twenty-one (21) days to consider the terms of this Agreement before signing it. Any modifications made to this Agreement, material or not, will not extend the twenty-one (21) days period. Executive must execute this Agreement no sooner than the Separation Date and no later than twenty-one (21) days immediately following the Separation Date. In addition, after Executive signs the Agreement, Executive has the right to revoke and cancel this Agreement for seven (7) days after Executive signs it. Any such revocation must be in writing and postmarked or delivered to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, within seven (7) days of Executive’s signing this Agreement to be effective. This Agreement will be effective, fully binding, enforceable, and irrevocable upon the expiration of the seven day period if Executive does not revoke it (the “Effective Date”). If Executive does not sign this Agreement, or signs it and then revokes Executive’s signature, this Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall have no obligation to provide or pay any of the consideration described in Section 2 above.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto knowingly and voluntarily executed this Agreement as of the date set forth below:

  

UTZ BRANDS, INC.   EXECUTIVE
     
     
Date   Date

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.15

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

Effective August 28, 2020

 

 

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

 

Article I
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1              “Affiliate” means a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as defined in Section 424 of the Code (substituting “Company” for “employer corporation”), any other entity that is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, including a parent or subsidiary which becomes such after the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

1.2              “Annual Compensation Amount” means an Eligible Employee’s Base Salary and Bonus Amount, in each case, immediately prior to the Termination Date and determined without giving effect to any reduction which is alleged to constitute Good Reason.

 

1.3              “Base Salary” means an Employee’s annual base salary and does not include any other compensation including but not limited to incentive bonuses, car allowances or any other type of perquisites.

 

1.4              Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular Person, such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficial Ownership” have a corresponding meaning.

 

1.5              “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

1.6              “Bonus Amount” means an Eligible Employee’s target annual cash bonus.

 

1.7              “Cause” means, if the Employee is a party to an employment agreement with the Company and such agreement provides for a definition of Cause (or any term of similar effect), the definition contained therein; or if no such agreement exists, or if such agreement does not define Cause (or any term of similar effect): (i) the commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or other crime involving dishonesty, moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) any acts, omissions or statements that are, or are reasonably likely to be, detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, prospects or business relations of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, or willful or repeated failure or refusal to substantially perform assigned duties; (iv) violation of state or federal securities laws; (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, and ethical misconduct; (vi) any act of fraud, embezzlement, material misappropriation or dishonesty against the Company or an Affiliate; (vii) any material breach of a written agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, including, without limitation, a breach of any employment, consulting, confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disparagement or similar agreement.

 

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1.8              “Change in Control” means any of the following:

 

A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of shares of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (d) below) whereby any Person (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a Person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities that are outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

(b) During any period of 24 months, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, that any Person becoming a Director subsequent to the Effective Date, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such Person is named as a nominee for Director, without written objection to such nomination) shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual initially elected or nominated as a Director during such period as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any Person other than the Board shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or

 

(c) The date that is ten (10) business days prior to the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

(d) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions, or (z) the acquisition of assets or shares of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

(i) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the Person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such Person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

 

(ii) after which no Person Beneficially Owns securities representing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no Person shall be treated for purposes of this clause (ii) as Beneficially Owning 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.

 

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A Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Sponsor, any Family Member or any of their respective Affiliates Beneficially Own or acquire more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company (or any successor to substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries) or any direct or indirect parent company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or portion of any Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

1.9              “Change in Control Termination” means any termination of employment of an Eligible Employee (a) either (i) by the Company (other than for Cause and other than during an Eligible Employee’s Disability), (ii) by an Eligible Employee for Good Reason, in each case within the ninety days (90) prior or two (2) years following a Change in Control, or (b) at the request of an acquirer or potential acquirer in connection with, or prior to, a Change in Control, provided, that, any termination of the employment of an Eligible Employee will not be considered a Change in Control Termination if the Eligible Employee is offered comparable employment by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any of their respective successors, regardless of whether the Eligible Employee accepts such offer of employment. For the avoidance of doubt, a Change in Control Termination may apply to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company even if a Good Reason Termination does not apply to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company on account of the Change in Control Termination occurring after the two (2) year anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

1.10          “Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

 

1.11          “Chief Executive Officer Non-Change in Control Termination” means (a) a Good Reason Termination or (b) a termination of employment of the Chief Executive Officer by the Company (other than for Cause and other than during the Chief Executive Officer’s Disability), in each case of (a) and (b), that is not a Change in Control Termination.

 

1.12          “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.13          “Company” means Utz Brands, Inc. and its Affiliates.

 

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1.14          “Disability” means that the Employee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which the Employee participates.

 

1.15          “Effective Date” means August 28, 2020.

 

1.16          “Eligible Employee” means the Chief Executive Officer and each member of the Executive Leadership Team. In addition, the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, may select additional Employees of the Company to participate in the Plan via written agreement. Any determination of whether individual is an Eligible Employee shall be made by the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Employee shall exclude: (i) any Employee that has entered into an employment or other agreement with the Company providing for severance benefits which, in the aggregate, exceed the benefits available under this Plan, or (ii) any Employee whose terms and conditions of employment are governed by a collective bargaining agreement, unless such agreement specifically provides for coverage under the Plan.

 

1.17          “Employee” means any individual who is employed full-time by the Company and who is regularly scheduled to work at least 37-1/2 hours per week for the Company.

 

1.18          “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

1.19          “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1.20          Executive Leadership Team” means any Employee with a title of “Executive Vice President,” or above (but excluding the Chief Executive Officer), and any other Employee designated by the Compensation Committee of the Company from time to time.

 

1.21          “Family Member” means any of (a) Michael Rice, (b) the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice, (c) any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice, (d) a trust solely for the benefit of any individuals described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), and (e) any entity in which the Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) own more than 50% of the voting interests.

 

1.22          “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following without the Eligible Employee’s written consent: (a) a material reduction in the Eligible Employee’s then-current Base Salary or Bonus Amount; (b) a material diminution in the Eligible Employee’s authorities, duties, or responsibilities, or the assignment to the Eligible Employee of duties inconsistent with the Eligible Employee’s then-current authorities, duties or responsibilities; (c) the Company’s requiring the Eligible Employee to be based at an office location which is at least fifty (50) miles from his or her then-current office location and which materially increases such Eligible Employee’s travel time from his or her then-current residence; or (d) failure of any successor of the Company to expressly assume the Plan; provided, that the Eligible Employee may not rely on any particular action or event as a basis for terminating his or her employment due to Good Reason unless he or she delivers a notice based on that action or event within ninety (90) days after its occurrence and the Company has failed to correct the circumstances cited by the Eligible Employee as constituting Good Reason within thirty (30) days of receiving such notice, and the Eligible Employee terminates employment within sixty (60) days following the Company’s failure to correct. However, no event shall be considered to constitute Good Reason if the Eligible Employee is offered comparable employment with respect to his or her position without giving effect to the events allegedly constituting Good Reason, by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, regardless of whether the Eligible Employee accepts such offer of employment.

 

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1.23          “Good Reason Termination” means, a voluntary termination by the Chief Executive Officer either for (a) Good Reason prior to the two (2) year anniversary of the Effective Date or (b) Limited Good Reason on or after the two (2) year anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

1.24          “Limited Good Reason” means, with respect to the Chief Executive Officer, the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Chief Executive Officer’s written consent: (a) a reduction of at least fifteen percent (15%) of the Chief Executive Officer’s total annual compensation opportunity that is not part of a broad-based reduction applicable to all Eligible Employees; or (b) the Company’s requiring the Chief Executive Officer to be based at an office location which is at least fifty (50) miles from the Chief Executive Officer’s then-current office location or home and which materially increases the Chief Executive Officer’s travel time from his or her then-current residence; provided, that the Chief Executive Officer may not rely on any particular action or event as a basis for terminating the Chief Executive Officer’s employment due to Limited Good Reason unless the Chief Executive Officer delivers a notice based on that action or event within 90 (ninety) days after its occurrence and the Company has failed to correct the circumstances cited by the Chief Executive Officer as constituting Limited Good Reason within thirty (30) days of receiving such notice, and the Eligible Employee terminates employment within sixty (60) days following the Company’s failure to correct.

 

1.25          “Person” means an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act).

 

1.26          “Plan” means this Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change In Control Severance Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

1.27          “Plan Administrator” means the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), unless and until the Board designates another committee of the Board to serve in such capacity. The Compensation Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and responsibilities as Plan Administrator to an individual, a committee, or both.

 

1.28          “Restriction Period” means the date beginning on the Eligible Employee’s Termination and ending on the last day of the Severance Period.

 

1.29          “Section 409A” refers to Section 409A of the Code.

 

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1.30          “Severance Period” means the date beginning on the Eligible Employee’s Payment Commencement Date and ending on the period specified in Section 3.1 or 3.2, as applicable.

 

1.31          “Termination Date” means the date on which a Change in Control Termination or Chief Executive Officer Non-Change in Control Termination occurs. For the avoidance of doubt, the determination of the Termination Date shall be made consistent with the definition of “separation from service” under Section 409A.

 

Article II
GENERAL SEVERANCE BENEFIT

 

2.1              Severance Benefit. The Company shall provide severance benefits to the Chief Executive Officer and change in control severance benefits to Eligible Employees as set forth in Article III, pursuant to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in the Plan and subject to the execution and non-revocation of a Release and Non-Competition Agreement by the Eligible Employee in accordance with Section 3.6. Except with respect to the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan, after the Effective Date of the Plan, the Plan supersedes all prior practices, policies, procedures, plans or agreements relating to severance benefits from the Company and/or Affiliate or predecessor entities which would result in any duplication of benefits. No individual can receive payment under this Plan and the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Benefit Plan and in the event that an individual becomes eligible for payments under both this Plan and the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, he or she shall receive payment under this Plan.

 

Article III
SEVERANCE BENEFITS

 

3.1              Change in Control Termination Severance Benefits. Except as otherwise provided herein, an Eligible Employee shall be entitled to the following severance benefits under the Plan if such Eligible Employee experiences a Change in Control Termination paid in cash as payroll continuation payments, beginning on the Payment Commencement Date and ending on the last day of the Severance Period as set forth in the chart below, subject to any applicable withholding taxes.

 

Eligible Employee Severance
Period
Cash Severance Amount
Chief Executive Officer 2 years 2x Annual Compensation Amount
Executive Leadership Team 1.5 years 1.5x Annual Compensation Amount

 

The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the amount of severance benefits, if any, for an Eligible Employee that is not the Chief Executive Officer or a member of the Executive Leadership Team that is selected to participate in the Plan.

 

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Nothing in this Plan shall preclude the Plan Administrator, in its complete discretion, from providing benefits under the Plan in addition to those set forth in this Section 3.1.

 

3.2              Chief Executive Officer Severance Benefits. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Chief Executive Officer shall be entitled to the following severance benefits under the Plan if the Chief Executive Officer experiences a Chief Executive Officer Non-Change in Control Termination paid in cash as payroll continuation payments, beginning on the Payment Commencement Date and ending on the last day of the Severance Period as set forth in the chart below, subject to any applicable withholding taxes:

 

Eligible Employee Severance
Period
Cash Severance Amount
Chief Executive Officer 1.5 years 1.5x Base Salary

 

Nothing in this Plan shall preclude the Plan Administrator, in its complete discretion, from providing benefits under the Plan in addition to those set forth in this Section 3.2. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Chief Executive Officer is eligible for the severance benefits provided under Section 3.1, he or she shall not be eligible for the severance benefits provided under this Section 3.2.

 

3.3              Annual Bonus. If an Eligible Employee experiences a Change in Control Termination or Chief Executive Officer Non-Change in Control Termination and on the Termination Date was eligible to earn a performance based annual cash bonus pursuant to any Company plan or other agreement or arrangement with the Company in respect of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, the Eligible Employee shall receive a payment equal to the annual target bonus, calculated based on actual performance during the applicable performance period as though such Eligible Employee continued in the employment of the Company. Such payment shall be prorated based on the number of days during the applicable performance period that the Eligible Employee was employed by the Company, and paid at such time that annual bonuses are paid to active employees of the Company.

 

3.4              Outplacement Services. If an Eligible Employee experiences a Change in Control Termination or Chief Executive Officer Non-Change in Control Termination, the Company shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide the Eligible Employee with outplacement services during the Restriction Period with the Person of the Company’s choosing suitable to the Eligible Employee’s position, as determined by the Company.

 

3.5              Welfare Benefits. After the Termination Date, coverage under the Company medical, vision, dental and prescription benefits will continue to be available to the Eligible Employee and his/her covered dependents by the Company for up to eighteen (18) months pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”). Until the earliest of (i) eighteen (18) months following the Termination Date, (ii) last day of the Severance Period or (iii) the first day the Eligible Employee becomes eligible for comparable benefits under the welfare benefit plans of a subsequent employer (such date, the “COBRA Subsidy Cessation Date”), the Eligible Employee will be responsible for the payment of the same amount of premiums for such coverage as would be paid by a similarly situated full-time employee of the Company, and the Company will pay all additional premium amounts. Following the COBRA Subsidy Cessation Date and for the remainder of the eighteen (18) month period described above, the Eligible Employee will be responsible for the full cost of any premiums associated with such coverage, in such amount as determined by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator has the right to modify or terminate such benefits or to increase the associated costs of such benefits if such benefits are modified or terminated or the costs are increased with respect to similarly situated employees employed by the Company. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of any Eligible Employee to any benefits under COBRA. Except as set forth above, after the Termination Date, the Eligible Employee will not be entitled to participate in any other health or welfare benefits, or insurance plans, maintained by the Company.

 

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3.6              Release and Other Agreements. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, as consideration for receiving severance benefits under the Plan, an Eligible Employee who is otherwise entitled to receive benefits under the Plan must (a) execute and not revoke a release of claims attached hereto as Annex A (the “Release and Non-Competition Agreement”), including any restrictive covenants contained therein, and such other documents and agreements as reasonably required by the Plan Administrator, in the form and pursuant to the procedures reasonably established by the Plan Administrator, and (b) return to the Company all confidential information of the Company, Company property, Company assets, written, recorded or computer-readable information or materials (including copies thereof) regarding the Company, Company equipment (including computer hardware or software and/or any memory storage devices), keys, credit cards and identification. If an Eligible Employee fails to properly execute such Release and Non-Competition Agreement and other documents or agreements within 45 days following receipt thereof, the Eligible Employee shall not be entitled to severance benefits under the Plan.

 

3.7              Voluntary Termination/Employee’s Death or Disability. An Eligible Employee who voluntarily terminates employment with the Company shall receive no severance benefits under the Plan except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or by the Plan Administrator. An Employee will not be considered to have voluntarily terminated employment if such employee terminates employment due to Good Reason following a Change in Control or due to a Good Reason Termination. Further, no benefits will be paid under this Plan if the Eligible Employee’s termination of employment occurs following such Eligible Employee’s death or during such Eligible Employee’s Disability.

 

3.8              Termination for Cause. The Plan Administrator shall have absolute discretion to determine whether an Eligible Employee has been terminated for Cause. If the Plan Administrator determines that an otherwise Eligible Employee has been terminated for Cause, such Eligible Employee shall receive no severance benefits under the Plan. If after termination it is determined that an Employee that is receiving severance benefits under this Plan could have been terminated for Cause, the Plan Administrator shall have absolute discretion to terminate the Release and Non-Competition Agreement with that Employee, to terminate making any remaining severance payments due under the Plan and seek to recover from such Employee any previously made severance payments made under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any termination of the Chief Executive Officer for “Cause” for the purposes of this Plan may only be effected by a written resolution of a majority of the Board (excluding the Chief Executive Officer), and the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Executive Officer’s counsel (if the Chief Executive Officer chooses to have counsel present) shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard by the Board prior to the adoption of any such written resolution.

 

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3.9              Form of Benefit. Provided a Release and Non-Competition Agreement has been delivered by the Eligible Employee and not revoked in accordance with the terms of such Release and Non-Competition Agreement, and subject to Section 5.13 of the Plan and continued compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Release and Non-Competition Agreement, severance payments hereunder shall commence as of the first day of the payroll period immediately following both (x) the Termination Date and (y) the date on which the Release and Non-Competition Agreement becomes effective and non-revocable (the “Payment Commencement Date”), provided, that if the consideration and revocation periods set forth in the Release and Non-Competition Agreement begin in one calendar year and end in a second calendar year, then such Payment Commencement Date shall not occur before the first day in the second of such two calendar years. Benefits shall be paid in cash as payroll continuation payments paid over the Severance Period.

 

3.10          No Other Benefits. An Employee receiving severance benefits under the Plan will not be eligible to continue participation as an active employee in the qualified retirement plans maintained by the Company and no service will be counted with respect to vesting under any other Company plan including without limitation the bonus and/or stock option plans. However, all amounts previously deferred or accrued to the benefit of the Eligible Employee under any nonqualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Company (including, without limitation, any vested amounts deferred under incentive plans) together with any accrued earnings thereon, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

Article IV
LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS

 

4.1              Excess Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event that an Eligible Employee becomes entitled to receive or receives any payments, options, awards or benefits (including, without limitation, the monetary value of any non-cash benefits and the accelerated vesting of stock awards) under the Plan or under any other plan, agreement or arrangement with the Company or an Affiliate, or with any person whose actions result in a Change in Control or an affiliate of such person whose actions result in a Change in Control (collectively, the “Payments”) that may separately or in the aggregate constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and it is determined that, but for this Section 4.1, any of the Payments will be subject to any excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or any similar or successor provision or any comparable state or local law provision (the “Excise Tax”), the Company shall pay to the Eligible Employee either (i) the full amount of the Payments or (ii) an amount equal to the Payments reduced by the minimum amount necessary to prevent any portion of the Payments from being an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) (the “Capped Payments”), whichever of the foregoing amounts results in the receipt by the Eligible Employee, on an after-tax basis (with consideration of all taxes incurred in connection with the Payments, including the Excise Tax), of the greatest amount of Payments, notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax. For purposes of determining whether the Eligible Employee would receive a greater after-tax benefit from receipt of the Capped Payments than from receipt of the full amount of the Payments and for purposes of Section 4.3 (if applicable), the Eligible Employee shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the applicable calendar year.

 

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4.2              Calculation of Payments. All computations and determinations called for by Section 4.1 shall be made and reported in writing to the Company and the Eligible Employee by a third-party service provider selected by the Plan Administrator (the “Tax Advisor”), and all such computations and determinations shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and the Eligible Employee. For purposes of such calculations and determinations, the Tax Advisor may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Plan Administrator and the Eligible Employee shall furnish to the Tax Advisor such information and documents as the Tax Advisor may reasonably request in order to make their required calculations and determinations. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses charged by the Tax Advisor in connection with its services.

 

4.3              Order of Reduction of Payments. In the event that Section 4.1 applies and a reduction is required to be applied to the Payments thereunder, the Payments shall be reduced by the Company in the following order: (a) payments and benefits due under Article III (if necessary, to zero) in such order with amounts that are payable last reduced first; provided, however, that, in all events such payments which are not subject to Section 409A shall be reduced first; (b) payments and benefits due in respect of any options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company shall be reduced second; (c) payments and benefits due in respect of any fully valued equity (i.e., restricted shares of common stock, performance share units, or restricted stock units of the Company) for which an election under Section 83(b) of the Code has not been made shall be reduced third, and (d) payments and benefits due in respect of any fully valued equity (i.e., restricted shares of common stock or restricted stock units of the Company) for which an election under Section 83(b) of the Code has been made shall be reduced fourth. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any such reduction shall be structured in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

 

Article V
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

5.1              Funding and Cost of Plan. The benefits provided herein shall be unfunded and shall be provided from the Company’s general assets. The cost of providing benefits under the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

 

5.2              Named Fiduciary. The Plan Administrator shall be the named fiduciary for purposes of ERISA.

 

5.3              Administration. The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for the management and control of the operation and the administration of the Plan, including without limitation, interpretation of the Plan, decisions pertaining to eligibility to participate in the Plan, computation of Plan benefits, granting or denial of benefit claims, and review of claims denials. The Plan Administrator has absolute discretion in the exercise of its powers and responsibilities; provided, however, that following a Change in Control, the Plan Administrator shall be required to exercise its powers and responsibilities in good faith and in a reasonable manner, and shall be subject to a de novo standard of review in any litigation proceeding with respect to the exercise of its powers or in the execution of its duties and responsibilities. The Plan Administrator may delegate any or all of its powers and responsibilities as Plan Administrator to an individual, a committee, or both. To the extent the Compensation Committee delegates its responsibilities and powers as Plan Administrator, the Company shall, without limiting any rights that the delegate may have under the Company’s charter or bylaws, applicable law or otherwise, indemnify and hold harmless each such delegate (and any other individual acting on such delegate’s behalf) against any and all expenses and liabilities arising out of such Person’s administrative functions or fiduciary responsibilities, excepting only expenses and liabilities arising out of the Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct; expenses against which such Person shall be indemnified hereunder include without limitation the amounts of any settlement, judgment, attorneys’ fees, costs of court, and any other related charges reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, proceeding, settlement, or other action under the Plan.

 

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5.4              Plan Year. The plan shall be administered on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, the plan year shall be the twelve-consecutive-month period commencing January 1 of each year.

 

5.5              Amendment and Termination; Successors.

 

(a)               Amendment; Termination. The Plan may be amended, terminated or discontinued in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the discretion of the Company; provided, however, that for a period that is the shorter of (A) two (2) years following the Effective Date and (B) until the date of a Change in Control (the “Initial Amendment Protection Period”) and for a period of two (2) years following a Change in Control (the “Change in Control Amendment Protection Period”), the Plan may not be amended, terminated or discontinued in a manner adverse to any Eligible Employee who is employed by the Company or receiving Plan benefits from the Company on the date of such amendment, termination or discontinuation (any such amendment, termination or discontinuation, an “Adverse Plan Change”), except with the written consent of such Eligible Employee; provided, further, that following the Initial Amendment Protection Period but before the Change in Control Amendment Protection Period, the Company shall provide written notice to Eligible Employees at least one (1) year prior to making any Adverse Plan Changes. For the avoidance of doubt, such notice may be provided within the Initial Amendment Protection Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may be amended with respect to its administrative provisions if such amendment is considered by counsel to be required pursuant to applicable law. The Plan shall expire and terminate on the second (2nd) anniversary of a Change in Control.

 

(b)               Successors. The Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors. The Company shall require any corporation, entity, individual or other Person who is the successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform, by a written agreement in form and in substance satisfactory to the Company, all of the obligations of the Company under the Plan. As used in the Plan, the term “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid that assumes and agrees to perform the Plan by operation of law, written agreement or otherwise. It is a condition of the Plan, and all rights of each Person eligible to receive benefits under the Plan shall be subject hereto, that no right or interest of any such Person in the Plan shall be assignable or transferable in whole or in part, except by operation of law, including, but not by way of limitation, lawful execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy, alimony, child support or qualified domestic relations order.

 

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5.6              Claims Procedure and Review. In the event that any Eligible Employee or other individual believes he or she is entitled to a benefit under the Plan which has not been paid, the Eligible Employee or other individual must bring a claim for benefits under this Section 5.6. Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing to the Plan Administrator. If a claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, the Plan Administrator shall, within a reasonable period of time but no later than ninety days after receipt of the claim (or 180 days after receipt of the claim if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim), notify the claimant of the denial. Such notice shall (i) be in writing, (ii) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, (iii) contain the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim, (iv) refer specifically to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, (v) describe any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim (and explain why such material or information is necessary), (vi) explain the Plan’s claim review procedure including steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to appeal the denial of the claim, and (vii) include a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA upon completion of the Plan’s claim review procedure. Within sixty (60) days of the receipt by the claimant of this notice, the claimant may file a written appeal with the Plan Administrator. In connection with the appeal, the claimant may review plan documents and may submit written issues and comments. The Plan Administrator shall deliver to the claimant a written decision on the appeal promptly, but not later than sixty days after the receipt of the claimant’s appeal (or one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the claimant’s appeal if there are special circumstances which require an extension of time for processing). Such decision shall (i) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, (ii) include specific reasons for the decision, (iii) refer specifically to the Plan provisions upon which the decision is based, (iv) include a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA upon completion of the Plan’s claim review procedure, and (v) include a statement of the claimant’s right to access and receive copies, upon request and free of charge, of all documents and other information relevant to such claim for benefits. If a claimants claim is denied, in whole or in part, the claimant (or any individual authorized by such claimant) will be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. § 2560.503-l(m)(8)) to his or her claim. Likewise, a claimant (or any individual authorized by such claimant) who submits a written request to appeal a denied claim shall have the right to submit any comments, documents, records or other information relating to the claim that he or she wished to provide. If special circumstances require an extension for the Plan Administrator to reach a decision, up to one hundred eighty (180) or one hundred twenty (120) days, whichever applies, the Plan Administrator shall send written notice of the extension. This notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension and state when the Plan Administrator expects to render the decision.

 

5.7              Notice. For the purpose of the Plan, notices and all other communications provided for in the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when actually delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at the Company’s corporate headquarters address, and to the Eligible Employee (at the last address of the Eligible Employee on the Company’s books and records).

 

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5.8              Payment of Legal Fees. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall reimburse all reasonable legal fees, costs of litigation or arbitration, prejudgment or pre-award interest, and other expenses incurred in good faith by an Employee as a result of seeking benefits under the Plan with respect to any termination of employment with the Company within ninety (90) days before or two (2) years following a Change in Control, if such Employee prevails on at least one substantive claim for benefits made in such litigation or arbitration. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that any reimbursements for fees, costs, interest and other expenses described in the immediately preceding sentence (or any other provision of the Plan) are subject to Section 409A, then (i) any reimbursements shall be payable by the Company on or before the last day of the Employee’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the fees, costs, interest and other expenses were incurred; (ii) the fees, costs, interest and other expenses paid by the Company during any taxable year of the Employee will not affect the fees, costs, interest and other expenses paid by the Company in another taxable year; and (iii) the right to reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

5.9              Not Contract of Employment. The adoption and maintenance of the Plan shall not be deemed to be a contract of employment between the Company and any Person, to be consideration for the employment of any Person, or to have any effect whatsoever on the at-will employment relationship. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Person the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or to restrict the right of the Company to discharge any Person at any time. Nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give the Company the right to require any Person to remain in the employ of such Company or to restrict any Person’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

5.10          Governing Law. This Plan shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Delaware, except to the extent preempted by federal law.

 

5.11          Gender; Number. Wherever appropriate herein, the masculine, neuter, and feminine genders shall be deemed to include each other, and the plural shall be deemed to include the singular and vice versa.

 

5.12          Independent Contractors. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, no individual who is designated, compensated, or otherwise classified as an independent contractor shall be eligible for benefits under the Plan.

 

5.13          Section 409A.

 

(a)               It is intended that the Plan and its applicable provisions be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) and that the Plan shall be administered and interpreted to maintain such compliance. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if any Plan provision or benefits under the Plan would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A, that Plan provision or benefit will be reformed (without the consent of any Eligible Employee) to avoid imposition of the applicable tax and no action to comply with Section 409A shall be deemed to adversely affect the Eligible Employee’s right to benefits; provided, that, such reformation of the Plan shall to the extent practicable endeavor to maintain the original intent and economics of the Plan.

 

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(b)               Each of the payments of severance, continued medical and welfare benefits and outplacement benefits stated above are designated as separate payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) and for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(b)(4)(i)(F), the exemption for involuntary terminations under separation pay plans under Treasury Regulation Section 1 409A-1 (b)(9)(iii), the exemption for medical expense reimbursements under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A- l(b)(9)(v)(B) and the exemption for in-kind benefits under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(b)(9)(v)(C). As a result, (i) payments that are made on or before the 15th day of the third month of the calendar year following the applicable year of the Termination Date, and (ii) any additional payments that are made on or before the last day of the second calendar year following the year of the Termination Date and do not exceed the lesser of two times the Eligible Employee’s base salary in the year prior to his or her termination or two times the limit under Section 401(a)(17) then in effect, are exempt from the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(c)               Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, severance benefits, in excess of those described in the preceding paragraph or that are otherwise subject to the six (6)-month payment delay requirements of Section 409A, to an Eligible Employee who is a specified employee within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-l(i) (a “Specified Employee”), shall not commence until at least six (6) months after the Termination Date. To the extent the payments to be made during the first six (6)-month period following a Specified Employee’s Termination Date exceed such exempt amounts described in Section 5.13(b) or are otherwise subject to the six (6)-month payment delay requirements of Section 409A, those payments shall be withheld and the amount of the payments withheld will be paid in a lump sum, without interest, on the first business day following the expiration of such 6-month period (or within 30 days following the death of the Eligible Employee, if earlier).

 

5.14          Overpayment. If, due to mistake or any other reason, a Person receives benefits under this Plan in excess of what the Plan provides, that Person shall repay the overpayment to the Company in a lump sum within thirty days of notice of the amount of overpayment. If that Person fails to so repay the overpayment, then without limiting any other remedies available to the Company, the Company may deduct the amount of the overpayment from any other benefits which become payable to that Person under the Plan.

 

5.15          Headings. The headings of the Articles and Sections are included solely for convenience. If the headings and the text of the Plan conflict, the text shall control. All references to Articles and Sections are to the Plan unless otherwise indicated.

 

5.16          Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, that holding shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan. Instead, the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had not been contained herein.

 

5.17          Mitigation. An Eligible Employee will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment required hereunder, and no reduction of payment shall occur as a result of any future employment or as a result of any claims made by the Company for amounts owed to the Company by an Eligible Employee except as set forth in this Plan.

 

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5.18          Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under the Plan any federal, state or local taxes that Company is required to withhold pursuant to any law or government regulation or ruling.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Utz Brands, Inc. has approved this Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change In Control Severance Plan effective as of the Effective Date.

 

  UTZ Brands, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Dylan B. Lissette
  Name: Dylan B. Lissette
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan]

 

 

 

Annex A

Release and Non-Competition Agreement

 

 

This Release and Non-Competition Agreement (“Agreement”), is entered into by and between Utz Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) and ______________ (“Executive”). The Company and Executive will be jointly referred to as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Utz Brands, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan (the “Plan”).

 

WHEREAS, the Plan Administrator of the Plan has determined that Executive is an Eligible Employee under the terms of the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, the Plan requires Executive to sign and not revoke this Agreement in order to be eligible for the benefits under the Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, Executive has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions and effects of this Agreement, which includes a general release and post-employment restrictions on Executive.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, Executive and the Company, for the good and sufficient consideration set forth below and intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

1.                  Separation from Employment. Executive agrees that Executive’s employment with the Company terminates or has been terminated effective _______________, 20__ (the “Separation Date”). Regardless of whether Executive signs this Agreement, Executive will be paid for all of Executive’s accrued but unused paid time off through the Separation Date. The Company will also pay Executive for all properly reported and reimbursable expenses incurred prior to the Separation Date. Following the Separation Date, Executive shall not be, or represent that Executive is, an employee, agent, or representative of the Company, any of the other Releasees (as defined below), or any of their respective funds or portfolio companies and Executive shall take any actions required by the Company to effectuate the foregoing.

 

2.                  Severance Benefits. As of the Effective Date of this Agreement set forth below, and subject to Executive’s continued compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, Executive will receive the benefits set forth in Article III of the Plan, in accordance with the terms of the Plan including but not limited to the Limitation of Payments in Article IV and the Section 409A provisions in Section 5.13 thereof.

 

3.                  No Consideration Absent Execution of this Agreement. Executive understands and agrees that Executive would not receive the consideration specified in Section 2, except for Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Agreement and the fulfillment of the promises contained herein.

 

 

 

4.                  General Release of Claims.

 

(a)               In exchange for the consideration provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, Executive, on behalf of Executive and all of Executive’s spouse, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Releasors”), hereby knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever waives and discharges the Company and/or its current and former parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessor companies, related companies, their successors and assigns, their affiliated and predecessor companies and the current and former employees, attorneys, representatives, insurers, shareholders, owners, members, officers, general partners, limited partners, directors and agents thereof, and the current and former trustees or administrators of any pension or other benefit plan applicable to Executive or former Executives of the Company, and investment funds (and the other investment vehicles any of the foregoing manage and/or for which they perform services) (collectively, with the Company, the “Company Group” and each a “Company Group Member”), and each Company Group Member’s respective current and former directors, members, trustees, controlling shareholders, subsidiaries, general partners, limited partners, affiliates, related companies, divisions, officers, employees, agents, insurers, representatives, and attorneys (collectively with the Company Group, referred to throughout the remainder of this Agreement as “Releasees,” and each a “Releasee”), of and from any and all claims, including statutory claims, regulatory claims and claims under this Agreement, demands, debts, obligations, promises, controversies, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, any other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, rights, actions and causes of action, losses or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity and any other claims, liabilities or matters, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, foreseen or unforeseen, whether accrued or contingent, which Executive or any of the other Releasors had, has or may have against the Releasees, or any of them, as of the date of execution of this Agreement, by reason of, arising out of, connected with, or concerning Executive’s employment with the Company and/or separation from the Company, from the beginning of the world up through the date of execution of this Agreement, except claims that the law does not permit Executive or any of the Releasors to waive (collectively, the “Released Claims”). Executive acknowledges that the Released Claims specifically include, but are not limited to, any and all claims for fraud, breach of express or implied contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference with contractual rights, violation of public policy, invasion of privacy, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing laws, intentional or negligent misrepresentation, defamation, libel, slander, or breach of privacy; claims for failure to pay wages, benefits, deferred compensation, commissions, bonuses, vacation / PTO pay, expenses, severance pay, pay in lieu of notice, attorneys’ fees, or other compensation of any sort; claims related to stock options, equity awards or costs, or other grants, awards, or warrants; claims related to any tangible or intangible property of Employee that remains with the Company; claims for retaliation, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic or criteria protected by law; any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII, as amended), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq., the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq., the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, et seq., the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. §206(a), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“COBRA”), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”), 38 U.S.C. §§ 4301-4333, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 301, et seq., the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101, et seq., the Equal Pay Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2101 et seq., the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (“GINA”) 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000ff, et seq., the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) 42 U.S.C. §§ 18001, et seq., all claims arising under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-204), including whistleblowing claims under 18 U.S.C.§§ 1513(e) and 1514A, and any and all other foreign, federal, state, or local laws, common law, or case law, including but not limited to all statutes, regulations, common law, and any other applicable law, as such laws are amended from time to time.

 

 

 

(b)               This release is intended to be a general release and excludes only those claims under any statute or common law that Executive is legally barred from releasing, including (i) claims for workers’ compensation or unemployment benefits and vested retirement or welfare benefits, if any, under any Company sponsored plans; (ii) any right to enforce any term of this Agreement; (iii) any claims based on acts or events occurring after Executive signs this Agreement, except for claims arising from Executive’s employment or separation of employment with Company, which are being released by this Agreement; (iv) any challenge to the validity of this Agreement; (v) the right to file a charge or complaint with, or provide testimony, assistance or participation in, any investigation, proceeding or hearing conducted by any federal, state or local governmental agency, including but not limited to the EEOC; or (vi) the right to report violations of any law administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), or make other disclosures protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an administrative agency or court assumes jurisdiction over any charge or complaint involving claims that are released by Section 4(a), Executive hereby agrees not to accept, recover, or receive any resulting money damages or other relief that otherwise would be due; provided that Executive may receive financial awards from OSHA, or any other federal agency for reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation in cases where the law prohibits Executives from waiving their rights to receive such payments.

 

5.                  Consult With an Attorney. The Company hereby advises Executive to consult with an attorney of Executive’s choice (and at Executive’s expense) before Executive signs this Agreement.

 

6.                  Affirmations. Executive represents and agrees by signing below that, other than the Severance Benefits set forth in Section 2 above, Executive (a) has not been denied any leave or benefit requested, and has received all compensation for all hours worked for the Company; (b) is not entitled to any compensation or benefits under any other severance policy or plan maintained or followed by the Company; (c) has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases; (d) is not aware of any alleged violations of the law or the Company’s agreements or policies by Executive or any other employee or other party that have not been reported in writing to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chairperson of the Board of Directors; and (e) is not aware of wrongdoing by the Company or its officers, including any alleged corporate fraud that should be reported to authorities.

 

7.                  Confidentiality. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement and all matters relating to the terms and negotiation of this Agreement are Confidential Information and shall not be disclosed to any other person except as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties, as may be compelled by a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as may be reasonably necessary to comply with the requirements of federal, state, or local authorities or codes, or as related and strictly limited to statements made as part of Executive’s testimony, assistance or participation in an administrative investigation described in Section 4(b) above. The Parties hereto agree that the terms of this Agreement may be disclosed to Executive’s immediate family and each of the Parties’ accounting, payroll, legal, financial, and tax professionals and the appropriate members of the Company’s management or ownership.

 

 

 

8.                  Return of Company Property and Company Information. Executive agrees to return, on or before the Separation Date, or earlier if directed by the Company, any and all of Company’s property in Executive’s possession, as well as any and all records, files, correspondence, reports and computer disks relating to the Company’s operations, products and potential products, marketing, research and development, production and general business plans, customer information, accounting and financial information, distribution, sales, and confidential cost and price characteristics and policies in his possession (including on any personal computer).

 

9.                  Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

 

(a)               The term “Confidential Information,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean any and all information (in whatever form and whether or not expressly designated as confidential) relating directly or indirectly to the respective businesses, operations, financial affairs, assets or technology of the Company, including, but not limited to, marketing and financial information, personnel, sales and statistical data, plans for future development, computer programs, information and knowledge pertaining to the products and services offered, inventions, innovations, designs, ideas, recipes, formulas, manufacturing processes, trade secrets, technical data, computer source codes, software, proprietary information, construction, advertising, manufacturing, distribution and sales methods and systems, pricing, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists, and relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, distributors and others who have business dealings with the Company and information with respect to various ingredients, formulas, manufacturing processes, techniques, procedures, processes and methods. Confidential Information also includes information received by Executive from third parties in connection with Executive’s employment by the Company subject to an obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information. Confidential Information does not include information which (a) becomes generally known to and available for use by the public other than as a result of Executive’s violation of this Agreement; (b) is or becomes generally available within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of Executive’s violation of this Agreement; or (c) is or becomes available to Executive on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, which source is not known by Executive, after reasonable inquiry, to be subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation of secrecy to the Company.

 

(b)               Executive acknowledges and agrees that all Confidential Information known or obtained by Executive, whether before or after the Separation Date and regardless of whether Executive participated in the discovery or development of such Confidential Information, is the property of the Company. Except as expressly authorized in writing by the Company or as necessary to perform Executive’s services while an employee of the Company, Executive agrees that Executive will not, at any time, for any reason, directly or indirectly, duplicate, use, make available, sell, misappropriate, exploit, remove, copy or disclose to any Person Confidential Information, unless such information is required to be produced by Executive under order of a court of competent jurisdiction or a valid administrative or congressional subpoena; provided, however, that upon receipt of any such order or subpoena, Executive shall promptly notify the Company and shall provide the Company with an opportunity at its cost and expense to contest the propriety of such order or subpoena or restrict or condition the disclosure of such Confidential Information or to arrange for appropriate safeguards against any further disclosure by the court or administrative or other body seeking to compel disclosure of such Confidential Information.

 

 

 

10.              Whistleblower Protection. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with the whistleblower provisions of any United States federal, state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to Rule 21F-17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or § 1833(b) of the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Executive from reporting possible violations of United States federal, state or local law or regulation to any United States federal, state or local governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or to an attorney, or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation, or from disclosing trade secrets and other confidential information in the course of such reporting; provided, that Executive uses Executive’s reasonable efforts to (a) disclose only information that is reasonably related to such possible violations or that is requested by such agency or entity and (b) requests that such agency or entity treat such information as confidential. Executive does not need the prior authorization from the Company to make any such reports or disclosures and is not required to notify the Company that it has made such reports or disclosures. In addition, Executive has the right to disclose trade secrets and other confidential information in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding; provided, that the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

 

11.              Restrictive Covenants. Executive agrees that during Executive’s employment, Executive has had access to the Company’s Confidential Information. Such access and knowledge would put the Company at an unfair competitive disadvantage were Executive to use it on behalf of another person or entity. Therefore, during the Restriction Period (as defined in the Plan), Executive agrees that Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, for Executive’s own account, or on behalf of, or together with, any other Person (other than on behalf of the Company) anywhere in any state of the United States or the District of Columbia:

 

(a)               own, manage, operate, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, render financial assistance to, be connected as an officer, director, stockholder, employee, partner, member, manager, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, use or permit Executive’s name to be used in connection with, or develop products or services for, any Competing Business. “Competing Business” means any business which is engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of snack foods; notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a breach of this Section 11(a) for Executive to own a passive investment of less than one percent (1%) of a class of stock of a publicly held company that is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market;

 

 

 

(b)               contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, a customer, supplier or agent of the Company or with which the Company or Executive had contact during Executive’s employment with the Company, to terminate their relationship with the Company, or do any act which may interfere with or result in the impairment of the relationship, including any reduction in sales or purchases, between the Company and such customers, suppliers or agents; or

 

(c)               hire any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, an employee of the Company; or contact, solicit, induce or attempt to contact, solicit or induce any Person who is or was, within the one-year period prior to termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, an employee of the Company for the purpose of seeking to have such employee terminate his or her employment with the Company.

 

(d)               Executive will not, at any time during Executive’s employment with the Company and for a period of three (3) years following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, make any statement that is intended to disparage: (i) the Company or any of its businesses, products, services, directors or officers or (ii) Michael Rice, the spouse and lineal descendants (whether natural or adopted) of Michael Rice or any spouse of any lineal descendants of Michael Rice (collectively, the “Rice Family”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Executive is the Chief Executive Officer or a member of the Executive Leadership Team, such Executive will not, at any time, make any statement that is intended to disparage the Company or any of its businesses, products, services, directors or officers or the Rice Family.

 

(e)               In the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 11, the Company may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in its favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or temporary or permanent injunctive or other equitable relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without posting a bond or other security), without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy. The aforementioned equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages or other available forms of relief. In addition to any other relief, the prevailing party in any such action shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorney’s fees. If a court holds that the duration, scope, or area restrictions stated herein are unreasonable, the parties agree that the court shall be allowed and directed to revise the restrictions to cover the maximum reasonable period, scope and area permitted by law.

 

12.              Acknowledgments. Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) Executive has occupied a position of trust and confidence with the Company and has become familiar with Confidential Information; (b) the Confidential Information is of unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to the Company; (c) the Company has required that Executive make the covenants set forth in Sections 7 through 11 herein as a condition to the execution by the Company of this Agreement; (d) the provisions of Sections 7 through 11 are reasonable with respect to duration, geographic area and scope and necessary to protect and preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Company, and will not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent Executive from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which Executive is bound by such provisions; (e) the scope of the business of the Company is independent of location (such that it is not practical to limit the restrictions contained in Sections 7 through 11 to a specified county, city or part thereof); (f) the Company would be irreparably damaged if Executive were to breach the covenants set forth in Sections 7 through 11; and (g) the potential benefits to Executive available under this Agreement are sufficient to compensate Executive fully and adequately for agreeing to the terms and restrictions of this Agreement.

 

 

 

13.              Termination of Benefits for Violating this Agreement. In the event Executive breaches or fails to abide by the terms of this Agreement, then in addition to any other remedies which the Company may have pursuant to this Agreement or in equity or at law, the Company may permanently discontinue the Severance Benefits described in Section 2 above, and may seek restitution of any benefits provided to, or on behalf of, Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

14.              Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Costs. The law of the State of Delaware shall govern (a) all claims or matters related to or arising from this Agreement (including any tort or non-contractual claims) and (b) any questions concerning the construction, interpretation, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Executive hereby agrees to submit to personal jurisdiction of said courts, and waives any right to challenge venue or claim that it is an inconvenient forum. Executive will reimburse the Company for all court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with any action the Company brings for a breach or threatened breach by Executive of any covenants contained in this Agreement if (i) Executive challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of such covenants or (ii) the Company is the prevailing party in such action.

 

15.              Severability. If any term, provision or paragraph of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such determination shall be limited to the narrowest possible scope in order to preserve the enforceability of the remaining portions of the term, provision or paragraph, and such determination shall not affect the remaining terms, provisions or paragraphs of this Agreement, which shall continue to be given full force and effect.

 

16.              No Admission of Wrongdoing. Neither this Agreement nor the furnishing of the consideration for this Agreement shall be deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by either of the parties or any of the Releasees of any liability, or evidence of any liability, wrongful acts or unlawful conduct of any kind against Executive or any other person.

 

17.              Cooperation. During Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive acknowledges that Executive has been involved in business matters on behalf of the Company. As a further material inducement to the Company to make the payments described herein, after the Separation Date, Executive hereby agrees to (a) provide Executive’s full and timely cooperation to the Company regarding its business matters, specifically including but not limited to matters over which Executive had responsibility or in which Executive was involved, as well as any legal, equitable, or business matters or proceedings which involve the Company or any of its Executives, officers, or directors; (b) be reasonably available for questions or inquiries by phone, text, or email, and at the Company’s reasonable request for any meetings or conferences deemed necessary to assist the Company; (c) cooperate in the defense of any actual and potential claims, litigation, inquiry, investigation, or other matter, action, or proceeding filed against the Company or its officers, directors, employees or agents, including but not limited to, any actual or potential claims which may require Executive’s involvement post-employment; and (d) help transition Executive’s role and responsibilities to other Company personnel, and provide information in response to the Company’s requests and inquiries, in connection with Executive’s separation. The Company will pay reasonable travel and other expenses related to Executive’s cooperation in this regard. The Company agrees to provide reasonable advance notice of the need for Executive’s cooperation.

 

 

 

18.              Entire Agreement, Amendment and Construction. No prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements or representations may be offered to alter the terms of this Agreement which represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed except in writing and signed by both parties wherein specific reference is made to this Agreement. The captions appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit, construe or describe the scope or intent of such Sections. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to the party that drafted it. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. Any ambiguity shall not be interpreted against either party but shall, instead, be resolved in accordance with other applicable rules concerning the interpretation of contracts. The failure of the Company to enforce at any time any provision of this Agreement will in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provision or of any other provision hereof.

 

19.              Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Agreement may be executed and delivered in one or more counterparts and by fax, email or other electronic transmission, each of which to be deemed an original and all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. No party shall raise the use of a fax machine or email to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a fax machine or email as a defense to the formation or enforceability of this Agreement and each party forever waives any such defense.

 

20.              Assignment. Company and Releasees have the right to assign this Agreement, but Executive does not. This Agreement inures to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company, who are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

 

21.              Time to Consider and Revoke. Executive understands that Executive has up to twenty-one (21) days to consider the terms of this Agreement before signing it. Any modifications made to this Agreement, material or not, will not extend the twenty-one (21) days period. Executive must execute this Agreement no sooner than the Separation Date and no later than twenty-one (21) days immediately following the Separation Date. In addition, after Executive signs the Agreement, Executive has the right to revoke and cancel this Agreement for seven (7) days after Executive signs it. Any such revocation must be in writing and postmarked or delivered to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, within seven (7) days of Executive’s signing this Agreement to be effective. This Agreement will be effective, fully binding, enforceable, and irrevocable upon the expiration of the seven day period if Executive does not revoke it (the “Effective Date”). If Executive does not sign this Agreement, or signs it and then revokes Executive’s signature, this Agreement shall be null and void, and the Company shall have no obligation to provide or pay any of the consideration described in Section 2 above.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto knowingly and voluntarily executed this Agreement as of the date set forth below:

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.   EXECUTIVE
     
     
Date   Date

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.16

 

 

 

Utz Quality Foods, Inc. Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation Plan

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

 

This document has not been approved by the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental entity. An adopting Employer must determine whether the Plan is subject to the Federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states. An adopting Employer may not rely on this document to ensure any particular tax consequences or to ensure that the Plan is “unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees” under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, with respect to the Employer’s particular situation. Fidelity Employer Services Company, its affiliates and employees cannot provide you with legal advice in connection with the execution of this document. This document should be reviewed by the Employer’s attorney prior to execution.

 

January 2008

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

PREAMBLE
Article 1 — GENERAL
1.1       Plan 1
1.2       Effective Dates 1
1.3       Amounts Not Subject to Code Section 409A 1
Article 2 — DEFINITIONS
Article 3 — PARTICIPATION
3.1       Participation 5
3.2       Termination of Participation 5
Article 4 — PARTICIPANT ELECTIONS
4.1       Deferral Agreement 6
4.2       Amount of Deferral 6
4.3       Timing of Election to Defer 6
4.4       Election of Payment Schedule and Form of Payment 7
Article 5 — EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS
5.1       Matching Contributions 8
5.2       Other Contributions 8
Article 6 — ACCOUNTS AND CREDITS
6.1       Establishment of Account 9
6.2       Credits to Account 9
Article 7 — INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS
7.1       Investment Options 10
7.2       Adjustment of Accounts 10
Article 8 — RIGHT TO BENEFITS
8.1       Vesting 11
8.2       Death 11
8.3       Disability 11
Article 9 — DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS
9.1       Amount of Benefits 12
9.2       Method and Timing of Distributions 12
9.3       Unforeseeable Emergency 12
9.4       Payment Election Overrides 13

 

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9.5       Cashouts Of Amounts Not Exceeding Stated Limit 13
9.6       Required Delay in Payment to Key Employees 13
9.7       Change in Control 14
9.8       Permissible Delays in Payment 16
9.9       Permitted Acceleration of Payment 17
Article 10 — AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
10.1     Amendment by Plan Sponsor 18
10.2     Plan Termination Following Change in Control or Corporate Dissolution 18
10.3     Other Plan Terminations 18
Article 11 —THE TRUST
11.1     Establishment of Trust 19
11.2     Grantor Trust 19
11.3     Investment of Trust Funds 19
Article 12 — PLAN ADMINISTRATION
12.1     Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator 20
12.2     Claims and Review Procedures 20
12.3     Plan Administrative Costs 21
Article 13 — MISCELLANEOUS
13.1     Unsecured General Creditor of the Employer 22
13.2     Employer’s Liability 22
13.3     Limitation of Rights 22
13.4     Anti-Assignment 22
13.5     Facility of Payment 22
13.6     Notices 23
13.7     Tax Withholding 23
13.8     Indemnification 23
13.9     Successors 24
13.10   Disclaimer 24
13.11   Governing Law 24

 

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PREAMBLE

 

The Plan is intended to be a “plan which is unfunded and is maintained by an employer primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or an “excess benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(36) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or a combination of both. The Plan is further intended to conform with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the final regulations issued thereunder and shall be interpreted, implemented and administered in a manner consistent therewith.

 

 

 

 

 

Article 1 — GENERAL

 

1.1 Plan. The Plan will be referred to by the name specified in the Adoption Agreement.

 

1.2 Effective Dates.

 

(a)           Original Effective Date. The Original Effective Date is the date as of which the Plan was initially adopted.

 

(b)           Amendment Effective Date. The Amendment Effective Date is the date specified in the Adoption Agreement as of which the Plan is amended and restated. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein or in the Adoption Agreement, the Plan shall apply to amounts deferred and benefit payments made on or after the Amendment Effective Date.

 

(c)           Special Effective Date. A Special Effective Date may apply to any given provision if so specified in Appendix A of the Adoption Agreement. A Special Effective Date will control over the Original Effective Date or Amendment Effective Date, whichever is applicable, with respect to such provision of the Plan.

 

1.3 Amounts Not Subject to Code Section 409A

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the Plan Sponsor in Section 1.01 of the Adoption Agreement, amounts deferred before January 1, 2005 that are earned and vested on December 31, 2004 will be separately accounted for and administered in accordance with the terms of the Plan as in effect on December 31, 2004.

 

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Article 2 — DEFINITIONS

 

Pronouns used in the Plan are in the masculine gender but include the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

 

2.1 Account” means an account established for the purpose of recording amounts credited on behalf of a Participant and any income, expenses, gains, losses or distributions included thereon. The Account shall be a bookkeeping entry only and shall be utilized solely as a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to a Participant or to the Participant’s Beneficiary pursuant to the Plan.

 

2.2 “Administrator” means the person or persons designated by the Plan Sponsor in Section 1.05 of the Adoption Agreement to be responsible for the administration of the Plan. If no Administrator is designated in the Adoption Agreement, the Administrator is the Plan Sponsor.

 

2.3 “Adoption Agreement” means the agreement adopted by the Plan Sponsor that establishes the Plan.

 

2.4 “Beneficiary” means the persons, trusts, estates or other entities entitled under Section 8.2 to receive benefits under the Plan upon the death of a Participant.

 

2.5 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Plan Sponsor.

 

2.6 “Bonus” means an amount of incentive remuneration payable by the Employer to a Participant.

 

2.7 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of an event involving the Plan Sponsor that is described in Section 9.7.

 

2.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2.9 “Compensation” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.10 “Director” means a non-employee member of the Board who has been designated by the Employer as eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

2.11 “Disabled” means a determination by the Administrator that the Participant is either (a) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (b) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer. A Participant will be considered Disabled if he is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

 

2

 

 

2.12 “Eligible Employee” means an employee of the Employer who satisfies the requirements in Section 2.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.13 “Employer” means the Plan Sponsor and any other entity which is authorized by the Plan Sponsor to participate in and, in fact, does adopt the Plan.

 

2.14 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

2.15 “Identification Date” means the date as of which Key Employees are determined which is specified in Section 1.06 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.16 “Key Employee” means an employee who satisfies the conditions set forth in Section 9.6.

 

2.17 “Participant” means an Eligible Employee or Director who commences participation in the Plan in accordance with Article 3.

 

2.18 “Plan” means the unfunded plan of deferred compensation set forth herein, including the Adoption Agreement and any trust agreement, as adopted by the Plan Sponsor and as amended from time to time.

 

2.19 “Plan Sponsor” means the entity identified in Section 1.03 of the Adoption Agreement or any successor by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

2.20 “Plan Year” means the period identified in Section 1.02 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.21 “Related Employer” means the Employer and (a) any corporation that is a member of a controlled group of corporations as defined in Code Section 414(b) that includes the Employer and (b) any trade or business that is under common control as defined in Code Section 414(c) that includes the Employer, but substituting a 50% ownership level for 80%.

 

2.22 “Retirement” has the meaning specified in 6.01(f) of the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.23 “Separation from Service” means the date that the Participant dies, retires or otherwise has a termination of employment with respect to all entities comprising the Related Employer. A Separation from Service does not occur if the Participant is on military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of leave does not exceed six months or such longer period during which the Participant’s right to re-employment is provided by statute or contract. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the Participant’s right to re-employment is not provided either by statute or contract, a Separation from Service will be deemed to have occurred on the first day following the six-month period. If the period of leave is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where the impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a 29 month period of absence may be substituted for the six month period.

 

3

 

 

Whether a termination of employment has occurred is based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Related Employer and the Participant reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than 20 percent of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36 month period (or the full period of services to the Related Employer if the employee has been providing services to the Related Employer for less than 36 months).

 

An independent contractor is considered to have experienced a Separation from Service with the Related Employer upon the expiration of the contract (or, in the case of more than one contract, all contracts) under which services are performed for the Related Employer if the expiration constitutes a good-faith and complete termination of the contractual relationship.

 

If a Participant provides services as both an employee and an independent contractor of the Related Employer, the Participant must separate from service both as an employee and as an independent contractor to be treated as having incurred a Separation from Service. If a Participant ceases providing services as an independent contractor and begins providing services as an employee, or ceases providing services as an employee and begins providing services as an independent contractor, the Participant will not be considered to have experienced a Separation from Service until the Participant has ceased providing services in both capacities.

 

If a Participant provides services both as an employee and as a member of the board of directors of a corporate Related Employer (or an analogous position with respect to a noncorporate Related Employer), the services provided as a director are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has incurred a Separation from Service as an employee for purposes of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which the Participant participates as an employee that is not aggregated under Code Section 409A with any plan in which the Participant participates as a director.

 

If a Participant provides services both as an employee and as a member of the board of directors of a corporate related Employer (or an analogous position with respect to a noncorporate Related Employer), the services provided as an employee are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has experienced a Separation from Service as a director for purposes of a nonqualified deferred compensation plan in which the Participant participates as a director that is not aggregated under Code Section 409A with any plan in which the Participant participates as an employee.

 

All determinations of whether a Separation from Service has occurred will be made in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A and the final regulations thereunder.

 

2.24 “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship of the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, the Participant’s Beneficiary, or the Participant’s dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Code section 152(b)(i), (b)(2) and (d)(i)(B); loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty; or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

 

2.25 “Valuation Date” means each business day of the Plan Year.

 

2.26 “Years of Service” means each one year period for which the Participant receives service credit in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement.

 

4

 

 

Article 3 — PARTICIPATION

 

3.1 Participation. The Participants in the Plan shall be those Directors and employees of the Employer who satisfy the requirements of Section 2.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

3.2 Termination of Participation. The Administrator may terminate a Participant’s participation in the Plan in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A. If the Employer terminates a Participant’s participation before the Participant experiences a Separation from Service the Participant’s vested Accounts shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.

 

5

 

 

Article 4 — PARTICIPANT ELECTIONS

 

4.1 Deferral Agreement. If permitted by the Plan Sponsor in accordance with Section 4.01 of the Adoption Agreement, each Eligible Employee and Director may elect to defer his Compensation within the meaning of Section 3.01 of the Adoption Agreement by executing in writing or electronically, a deferral agreement in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator and the provisions of this Article 4.

 

A new deferral agreement must be timely executed for each Plan Year during which the Eligible Employee or Director desires to defer Compensation. An Eligible Employee or Director who does not timely execute a deferral agreement shall be deemed to have elected zero deferrals of Compensation for such Plan Year.

 

A deferral agreement may be changed or revoked during the period specified by the Administrator. Except as provided in Section 9.3 or in Section 4.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement, a deferral agreement becomes irrevocable at the close of the specified period.

 

4.2 Amount of Deferral. An Eligible Employee or Director may elect to defer Compensation in any amount permitted by Section 4.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement.

 

4.3 Timing of Election to Defer. Each Eligible Employee or Director who desires to defer Compensation otherwise payable during a Plan Year must execute a deferral agreement within the period preceding the Plan Year specified by the Administrator. Each Eligible Employee who desires to defer Compensation that is a Bonus must execute a deferral agreement within the period preceding the Plan Year during which the Bonus is earned that is specified by the Administrator, except that if the Bonus can be treated as performance based compensation as described in Code Section 409A(a)(4)(B)(iii), the deferral agreement may be executed within the period specified by the Administrator, which period, in no event, shall end after the date which is six months prior to the end of the period during which the Bonus is earned, provided the Participant has performed services continuously from the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date the performance criteria are established through the date the Participant executed the deferral agreement and provided further that the compensation has not yet become ‘readily ascertainable’ with the meaning of Reg. Sec 1.409A-2(a)(8). In addition, if the Compensation qualifies as ‘fiscal year compensation’ within the meaning of Reg. Sec. 1.409A -2(a)(6), the deferral agreement may be made not later than the end of the Employer’s taxable year immediately preceding the first taxable year of the Employer in which any services are performed for which such Compensation is payable.

 

Except as otherwise provided below, an employee who is classified or designated as an Eligible Employee during a Plan Year or a Director who is designated as eligible to participate during a Plan Year may elect to defer Compensation otherwise payable during the remainder of such Plan Year in accordance with the rules of this Section 4.3 by executing a deferral agreement within the thirty (30) day period beginning on the date the employee is classified or designated as an Eligible Employee or the date the Director is designated as eligible, whichever is applicable, if permitted by Section 4.01(b)(ii) of the Adoption Agreement. If Compensation is based on a specified performance period that begins before the Eligible Employee or Director executes his deferral agreement, the election will be deemed to apply to the portion of such Compensation equal to the total amount of Compensation for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the election becomes irrevocable and effective over the total number of days in the performance period. The rules of this paragraph shall not apply unless the Eligible Employee or Director can be treated as initially eligible in accordance with Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2(a)(7).

 

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4.4 Election of Payment Schedule and Form of Payment.

 

All elections of a payment schedule and a form of payment will be made in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator and the provisions of this Section 4.4.

 

(a)            If the Plan Sponsor has elected to permit annual distribution elections in accordance with Section 6.01(h) of the Adoption Agreement the following rules apply. At the time an Eligible Employee or Director completes a deferral agreement, the Eligible Employee or Director must elect a distribution event (which includes a specified time) and a form of payment for the Compensation subject to the deferral agreement from among the options the Plan Sponsor has made available for this purpose and which are specified in 6.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement. Prior to the time required by Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2, the Eligible Employee or Director shall elect a distribution event (which includes a specified time) and a form of payment for any Employer contributions that may be credited to the Participant’s Account during the Plan Year. If an Eligible Employee or Director fails to elect a distribution event, he shall be deemed to have elected Separation from Service as the distribution event. If he fails to elect a form of payment, he shall be deemed to have elected a lump sum form of payment.

 

(b)           If the Plan Sponsor has elected not to permit annual distribution elections in accordance with Section 6.01(h) of the Adoption Agreement the following rules apply. At the time an Eligible Employee or Director first completes a deferral agreement but in no event later than the time required by Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2, the Eligible Employee or Director must elect a distribution event (which includes a specified time) and a form of payment for amounts credited to his Account from among the options the Plan Sponsor has made available for this purpose and which are specified in Section 6.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement. If an Eligible Employee or Director fails to elect a distribution event, he shall be deemed to have elected Separation from Service in the distribution event. If the fails to elect a form of payment, he shall be deemed to have elected a lump sum form of payment.

 

7

 

 

Article 5 — EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS

 

5.1 Matching Contributions. If elected by the Plan Sponsor in Section 5.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer will credit the Participant’s Account with a matching contribution determined in accordance with the formula specified in Section 5.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement. The matching contribution will be treated as allocated to the Participant’s Account at the time specified in Section 5.01(a)(iii) of the Adoption Agreement.

 

5.2 Other Contributions. If elected by the Plan Sponsor in Section 5.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer will credit the Participant’s Account with a contribution determined in accordance with the formula or method specified in Section 5.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement. The contribution will be treated as allocated to the Participant’s Account at the time specified in Section 5.01(b)(iii) of the Adoption Agreement.

 

8

 

 

Article 6 — ACCOUNTS AND CREDITS

 

6.1 Establishment of Account. For accounting and computational purposes only, the Administrator will establish and maintain an Account on behalf of each Participant which will reflect the credits made pursuant to Section 6.2, distributions or withdrawals, along with the earnings, expenses, gains and losses allocated thereto, attributable to the hypothetical investments made with the amounts in the Account as provided in Article 7. The Administrator will establish and maintain such other records and accounts, as it decides in its discretion to be reasonably required or appropriate to discharge its duties under the Plan.

 

6.2 Credits to Account. A Participant’s Account will be credited for each Plan Year with the amount of his elective deferrals under Section 4.1 at the time the amount subject to the deferral election would otherwise have been payable to the Participant and the amount of Employer contributions treated as allocated on his behalf under Article 5.

 

9

 

 

Article 7 — INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS

 

7.1 Investment Options. The amount credited to each Account shall be treated as invested in the investment options designated for this purpose by the Administrator.

 

7.2 Adjustment of Accounts. The amount credited to each Account shall be adjusted for hypothetical investment earnings, expenses, gains or losses in an amount equal to the earnings, expenses, gains or losses attributable to the investment options selected by the party designated in Section 9.01 of the Adoption Agreement from among the investment options provided in Section 7.1. If permitted by Section 9.01 of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant (or the Participant’s Beneficiary after the death of the Participant) may, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator, select the investments from among the options provided in Section 7.1 to be used for the purpose of calculating future hypothetical investment adjustments to the Account or to future credits to the Account under Section 6.2 effective as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following notice to the Administrator. Each Account shall be adjusted as of each Valuation Date to reflect: (a) the hypothetical earnings, expenses, gains and losses described above; (b) amounts credited pursuant to Section 6.2; and (c) distributions or withdrawals. In addition, each Account may be adjusted for its allocable share of the hypothetical costs and expenses associated with the maintenance of the hypothetical investments provided in Section 7.1.

 

10

 

 

Article 8 — RIGHT TO BENEFITS

 

8.1 Vesting. A Participant, at all times, has the 100% nonforfeitable interest in the amounts credited to his Account attributable to his elective deferrals made in accordance with Section 4.1.

 

A Participant’s right to the amounts credited to his Account attributable to Employer contributions made in accordance with Article 5 shall be determined in accordance with the relevant schedule and provisions in Section 7.01 of the Adoption Agreement. Upon a Separation from Service and after application of the provisions of Section 7.01 of the Adoption Agreement, the Participant shall forfeit the nonvested portion of his Account.

 

8.2 Death. The Plan Sponsor may elect to accelerate vesting upon the death of the Participant in accordance with Section 7.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement and/or to accelerate distributions upon Death in accordance with Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement. If the Plan Sponsor does not elect to accelerate distributions upon death in accordance with Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, the vested amount credited to the Participant’s Account will be paid in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.

 

A Participant may designate a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, or change any prior designation of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator.

 

A copy of the death notice or other sufficient documentation must be filed with and approved by the Administrator. If upon the death of the Participant there is, in the opinion of the Administrator, no designated Beneficiary for part or all of the Participant’s vested Account, such amount will be paid to his estate (such estate shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for purposes of the Plan) in accordance with the provisions of Article 9.

 

8.3 Disability. If the Plan Sponsor has elected to accelerate vesting upon the occurrence of a Disability in accordance with Section 7.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement and/or to permit distributions upon Disability in accordance with Section 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, the determination of whether a Participant has incurred a Disability shall be made by the Administrator in its sole discretion in a manner consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

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Article 9 — DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

 

9.1 Amount of Benefits. The vested amount credited to a Participant’s Account as determined under Articles 6, 7 and 8 shall determine and constitute the basis for the value of benefits payable to the Participant under the Plan.

 

9.2 Method and Timing of Distributions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 9, distributions under the Plan shall be made in accordance with the elections made or deemed made by the Participant under Article 4. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.6 requiring a six month delay for certain distributions to Key Employees, distributions following a payment event shall commence at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement. If permitted by Section 6.01(g) of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may elect, at least twelve months before a scheduled distribution event, to delay the payment date for a minimum period of sixty months from the originally scheduled date of payment. The distribution election change must be made in accordance with procedures and rules established by the Administrator. The Participant may, at the same time the date of payment is deferred, change the form of payment but such change in the form of payment may not effect an acceleration of payment in violation of Code Section 409A or the provisions of Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2(b). For purposes of this Section 9.2, a series of installment payments is always treated as a single payment and not as a series of separate payments.

 

9.3 Unforeseeable Emergency. A Participant may request a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency if the Plan Sponsor has elected to permit Unforeseeable Emergency withdrawals under Section 8.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement. The request must be in writing and must be submitted to the Administrator along with evidence that the circumstances constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency. The Administrator has the discretion to require whatever evidence it deems necessary to determine whether a distribution is warranted, and may require the Participant to certify that the need cannot be met from other sources reasonably available to the Participant. Whether a Participant has incurred an Unforeseeable Emergency will be determined by the Administrator on the basis of the relevant facts and circumstances in its sole discretion, but, in no event, will an Unforeseeable Emergency be deemed to exist if the hardship can be relieved: (a) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, (b) by liquidation of the Participant’s assets to the extent such liquidation would not itself cause severe financial hardship, or (c) by cessation of deferrals under the Plan. A distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency must be limited to the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need and may include any amounts necessary to pay any federal, state, foreign or local income taxes and penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution. The distribution will be made in the form of a single lump sum cash payment. If permitted by Section 8.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant’s deferral elections for the remainder of the Plan Year will be cancelled upon a withdrawal due to an Unforeseeable Emergency. If the payment of all or any portion of the Participant’s vested Account is being delayed in accordance with Section 9.6 at the time he experiences an Unforeseeable Emergency, the amount being delayed shall not be subject to the provisions of this Section 9.3 until the expiration of the six month period of delay required by section 9.6.

 

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9.4 Payment Election Overrides. If the Plan Sponsor has elected one or more payment election overrides in accordance with Section 6.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, the following provisions apply. Upon the occurrence of the first event selected by the Plan Sponsor, the remaining vested amount credited to the Participant’s Account shall be paid in the form designated to the Participant or his Beneficiary regardless of whether the Participant had made different elections of time and /or form of payment or whether the Participant was receiving installment payments at the time of the event.

 

9.5 Cashouts Of Amounts Not Exceeding Stated Limit. If the vested amount credited to the Participant’s Account does not exceed the limit established for this purpose by the Plan Sponsor in Section 6.01(e) of the Adoption Agreement at the time he separates from service with the Related Employer for any reason, the Employer shall distribute such amount to the Participant at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement in a single lump sum cash payment following such termination regardless of whether the Participant had made different elections of time or form of payment as to the vested amount credited to his Account or whether the Participant was receiving installments at the time of such termination. A Participant’s Account, for purposes of this Section 9.5, shall include any amounts described in Section 1.3.

 

9.6 Required Delay in Payment to Key Employees. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.6, a distribution made on account of Separation from Service (or Retirement, if applicable) to a Participant who is a Key Employee as of the date of his Separation from Service (or Retirement, if applicable) shall not be made before the date which is six months after the Separation from Service (or Retirement, if applicable).

 

(a)            A Participant is treated as a Key Employee if (i) he is employed by a Related Employer any of whose stock is publicly traded on an established securities market, and (ii) he satisfies the requirements of Code Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii), determined without regard to Code Section 416(i)(5), at any time during the twelve month period ending on the Identification Date.

 

(b)           A Participant who is a Key Employee on an Identification Date shall be treated as a Key Employee for purposes of the six month delay in distributions for the twelve month period beginning on the first day of a month no later than the fourth month following the Identification Date. The Identification Date and the effective date of the delay in distributions shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

(c)            The Plan Sponsor may elect to apply an alternative method to identify Participants who will be treated as Key Employees for purposes of the six month delay in distributions if the method satisfies each of the following requirements. The alternative method is reasonably designed to include all Key Employees, is an objectively determinable standard providing no direct or indirect election to any Participant regarding its application, and results in either all Key Employees or no more than 200 Key Employees being identified in the class as of any date. Use of an alternative method that satisfies the requirements of this Section 9.6(c) will not be treated as a change in the time and form of payment for purposes of Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2(b).

 

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(d)           The six month delay does not apply to payments described in Section 9.9(a),(b) or (d) or to payments that occur after the death of the Participant. If the payment of all or any portion of the Participant’s vested Account is being delayed in accordance with this Section 9.6 at the time he incurs a Disability which would otherwise require a distribution under the terms of the Plan, no amount shall be paid until the expiration of the six month period of delay required by this Section 9.6.

 

9.7 Change in Control. If the Plan Sponsor has elected to permit distributions upon a Change in Control, the following provisions shall apply. A distribution made upon a Change in Control will be made at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement in the form elected by the Participant in accordance with the procedures described in Article 4. Alternatively, if the Plan Sponsor has elected in accordance with Section 11.02 of the Adoption Agreement to require distributions upon a Change in Control, the Participant’s remaining vested Account shall be paid to the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement as a single lump sum payment. A Change in Control, for purposes of the Plan, will occur upon a change in the ownership of the Plan Sponsor, a change in the effective control of the Plan Sponsor or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Plan Sponsor, but only if elected by the Plan Sponsor in Section 11.03 of the Adoption Agreement. The Plan Sponsor, for this purpose, includes any corporation identified in this Section 9.7. All distributions made in accordance with this Section 9.7 are subject to the provisions of Section 9.6.

 

If a Participant continues to make deferrals in accordance with Article 4 after he has received a distribution due to a Change in Control, the residual amount payable to the Participant shall be paid at the time and in the form specified in the elections he makes in accordance with Article 4 or upon his death or Disability as provided in Article 8.

 

Whether a Change in Control has occurred will be determined by the Administrator in accordance with the rules and definitions set forth in this Section 9.7. A distribution to the Participant will be treated as occurring upon a Change in Control if the Plan Sponsor terminates the Plan in accordance with Section 10.2 and distributes the Participant’s benefits within twelve months of a Change in Control as provided in Section 10.3.

 

(a)            Relevant Corporations. To constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan, the event must relate to (i) the corporation for whom the Participant is performing services at the time of the Change in Control, (ii) the corporation that is liable for the payment of the Participant’s benefits under the Plan (or all corporations liable if more than one corporation is liable) but only if either the deferred compensation is attributable to the performance of services by the Participant for such corporation (or corporations) or there is a bona fide business purpose for such corporation (or corporations) to be liable for such payment and, in either case, no significant purpose of making such corporation (or corporations) liable for such payment is the avoidance of federal income tax, or (iii) a corporation that is a majority shareholder of a corporation identified in (i) or (ii), or any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation identified in (i) or (ii). A majority shareholder is defined as a shareholder owning more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value and voting power of such corporation.

 

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(b)           Stock Ownership. Code Section 318(a) applies for purposes of determining stock ownership. Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the individual who owns the vested option (and the stock underlying an unvested option is not considered owned by the individual who holds the unvested option). If, however, a vested option is exercisable for stock that is not substantially vested (as defined by Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-3(b) and (j)) the stock underlying the option is not treated as owned by the individual who holds the option.

 

(c)            Change in the Ownership of a Corporation. A change in the ownership of a corporation occurs on the date that any one person or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the corporation that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of such corporation. If any one person or more than one person acting as a group is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of a corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the corporation (or to cause a change in the effective control of the corporation as discussed below in Section 9.7(d)). An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the corporation acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock. Section 9.7(c) applies only when there is a transfer of stock of a corporation (or issuance of stock of a corporation) and stock in such corporation remains outstanding after the transaction. For purposes of this Section 9.7(c), persons will not be considered to be acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time or as a result of a public offering. Persons will, however, be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the corporation. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.

 

(d)            Change in the effective control of a corporation. A change in the effective control of a corporation occurs on the date that either (i) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the corporation possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of such corporation, or (ii) a majority of members of the corporation’s board of directors is replaced during any twelve month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the corporation’s board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, provided that for purposes of this paragraph (ii), the term corporation refers solely to the relevant corporation identified in Section 9.7(a) for which no other corporation is a majority shareholder for purposes of Section 9.7(a). In the absence of an event described in Section 9.7(d)(i) or (ii), a change in the effective control of a corporation will not have occurred. A change in effective control may also occur in any transaction in which either of the two corporations involved in the transaction has a change in the ownership of such corporation as described in Section 9.7(c) or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of such corporation as described in Section 9.7(e). If any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to effectively control a corporation within the meaning of this Section 9.7(d), the acquisition of additional control of the corporation by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the effective control of the corporation or to cause a change in the ownership of the corporation within the meaning of Section 9.7(c). For purposes of this Section 9.7(d), persons will or will not be considered to be acting as a group in accordance with rules similar to those set forth in Section 9.7(c) with the following exception. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation only with respect to the ownership in that corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.

 

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(e)            Change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets. A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of a corporation’s assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as determined in accordance with rules similar to those set forth in Section 9.7(d)), acquires (or has acquired during the twelve month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the corporation immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the corporation or the value of the assets being disposed of determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. There is no Change in Control event under this Section 9.7(e) when there is a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring corporation immediately after the transfer. A transfer of assets by a corporation is not treated as a change in ownership of such assets if the assets are transferred to (i) a shareholder of the corporation (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock, (ii) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the corporation, (iii) a person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the corporation, or (iv) an entity, at least fifty (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in Section 9.7(e)(iii). For purposes of the foregoing, and except as otherwise provided, a person’s status is determined immediately after the transfer of assets.

 

9.8 Permissible Delays in Payment. Distributions may be delayed beyond the date payment would otherwise occur in accordance with the provisions of Articles 8 and 9 in any of the following circumstances as long as the Employer treats all payments to similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

 

(a)            The Employer may delay payment if it reasonably anticipates that its deduction with respect to such payment would be limited or eliminated by the application of Code Section 162(m). Payment must be made during the Participant’s first taxable year in which the Employer reasonably anticipates, or should reasonably anticipate, that if the payment is made during such year the deduction of such payment will not be barred by the application of Code Section 162(m) or during the period beginning with the Participant’s Separation from Service and ending on the later of the last day of the Employer’s taxable year in which the Participant separates from service or the 15th day of the third month following the Participant’s Separation from Service. If a scheduled payment to a Participant is delayed in accordance with this Section 9.8(a), all scheduled payments to the Participant that could be delayed in accordance with this Section 9.8(a) will also be delayed.

 

(b)            The Employer may also delay payment if it reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate federal securities laws or other applicable laws provided payment is made at the earliest date on which the Employer reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will not cause such violation.

 

(c)            The Employer reserves the right to amend the Plan to provide for a delay in payment upon such other events and conditions as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

 

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9.9 Permitted Acceleration of Payment. The Employer may permit acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment or amount scheduled to be paid pursuant to a payment under the Plan provided such acceleration would be permitted by the provisions of Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(D(4), including the following events:

 

(a)            Domestic Relations Order. A payment may be accelerated if such payment is made to an alternate payee pursuant to and following the receipt and qualification of a domestic relations order as defined in Code Section 414(p).

 

(b)            Compliance with Ethics Agreements and Legal Requirements. A payment may be accelerated as may be necessary to comply with ethics agreements with the Federal government or as may be reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of Federal, state, local or foreign ethics law or conflicts of laws, in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

(c)            De Minimis Amounts. A payment will be accelerated if (i) the amount of the payment is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Code Section 402(g)(1)(B), (ii) at the time the payment is made the amount constitutes the Participant’s entire interest under the Plan and all other plans that are aggregated with the Plan under Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2).

 

(d)            FICA Tax. A payment may be accelerated to the extent required to pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2) of the Code with respect to compensation deferred under the Plan (the “FICA Amount”). Additionally, a payment may be accelerated to pay the income tax on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 of the Code on the FICA Amount and to pay the additional income tax at source on wages attributable to the pyramiding Code Section 3401 wages and taxes. The total payment under this subsection (d) may not exceed the aggregate of the FICA Amount and the income tax withholding related to the FICA Amount.

 

(e)            Section 409A Additional Tax. A payment may be accelerated if the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A; provided that such payment may not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of the failure to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

(f)             Offset. A payment may be accelerated in the Employer’s discretion as satisfaction of a debt of the Participant to the Employer, where such debt is incurred in the ordinary course of the service relationship between the Participant and the Employer, the entire amount of the reduction in any of the Employer’s taxable years does not exceed $5,000, and the reduction is made at the same time and in the same amount as the debt otherwise would have been due and collected from the Participant.

 

(g)            Other Events. A payment may be accelerated in the Administrator’s discretion in connection with such other events and conditions as permitted by Code Section 409A.

 

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Article 10 — AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

10.1 Amendment by Plan Sponsor. The Plan Sponsor reserves the right to amend the Plan (for itself and each Employer) through action of its Board of Directors. No amendment can directly or indirectly deprive any current or former Participant or Beneficiary of all or any portion of his Account which had accrued and vested prior to the amendment.

 

10.2 Plan Termination Following Change in Control or Corporate Dissolution. If so elected by the Plan Sponsor in 11.01 of the Adoption Agreement, the Plan Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Plan and distribute all amounts credited to all Participant Accounts within the 30 days preceding or the twelve months following a Change in Control as determined in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 9.7. For this purpose, the Plan will be treated as terminated only if all agreements, methods, programs and other arrangements sponsored by the Related Employer immediately after the Change in Control which are treated as a single plan under Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2) are also terminated so that all participants under the Plan and all similar arrangements are required to receive all amounts deferred under the terminated arrangements within twelve months of the date the Plan Sponsor irrevocably takes all necessary action to terminate the arrangements. In addition, the Plan Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Plan within twelve months of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331 or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U. S. C. Section 503(b)(1)(A) provided that amounts deferred under the Plan are included in the gross incomes of Participants in the latest of (a) the calendar year in which the termination occurs, (b) the first calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, or (c) the first calendar year in which payment is administratively practicable.

 

10.3 Other Plan Terminations. The Plan Sponsor retains the discretion to terminate the Plan if (a) all arrangements sponsored by the Plan Sponsor that would be aggregated with any terminated arrangement under Code Section 409A and Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(c)(2) are terminated, (b) no payments other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the arrangements if the termination had not occurred are made within twelve months of the termination of the arrangements, (c) all payments are made within twenty-four months of the termination of the arrangements, (d) the Plan Sponsor does not adopt a new arrangement that would be aggregated with any terminated arrangement under Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder at any time within the three year period following the date of termination of the arrangement, and (e) the termination does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Plan sponsor. The Plan Sponsor also reserves the right to amend the Plan to provide that termination of the Plan will occur under such conditions and events as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

 

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Article 11 —THE TRUST

 

11.1 Establishment of Trust. The Plan Sponsor may but is not required to establish a trust to hold amounts which the Plan Sponsor may contribute from time to time to correspond to some or all amounts credited to Participants under Section 6.2. If the Plan Sponsor elects to establish a trust in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Adoption Agreement, the provisions of Sections 11.2 and 11.3 shall become operative.

 

11.2 Grantor Trust. Any trust established by the Plan Sponsor shall be between the Plan Sponsor and a trustee pursuant to a separate written agreement under which assets are held, administered and managed, subject to the claims of the Plan Sponsor’s creditors in the event of the Plan Sponsor’s insolvency. The trust is intended to be treated as a grantor trust under the Code, and the establishment of the trust shall not cause the Participant to realize current income on amounts contributed thereto. The Plan Sponsor must notify the trustee in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency.

 

11.3 Investment of Trust Funds. Any amounts contributed to the trust by the Plan Sponsor shall be invested by the trustee in accordance with the provisions of the trust and the instructions of the Administrator. Trust investments need not reflect the hypothetical investments selected by Participants under Section 7.1 for the purpose of adjusting Accounts and the earnings or investment results of the trust need not affect the hypothetical investment adjustments to Participant Accounts under the Plan.

 

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Article 12 — PLAN ADMINISTRATION

 

12.1 Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator. The Administrator has the full power and the full responsibility to administer the Plan in all of its details, subject, however, to the applicable requirements of ERISA. The Administrator’s powers and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(a)           To make and enforce such rules and procedures as it deems necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;

 

(b)           To interpret the Plan, its interpretation thereof to be final, except as provided in Section 12.2, on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;

 

(c)           To decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person to participate in the Plan;

 

(d)           To administer the claims and review procedures specified in Section 12.2;

 

(e)           To compute the amount of benefits which will be payable to any Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;

 

(f)            To determine the person or persons to whom such benefits will be paid;

 

(g)           To authorize the payment of benefits;

 

(h)           To comply with the reporting and disclosure requirements of Part 1 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA;

 

(i)             To appoint such agents, counsel, accountants, and consultants as may be required to assist in administering the Plan;

 

(j)             By written instrument, to allocate and delegate its responsibilities, including the formation of an Administrative Committee to administer the Plan.

 

12.2 Claims and Review Procedures.

 

(a)           Claims Procedure.

 

If any person believes he is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator. If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will contain (i) specific reasons for the denial, (ii) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (iv) a description of the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the person’s right to bring a civil action following an adverse decision on review. Such notification will be given within 90 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) after the claim is received by the Administrator. The Administrator may extend the period for providing the notification by 90 days (30 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim and if written notice of such extension and circumstance is given to such person within the initial 90 day period (45 day period in the case of a claim regarding Disability). If such notification is not given within such period, the claim will be considered denied as of the last day of such period and such person may request a review of his claim.

 

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(b)           Review Procedure.

 

Within 60 days (180 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) after the date on which a person receives a written notification of denial of claim (or, if written notification is not provided, within 60 days (180 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) of the date denial is considered to have occurred), such person (or his duly authorized representative) may (i) file a written request with the Administrator for a review of his denied claim and of pertinent documents and (ii) submit written issues and comments to the Administrator. The Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by such person and will contain specific reasons for the decision as well as specific references to pertinent Plan provisions. The notification will explain that the person is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all pertinent documents and has the right to bring a civil action following an adverse decision on review. The decision on review will be made within 60 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability). The Administrator may extend the period for making the decision on review by 60 days (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability) if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the request such as an election by the Administrator to hold a hearing, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 60-day period (45 days in the case of a claim regarding Disability). If the decision on review is not made within such period, the claim will be considered denied.

 

12.3 Plan Administrative Costs. All reasonable costs and expenses (including legal, accounting, and employee communication fees) incurred by the Administrator in administering the Plan shall be paid by the Plan to the extent not paid by the Employer.

 

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Article 13 — MISCELLANEOUS

 

13.1 Unsecured General Creditor of the Employer. Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of the Employer. For purposes of the payment of benefits under the Plan, any and all of the Employer’s assets shall be, and shall remain, the general, unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Employer. Each Employer’s obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.

 

13.2 Employer’s Liability. Each Employer’s liability for the payment of benefits under the Plan shall be defined only by the Plan and by the deferral agreements entered into between a Participant and the Employer. An Employer shall have no obligation or liability to a Participant under the Plan except as provided by the Plan and a deferral agreement or agreements. An Employer shall have no liability to Participants employed by other Employers.

 

13.3 Limitation of Rights. Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any amendment thereof, nor the creation of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits, will be construed as giving to the Participant or any other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, the Plan or the Administrator, except as provided herein; and in no event will the terms of employment or service of the Participant be modified or in any way affected hereby.

 

13.4 Anti-Assignment. Except as may be necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order within the meaning of Code Section 414(p), none of the benefits or rights of a Participant or any Beneficiary of a Participant shall be subject to the claim of any creditor. In particular, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all such benefits and rights shall be free from attachment, garnishment, or any other legal or equitable process available to any creditor of the Participant and his or her Beneficiary. Neither the Participant nor his or her Beneficiary shall have the right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any of the payments which he or she may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under the Plan, except the right to designate a Beneficiary to receive death benefits provided hereunder. Notwithstanding the preceding, the benefit payable from a Participant’s Account may be reduced, at the discretion of the administrator, to satisfy any debt or liability to the Employer.

 

13.5 Facility of Payment. If the Administrator determines, on the basis of medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrator, that the recipient of any benefit payments under the Plan is incapable of handling his affairs by reason of minority, illness, infirmity or other incapacity, the Administrator may direct the Employer to disburse such payments to a person or institution designated by a court which has jurisdiction over such recipient or a person or institution otherwise having the legal authority under State law for the care and control of such recipient. The receipt by such person or institution of any such payments therefore, and any such payment to the extent thereof, shall discharge the liability of the Employer, the Plan and the Administrator for the payment of benefits hereunder to such recipient.

 

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13.6 Notices. Any notice or other communication to the Employer or Administrator in connection with the Plan shall be deemed delivered in writing if addressed to the Plan Sponsor at the address specified in Section 1.03 of the Adoption Agreement and if either actually delivered at said address or, in the case or a letter, 5 business days shall have elapsed after the same shall have been deposited in the United States mails, first-class postage prepaid and registered or certified.

 

13.7 Tax Withholding. If the Employer concludes that tax is owing with respect to any deferral or payment hereunder, the Employer shall withhold such amounts from any payments due the Participant, as permitted by law, or otherwise make appropriate arrangements with the Participant or his Beneficiary for satisfaction of such obligation. Tax, for purposes of this Section 13.7 means any federal, state, local or any other governmental income tax, employment or payroll tax, excise tax, or any other tax or assessment owing with respect to amounts deferred, any earnings thereon, and any payments made to Participants under the Plan.

 

13.8 Indemnification. (a) Each Indemnitee (as defined in Section 13.8(e)) shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Employer for all actions taken by him and for all failures to take action (regardless of the date of any such action or failure to take action), to the fullest extent permitted by the law of the jurisdiction in which the Employer is incorporated, against all expense, liability, and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, taxes, penalties, and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (as defined in Subsection (e)). No indemnification pursuant to this Section shall be made, however, in any case where (1) the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness or (2) there is a settlement to which the Employer does not consent.

 

(b)           The right to indemnification provided in this Section shall include the right to have the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending any Proceeding paid by the Employer in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, to the fullest extent permitted by the law of the jurisdiction in which the Employer is incorporated; provided that, if such law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding shall be made only on delivery to the Employer of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced without interest if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.

 

(c)            Indemnification pursuant to this Section shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be such and shall inure to the benefit of his heirs, executors, and administrators. The Employer agrees that the undertakings made in this Section shall be binding on its successors or assigns and shall survive the termination, amendment or restatement of the Plan.

 

(d)           The foregoing right to indemnification shall be in addition to such other rights as the Indemnitee may enjoy as a matter of law or by reason of insurance coverage of any kind and is in addition to and not in lieu of any rights to indemnification to which the Indemnitee may be entitled pursuant to the by-laws of the Employer.

 

23

 

 

(e)            For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(1) “Indemnitee” shall mean each person serving as an Administrator (or any other person who is an employee, director, or officer of the Employer) who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, any Proceeding, by reason of the fact that he is or was performing administrative functions under the Plan.

 

(2) “Proceeding” shall mean any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding (including, without limitation, an action, suit, or proceeding by or in the right of the Employer), whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or through arbitration.

 

13.9 Successors. The provisions of the Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Plan Sponsor, the Employer and their successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant’s designated Beneficiaries.

 

13.10 Disclaimer. It is the Plan Sponsor’s intention that the Plan comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Neither the Plan Sponsor nor the Employer shall have any liability to any Participant should any provision of the Plan fail to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

13.11 Governing Law. The Plan will be construed, administered and enforced according to the laws of the State specified by the Plan Sponsor in Section 12.01 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

24

 

 

  

ADOPTION AGREEMENT

 

1.01       PREAMBLE

 

By the execution of this Adoption Agreement the Plan Sponsor hereby [complete (a) or (b)]

 

(a) ¨ adopts a new plan as of ___________ [month, day, year]

 

(b) x amends and restates its existing plan as of 01-01-2008 [month, day, year] which is the Amendment Restatement Date. As provided in Appendix A and further herein, all amounts deferred under the Plan prior to the Amendment Restatement Date shall be governed by the terms of the Plan as amended and restated herein.

 

Original Effective Date: 03-24-1998 [month, day, year]

 

Pre-409A Grandfathering: ¨Yes x No

 

1.02       PLAN

 

Plan Name: Utz Quality Foods, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Plan Year: ends December 31.

 

1.03       PLAN SPONSOR

 

Name: Utz Quality Foods, Inc.  
Address: 900 High Street, Hanover, PA 17331  
Phone #: 717-637-6644  
EIN: 23-1292435  
Fiscal Yr: December 31  

 

Is stock of the Plan Sponsor, any Employer or any Related Employer publicly traded on an established securities market?

 

¨ Yes x No

 

 

 

  

1.04       EMPLOYER

 

The following entities have been authorized by the Plan Sponsor to participate in and have adopted the Plan (insert “Not Applicable” if none have been authorized): 

 

  Entity   Publicly Traded on Est. Securities Market
       
      Yes No  
  Not Applicable   ¨ ¨  
    ¨ ¨  
    ¨ ¨  
    ¨ ¨  
    ¨ ¨  

 

1.05       ADMINISTRATOR

 

The Plan Sponsor has designated the following party or parties to be responsible for the administration of the Plan:

 

  Name: Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of Utz Quality Foods, Inc.
  Address: 900 High Street, Hanover, PA 17331
Note: The Administrator is the person or persons designated by the Plan Sponsor to be responsible for the administration of the Plan. Neither Fidelity Employer Services Company nor any other Fidelity affiliate can be the Administrator.

 

1.06       KEY EMPLOYEE DETERMINATION DATES

 

The Employer has designated _______ as the Identification Date for purposes of determining Key Employees.

 

In the absence of a designation, the Identification Date is December 31.

 

The Employer has designated _______ as the effective date for purposes of applying the six month delay in distributions to Key Employees.

 

In the absence of a designation, the effective date is the first day of the fourth month following the Identification Date.

 

2

 

  

2.01       PARTICIPATION

 

  (a) x Employees [complete (i), (ii) or (iii)]

 

  (i) x Eligible Employees are selected by the Employer.

 

  (ii) ¨ Eligible Employees are those employees of the Employer who satisfy the following criteria:

  

     
     
     
     
     

 

  (iii) ¨ Employees are not eligible to participate.

  

  (b) ¨ Directors [complete (i), (ii) or (iii)]

 

  (i) ¨ All Directors are eligible to participate.

 

  (ii) ¨ Only Directors selected by the Employer are eligible to participate.

 

  (iii) ¨ Directors are not eligible to participate.

 

3

 

  

3.01       COMPENSATION

 

For purposes of determining Participant contributions under Article 4 and Employer contributions under Article 5, Compensation shall be defined in the following manner [complete (a) or (b) and select (c) and/or (d), if applicable]:

 

  (a) x Compensation is defined as:
       
      Base Salary, plus Annual Bonus
       
       
       
       

 

(b) ¨ Compensation as defined in       [insert name of qualified plan] without regard to the limitation in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for such Plan Year.

 

  (c) ¨ Director Compensation is defined as:
       
       
       

 

  (d) ¨ Compensation shall, for all Plan purposes, be limited to $_____.

 

  (c) ¨ Not Applicable.

  

3.02       BONUSES

 

Compensation, as defined in Section 3.01 of the Adoption Agreement, includes the following type of bonuses:

 

  Type   Will be treated as
Performance Based Compensation
         
        Yes No
  Annual Bonus     x ¨
      ¨ ¨
      ¨ ¨
      ¨ ¨
      ¨ ¨
  ¨ Not Applicable.      

 

4

 

 

 

4.01       PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS

 

If Participant contributions are permitted, complete (a), (b), and (c). Otherwise complete (d).

 

(a)       Amount of Deferrals

 

A Participant may elect within the period specified in Section 4.01(b) of the Adoption Agreement to defer the following amounts of remuneration. For each type of remuneration listed, complete “dollar amount” and / or “percentage amount”.

 

(i)       Compensation Other than Bonuses [do not complete if you complete (iii)]

 

Type of Remuneration Dollar Amount % Amount Increment
Min Max Min Max
(a)    Base Salary $0 $999,999 0% 50% $1/1%
(b)          
(c)          
           

Note: The maximum dollar amount elected shall be further restricted so that the total base salary deferral does not exceed 50% of base salary year-to-date. Note further that the increment is required to determine the permissible deferral amounts. For example, a minimum of 0% and maximum of 20% with a 5% increment would allow an individual to defer 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%.

 

(ii)       Bonuses [do not complete if you complete (iii)]

 

Type of Bonus Dollar Amount % Amount Increment
Min Max Min Max
(a)    Annual Bonus     0% 100% 1%
(b)          
(c)          
           

(iii)       Compensation [do not complete if you completed (i) and (ii)]

 

Dollar Amount % Amount Increment
Min Max Min Max
         

 

5

 

  

(iv)       Director Compensation

 

Type of Compensation Dollar Amount % Amount Increment
Min Max Min Max
Annual Retainer          
Meeting Fees          
Other:          
Other:          

 

(b)         Election Period

 

(i)            Performance Based Compensation

 

A special election period

 

  x Does ¨ Does Not

 

apply to each eligible type of performance based compensation referenced in Section 3.02 of the Adoption Agreement.

 

The special election period, if applicable, will be determined by the Employer.

 

(ii)           Newly Eligible Participants

 

An employee who is classified or designated as an Eligible Employee during a Plan Year

 

  x May ¨ May Not

 

elect to defer Compensation earned during the remainder of the Plan Year by completing a deferral agreement within the 30 day period beginning on the date he is eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

(c)       Revocation of Deferral Agreement

 

A Participant’s deferral agreement

 

x Will

¨Will Not

 

be cancelled for the remainder of any Plan Year during which he receives a hardship distribution of elective deferrals from a qualified cash or deferred arrangement maintained by the Employer. If cancellation occurs, the Participant may resume participation in accordance with Article 4 of the Plan.

 

6

 

 

 

(d)           No Participant Contributions

 

¨       Participant contributions are not permitted under the Plan.

  

7

 

 

5.01       EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS

 

If Employer contributions are permitted, complete (a) and/or (b). Otherwise complete (c).

 

(a)       Matching Contributions

 

(i)       Amount

 

For each Plan Year, the Employer shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Participant who defers Compensation for the Plan Year and satisfies the requirements of Section 5.01(a)(ii) of the Adoption Agreement equal to [complete the ones that are applicable]:

 

(A) ¨ _______ [insert percentage] of the Compensation the Participant has elected to defer for the Plan Year

 

(B) ¨ An amount determined by the Employer in its sole discretion

 

(C) ¨ Matching Contributions for each Participant shall be limited to _____ and/or ______% of Compensation.
       
  (D) ¨ Other:
       
       
       
(E) ¨ Not Applicable [Proceed to Section 5.01(b)]

 

(ii)            Eligibility for Matching Contribution

 

A Participant who defers Compensation for the Plan Year shall receive an allocation of Matching Contributions determined in accordance with Section 5.01(a)(i) provided he satisfies the following requirements [complete the ones that are applicable]:

 

  (A) ¨ Describe requirements:
       
         
         
  (B) ¨ Is selected by the Employer in its sole discretion to receive an allocation of Matching Contributions

 

  (C) ¨ No requirements

  

8

 

 

(iii)           Time of Allocation

 

Matching Contributions, if made, shall be treated as allocated [select one]:

 

  (A) ¨ As of the last day of the Plan Year

 

  (B) ¨ At such times as the Employer shall determine in its sole discretion

 

  (C) ¨ At the time the Compensation on account of which the Matching Contribution is being made would otherwise have been paid to the Participant

 

  (D) ¨ Other:
       
       

 

(b)            Other Contributions

 

(i)            Amount

 

The Employer shall make a contribution or contributions on behalf of each Participant who satisfies the requirements of Section 5.01(b)(ii) equal to [complete the ones that are applicable]:

 

(A) ¨ An amount equal to _______ [insert number] % of the Participant’s Compensation

 

(B) x An amount determined by the Employer in its sole discretion

 

(C) ¨ Contributions for each Participant shall be limited to $______.

 

  (D) x Other:

The profit sharing contribution for the year based on compensation in excess of the IRC Section 401(a)(17) limit as determined by the Employer in its sole discretion.
       

 

(E) ¨ Not Applicable [Proceed to Section 6.01]

 

(ii)           Eligibility for Other Contributions

 

A Participant shall receive an allocation of other Employer contributions determined in accordance with Section 5.01(b)(i) for the Plan Year if he satisfies the following requirements [complete the one that is applicable]:

 

  (A) ¨ Describe requirements:
       
       

  

9

 

 

(B) x Is selected by the Employer in its sole discretion to receive an allocation of other Employer contributions

 

(C) ¨ No requirements

 

(iii)           Time of Allocation

 

Employer contributions, if made, shall be treated as allocated [select one]:

 

  (A) ¨ As of the last day of the Plan Year

 

  (B) x At such time or times as the Employer shall determine in its sole discretion

 

  (C) ¨ Other:
   
   
   

  

(c)           No Employer Contributions

 

¨       Employer contributions are not permitted under the Plan.

 

10

 

 

 

6.01       DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The timing and form of payment of distributions made from the Participant’s vested Account shall be made in accordance with the elections made in this Section 6.01 of the Adoption Agreement except when Section 9.6 of the Plan requires a six month delay for certain distributions to Key Employees of publicly traded companies.

 

(a)       Timing of Distributions

 

(i)       All distributions shall commence in accordance with the following [choose one]:

 

(A) ¨ As soon as administratively feasible following the distribution event

 

(B) x Monthly on specified day 15th [insert day]

 

(C) ¨ Annually on specified month and day ____ [insert month and day]

 

(D) ¨ Calendar quarter on specified month and day [____ month of quarter (insert 1,2 or 3); _____ day (insert day)]

 

(ii)       The timing of distributions as determined in Section 6.01(a)(i) shall be modified by the adoption of:

 

(A) ¨ Event Delay — Distribution events other than those based on Specified Date or Specified Age will be treated as not having occurred for _______ months [insert number of months].

 

(B) ¨ Hold Until Next Year — Distribution events other than those based on Specified Date or Specified Age will be treated as not having occurred for twelve months from the date of the event if payment pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(i) will thereby occur in the next calendar year or on the first payment date in the next calendar year in all other cases.

 

  (C) ¨ Immediate Processing — The timing method selected by the Plan Sponsor under Section 6.01(a)(i) shall be overridden for the following distribution events [insert events]:
       
       
       
(D) x Not applicable.

 

11

 

 

(b)       Distribution Events

 

Participants may elect the following payment events and the associated form or forms of payment. If multiple events are selected, the earliest to occur will trigger payment. For installments, insert the range of available periods (e.g., 5-15) or insert the periods available (e.g., 5,7,9).

 

      Lump
Sum
Installments
(i) x Specified Date X 1-5 years
(ii) ¨ Specified Age _____ _____ years
(iii) x  Separation from Service X 1-5 years
(iv) ¨ Separation from Service plus 6 months _____ _____ years
(v) ¨  Separation from Service plus ___ months [not to exceed ____ months] _____ _____ years
(vi) ¨ Retirement _____ _____ years
(vii) ¨ Retirement plus 6 months _____ _____ years
(viii) ¨ Retirement plus ___ months [not to exceed ___ months] _____ _____ years
(ix) ¨ Later of Separation from Service or Specified Age _____ _____ years
(x) ¨ Later of Separation from Service of Specified Date _____ _____ years
(xi) ¨ Disability _____ _____ years
(xii) ¨ Death _____ _____ years
         

The minimum deferral period for Specified Date or Specified Age event shall be two years. Anything in this Section 6.01(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, Participant elections of time and form of payment of distributions are only available for Participant contributions made in accordance with Section 4.01. Amounts attributable to Employer contributions made in accordance with Section 5.01 shall be distributed upon Separation from Service in a Lump Sum payment subject to the provisions of Section 6.01(d).

 

Installments may be paid [select each that applies]

 

  x Monthly
  x Quarterly
  x Semi-annually
  x Annually

 

(c) Specified Date and Specified Age elections may not extend beyond age Not Applicable [insert age or “Not Applicable” if no maximum age applies].

 

12

 

 

(d) Payment Election Override

 

Payment of the remaining vested balance of the Participant’s Account will automatically occur at the time specified in Section 6.01(a) of the Adoption Agreement in the form indicated upon the earliest to occur of the following events [check each event that applies and for each event include only a single form of payment]:

 

  EVENTS FORM OF PAYMENT
 ¨ Separation from Service _____ Lump sum _____ Installments
 ¨ Separation from Service before Retirement _____ Lump sum _____ Installments
 x Death X Lump sum _____ Installments
 x Disability X Lump sum _____ Installments
 ¨ Not applicable        
           

(e)            Involuntary Cashouts

 

x If the Participant’s vested Account at the time of his Separation from Service does not exceed $Section 402(q) limit ($15,500 in 2008) distribution of the vested Account shall automatically be made in the form of a single lump sum in accordance with Section 9.5 of the Plan.

 

¨ There are no involuntary cashouts.

 

(f)             Retirement

 

  ¨ Retirement shall be defined as a Separation from Service that occurs on or after the Participant [insert description of requirements]:
     
  x No special definition of Retirement applies.
   
     

 

(g)            Distribution Election Change

 

A Participant

 

  x Shall
  ¨ Shall Not

 

be permitted to modify a scheduled distribution date and/or payment option in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Plan.

 

A Participant shall generally be permitted to elect such modification any number of times.

 

13

 

 

Administratively, allowable distribution events will be modified to reflect all options necessary to fulfill the distribution change election provision.

 

(h)           Frequency of Elections

 

The Plan Sponsor

 

x     Has
¨      Has Not

 

Elected to permit annual elections of a time and form of payment for amounts deferred under the Plan.

 

14

 

 

7.01       VESTING

 

(a)            Matching Contributions

 

The Participant’s vested interest in the amount credited to his Account attributable to Matching Contributions shall be based on the following schedule:

 

  ¨  Year of Service Vesting %  
    0 ______ (insert ‘100’ if there is immediate vesting)
    1 ______  
    2 ______  
    3 ______  
    4 ______  
    5 ______  
    6 ______  
    7 ______  
    8 ______  
    9 ______  
         
  ¨  Other:    
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                           
         
  ¨  Class year vesting applies.  
         
  x  Not applicable.    
         

(b)            Other Employer Contributions

 

The Participant’s vested interest in the amount credited to his Account attributable to Employer contributions other than Matching Contributions shall be based on the following schedule:

 

  x  Year of Service Vesting %  
    0 100% (insert ‘100’ if there is immediate vesting)
    1 ______  
    2 ______  
    3 ______  
    4 ______  
    5 ______  
    6 ______  
    7 ______  
    8 ______  
    9 ______  
         
  ¨  Other:    
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                           
         
  ¨  Class year vesting applies.  
         
  ¨  Not applicable.    

 

15

 

 

(c)           Acceleration of Vesting

 

A Participant’s vested interest in his Account will automatically be 100% upon the occurrence of the following events: [select the ones that are applicable]:

 

(i) ¨  Death
     
(ii) ¨  Disability
     
(iii) ¨  Change in Control
     
(iv) ¨  Eligibility for Retirement
     
(v) ¨  Other:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                      
     
(vi) x  Not applicable.

 

(d)           Years of Service

 

(i)       A Participant’s Years of Service shall include all service performed for the Employer and

 

¨     Shall
¨     Shall Not
 

include service performed for the Related Employer.

 

(ii)       Years of Service shall also include service performed for the following entities:

   

   
   
   
   
   
   

 

16

 

 

(iii)       Years of Service shall be determined in accordance with (select one)

 

(A) ¨  The elapsed time method in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.410(a)-7

 

(B) ¨  The general method in DOL Reg. Sec. 2530.200b-1 through b-4

 

  (C) ¨  The Participant’s Years of Service credited under [insert name of plan]                                                                               
       

 

  (D) ¨  Other:                                                                                                                                                                                                 
       
       

 

(iv)      x        Not applicable.

 

17

 

 

8.01       UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY

 

(a) A withdrawal due to an Unforeseeable Emergency as defined in Section 2.24:

 

x     Will

¨     Will Not [if Unforeseeable Emergency withdrawals are not permitted, proceed to Section 9.01]

 

be allowed solely with respect to amounts attributable to Employee deferrals made in accordance with Section 4.01.

 

(b) Upon a withdrawal due to an Unforeseeable Emergency, a Participant’s deferral election for the remainder of the Plan Year:

 

x     Will
¨     Will Not

 

be cancelled. If cancellation occurs, the Participant may resume participation in accordance with Article 4 of the Plan.

 

18

 

 

9.01       INVESTMENT DECISIONS

 

Investment decisions regarding the hypothetical amounts credited to a Participant’s Account shall be made by [select one]:

 

(a) x  The Participant or his Beneficiary

 

(b) ¨  The Employer

 

19

 

 

10.01       GRANTOR TRUST

 

The Employer [select one]:

 

x       Does

¨        Does Not

 

intend to establish a grantor trust in connection with the Plan.

 

20

 

 

11.01       TERMINATION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

The Plan Sponsor

 

x        Reserves
¨         Does Not Reserve

 

the right to terminate the Plan and distribute all vested amounts credited to Participant Accounts upon a Change in Control as described in Section 9.7.

 

11.02       AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Distribution of the remaining vested balance of each Participant’s Account

 

¨         Shall
x        Shall Not

 

automatically be paid as a lump sum payment upon the occurrence of a Change in Control as provided in Section 9.7.

 

11.03       CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

A Change in Control for Plan purposes includes the following [select each definition that applies]:

 

(a)     x     A change in the ownership of the Employer as described in Section 9.7(c) of the Plan.

 

(b)     x     A change in the effective control of the Employer as described in Section 9.7(d) of the Plan.

 

(c)     x     A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Employer as described in Section 9.7(e) of the Plan.

 

(d)     ¨     Not Applicable.

 

21

 

 

12.01       GOVERNING STATE LAW

 

The laws of Pennsylvania shall apply in the administration of the Plan to the extent not preempted by ERISA.

 

22

 

 

EXECUTION PAGE

 

The Plan Sponsor has caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed this 15th day of April 2008.

 

  PLAN SPONSOR: Utz Quality Foods, Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Todd Staub
   
  Title: VP - CFO

 

23

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

SPECIAL EFFECTIVE DATES

 

(1) Amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2008 together with 2008 Base Salary deferrals shall be accounted for separately from the class year accounted amounts deferred on and after January 1, 2008.

 

(2) Specified Date elections set forth in Section 6.01(b) become available effective with the deferral elections made during 2008 with respect to (i) Annual Bonus earned during 2008 and (ii) 2009 Base Salary.

 

(3) Distribution election changes made in accordance with Section 6.01(g) become available effective with the deferral of Annual Bonus earned during 2008 and 2009 Base Salary.

 

(4) Notwithstanding the available forms of payment specified in Section 6.01(b), Participant elections of the level dollar installments form of payment made prior to January 1, 2008 shall continue in effect on and after January 1, 2008.

 

(5) As permitted by the final regulations, where the plan has been operated in compliance with section 409A and the regulations prior to January 1, 2008, the plan is not being amended to be compliant with section 409A with respect to amounts that were deferred under the plan that were paid on or before December 31, 2007 in compliance with the transition guidance.

 

(6) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the plan sponsor has reserved the right accorded by Notice 2007-86 to extend transition relief to participant elections of time and form of payment or election changes through December 31, 2008, provided the amounts are not otherwise payable during 2008 and the specified time of payment is after 2008.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 14.1

 

 

UTZ BRANDS, INC.

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

To All Associates, Officers and Directors:

 

As you all know the Utz story began in Hanover, Pennsylvania when Bill and Salie Utz started making and selling potato chips in 1921. Our culture is rooted deeply in this history with a reflection of Utz quality in our facilities, in our products and in our people.

 

All of us at Utz Brands, Inc. and our subsidiaries (collectively “Utz” or the “Company”) can be proud that one of the cornerstones of our people and business philosophy is our commitment to operating our business in a manner that is true to our history and tradition and in a responsible and ethical manner. The continued success of the Company rests with each of us demonstrating, on a day-to-day basis, honesty, respect, integrity and fair dealing toward our employees, suppliers, customers, stockholders and the general public.

 

This document has been developed to enable each of you to understand and follow the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”). It is not intended to make you an expert in any one area but instead has been prepared to alert you to potential problems and issues that may arise so that you may talk to your supervisor or to the Human Resources Department prior to acting. The document does not cover all issues that may arise in every locale where the Company does business but raises general issues that should be considered anywhere we do business.

 

The toll-free number below has been established and will provide a means to report potential violations and/or address questions regarding interpretation of the Code. NAVEX Global, an independent Ethics Hot Line call center and communications center, has been selected to receive these calls and communications and forward your concern to either Utz’s Human Resources Department or Legal Counsel, depending upon the nature of the call. Should you have any questions, or if you believe that you have been asked to do anything that violates the Code, you should notify your supervisor or immediately call the toll-free Ethics Hotline at 844.936.2711 or contact them on-line at https://utzsnacks.ethicspoint.com. You may remain anonymous on both phone and on-line communications if you so choose.

 

The Company will not permit retaliation for reports made or concerns raised in good faith. “Good faith” does not mean that the report or concern raised must be correct, but it does require that the person making the report or raising the concern believes that he or she is providing truthful information.

 

If you request confidentiality, every effort will be made to protect your identity when you report a potential violation. In some instances, however, it may be impossible to keep your identity confidential because of the demands of conducting a thorough investigation or because of legal requirements. If you are concerned about confidentiality, you may consider placing an anonymous call to the Ethics Hotline.

 

The Company is committed to complying with all laws applicable to our businesses and expects all employees, officers and directors to assure that this commitment is met.

 

/s/ Dylan Lissette  
   
Dylan Lissette  
Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS     1  
Introduction     1  
Basic Principles     1  
Commitment to our Business Partners     2  
Corporate Opportunities     3  
Business Records and Confidentiality     3  
Employment Practices     4  
Health and Safety:     4  
Substance Abuse:     5  
The Environment and Sustainability:     5  
Vendor Relationships:     5  
Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets     5  
Compliance With Laws, Rules and Regulations     5  
Fair Dealing, Antitrust and Competition Laws:     6  
Intellectual property (IP):     7  
Political and Charitable Contributions:     7  
Unauthorized Payments to Obtain Business:     7  
Export Compliance and Prohibited Foreign Economic Boycotts:     8  
Insider Trading Laws:     9  
Conflict of Interest:     9  
Internet and Social Media:     11  
Postings on social media platforms established by the Company and its brands:     12  
Timely and Truthful Public Disclosure     12  
Waivers     13  
Reporting Irregularities and Suspected Violations     13  
Accountability for Violations     13  

 

 

 

 

 

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

 

Introduction

 

The Code applies to all employees and officers (collectively, “Associates”) and members of the Board of Directors (“Directors”) of Utz Brands, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries (collectively “Utz” or the “Company”) and provides principles for each of us to follow in the performance of our activities on behalf of the Company.

 

The policies outlined in this Code are designed to ensure that Associates and Directors act in accordance with not only the letter but also the spirit of the laws and regulations that apply to our business. It also constitutes our code of ethics under applicable law, and the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

 

Associates and Directors who violate this Code will be subject to disciplinary action. Associates and Directors are expected to read the policies set forth in this Code and ensure that they understand and comply with them; provided that in the case of non-employee Directors compliance with this Code is subject to the provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws and any investor rights agreement or stockholders agreement with the Company, then in effect. Any questions about the Code or the appropriate course of conduct in a particular situation should be directed to the Company’s Human Resources Department or the Company’s Legal Counsel. Any violations of laws, rules, regulations or this Code should be reported immediately, by following the procedures for reporting violations included in this Code, below. The Company will not allow retaliation against an Associate or Director for such a report made in good faith.

 

Any waiver of the provisions of this Code for executive officers or Directors of the Company may be made only by the board of directors and must be promptly disclosed to stockholders in accordance with the rules of the SEC and NYSE.

 

The principles in this Code are further supported and reinforced for Associates and Directors by various Company policies and standards of conduct. The various policies and standards of conduct are separate from this Code.

 

Basic Principles

 

The basic principles of business conduct to which Utz and our Associates and Directors are committed to follow are:

 

· Compliance With All Applicable Laws

 

It is Company’s policy to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations applicable to its business activities. No Associate or Director may take any action that he or she knows to be in violation of any applicable law, rule or regulation.

 

All provisions of this Code are intended to comply with all applicable laws. In the event of any conflict between this Code and one or more applicable laws, the relevant applicable law shall apply.

 

 

 

 

· No Conflict of Interest

 

No Associate or Director should put herself or himself in the position that personal interest influences or appears to influence their ability to make decisions in the best interest of the Company.

 

· Observe Moral and Ethical Standards

 

Every Associate or Director must conduct his or her day-to-day business activities consistent with the moral and ethical standards of the locale in which she or he is conducting business.

 

While this Code has been written for all Associates and Directors, it is the management of the Company that is required to provide the tone-at-the-top and leadership required to make this Code a successful document. We must ensure that all Associates and Directors have sufficient resources to comply with the law and to resolve ethical questions. Our corporate culture must encourage each Associate to raise concerns. We must be sure not to sacrifice long-term ethical commitment in pursuit of business objectives.

 

Commitment to our Business Partners

 

The Company believes in the importance of the way we conduct ourselves and the way in which we do business with our business partners. The following reaffirms our commitment.

 

· To our Associates – We are committed to maintaining a work environment that treats all persons with dignity and respect and affords an opportunity to grow professionally.

 

· To our Consumers – We are committed to providing a safe and quality product.

 

· To our Customers – We are committed to providing a quality product in a timely fashion.

 

· To our Suppliers – We are committed to offering fair competition to all suppliers and to being a responsible customer.

 

· To our Regulators – We are committed to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as part of our routine business practice. We acknowledge our responsibilities to monitor compliance to these laws and regulations.

 

· To our Auditors – We are committed to providing required disclosures and adhering to applicable compliance.

 

· To our Headquarter Community – We are committed to being the type of citizen to Hanover, PA that we have shown to be over the last nearly 100 years and beyond.

 

· To our Facility Communities – We are committed to being a good neighbor.

 

· All Associates, Directors and contractors must accept responsibility for maintaining and enhancing the Company’s reputation for ethical business conduct, integrity and fairness in its business dealings. In its everyday business transactions, the Company must be seen to be dealing even handedly, transparently and honestly with all its consumers, customers, vendors, suppliers, Associates, contractors, governments, regulators and others with whom the Company has a relationship. Please see the Company’s Business Ethics Policy (Section 1105 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

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Corporate Opportunities

 

Other than may be permitted in our Certificate of Incorporation as then filed with the SEC, Associates and Directors are prohibited from taking for themselves opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Company (or existing on the date of the business combination transaction that formed Utz and disclosed in connection therewith). No Associates or Directors may use Company property, information or position for personal gain, and no Associate may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Associates and Directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests whenever possible.

 

Business Records and Confidentiality

 

Our records must accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

 

Each Associate and Director is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of all documents and records. No one is authorized to alter or qualify information on any record or document. All financial information must reflect actual transactions. No undisclosed or unrecorded assets or funds exist and none may be established.

 

Making false or misleading statements to anyone, including internal or external auditors, the Company’s Legal Counsel, other Company Associates or regulators can be a criminal act that can result in severe penalties.

 

During the course of working with the Company or serving on its Board of Directors, Associates and Directors will be exposed to and become aware of confidential information about the Company and its operations, customers, and suppliers which are valuable assets to the Company. Confidential information should be interpreted broadly as all non-public information that might be of use to competitors or harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information may be used, where permitted, to perform an individual’s job functions, but it must not be shared with others outside the Company. In many instances third parties have provided information to the Company only on the Company’s commitment to keep such information confidential and to limit disclosure within the Company. Caution and discretion are required when using or disclosing any Confidential Information. Therefore, before using or disclosing any Confidential Information, be sure to check with our Chief Administrative Officer or the Company’s Legal Counsel on any contractual or other restrictions regarding disclosure.

 

Above all, Associates and Directors are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information, except when disclosure is authorized by the Company's Legal Counsel or required by laws or regulations. Please see the Company’s Confidentiality of Information Policy (Section 1110 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

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Employment Practices

 

The Company is committed to providing a work environment where all Associates and potential employees are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual affectation or orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. . Please see the Company’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (Section 270 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

It is the Company’s policy to provide a workplace free of all forms of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. In particular, an atmosphere of tension created by ethnic, racial, sexual or religious remarks, unwelcome sexual advances, or requests for sexual favors, will not be tolerated. Harassment of Associates, applicants, customers, contractors or suppliers by other Associates is a violation of Company policy.

 

Harassment is defined as any single incident or pattern of behavior where the effect, intentional or unintentional, creates a hostile, offensive or intimidating work environment. Harassment can encompass a wide range of behaviors and includes, without limitation, verbal harassment (epithets, derogatory statements, slurs), physical harassment (hitting, pushing or other aggressive physical contact) and visual harassment (posters, cartoons, drawings).

 

Unlawful sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, (1) when submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment; (2) or is used as a basis for employment decisions; or (3) when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating or sexually offensive work environment.

 

Harassment is prohibited whether it occurs in the workplace, at customer or vendor sites, or at other employment related events or activities. The Company will not permit, condone or tolerate sexual harassment of its Associates, vendors or guests. If such an instance should occur, you should immediately notify your supervisor or Human Resources. Please see the Company’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (Section 270 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

Health and Safety:

 

All Company facilities must comply with all applicable government regulations and rules and with the Company policies and/or facility practices that promote health and safety in the work place. Each Associate must become familiar with the policies at your work location. It is important that your supervisor be advised immediately of any workplace injury or any potentially dangerous situation so that corrective action can be implemented. Please see the Company’s Employee Safety Policy (Section 805 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

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Substance Abuse:

 

Work requires clear thinking. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or improperly using medication, diminishes an Associate’s ability to perform at his or her best. This is why Utz forbids the use of drugs and abuse of alcohol in the workplace in violation of company policy. The safety of our Associates and consumers depends on it. If you observe that another Associate’s performance on the job is impaired due to the use of alcohol, drugs or other substances, or that another Associate is using illegal substances or abusing alcohol on Company property, notify a member of management or the Human Resources Department, or contact the Corporate Compliance Officer. Please see the Company’s Drug and Alcohol Policy (Section 545 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

The Environment and Sustainability:

 

As a good neighbor of the communities in which we operate and as an organization that understands our responsibility to preserve the environment, the Company is committed to a safe environment and sound environmental practices. The Company is committed to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of applicable environmental laws and regulations. Any potential violation of these laws must be immediately reported to your supervisor, the Environmental Manager for the facility or to the Corporate Compliance Officer.

 

Vendor Relationships:

 

All consultants, contractors and suppliers must be treated in a fair and reasonable manner consistent with good business practices. It is the Company’s policy to promote competitive procurement to the greatest extent practical. Our choices of consultants, contractors and suppliers must be made on the basis of reasoned criteria as applied on a common sense basis. Sourcing decisions are to be made based on ability and benefit to the Company, not on personal benefits or other factors that do not benefit the Company. Please see the Company’s Vendor Gift Giving Policy (Section 1100 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets

 

All Associates and Directors should endeavor to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability and our views on sustainability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation. The Company’s equipment should not be used for non-Company business, though limited incidental personal use is permitted in accordance with the Company’s other policies. Please see the Company’s Company Property Policy (Section 520 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

Compliance With Laws, Rules and Regulations

 

All provisions of this Code are intended to comply with all applicable laws. In the event of any conflict between this Code and one or more applicable laws, regulation or other applicable legal requirements, the relevant applicable law, regulation or legal requirement shall apply. If a local policy conflicts with a policy in the Code, Associates and Directors must comply with the Code.

 

The Company, all Associates and Directors shall comply with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations at all levels of government in the United States and in any non-U.S. jurisdiction in which the Company does business. Although not all Associates and Directors are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough about the applicable local, state and national laws to determine when to seek advice from your supervisor, the Corporate Compliance Officer or other appropriate personnel. Potential violations should be immediately reported to your supervisor, a member of management or the Corporate Compliance Officer.

 

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In particular, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and the principal accounting officer of the Company, and persons performing similar functions must adhere to and advocate:

 

· for honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

 

· the full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company;

 

· compliance with both all applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

 

· compliance with the Company’s systems of internal accounting controls;

 

· prompt internal reporting of any suspected of known violations of this Code in accordance with the parameters set forth in this Code; and

 

· the understanding that failure to comply with this Code is cause for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

 

If a law, regulation or legal requirement conflicts with this Code, Associates and Directors must comply with the law, regulation and/or legal requirement.

 

We will cooperate with and be courteous to all government inspectors and provide them with the information to which they are entitled during an inspection. No Associate must ever conceal, destroy or alter any Company records, lie or make misleading statements to the government.

 

Fair Dealing, Antitrust and Competition Laws:

 

The Company’s Associates and Directors are required to behave honestly and ethically at all times and with all individuals they interact with in the work environment. Each Associate and Director is required to act in good faith with integrity and due care and deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors, colleagues and other third parties. All forms of anti-competitive, deceptive conduct or unfair dealing practice through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, collusion or misrepresentation of material facts or any other similar unfair practice are strictly prohibited.

 

The antitrust laws of the United States and competition laws of other countries are intended to create a level playing field, and thus foster and preserve a competitive marketplace. It is the Company’s belief that such laws have contributed significantly to free markets and to the Company’s growth. Violation of these laws can occur:

 

· if you have communications or agreements with competitors on prices, terms, sales policies or customer selection or classification (except for usual credit information) other competitively sensitive information or to allocate markets or customers;

 

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· if you attempt to suggest or agree with a competitor, supplier or customer on how he or she should deal with others, including who such person should or should not do business with; or

 

· if you use unfair means to promote or sell the Company’s products.

 

Violation of the antitrust laws can result in severe penalties to the Company and to the individuals who participate in the violation (including potential prison sentences). The Company expects its Associates and Directors to comply fully with all applicable antitrust laws and antitrust compliance programs. In the event any proposed business practice on behalf of the Company presents a possible question under the antitrust laws, you are to consult with the Company’s Legal Counsel or the Corporate Compliance Officer so as to assure compliance with these laws.

 

Intellectual property (IP):

 

Patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets are also valuable Company assets. Protect IP with a passion, and remember that the Company owns any work product (such as ideas, processes and inventions) that you develop or design in your work with us to the extent permitted by law. That ownership continues even if you leave our Company.

 

Political and Charitable Contributions:

 

Federal law regulates companies in making any direct or indirect contributions or expenditures in connection with any federal election. Similar statutes exist in many states regarding state and local elections. Violations of these laws can subject the Company and responsible individuals to severe penalties. It is the Company’s policy to adhere fully to these legal requirements. Any Director or Associate of the Company can, of course, contribute to any political party, candidate or political action committee, but any such contribution is to be on a personal basis, not on behalf of the Company and reimbursement is not to be sought from the Company, directly or indirectly.

 

Charitable contributions with Company funds, while often permissible, can in some circumstances be used as a disguise for bribery. Therefore, Company personnel must be careful to ensure, through due diligence and transparency, that charitable contributions and sponsorships do not constitute or give the appearance of bribery or conflicts of interest. Prior to making or committing to make a charitable donation or similar payment, Company personnel must consult with the Company’s Legal Counsel or the Corporate Compliance Officer to ensure that the proposed payment is in accord with Company policy.

 

Unauthorized Payments to Obtain Business:

 

The giving of gifts or payment of confidential commissions, bonuses, bribes or other types of unofficial remuneration to Associates or officials of any government or its agencies for any purpose is expressly forbidden as a matter of Company policy. Federal, state and foreign laws also make such payments illegal.

 

· Government Officials: Utz prohibits improper international business practices and complies with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and similar laws of host nations, and related anti-bribery conventions to the extent applicable. The FCPA is a special set of U.S. laws designed to prevent U.S. companies and their employees, third parties, representatives, and agents from bribing or corruptly influencing foreign officials, as defined under U.S. law. It is the policy of Utz that all Associates, Directors, third- parties, representatives, and agents of the Company are prohibited from offering, promising, making, authorizing or providing (directly, or indirectly through third parties) any payments, gifts, or the transfer of anything of value to any government official (including family members of the official) in any jurisdiction to influence or reward any official action or decision by such person for Utz’s benefit. Neither Utz funds nor funds from any other source, including personal funds, may be used to make any such payment or gift on behalf of or for the benefit of Utz in order to secure an improper business advantage.

 

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Utz’s prohibition includes a prohibition on facilitation payments. Facilitation payments are token gifts or minor payments to clerical or low-level administrative employees to facilitate performance of routine administrative functions such as clerical processing or issuance of licenses.

 

The FCPA also contains significant internal accounting control and record keeping requirements that apply to Utz’s domestic operations. The FCPA’s intent in requiring these records is to ensure that a corporation maintains reasonable control over its assets. All Associates are responsible for following the Company’s procedures for carrying out and reporting business transactions and for ensuring that Utz’s books and records accurately and fairly reflect, in reasonable detail, Utz’s assets and transactions.

 

· Commercial Bribery: Utz has a zero tolerance policy towards bribery, inducement and corruption. Bribery is the offer, promise, giving, demanding or acceptance of an advantage as an inducement for an action which is illegal, unethical, a breach of trust or the improper performance of a function or activity. Inducements can take the form of gifts, fees, rewards, jobs, internships, favors or other advantages.

 

 

Utz and its Associates and Directors must also comply with applicable federal and state laws which prohibit providing remuneration to induce the purchase or order of Company products that may be subject to reimbursement or payment by a government agency or other third party. Any Associate with questions about laws relating to such remuneration should consult with the Company’s Legal Counsel or the Corporate Compliance Officer.

 

Direct or indirect participation by any Associate or Director in any improper transaction or deviation from established Company accounting practices, including omitted or falsified expense reports or accounting entries, is strictly prohibited. Each Associate and Director has a direct, personal responsibility for complying with these laws and a violation of these laws will result in appropriate disciplinary action and could include termination.

 

Export Compliance and Prohibited Foreign Economic Boycotts:

 

Local export and economic sanctions laws can have global reach. It is the policy of Utz to comply with all applicable laws, including export compliance laws, economic sanctions laws, sanctions and embargoes, and anti-boycott legislation. All Associates and Directors must understand and comply with all such laws that apply to our provision of goods. Some countries are subject to stricter export controls. The policy of the company is that each business unit should ensure compliance with all applicable economic sanctions laws.

 

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The policy of the Company is to strictly comply with U.S. laws pertaining to activities associated with prohibited foreign economic boycotts. These laws prohibit a wide variety of activities connected with such organized, illegal boycotts, including: refusing to do business with boycotted countries, their nationals or blacklisted companies; furnishing information about the Company’s or any person’s past, present or prospective relationship with boycotted countries or blacklisted companies; furnishing information about any person’s race, religion, sex, or national origin, or membership or support of charitable organizations supporting a boycotted country; discriminating against individuals or companies on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin; and paying, honoring or confirming letters of credit containing boycott provisions. The law also requires that boycotting request be reported to the U.S. government.

 

Insider Trading Laws:

 

Trading in the stock or securities of a company, such as the Company, by an Associate or Director who is aware of material, non-public information may constitute “insider trading,” which is both illegal and against Company policy. Information is “material” if a reasonable investor would consider such information important in a decision to buy, hold or sell the securities. Information is non-public until it has been broadly disclosed to the marketplace (such as through a public filing with the SEC or the issuance of a press release) and the marketplace has had time to absorb the information.

 

The inappropriate sharing of material, non-public information with any other person (called “tipping”) is against Company policy and may also be illegal. The personal consequences of insider trading or tipping may be severe and include possible immediate termination, significant fines and imprisonment.

 

The Company has also determined that there is a heightened legal risk and/or the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct if the persons subject to this Code engage in certain types of transactions. It is therefore the Company’s policy that any persons covered by this Code may not engage in any of the following transactions: (i) short sales of Company securities; (ii) publicly-traded options related to the Company’s securities and (iii) hedging transactions in the Company’s securities.

 

Questions about the propriety of any transaction in the Company’s or any corporations’ stock, bonds or other securities should be directed to the Corporate Compliance Officer or the Company’s Legal Counsel before undertaking the transaction.

 

Conflict of Interest:

 

A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way, or even appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when an Associate or Director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work or Company-related business activities objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an Associate or Director, or members of his or her family, receive improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position at the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, Associates and Directors and their family members may create conflicts of interest.

 

Experience has shown that where Company Directors or Associates have, directly or through a member of their immediate family, a significant financial or business interest in another company competitive with or doing business with the Company, the Director’s, officer’s or Associate’s efforts on behalf of the Company may be influenced to its detriment. It is almost always a conflict of interest for an Associate or Director to work simultaneously for a competitor, for an entity in which the Company has made or proposes to make an investment or for one of the Company’s sources of financing.

 

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Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with the Corporate Compliance Officer or the Company’s Legal Counsel. Any Associate or Director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of the Company’s Legal Counsel or the Corporate Compliance Officer. The following are examples, not meant to be all-inclusive, of situations in which such outside interest may conflict with the Company’s standards of conduct and either are prohibited or require prior authorization in writing from the Company:

 

· Except where authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors (or existing on the date of the business combination transaction that formed Utz and disclosed in connection therewith), the holding of a significant financial interest by the Associate or Director or any member of the Associate’s or Director’s immediate family in the business of any supplier to the Company, or of any competitor with, or customer of the Company, when the Associate or Director is in a position to influence the relationships between the Company and supplier, customer or competitor is prohibited. Significant financial interest means an investment of any amount in any company, the securities of which are not publicly listed or quoted, or in excess of 1% of the outstanding stock of any company that is so listed or quoted. It also means any borrowing from them except a personal transaction with a bank or comparable financing organization.

 

· The holding by any Associate or Director of a position as director, officer or other Associate of a competitor, customer or supplier is also prohibited without written Company authorization.

 

· The holding by any member of the Associate’s or Director’s immediate family, without written Company authorization, of any position as director, officer or other Associate of any Company supplier, competitor or customer when such family member or the Associate or Director is in a position to influence the relationship between the Company and such supplier, competitor or customer is prohibited.

 

· The holding by an Associate of the position of director in any commercial enterprise without written Company authorization is prohibited.

 

· Business decisions by Associates and Directors are expected to be made fairly and impartially and on the basis of quality, reputation, service, price and similar competitive factors. The receipt by the Associate or Director, any member of the Associate’s or Director’s immediate family, or anyone designated by the Associate or Director, of anything of value in any way connected with the placing of business with or by any Company supplier or customer is prohibited. The Company interprets the scope of permissible conduct in this regard very narrowly. No Associate or Director may accept any material gift or other thing of value which acts as an inducement for an action which is illegal, unethical, a breach of trust or the improper performance of a function or activity.

 

· The purchase of any materials, equipment, property or services at a cost to the Company in excess of the fair and reasonable value for them in a free, open, and competitive market is prohibited.

 

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· Competing with the Company by an Associate or Director in the purchase or sale of any kind of property, tangible or intangible, is prohibited.

 

· Disclosure while an Associate or Director of the Company and thereafter of any of the Company’s confidential business information or trade secrets, such as financial data, formulas, processes, advertising methods, marketing strategies or prospective transactions, to any other person, firm or corporation is prohibited except when such disclosure has been specifically authorized, in advance, in writing by Company management.

 

· The use, directly or indirectly, of confidential business information while a Director or an Associate and thereafter for the Director’s or the Associate’s personal benefit or for the benefit of his or her immediate family or any other person, firm or corporation or conversely, the use of such information by the Director or Associate to the detriment of the Company is prohibited.

 

Internet and Social Media:

 

All confidentiality policies included in this Code apply to public disclosures, social networking sites, posts and social media applications (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.) for both professional and personal use. Internet or social media postings that you make should not disclose any information that are trade secrets (which may include information about the development of systems, process, products, know-how and technology) or that is confidential or proprietary to the Company’s business, such as internal reports, policies, procedures, business prospects, developments such as acquisitions or divestitures or other internal business-related confidential communications, or confidential information that any third party has disclosed to the Company. If a Director or an Associate comments on any aspect of the Company’s business in a public forum, he or she must clearly identify themselves as a Director or an Associate and include the following disclaimer: “the views expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Utz Brands, fellow Associates, customers, suppliers or other people working on behalf of Utz Brands.” You should express only your own opinions, and never represent yourself as a spokesperson for the Company (unless you are duly authorized in advance to do so). Internet and social media postings must respect copyright, privacy, fair use, financial disclosure, and other applicable laws. For example, it is illegal to communicate or give a “tip” on inside information to others so that they may buy or sell stock or other securities. Associates should neither claim nor imply that they are speaking on the Company’s behalf. If the Company is a subject of content that you post, be clear that you are a Company Associate.

 

Any postings that you may make in these settings should follow the rules and guidelines below, in addition to complying with the material above:

 

· Know and follow the rules. Carefully read these guidelines and the Code, and ensure that your postings are consistent with these policies. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

 

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· Be respectful. Always be fair and courteous to fellow Associates, customers, suppliers, people who work on behalf of the Company and the public. Keep in mind that you are more likely to resolve workplace related issues by speaking directly with your co-workers or using established mechanisms that are available to you than by posting complaints or criticisms on a social media channel. Nevertheless, if you decide to post complaints or criticism, avoid using statements, photographs, video or audio that reasonably could be used as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating, that disparage customers, Associates, suppliers or others, or that might constitute harassment or bullying. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to harm intentionally someone’s reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law or Company policy.

 

· Be honest and accurate. Make sure you are always honest and accurate when posting information or news, and if you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Be open about any previous posts that you have altered. Remember that the Internet and social media archives almost everything. Therefore, even deleted posts can be searched. Never post any information or rumors that you know to be false about the Company, other Associates, customers, suppliers, other people who work on behalf of the Company, competitors, or the public.

 

Postings on social media platforms established by the Company and its brands:

 

Directors and Associates must get approval before posting about the Company and on its behalf on the Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and other social media platforms that the Company has established to communicate with the public about the Company and its brands.

 

The provisions in the bullet points above shall be in addition to, and not in substitution of, or in limitation of, any duties and obligations undertaken by an Associate pursuant to any confidentiality or other agreement between such Associate or Director and the Company.

 

In instances where written Company authorization is required, such authorization shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and the granting or denying thereof shall be within the sole and absolute discretion of the Company.

 

Please see the Company’s Internet and Social Media Policy (Section 620 of the Company’s policies) for further detail.

 

Timely and Truthful Public Disclosure

 

In reports and documents filed with or submitted to the SEC and other regulators by the Company, and in other public communications made by the Company, the Associates and Directors involved in the preparation of such reports and documents (including those who are involved in the preparation of financial or other reports and the information included in such reports and documents) shall make disclosures that are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable. Where applicable, these Associates and Directors shall provide thorough and accurate financial and accounting data for inclusion in such disclosures. They shall not knowingly conceal or falsify information, misrepresent material facts or omit material facts necessary to avoid misleading the Company’s independent public auditors or investors.

 

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Waivers

 

Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or Directors may be made only by the Company’s Board of Directors or its Audit Committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation. The Company may provide any information required by legal disclosure requirements related to the granting of a waiver or an amendment to this Code via the Company’s Internet website within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver. If the Company elects to disclose such information through its website, such information will remain available on the website for at least a 12-month period. Following the 12-month period, in accordance with applicable law the Company must retain the information for a period of not less than five years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company policies referenced herein shall not be deemed part of this Code or integrated herewith, and any amendments or waivers thereof, shall be deemed not to be waivers of this Code.

 

Reporting Irregularities and Suspected Violations

 

The Company’s Directors, Chief Executive Officer, senior financial officers any in-house chief legal officer of the Company and other Company professionals serving in a finance, accounting, corporate treasury or tax role shall promptly report (confidentially or anonymously, if desired) any known or suspected violations of laws, rules, regulations or provisions this Code, or any other matters that would compromise the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, to the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee. All other Associates should consult with the Company’s Legal Counsel or other appropriate personnel about known or suspected illegal or unethical behavior. These Associates may also report questionable behavior in the same manner as they may report complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters by notifying (anonymously, if desired) the Chairman of the Audit Committee. No retaliatory action of any kind will be permitted against anyone making such a report in good faith, and the Company’s Audit Committee will strictly enforce this prohibition. “Good faith” does not mean that the report or concern raised must be correct, but it does require that the person making the report or raising the concern believes that he or she is providing truthful information.

 

The Audit Committee may be contacted by mail at the address listed below:

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

Attn: Audit Committee

900 High Street

Hanover PA 17331

 

Accountability for Violations

 

If the Company’s Audit Committee or its designee determines that this Code has been violated, either directly, by failure to report a violation, or by withholding information related to a violation, the offending Associate or Director may be disciplined for noncompliance with penalties up to and including removal from office or dismissal. Such penalties may include written notices to the individual involved that a violation has been determined, censure by the Audit Committee, demotion or re-assignment of the individual involved and suspension with or without pay or benefits. Violations of this Code may also constitute violations of law and may result in criminal penalties and civil liabilities for the offending Associate or Director and the Company. All Associates and Directors are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.

 

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APPENDIX: CONTACT LIST

 

ETHICS HOTLINE

 

NAXEX GLOBAL

Website: https://utzsnacks.ethicspoint.com

Phone: 844.936.2711

Information is also on Company intranet site.

 

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE OFFICER

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

Attn: Todd Staub, Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer

tstaub@utzsnacks.com

Phone: 717.637.6644

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

900 High Street

Hanover PA 17331

 

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

Attn: James Sponaugle, Senior Vice President Human Resources and Personnel Development

jsponaugle@utzsnacks.com

Phone: 717.969.1254

 

Utz Brands, Inc.

900 High Street

Hanover PA 17331

 

LEGAL COUNSEL TO UTZ BRANDS, INC.

 

Cozen O'Connor

Attn: Jeremiah G. Garvey

jgarvey@cozen.com

Phone: 412.620.6570

 

Cozen O'Connor

301 Grant Street, 41st Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 16.1

 

 

September 3, 2020

 

Office of the Chief Accountant

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have read Utz Brands, Inc. statements (formally known as Collier Creek Holdings) included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated September 3, 2020. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on August 28, 2020. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

 

New York, New York

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT

 

Below is a list of our major subsidiaries as of August 28, 2020, their jurisdictions of incorporation and the name under which they do business. Each is wholly owned unless otherwise noted.

 

Subsidiary Jurisdiction
Utz Brands Holdings, LLC Delaware
Utz Quality Foods, LLC Delaware
UTZTRAN, L.L.C. Pennsylvania
Heron Holding Corporation Delaware
Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. Delaware
Inventure Foods, Inc. Delaware
Kitchen Cooked Inc. Illinois
Kennedy Endeavors, LLC Washington
GH Pop Holdings, LLC Pennsylvania
Good Health Natural Products, LLC Delaware
Condor Snack Foods, LLC Delaware
Snikiddy, LLC Delaware

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

 

Utz Quality Foods and Collier Creek Holdings Complete Business Combination to Form Utz Brands, Inc.

 

8/28/2020

 

Transaction Introduces Utz as a Publicly Listed Company on the New York Stock Exchange After Nearly 100 Years as a Family-Owned Business

 

HANOVER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Utz Quality Foods, LLC (“Utz” or the “Company”), a leading U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, and Collier Creek Holdings (“Collier Creek”) (NYSE: CCH, CCH.U, CCH WS), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced that they have completed their business combination. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Collier Creek and was approved at a special meeting of Collier Creek shareholders on August 27, 2020. Per the terms of the business combination agreement, Collier Creek and Utz have combined to form Utz Brands, Inc. (“Utz Brands”), a leading pure-play snack food platform in the U.S. The common stock of Utz Brands will trade under the ticker symbol “UTZ” on the New York Stock Exchange beginning August 31, 2020.

 

“The completion of our business combination with Collier Creek and the initiation of Utz as a public company, marks a significant milestone and will fuel our next century of growth after nearly 100 years as a family-owned business”

 

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Founded in 1921, Utz has a strong heritage in the salty snack industry in the U.S. and more than 40 years of continued growth. The Company’s iconic portfolio of authentic, craft, and better-for-you brands includes Utz®, Zapp’s®, Golden Flake®, Good Health®, Boulder Canyon®, Hawaiian® Brand, and TORTIYAHS!®, among others. The Company operates 14 manufacturing facilities nationwide with a broad range of capabilities and produces a full line of potato chips, pretzels, cheese snacks, veggie snacks, pork skins, pub / party mixes, tortilla chips and other snacks, including innovative better-for-you snacking options. Utz expects to generate net sales of $932 million in 2020.

 

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Collier Creek was co-founded by Chinh Chu, Roger Deromedi, and Jason Giordano, who bring more than 80 years of combined investing and operating experience, with a focus on the consumer goods sector. Mr. Deromedi, who had a long and successful tenure as Chairman of Pinnacle Foods and, prior to that, as CEO of Kraft Foods, will become Chairman of Utz Brands. Utz Brands’ board of directors will be composed of a majority of independent directors under the applicable listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Dylan Lissette, who has served as Utz’s CEO since 2013 and has worked at the Company for almost 25 years, will continue to lead the business along with the existing management team. Utz Brands will remain headquartered in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

 

Proceeds from the transaction were used primarily to repay existing borrowings at Utz. The Rice and Lissette family, the founding family and owners of Utz, retained more than 90% of its existing equity stake, which represents more than 50% ownership in Utz Brands following completion of the transaction.

 

“The completion of our business combination with Collier Creek and the initiation of Utz as a public company, marks a significant milestone and will fuel our next century of growth after nearly 100 years as a family-owned business,” said Mr. Lissette. “We have spent the last 10 years building Utz into a national brand and platform through rapid geographic and brand portfolio expansion driven by strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Our partnership with Roger and the Collier Creek team positions us to further accelerate our growth as a public company and achieve our goal of being the fastest-growing, pure-play branded snack company of scale.”

 

Mr. Lissette continued: “Leveraging our proven track record of profitable growth and the Collier Creek team’s expertise in driving value creation in food platform companies, we have multiple ways to win in the growing salty snack category. Our growth strategy is focused on driving organic sales growth through increased marketing, new products and geographic expansion; executing significant margin enhancement opportunities; reinvesting productivity gains into the business to unlock topline growth; and continuing to build the Utz platform with strategic acquisitions.”

 

“Our partnership with Utz brings together the financial and human capital of Collier Creek with an exceptional 100- year-old company that has significant competitive advantages and runway for profitable growth,” said Mr. Deromedi. “Utz is an iconic company with a strong portfolio of beloved snack brands, growing positions in the salty snack category, and a competitively advantaged manufacturing and distribution network. We are excited to partner with Dylan and the talented Utz management team to execute our proven operating playbook and drive value for all of our stakeholders.”

 

Mr. Chu and Mr. Giordano added: “We are excited to complete this transaction, which delivers attractive value to our shareholders, and look forward to partnering with management to drive future growth and value creation at Utz.”

 

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Key Transaction Terms

 

At the closing of the transaction, Collier Creek was domesticated as a Delaware corporation and the name of Collier Creek has been changed to Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ).

 

A more detailed description of the transaction terms will be included in a current report on Form 8-K to be led by Utz Brands with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Goldman Sachs and Sageworth are acting as financial advisors to Utz. Citigroup, Credit Suisse, and BofA Securities are acting as capital markets advisors to Collier Creek. Citigroup and Credit Suisse are acting as lead financial advisors with BofA Securities and Nomura also serving as financial advisors to Collier Creek. Cozen O’Connor is acting as legal counsel to Utz and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to Collier Creek.

 

About Utz

 

Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE: UTZ) manufactures a diverse portfolio of salty snacks under popular brands including Utz®, Zapp’s®, Golden Flake®, Good Health®, Boulder Canyon®, Hawaiian® Brand, and TORTIYAHS!®, among others.

 

After nearly a century, with strong family heritage, Utz continues to have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from top-quality ingredients. Utz’s products are distributed nationally and internationally through grocery, mass merchant, club, convenience, drug and other channels. Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Utz operates fourteen facilities located in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Washington, and Massachusetts. For more information, please visit www.utzsnacks.com or call 1-800- FOR-SNAX.

 

About Collier Creek

 

Collier Creek is a special purpose acquisition company that completed its initial public offering in October 2018, raising $440 million in proceeds. Collier Creek was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Collier Creek was co-founded by Roger K. Deromedi, Chinh E. Chu, and Jason K Giordano, who bring over 80 years of combined investing and operating experience, with a focus on the consumer goods sector. Mr. Deromedi is the former Chairman of Pinnacle Foods and the former Chief Executive Ocer of Kraft Foods. Mr. Chu and Mr. Giordano are Senior Managing Directors of CC Capital, a private investment firm.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Collier Creek’s and Utz’s actual results may dier from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Collier Creek’s and Utz’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the proposed business combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the business combination and the timing of the completion of the business combination. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside Collier Creek’s and Utz’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Collier Creek and Utz following the consummation of the business combination; (2) the inability to maintain the listing of the post-business combination company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange following the business combination; (3) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations; (4) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (5) costs related to the business combination; (6) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (7) the possibility that Utz Brands may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (8) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the business combination, including those included in the section “Risk Factors”, and in Collier Creek’s other lings with the SEC. Some of these risks and uncertainties may in the future be amplified by the COVID-19 outbreak and there may be additional risks that Utz Brands considers immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. Utz Brands cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Utz Brands cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Utz Brands does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as otherwise required by law.

 

CONTACTS

 

Investor Contact

Katie Turner

ICR

646-277-1228

Katie.Turner@icrinc.com

 

Media Contacts

Collier Creek:

Jonathan Keehner / Tim Ragones / Kate Thompson 

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449

 

Utz:

 

Marie Espinel, Katie Lewis or Hannah Arnold

The LAKPR Group

mespinel@lakpr.com, klewis@lakpr.com, or harnold@lakpr.com

202-559-9171

 

4 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL

 

The following selected financial data is only a summary for the combined financial statements of Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (“Utz” or the “Company”) and should be read in conjunction with Utz’s combined financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of which these Selected Historical Combined Financial and Other Date are part (the “Super 8-K”). Utz’s historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and the results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The following selected statement of operations data and statement of cash flows data for Utz’s quarterly thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, and the following balance sheet data as of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019 have been derived from Utz’s unaudited consolidated financial statements filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K.

 

Statements of Operations

 

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

    Thirteen weeks ended     Twenty-six weeks ended  
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Net sales   $ 241,977     $ 188,432     $ 470,006     $ 366,844  
Cost of goods sold     157,096       126,617       305,111       248,497  
Gross profit     84,881       61,815       164,895       118,347  
Selling and administrative expenses                                
Selling     49,598       36,324       97,931       73,460  
Administrative     18,484       10,082       38,424       23,476  
Total selling and administrative expenses     68,082       46,406       136,355       96,936  
Gain on sale of assets                                
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment     25       287       93       1,016  
Gain on sale of routes, net     627       2,798       1,031       5,240  
Total gain on sale of assets     652       3,085       1,124       6,256  
Income from operations     17,451       18,494       29,664       27,667  
Other (expense) income                                
Interest expense     (9,987 )     (12,851 )     (19,630 )     (25,395 )
Other income (expense)     259       (1,337 )     839       (204 )
Other expense, net     (9,728 )     (14,188 )     (18,791 )     (25,599 )
Income before taxes     7,723       4,306       10,873       2,068  
Income tax expense     1,171       1,389       2,629       1,766  
Net income     6,552       2,917       8,244       302  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest           (715 )           (1,420 )
Net income attributable to controlling interest   $ 6,552     $ 2,202     $ 8,244     $ (1,118 )
Other comprehensive loss                                
Interest Rate Swap     (709 )           (7,917 )      
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ 5,843     $ 2,202     $ 327     $ (1,118 )

 

 

 

 

Statements of Cash Flow

 

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

    Twenty-six weeks ended  
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   $ 20,313     $ (9,323 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (18,011 )     23,630  
Net cash used in financing activities     (7,384 )     (10,043 )

 

Balance Sheet

 

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

    June 28,
2020
    December 29,
2019
 
Total assets   $ 791,015     $ 778,547  
Total liabilities     829,236       811,899  
Total (deficit) equity     (38,221 )     (33,352 )

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
(formerly UM-U Intermediate, LLC)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
             
June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019
(In thousands)
             
    June 28,     December 29,  
    2020     2019  
      (Unaudited)          
ASSETS                
                 
Current Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 9,971     $ 15,053  
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $1,624 and $1,353, respectively     122,921       106,816  
Inventories, net     54,472       50,894  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     5,718       4,563  
Current portion of notes receivable     6,811       6,754  
Total current assets     199,893       184,080  
                 
Non-current Assets                
Property, plant and equipment, net     166,201       171,717  
Goodwill     207,456       202,407  
Intangible assets, net     185,313       184,014  
Non-current portion of notes receivable     24,810       28,636  
Other assets     7,342       7,693  
Total non-current assets     591,122       594,467  
Total assets   $ 791,015     $ 778,547  
                 
LIABILITIES AND (DEFICIT) EQUITY                
                 
Current Liabilities                
Current portion of term debt   $ 6,204     $ 6,299  
Current portion of other notes payable     9,194       7,984  
Accounts payable     56,150       49,028  
Accrued expenses and other     49,736       44,206  
Total current liabilities     121,284       107,517  
                 
Non-current portion of term debt     631,951       633,826  
Non-current portion of other notes payable     27,749       31,800  
Non-current accrued expenses and other     25,885       19,633  
Deferred tax liability     22,367       19,123  
Total non-current liabilities     707,952       704,382  
Total liabilities     829,236       811,899  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies                
                 
(Deficit) Equity                
Members' (deficit) equity     (31,712 )     (27,446 )
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     (6,509 )     1,408  
Total members' (deficit) equity     (38,221 )     (26,038 )
Noncontrolling interest     -       (7,314 )
Total (deficit) equity     (38,221 )     (33,352 )
Total liabilities and (deficit) equity   $ 791,015     $ 778,547  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
(formerly UM-U Intermediate, LLC)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                         
For the fiscal periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
    Thirteen weeks ended     Twenty-six weeks ended  
    June 28,     June 30,     June 28,     June 30,  
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Net sales   $ 241,977     $ 188,432     $ 470,006     $ 366,844  
                                 
Cost of goods sold     157,096       126,617       305,111       248,497  
                                 
Gross profit     84,881       61,815       164,895       118,347  
                                 
Selling and administrative expenses                                
Selling     49,598       36,324       97,931       73,460  
Administrative     18,484       10,082       38,424       23,476  
                                 
Total selling and administrative expenses     68,082       46,406       136,355       96,936  
                                 
Gain on sale of assets                                
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment     25       287       93       1,016  
Gain on sale of routes, net     627       2,798       1,031       5,240  
                                 
Total gain on sale of assets     652       3,085       1,124       6,256  
                                 
Income from operations     17,451       18,494       29,664       27,667  
                                 
Other (expense) income                                
Interest expense     (9,987 )     (12,851 )     (19,630 )     (25,395 )
Other income (expense)     259       (1,337 )     839       (204 )
                                 
Other expense, net     (9,728 )     (14,188 )     (18,791 )     (25,599 )
                                 
Income before taxes     7,723       4,306       10,873       2,068  
                                 
Income tax expense     1,171       1,389       2,629       1,766  
                                 
Net income     6,552       2,917       8,244       302  
                                 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     -       (715 )     -       (1,420 )
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest   $ 6,552     $ 2,202     $ 8,244     $ (1,118 )
                                 
Other comprehensive loss:                                
                                 
Interest rate swap     (709 )     -       (7,917 )     -  
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)   $ 5,843     $ 2,202     $ 327     $ (1,118 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
(formerly UM-U Intermediate, LLC)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS’ EQUITY
 
For the fiscal periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                         
          Accumulated              
    Members’     Other           Total  
    (Deficit)     Comprehensive     Noncontrolling     (Deficit)  
    Equity     (Loss) Income     Interest     Equity  
Balance at December 30, 2018   $ (119,971 )   $ -     $ (11,345 )   $ (131,316 )
                                 
Net (loss) income     (3,320 )     -       705       (2,615 )
                                 
Distributions to members and noncontrolling interest        (1,400 )        -           (517 )        (1,917 )
                                 
Balance at March 31, 2019   $ (124,691 )   $ -     $ (11,157 )   $ (135,848 )
                                 
Net income     2,202       -       715       2,917  
                                 
Distributions to members and noncontrolling interest        (2,091  )        -           (822  )        (2,913  )
                                 
Balance at June 30, 2019   $ (124,580 )   $ -     $ (11,264 )   $ (135,844 )
                                 
Balance at December 29, 2019   $ (27,446 )   $ 1,408     $ (7,314 )   $ (33,352 )
                                 
Net income     1,692       -       -       1,692  
                                 
Other comprehensive loss     -       (7,208 )     -       (7,208 )
                                 
Merger of noncontrolling interest     (7,314 )             7,314       -  
                                 
Distributions to members     (2,657 )     -       -       (2,657 )
                                 
Balance at March 29, 2020   $ (35,725 )   $ (5,800 )   $ -     $ (41,525 )
                                 
Net income     6,552       -       -       6,552  
                                 
Other comprehensive loss     -       (709 )     -       (709 )
                                 
Distributions to members     (2,539 )     -       -       (2,539 )
                                 
Balance at June 28, 2020   $ (31,712 )   $ (6,509 )   $ -     $ (38,221 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries
(formerly UM-U Intermediate, LLC)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
             
For the fiscal periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
    Twenty-six weeks ended  
    June 28,     June 30,  
    2020     2019  
Cash flows from operating activities                
Net income   $ 8,244     $ 302  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                        
Depreciation and amortization     17,947       13,746  
Gain on disposal of property and equipment     (93 )     (1,016 )
Gain on sale of routes     (1,031 )     (5,240 )
Deferred taxes     2,239       1,766  
Deferred financing costs     1,306       1,038  
Changes in assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net     (15,368 )     (4,668 )
Inventories, net     (3,288 )     (117 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets     (2,573 )     (2,075 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other     12,930       (13,059 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     20,313       (9,323 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities                
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (8,816 )     -  
Purchases of property and equipment     (8,350 )     (7,685 )
Purchases of intangibles     (650 )     -  
Proceeds on sale of property and equipment     533       2,550  
Proceeds from sale of routes     2,748       2,280  
Proceeds on the sale of IO notes     -       29,163  
Notes receivable, net     (3,476 )     (2,678 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (18,011 )     23,630  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities                
Borrowings on term debt and notes payable     2,650       -  
Repayments on term debt and notes payable     (4,838 )     (5,213 )
Distributions to members     (5,196 )     (3,491 )
Distribution to noncontrolling interest     -       (1,339 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (7,384 )     (10,043 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents     (5,082 )     4,264  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     15,053       6,914  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 9,971     $ 11,178  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. They do not include all information and notes required by US GAAP for annual financial statements. However, except as disclosed herein, there has been no material changes in the information disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 29, 2019. The balance sheet as of December 29, 2019 has been derived from the audited combined financial statements as of and for the year ended December 29, 2019.  In the opinion of management, such financial information reflects all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for such interim periods in accordance with the US GAAP. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period or for the full year.  The consolidated interim financial statements, including our significant accounting policies, should be read in conjunction with the audited combined financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 29, 2019.

 

The statements include the accounts of consolidated Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (“Utz Brands Holdings” or “the Company”) formerly UM-U Intermediate, LLC (“Intermediate U”), which includes the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Utz Quality Foods, LLC (“UQF”). UQF is consolidated with its wholly-owned subsidiaries: UTZTRAN, LLC; Heron Holding Corporation (“Heron”), with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. (“Golden Flake”), Inventure Foods, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Inventure”), and Kitchen Cooked Inc. (“Kitchen Cooked”); Kennedy Endeavors, LLC (“Kennedy”); and GH Pop Holdings, LLC, with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Good Health Natural Products, LLC (“Good Health”), Condor Snack Foods, LLC, and Snikiddy, LLC (“Snikiddy”).

 

SRS Leasing LLC and its subsidiaries (“SRS”) were companies formed to acquire, hold and lease real estate to UQF. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, UQF was determined to be the primary beneficiary of SRS, an entity under common ownership. The accounts of SRS have been consolidated with those of UQF as of and for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019. On December 30, 2019, the first day of the fiscal quarter of 2020, SRS Leasing LLC and its subsidiaries (“SRS”) were merged into UQF with UQF surviving the transaction. The (deficit) equity of SRS was presented on the noncontrolling interest line of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2019 and was moved to members’ (deficit) equity on December 30, 2019, the date of the merger.

 

Rice Investments, L.P. (“RILP”) was formed as a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act on January 30, 2004 for the purpose of acquiring, owning, managing, and selling or otherwise disposing of intellectual property (namely trade names) that are used by UQF. RILP had one general partner, UQF, and one limited partner, UM-R Intermediate, LLC (“Intermediate R”). UQF, in accordance with ASC 810, was determined to be the primary beneficiary of RILP, an entity under common ownership. The accounts of RILP have been consolidated with those of UQF as of and for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019. On December 30, 2019 Intermediate R was merged with Intermediate U with Intermediate U surviving the transaction. Finally, and immediately following that merger, RILP merged with UQF, with UQF being the surviving entity and Intermediate U remaining the sole member of UQF. Prior to these mergers the statements of SRS, RILP, and Intermediate R were combined within the statements of Intermediate U.

 

On March 18, 2020, Intermediate U changed its name to Utz Brands Holdings, LLC upon filing a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in combination/consolidation.

 

Operating Entities   Holding Entities
     

Utz Quality Foods, LLC

UTZTRAN, LLC

Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc.

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC

GH Pop Holdings, LLC

Heron Holding Corporation

Inventure Foods, Inc. and its subsidiaries    

Kennedy Endeavors, LLC

Good Health Natural Products, LLC

   
Condor Snack Foods, LLC    

Snikiddy, LLC

Kitchen Cooked, Inc.

   

 

Operations – Utz Brands Holdings through its wholly owned subsidiary UQF, is a premier producer, marketer and distributor of snack food products since 1921. The Company has steadily expanded its reach to where it now sells products to supermarkets, mass merchants, club stores, dollar and discount stores, convenience stores, independent grocery stores, drug stores, food service, vending, military, and other channels in most regions of the United States through routes to market that include direct-store-delivery, direct to warehouse, and third-party distributors.

 

With the acquisition of Golden Flake in September 2016, Inventure in December 2017 and Kennedy in October 2019, the Company expanded its national production and distribution capabilities. The Company manufactures and distributes a full line of high-quality salty snack items, such as potato chips, pretzels, cheese balls, fried pork skins, party mixes, tortilla chips, and popcorn. The Company also sell dips, crackers, dried meat products and other snack food items packaged by other manufacturers.

 

Membership Units – The limited liability company agreement of Utz Brands Holdings was entered into on September 19, 2016 between Utz Brands Holdings and Series U of UM Partners, LLC, a series of Delaware limited liability company (“Series U”), with Series U as the initial sole member of Utz Brands Holdings. The limited liability company agreement allows for the admission of one or more additional members with the consent of the Board. As of June 28, 2020, Series U and Series R were the only members of Utz Brands Holdings.

 

All distributions of cash or assets of the Company, including liquidating distributions, will be made at the Board’s discretion.

 

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the asset and liability method of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires it to recognize current tax liabilities or receivables for the amount of taxes it estimates are payable or refundable for the current year, and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period enacted. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible.

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 740-10 related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. ASC 740-10 prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the Company’s income tax returns is recognized in the financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Differences between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit recognized and measured pursuant to the interpretation are referred to as “unrecognized benefits”. A liability is recognized (or amount of net operating loss carryover or amount of tax refundable is reduced) for an unrecognized tax benefit because it represents an enterprise’s potential future obligation to the taxing authority for a tax position that was not recognized as a result of applying the provisions of ASC 740-10. Interest costs and related penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are required to be calculated, if applicable. The Company’s policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as selling and administrative expenses. As of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, no liability for unrecognized tax benefits was required to be reported. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits in the next fiscal year.

 

Distribution Route Acquisition and Sale Transactions – The Company acquires and sells distribution routes as a part of the Company’s maintenance of its direct-store delivery (“DSD”) network. As new independent operators (“IOs”) are identified, the Company either sells its newly-created or existing Company-managed routes to the IOs or sells routes that were previously acquired by the Company to the IOs. Gain/loss from the sale of a distribution route is recorded upon the completion of the sale transaction, and is calculated based on the difference between the sale price of the distribution route and the asset carrying value of the distribution route as of the date of sale. The Company records intangible assets for distribution routes that it purchases based on the payment that the Company makes to acquire the route, and records the purchased distribution routes as indefinite-lived intangible assets under FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. The indefinite lived intangible assets are subject to annual impairment testing.

 

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets – The Company allocates the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount classified as goodwill. The identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition, as well as the completion of impairment tests, require significant management judgments and estimates. These estimates are made based on, among other factors, review of projected future operating results and business plans, economic projections, anticipated highest and best use of future cash flows and the cost of capital. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and potentially result in a different impact to the Company’s results of operations. Further, changes in business strategy and/or market conditions may significantly impact these judgments and thereby impact the fair value of these assets, which could result in an impairment of the goodwill or intangible assets.

 

Finite-lived intangible assets consist of distribution/customer relationships, technology, and trademarks. These assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment only when management has determined that potential impairment indicators are present.

 

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets (including certain trade names, master distribution rights and IO routes) are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or circumstances change that indicate impairment may have occurred. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company has identified the existing snack food operations as its sole reporting unit.

 

As the Company has early adopted the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updated (“ASU”) No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“Topic 350”): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, the Company would be required to record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value.

 

ASU No. 2017-04, Topic 350, also permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. If an entity believes, as a result of each qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that goodwill or an indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired, a quantitative impairment test is not required.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Revenue Recognition – The Company’s revenues primarily consist of the sale of salty snack items to customers, including supermarkets, mass merchants, club stores, dollar and discount stores, convenience stores, independent grocery stores, drug stores, food service, vending, military, and other channels. The Company sells its products in most regions of the United States primarily through its DSD network, direct to warehouse shipments, and third-party distributors. These revenue contracts generally have a single performance obligation. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, consumer coupon redemption, unsaleable product, and other costs. Amounts billed and due from customers are classified as accounts receivables and require payment on a short-term basis and, therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components.

 

The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the goods to customers. Control is transferred upon delivery of the goods to the customer. Shipping and/or handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. Applicable shipping and handling are included in customer billing and are recorded as revenue as the products’ control is transferred to customers. The Company assesses the goods promised in customer purchase orders and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer a good that is distinct.

 

The Company offers various forms of trade promotions and the methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on local customer pricing and promotional practices, which range from contractually fixed percentage price reductions to provisions based on actual occurrence or performance. The Company’s promotional activities are conducted either through the retail trade or directly with consumers and include activities such as in store displays and events, feature price discounts, consumer coupons, and loyalty programs. The costs of these activities are recognized at the time the related revenue is recorded, which normally precedes the actual cash expenditure. The recognition of these costs therefore requires management judgment regarding the volume of promotional offers that will be redeemed by either the retail trade or consumer. These estimates are made using various techniques including historical data on performance of similar promotional programs. The Company has reserves in place of $15.1 million as of June 28, 2020 and $16.4 million as of December 29, 2019. Differences between estimated expense and actual redemptions are recognized as a change in management estimate as actual redemptions are incurred.

 

Business Combinations – The Company evaluates acquisitions of assets and other similar transactions to assess whether or not the transaction should be accounted for as a business combination or asset acquisition by first applying a screen test to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If the screen is met, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the screen is not met, further determination is required as to whether or not the Company has acquired inputs and processes that have the ability to create outputs which would meet the definition of a business. Significant judgment is required in the application of the screen test to determine whether an acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of assets.

 

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method, the Company’s financial statements reflect the operations of an acquired business starting from the completion of the acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

 

Use of Estimates – Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Examples include sales and promotional allowances, customer returns, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory valuations, useful lives of fixed assets and related impairment, long-term investments, hedge transactions, goodwill and intangible asset valuations and impairments, incentive compensation, income taxes, self-insurance, contingencies and litigation. Actual results could vary materially from the estimates that were used.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards – In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (“Topic 740”): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifying certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities. For non-public business entities, ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period. Most amendments within this ASU are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842”), which requires a lessee to recognize in its balance sheet an asset and liability for most leases with a term greater than 12 months. Lessees should recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the lessee’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. On June 3, 2020, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASC 842 for private companies to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but believes that there will be assets and liabilities recognized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and an immaterial impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

In June 2016, ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“Topic 326”) was issued. This ASU requires entities to measure the impairment of certain financial instruments, including accounts receivables, based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. For non-public business entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted, and will be effective for the Company beginning in 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (“Topic 848”): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The amendments of this ASU should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the effects adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (“Subtopic 350-40”): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). For non-public business entities, this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted Subtopic 350-40 on the first day of fiscal 2020, and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

2. ACQUISITIONS

 

Kitchen Cooked

 

On November 19, 2019 the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Kitchen Cooked, an Illinois corporation. The Company acquired Kitchen Cooked to expand its distribution and production capacity in Illinois and the surrounding area.

 

The Company closed the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked on December 30, 2019. At the closing, the Company made a cash payment of $6.9 million and recorded $2.0 million in deferred payment obligations for the acquisition of the outstanding shares of Kitchen Cooked as well as certain real estate supporting its operations. The $2.0 million in deferred payments are payable in installments of $1.0 million each on the first two anniversaries following the closing, with $1.0 million payable within fiscal year 2020 and $1.0 million payable within fiscal year 2021.

 

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Kitchen Cooked acquisition date:

 

(in thousands)      
Purchase consideration   $ 8,946  
Assets acquired:        
Cash     130  
Accounts receivable     737  
Inventory, net     291  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     37  
Income tax prepayments     212  
         
Property, plant and equipment     672  
Other assets     255  
Trademarks     1,623  
Customer relationships     2,109  
Total assets acquired:     6,066  
Liabilities assumed:        
Accounts payable     173  
Accrued expenses     2  
Deferred tax liability     1,005  
Total liabilities assumed:     1,180  
Net identifiable assets acquired     4,886  
Goodwill   $ 4,060  

 

As of June 28, 2020, the purchase price allocation has not been finalized.

 

The Company has determined that all the acquired customer relationships and trademarks will be amortized over a period of 15 years on a straight-line basis commensurate with the acquisition date expectations for the economics that are to be provided by the trademarks and customer relationships. The goodwill of $4.1 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations and intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

 

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of operations for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019, as if the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked had occurred on December 31, 2018, the beginning of fiscal year 2019. These unaudited pro forma results may not necessarily reflect the actual results of operations that would have been achieved, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results of operations.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(in thousands)  

Thirteen
weeks ended

June 30,
2019

   

Twenty-six
weeks ended

June 30,

2019

 
    (unaudited)  
Pro forma net sales   $ 2,135     $ 4,090  
Pro forma net loss     82       47  

 

There were no material adjustments to the pro forma results.

 

3. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consisted of the following:

 

    June 28,     December 29,  
(in thousands)   2020     2019  
Finished goods   $ 27,686     $ 24,447  
Raw materials     21,793       22,122  
Maintenance parts     5,206       4,575  
      54,685       51,144  
Less: inventory reserve     (213 )     (250 )
Total inventories   $ 54,472     $ 50,894  

 

4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

Property, plant and equipment, net, consisted of the following:

 

    June 28,     December 29,  
(in thousands)   2020     2019  
Land   $ 14,970     $ 14,970  
Buildings     105,476       104,736  
Machinery and equipment     297,089       297,666  
Land improvements     1,174       1,174  
Building improvements     4,057       3,561  
Construction-in-progress     9,901       7,341  
      432,667       429,448  
Less: accumulated depreciation     (266,466 )     (257,731 )
Property, plant and equipment, net   $ 166,201     $ 171,717  

 

During the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2020 a $1.0 million measurement period adjustment was made to reduce construction-in-progress and increase goodwill related to the Kennedy opening balance sheet.

 

Depreciation expense was $7.1 million and $5.5 million for the fiscal quarters ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively and $14.1 million and $11.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

A rollforward of goodwill is as follows:

 

(in thousands)      
Balance as of December 29, 2019   $ 202,407  
Acquisition of Kitchen Cooked     3,136  
Kennedy acquisition adjustment     989  
Balance as of March 29, 2020   $ 206,532  
Kitchen Cooked acquisition adjustment     924  
Balance as of June 28, 2020   $ 207,456  

 

For the first fiscal quarter 2020, the change to goodwill was attributable to the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked and a measurement period adjustment to the Kennedy opening balance sheet. For the second fiscal quarter 2020, the change to goodwill was attributable to a measurement period adjustment to the Kitchen Cooked opening balance sheet.

 

Intangible assets, net, consisted of the following:

 

    June 28,     December 29,  
(in thousands)   2020     2019  
Subject to amortization:                
Distributor/customer relationships   $ 109,209     $ 107,100  
Technology     1,250       1,250  
Trademarks     24,233       22,610  
Unfavorable lease     (85 )     (85 )
Amortizable assets, gross     134,607       130,875  
Accumulated amortization     (24,258 )     (20,425 )
Amortizable assets, net     110,349       110,450  
                 
Not subject to amortization                
Trade names     67,230       66,580  
Master distribution rights     4,677       4,677  
IO routes     3,057       2,307  
Intangible assets, net   $ 185,313     $ 184,014  

 

Amortizable trademark intangible assets increased by $1.6 million and distributor/customer relationships increased by $2.1 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 due to the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked. Trade names increased by $0.7 million due to the purchase of the rights to San Francisco Pretzel intellectual property. There were no other changes to intangible assets during the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 other than that which arises from the regular buying and selling or IO routes and amortization.

 

Amortization of the distributor/customer relationships, technology, trademarks, and unfavorable lease amounted to $1.9 million and $1.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively and $3.8 million and $2.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense is classified in administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

6. NOTES RECEIVABLE

 

The Company has undertaken a program in recent years to sell company-managed DSD distribution routes to IOs. Contracts are executed between the Company and the IO for the sale of the product distribution route, including a note in favor of the Company, in certain cases. The notes bear interest at rates ranging from 5.07% to 8.55% with terms ranging generally from one to ten years. The notes receivable balances due from IOs at June  28, 2020 and December 29, 2019 totaled $30.7 million and $34.0 million, respectively. Of the balance at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, $28.3 million and $33.7 million, respectively relates to corresponding notes payable, as discussed in further detail within “Note 8. Long-Term Debt”.

 

Other notes receivable totaled $0.9 million and $1.4 million as of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

 

7. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER

 

Accrued expenses and other consisted of the following:

 

    June 28,     December 29,  
(in thousands)   2020     2019  
Accrued compensation and benefits   $ 16,451     $ 14,198  
Accrued contingencies     2,475       2,304  
Insurance liabilities     7,518       7,880  
Accrued interest     3,394       4,184  
Accrued freight and manufacturing     3,700       4,930  
Accrued sales tax     1,300       1,300  
Short term interest rate hedge liability     2,978       -  
Other accrued expenses     11,920       9,410  
Total accrued expenses and other   $ 49,736     $ 44,206  

 

8. LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On November 21, 2017, the Company entered into an asset based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million. The facility was set to expire on the fifth anniversary of closing, or November 21, 2022. On April 1, 2020, was amended to increase the credit limit up to $116.0 million and to extend the maturity through August 22, 2024. No amounts were outstanding under this facility as of June 28, 2020 or December 29, 2019. Availability under the ABL Facility is based on a monthly accounts receivable and inventory borrowing base certification, which is net of outstanding letters of credit. As of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, $101.9 million and $83.0 million, respectively, was available for borrowing, net of letters of credit. The facility bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin (ranging from 1.5% to 2.0%) or the prime rate plus an applicable margin (ranging from 0.5% to 1.0%). Under the Prime rate, had there been outstanding balances, the interest rate on the facility as of June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 would have been 3.75% and 6.00%, respectively. Had there been outstanding balances and the Company elected to use the LIBOR rate, the interest rate on the facility as of June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 would have been 1.66% and 3.87%, respectively. The facility is also subject to unused line fees (0.5% at June 28, 2020) and other fees and expenses. The Company incurred interest of $0.2 million related to the revolving credit facility during each of the fiscal quarters ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and $0.4 million and $0.5 million during the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

Standby letters of credit in the amount of $14.1 million have been issued as of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019. The standby letters of credit are primarily issued for insurance purposes.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Term Loans

 

On November 21, 2017, the Company entered into a First Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “First Lien Term Loan”) in a principal amount of $535.0 million and a Second Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Second Lien Term Loan”, and collectively with the First Lien Term Loan, the “Term Loans”) in a principal amount of $125.0 million. The proceeds of the Term Loans were used to refinance the Company’s January 2017 credit facility and fund the acquisition of Inventure and the repurchase of the Class A Common Units held by a minority investor.

 

The First Lien Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.3 million beginning March 2018, with a balloon payment due for any remaining balance on the seventh anniversary of closing, or November 21, 2024. The First Lien Term Loan bears interest at an annual rate based on either LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.5%, or prime rate plus an applicable margin of 2.5%. The interest rate on the First Lien Term Loan as of June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 was 3.67% and 5.94%, respectively.

 

The Company incurred closing and other costs associated with the Term Loans, which were allocated to each loan on a specific identification basis based on original principal amounts. Finance fees allocated to the First Lien Term Loan and the Second Lien Term Loan were $10.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively, which are presented net within “non-current portion of debt” on the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred fees are amortized ratably over the respective lives of each term loan. Deferred fees associated with the term loans under the January 2017 credit agreement were fully expensed during 2017.

 

On October 1, 2019, the Company repaid the Second Lien Term Loan with the proceeds of the sale of preferred and common units by Series U, Series R, and SRS. The Company accounted for the repayment of the Second Lien Term Loan as a debt extinguishment as the investors who purchased the preferred stock and common units were not parties to the Second Lien Term Loan. The total repayment was $126.3 million, and resulted in a loss on early extinguishment of approximately $4.3 million.

 

Separately, on October 21, 2019, the Company entered into a Senior Secured First Lien Floating Rate Note (the “Secured First Lien Note”) in a principal amount of $125.0 million. Proceeds from the Secured First Lien Note were used primarily to finance the Kennedy acquisition. The Secured First Lien Note requires quarterly interest payments, with a repayment of principal on the maturity date of November 21, 2024. The Secured First Lien Note bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 5.3%. The interest rate on the Secured First Lien Note as of June 28, 2020 was 6.7%.

 

The First Lien Term Loan, the Secured First Lien Note and the ABL Facility are collateralized by substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Company. The credit agreements contain certain affirmative and negative covenants as to operations and the financial condition of the Company. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenant as of June 28, 2020.

 

Other Notes Payable and Capital Leases

 

During the first fiscal quarter of 2020, the Company closed on the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked, as described in “Note 2” the acquisition included a deferred purchase price of $2.0 million. Additionally, during the first fiscal quarter of 2020, the Company purchased intellectual property that include a deferred purchase price of $0.5 million.

 

Amounts outstanding under notes payable consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)  

June 28,

2020

   

December 29,

2019

 
Deferred purchase price   $ 2,530     $ -  
Note payable – IO notes     28,308       33,700  
Capital lease     6,102       6,055  
Other     3       29  
Total notes payable     36,943       39,784  
Less: current portion     (9,194 )     (7,984 )
Long term portion of notes payable   $ 27,749     $ 31,800  

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In 2019, the Company sold $33.2 million of notes receivable on its books for $34.1 million in a series of transactions to a financial institution. Due to the structure of the transaction, the sale did not qualify for sale accounting treatment and the Company has recorded the notes payable obligation owed by the IOs to the financial institution on its books; the corresponding notes receivable also remained on the Company’s books. The Company services the loans for the financial institution by collecting principal and interest from the IOs and passing it through to the institution. The underlying notes have various maturity dates through December 2028. The Company partially guarantees the outstanding loans, as discussed in further detail within “Note 12. Contingencies”. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

Interest expense for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $10.0 million, $8.7 million of which was related to the Company’s credit facility and other long-term debt, $0.7 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $0.6 million of which was related to IO loans. Interest expense for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019 was $12.8 million, $11.7 million of which was related to the Company’s credit facility and other long-term debt, $0.5 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $0.6 million of which was related to IO loans. The interest expense on IO loans is a pass-through expense that has an offsetting interest income within Other Income (Expense).

 

Interest expense for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $19.6 million, $17.1 million of which was related to the Company’s credit facility and other long-term debt, $1.3 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $1.2 million of which was related to IO loans. Interest expense for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019 was $25.4 million, $23.5 million of which was related to the Company’s credit facility and other long-term debt, $1.0 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $0.9 million of which was related to IO loans. The interest expense on IO loans is a pass-through expense that has an offsetting interest income within Other Income (Expense).

 

9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND PURCHASE COMMITMENTS

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

To reduce the effect of interest rate fluctuations, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract on September 6, 2019, with an effective date of September 30, 2019, with a counter party to make a series of payments based on a fixed interest rate of 1.339% and receive a series of payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.00%. Both the fixed and floating payment streams are based on a notional amount of $250 million. The Company entered into this transaction to reduce its exposure to changes in cash flows associated with its variable rate debt and has designated this derivative as a cash flow hedge. At June 28, 2020, the effective fixed interest rate on the long-term debt hedged by this contract was 4.2%. For further treatment of the Company’s interest rate swap, refer to “Note 10. Fair Value Measurements” and “Note 13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income.”

 

Purchase Commitments

 

Additionally, the Company has outstanding purchase commitments for specific quantities at fixed prices for certain key ingredients to economically hedge commodity input prices. These purchase commitments totaled $76.1 million as of June 28, 2020.  The Company has recorded purchase commitment losses totaling $0.7 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 28, 2020 and $1.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020. The Company has recorded purchase commitment losses totaling $0.0 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019 and $0.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. These outstanding purchase commitments generally do not exceed two years.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company follows the guidance relating to fair value measurements and disclosures with respect to financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value each reporting period, and with respect to non-financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level I) and the lowest priority to unobservable pricing inputs (Level III). A financial asset or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level I - Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

 

Level II - Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active. Financial asset or liabilities which are included in this category are securities where all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

 

Level III - Prices or valuations that are unobservable and where there is little, if any, market activity for these financial assets or liabilities. The inputs into the determination of fair value inputs for these investments require significant management judgment or estimation. The availability of observable inputs can vary depending on the financial asset or liability and is affected by a wide variety of factors. To the extent that valuation is based on inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.

 

The fair values of the Company’s Level 2 derivative instruments were determined using valuation models that use market observable inputs including interest rate curves and both forward and spot prices for commodities. Derivative assets and liabilities included in Level 2 primarily represent commodity and interest rate swap contracts.

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of June 28, 2020:

 

(in thousands)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 9,971     $ -     $ -     $ 9,971  
Total assets   $ 9,971     $ -     $ -     $ 9,971  
Liabilities                                
                                 
Commodity contracts   $ -     $ 1,490     $ -     $ 1,490  
Interest rate swaps     -       6,759               6,759  
Debt     -       638,155       -       638,155  
Total liabilities   $ -     $ 646,404     $ -     $ 646,404  

 

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of December 29, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(in thousands)   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 15,053     $ -     $ -     $ 15,053  
Interest rate swaps     -       1,486       -       1,486  
Total assets   $ 15,053     $ 1,486     $ -     $ 16,539  
Liabilities                                
Commodity contracts   $ -     $ 494     $ -     $ 494  
Debt     -       640,125       -       640,125  
Total liabilities   $ -     $ 640,619     $ -     $ 640,619  

 

11. LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

On February 27, 2018, the Company established the Utz Quality Foods, LLC 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2018 LTIP”). The purpose of the 2018 LTIP is to provide the Company with a means of attracting and retaining highly qualified employees and aligning the interests of those employees with the financial success of the Company. During 2018, the Company granted certain Phantom Units to its employees to reward them based on future appreciation in the equity value of the Company. The Phantom Units generally vest 40% on December 31, 2018 and 20% on each subsequent December 31 through December 31, 2021. Upon a change of control event, all of the unvested Phantom Units will vest immediately. The amounts vested under the 2018 LTIP will settle upon the earlier of a change of control event or December 31, 2021. The Company has recorded a reserve for the estimated fair value of vested Phantom Units of $16.3 million as of June 28, 2020 and $14.4 million as of December 29, 2019. The 2018 LTIP liability is included in non-current accrued expenses and other on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

12. CONTINGENCIES

 

Litigation Matters

 

The Company is involved in litigation and other matters incidental to the conduct of its business, the results of which, in the opinion of management, are not likely to be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Tax Matters

 

The Company received an assessment from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pursuant to a sales and use tax audit for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016. As of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had a reserve of $1.3 million, to cover the assessment.

 

Guarantees

 

The Company partially guarantees loans made to IOs by Cadence Bank for the purchase of routes. The outstanding balance of loans guaranteed was $4.6 million and $5.1 million at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, all of which was recorded by the Company as an off balance sheet arrangement. The maximum amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under the guarantees equates to 25% of the outstanding loan balance up to $2.0 million. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company partially guarantees loans made to IOs by Bank of America for the purchase of routes. The outstanding balance of loans guaranteed that were issued by Bank of America was $2.9 million and $0.7 million at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, which are off balance sheet. As discussed in “Note 8. Long-Term Debt”, the Company also sold notes receivable on its books to Bank of America during fiscal 2019, which the Company partially guarantees. The outstanding balance of notes purchased by Bank of America at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019 was $20.6 million and $25.1 million, respectively. Due to the structure of the transaction, the sale did not qualify for sale accounting treatment, as such the Company records the notes payable obligation owed by the IOs to the financial institution on its books; the corresponding note receivable also remained on the Company’s books. The maximum amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these guarantees equates to 25% of the outstanding loan balance on the first day of each calendar year plus 25% of the amount of any new loans issued during such calendar year. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

The Company guarantees loans made to IOs by M&T Bank for the purchase of routes. The agreement with M&T Bank was amended in January 2020 so that the Company guaranteed up to 25% of the greater of the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding on the payment date or January 1st of the subject year. The outstanding balance of loans guaranteed was $7.7 million and $8.6 million at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, all of which was on balance sheet. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

Unclaimed Property

 

The Company was notified in September 2016 that several states requested an audit of the Company’s unclaimed property practices. The states initiating the audit include Connecticut, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, and Tennessee but was later expanded to include a total of 22 states. The audit is limited to UQF and does not include any other legal entities. The audit consists of three components including accounts payable, payroll, and accounts receivable customer over-payments. The Company estimates that the potential liability for the accounts payable and payroll components is approximately $0.2 million, which has been included in the other accrued expenses section of the balance sheet as of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019. As of the date of these financial statements, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the potential liability for the accounts receivable customer over-payments.

 

13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income was ($6.5) million as of June 28, 2020 and $1.4 million as of December 29, 2019. Total accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consists solely of unrealized gains (losses) from the Company’s derivative financial instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges.

 

During the period ended June 28, 2020, changes to the balance in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income were as follows:

 

(in thousands)   Gains/(Losses) on
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Balance as of December 29, 2019   $ 1,408  
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges     (7,208 )
Balance as of March 29, 2020     (5,800 )
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges     (709 )
Balance as of June 28, 2020   $ (6,509 )

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

14. SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Cash paid for interest was $19.1 million and $27.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, and June 30, 2019, respectively. Refunds related to income related taxes were $0.2 million. Payments made for income-related taxes were $1.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019.

 

15. INCOME TAXES

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company’s effective tax rates for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was an expense of 15.16% and 24.18%, respectively, compared to an expense of 32.26% and 85.40% for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 effective rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the impact of partnerships that are not taxed at the Company level and state taxes.

 

    Thirteen Weeks Ended June 28, 2020     Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 28, 2020  
    Pretax
Income(Loss)
    Tax
Expense
    Effective
Tax Rate
    Pretax
Income(Loss)
    Tax
Expense
    Effective
Tax Rate
 
Corporate Entities   $ 5,318     $ 1,171       22.02 %   $ 10,587     $ 2,629       24.83 %
                                                 
Nontaxable Partnerships     2,405       -       0.00 %     286       -       0.00 %
                                                 
Total   $ 7,723     $ 1,171       15.16 %   $ 10,873     $ 2,629       24.18 %

 

    Thirteen Weeks Ended June 30, 2019     Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 30, 2019  
    Pretax
Income(Loss)
    Tax
Expense
    Effective
Tax Rate
    Pretax
Income(Loss)
    Tax
Expense
    Effective
Tax Rate
 
Corporate Entities   $ 5,341     $ 1,389       26.01 %   $ 6,784     $ 1,766       26.03 %
                                                 
Nontaxable Partnerships     (1,035 )     -       0.00 %     (4,716 )     -       0.00 %
                                                 
Total   $ 4,306     $ 1,389       32.26 %   $ 2,068     $ 1,766       85.40 %
                                                 

 

The Company files federal and state tax returns. These returns are generally open to examination by the relevant tax authorities from three to four years from the date they are filed, although there is variation by jurisdiction. The tax filings relating to the Company's US federal tax returns are currently open to examination for years beginning in 2016 and state tax returns are open to examination for tax years beginning in 2015.

 

Upon audit, tax authorities may challenge all or part of a tax position. The Company regularly assesses the outcome of potential examination in each tax jurisdictions and does not expect to record any material changes during 2020 to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits of $0 reported at December 29, 2019.

 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act is an approximately $2 trillion emergency economic stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, which among other things contains numerous income tax provisions. Some of these tax provisions are effective retroactively for years ending before the date of enactment. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the CARES Act on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, but we do not expect that it will have a material impact on our accounting for income taxes due to our status as predominantly a pass-through entity for income tax purposes.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

16. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

 

Prior to the merger of SRS and UQF described in “Note 1. Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, UQF held a variable interest in SRS a commonly controlled entity, for which UQF is the primary beneficiary since UQF had the power to direct the activities of SRS and the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits. UQF leased properties owned by SRS. The acquisitions of these properties were funded by UQF through notes receivable. As the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities and results of operations are included in UQF’s consolidated financial statements. The equity holders’ interests were reflected in “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest” in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and “Noncontrolling interest” in the consolidated balance sheets. The total amount of lease expense/income between SRS and UQF for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019 was $1.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, which was eliminated in consolidation. When SRS merged with UQF, UQF assumed all assets and liabilities of SRS and any notes receivable or payable between the two companies were relieved.

 

17. BUSINESS RISK

 

The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak began to impact consumption, distribution and production of the Company’s products in March 2020. The Company is taking necessary preventive actions and implementing additional measures to protect its employees who are working on site. The Company continues to experience higher demand for its products versus the prior year, and we are servicing that demand by increasing production and distribution activities. Generally, producers of food products, including salty snacks, have been deemed “essential industries” by federal, state, and local governments and are exempt from certain COVID-19-related restrictions on business operations. The Company’s strategic manufacturing capabilities and DSD distribution network have allowed it to effectively service increases in demand and be responsive to evolving market dynamics driven by changes in consumer behavior. The Company continues to monitor customer and consumer demands, and intends to adapt its plans as needed to continue to meet these demands. The event is still ongoing, and the Company is in the process of evaluating the financial impact.

 

18. AGREEMENT WITH COLLIER CREEK HOLDINGS

 

On June 5, 2020, the Company, Collier Creek Holdings (“Collier Creek” or following the Domestication (as defined below), “PubCo”), Series U and Series R (collectively, the “Sellers”) entered into a definitive Business Combination Agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”). The Business Combination Agreement provides for the consummation of the following transactions (collectively, the “Business Combination”): (a) Collier Creek will change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”), upon which Collier Creek will change its name to “Utz Brands, Inc.”; (b) the Sellers will amend and restate the Company’s limited liability company agreement (the “Company A&R LLCA”) to, among other things, increase the capitalization of the Company to permit the issuance and ownership of interests in the Company as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and admit PubCo as the managing member of the Company; (c) PubCo will acquire certain equity interests of the Company (i) from the Company, which proceeds will be used to pay transaction expenses and reduce existing indebtedness and (ii) from the Sellers as well as certain equity interests of equityholders of the Sellers (which will be immediately redeemed at the closing of the Business Combination by the Sellers for additional equity interests of the Company), in exchange for a combination of cash consideration and shares of newly issued Class V common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo, which will have no economic value, but will entitle the Sellers to one vote per issued share and will be issued on a one-for-one basis for each membership unit in the Company (each, a “Common Company Unit”) retained by the Sellers following the Business Combination.

 

 

 

 

Utz Brands Holdings, LLC and Subsidiaries

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On August 28, 2020, Collier Creek consummated the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement described in “Note 18. Agreement with Collier Creek Holdings”.

 

On August 28, 2020, PubCo and the Sellers entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement, pursuant to which PubCo will be required to pay to the Sellers or exchanging holders of Common Company Units, as applicable, 85% of the tax savings that PubCo realizes as a result of increases in tax basis in Utz’s assets as a result of the sale of limited liability company units of the Company for the certain cash consideration in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the purchase and redemption of the common units and preferred units in Series U and Series R and the future exchange of limited liability company units of the Company for shares of Class A Common Stock of PubCo (or cash) pursuant to Company A&R LLCA and certain other tax attributes of the Company and tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless PubCo exercises its right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement for an amount representing the present value of anticipated future tax benefits under the Tax Receivable Agreement or certain other acceleration rights occur.

 

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, the Company repaid $240.4 million of its term debt, $128.8 million of such amount was applied to pay down the Secured First Lien Note and outstanding interest under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and fund the 2.0% prepayment penalty (approximately $3 million) due on the Secured First Lien Note, and $111.6 million was used to pay down the First Lien Term Loan under the terms of the First Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement. No material modifications to the terms of Utz remaining term debt occurred as part of the Closing of the Business Combination.

 

In connection with the Business Combination and immediately prior to the Closing, the Company and PubCo amended and restated the 2018 LTIP such that it became the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2020 LTIP”), a sub-plan under the 2020 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, among other changes. Each participant in the 2018 LTIP elected to convert his or her Phantom Units subject to his or her 2018 LTIP award into restricted stock units under the 2020 LTIP (the “2020 LTIP RSUs”), with each restricted stock unit representing an unfunded, unsecured promise by PubCo to pay a participant one share of Class A Common Stock. Subject to the occurrence of certain forfeiture events, each of the 2020 LTIP RSUs is vested in full. Upon settlement of the 2020 LTIP RSUs, PubCo will issue an aggregate of 1,479,445 shares of Class A Common Stock.

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Super 8-K”). Unless the context otherwise requires the “Company” refers to Collier Creek Holdings as a Delaware corporation which, in accordance with the Domestication and the Business Combination, has changed its corporate name to “Utz Brands, Inc.”

 

Introduction

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 gives effect to the Business Combination consummated on August 28, 2020, as defined below, as if it was completed on June 30, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019 give pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it was completed on January 1, 2019. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet does not purport to represent, and is not necessarily indicative of, what the actual financial condition of the combined company would have been had the Business Combination taken place on June 30, 2020, nor is it indicative of the financial condition of the combined company as of any future date. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations do not purport to represent, and are not necessarily indicative of, what the actual results of operations of the combined company would have been had the Business Combination taken place on January 1, 2019, nor are they indicative of the results of operations of the combined company for any future period. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the following:

 

· the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements;

 

· the historical audited financial statements of Collier Creek as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2019, included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus;

 

· the historical unaudited financial statements of Collier Creek as of, and for the six months ended, June 30, 2020, included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Collier Creek on August 10, 2020;

 

· the historical audited financial statements of UM-U Intermediate, LLC (“UM-U”) and Subsidiaries and Affiliates, subsequently renamed Utz Brands Holdings, LLC, the direct parent of Utz Quality Foods, LLC, (collectively, “Utz”) as of, and for the fiscal year ended, December 29, 2019, included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus;

 

· the historical unaudited financial statements of Utz as of, and for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended, June 28, 2020, filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K;

 

 

 

· the historical audited abbreviated financial statements of Kennedy Endeavors, LLC (“Kennedy”) as of, and for the fiscal year ended, May 26, 2019, and the unaudited abbreviated financial statements as of and for the three months ended August 25, 2019, included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus; and

 

· the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Collier Creek on August 10, 2020, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” filed as Exhibit 99.5 of the Super 8-K.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination. It has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X and is for informational purposes only and is subject to a number of uncertainties and assumptions as described in the accompanying notes. The historical financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give effect to pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the Business Combination, (2) factually supportable and (3) with respect to the statements of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the results of the combined company.

 

The adjustments presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary for an understanding of the combined entity upon completion of the Business Combination. The pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and described in the notes thereto reflect, among other things, the completion of the Business Combination, transaction costs in connection with the Business Combination, and the impact of certain pro forma adjustments (and their tax effect at the estimated effective income tax rate applicable to such adjustments).

 

On June 5, 2020, Collier Creek, Utz and the Sellers entered into the Business Combination Agreement. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Business Combination Agreement, at the Closing, (a) Collier Creek effected the Domestication, and (b) the Company consummated the Business Combination. Considering actual shareholder redemptions and vesting of Retained Sponsor Shares and Retained Restricted Units as discussed in the Introductory Note to the Super 8-K in connection with the Closing, Collier Creek acquired 49.2% of the economic interests in Utz and 100% of the managing member interests of Utz, whereas the Sellers retained 50.8% of the economic interests in Utz and received Class V Common Stock in the Company that is commensurate with the economic interests retained by the Sellers in Utz at the Closing.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are presented based on actual shareholder redemptions of 5,950 Class A ordinary shares at a price of approximately $10.29 per share. The cash amount after Redemptions is sufficient to permit Collier Creek to satisfy the Minimum Cash Condition of the Business Combination. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements were prepared using the acquisition method of accounting under the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”) on the basis of Collier Creek as the accounting acquirer and Utz as the accounting acquiree.

 

2

 

 

The following summarizes the ownership of Class A Common Stock of the Company at Closing, including, for the Sellers, those shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of the Sellers’ Common Company Units (together with the cancellation of an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock) into Class A Common Stock of the Company:

 

    Shares     %  
Collier Creek’s Public Shareholders, less Shareholder Redemption(1)     43,994,050       36.5 %
Sponsor and Collier Creek’s Independent Directors (including Forward Purchases)(2)(3)     15,375,000       12.7 %
Sellers(4)     61,249,000       50.8 %
Closing Shares     120,618,050       100 %

 

 

 

(1) Reflects 5,950 Public Shares which were redeemed by shareholders in connection with the Business Combination at a price of approximately $10.29 per share.

 

(2) Includes 9,875,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of the existing Collier Creek Class B ordinary shares in connection with the Domestication. Includes 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock that were issued upon the automatic conversion of the Class B Common Stock concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination due to the satisfaction of the performance conditions required for the conversion of all Restricted Sponsor Shares at Closing.

 

(3) Includes 3,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company issued to Collier Creek’s Sponsor and independent directors in connection with the Forward Purchase Agreements.

 

(4) Represents 57,765,978 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exchange of Common Company Units (together with the cancellation of the same number of shares of Class V Common Stock) and 3,483,022 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exchange of Common Company Units (together with the cancellation of the same number of shares of Class V Common Stock) that were issued from the vesting of the Restricted Company Units held by the Sellers due to the satisfaction of the performance conditions required for the vesting of all Restricted Company Units at Closing.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presents Class A Common Stock ownership as if the Business Combination was completed on the pro forma balance sheet date of June 30, 2020. As the share price of Collier Creek was approximately $13.70 as of June 30, 2020, which was lower than $15.00, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information assumes the vesting of 50% of the Restricted Sponsor Shares and Restricted Company Units, resulting in a 50.5% noncontrolling interest retained by the Sellers in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Refer to tickmark (ee) to Note 3 for further discussion of the Restricted Sponsor Shares and Restricted Company Units.

 

3

 

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is for illustrative purposes only. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the Business Combination occurred on the dates indicated or the future results that the Company will experience. Utz and Collier Creek have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

 

The pro forma adjustments are based on the information currently available and the assumptions and estimates underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from the assumptions used to present the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. The Company will incur additional costs after the Business Combination is consummated in order to satisfy its obligations as a public company registrant. In addition, the Company adopted the EIP, which was approved by Collier Creek’s shareholders on August 27, 2020, in order to attract and retain employees, consultants and independent directors. No adjustments to the unaudited pro forma statement of operations have been made for these items as such amounts are not yet known.

 

The combined pro forma financial information does not reflect the realization of any expected synergies from Utz’s acquisitions of Kennedy in fiscal 2019 and Kitchen Cooked Inc. (“Kitchen Cooked”) in fiscal 2020, or incremental public company costs from the Business Combination. The Company currently estimates that synergies from the elimination of certain procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and selling and administrative expenses will result in annual combined integration-related cost savings of approximately $7.0 million from the acquisitions of Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked. In addition, the Company estimates it will incur incremental annual public company costs of approximately $3.0 million following the Business Combination. Although the Company believes that such synergies will be realized and incremental costs will be incurred, there can be no assurance that such synergies or cost estimates will be achieved, and therefore they have not been included as adjustments in the pro forma information.

 

4

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
JUNE 30, 2020

 

(amounts in millions)   Collier Creek
Holdings
(Historical as of
6/30/20)
    Utz Brands
Holdings, LLC
and Subsidiaries
and Affiliates
(Formerly UM-U
Intermediate,
LLC, as of
6/28/20)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Footnote
Reference
  Combined
Pro Forma
 
ASSETS                                    
Current assets:                                    
Cash and cash equivalents   $                  —     $          10     $         453     (a)   $ 13  
                      (378 )   (g), (k)        
                      (47 )   (b), (c)        
                      35     (i)        
                      (60 )   (j)        
Accounts receivable, net           123                 123  
Inventories, net           54       3     (o)     57  
Prepaid and other assets           6                 6  
Current portion of notes receivable           7                 7  
Total current assets   $     $ 200     $ 6         $ 206  
Goodwill           207       66     (d)     345  
                      72     (o)        
Intangible assets, net           185       713     (o)     898  
Property, plant and equipment, net           166       105     (o)     271  
Non-current portion of notes receivable           25                 25  
Marketable securities held in Trust Account     453             (453 )   (a)      
Other assets           8                 8  
Total assets   $ 453     $ 791     $ 509         $ 1,753  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                                    
Current liabilities:                                    
Accounts payable   $     $ 56     $         $ 56  
Accrued expenses     2       50       (3 )   (c)     49  
Current portion of other notes payable           9                 9  
Current portion of term debt           6                 6  
Total current liabilities   $ 2     $ 121     $ (3 )       $ 120  
Long-term liabilities:                                    
Non-current portion of term debt           632       (231 )   (g)     401  
Deferred underwriting commissions and legal fees     16             (16 )   (b)      
Non-current portion of other notes payable           28                 28  
Non-current accrued expenses and other           26       (16 )   (l)     48  
                      38     (m)        
Deferred tax liability           22       41     (h)     63  
Total liabilities   $ 18     $ 829     $ (187 )       $ 660  
Commitments and contingencies:                                    
Class A ordinary shares, 0.0001 par value; 41,835,134 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.29 per share at June 30, 2020     430             (430 )   (e)      

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

5

 

 

  

(amounts in millions)     Collier Creek
Holdings
(Historical as of
6/30/20)
      Utz Brands
Holdings, LLC
and
Subsidiaries
and Affiliates
(Formerly
UM-U
Intermediate,
LLC, as of
6/28/20)
      Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Footnote
Reference
    Combined Pro
Forma
 
Shareholders’ Equity:                                    
Preferred shares, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding                            
Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 2,164,866 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 41,835,134 shares subject to possible redemption) at June 30, 2020                     (e), (f), (k), (j)      
Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 11,875,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2020                     (f)      
Additional paid-in capital                 430     (e)     529  
                  35     (i)        
                      48     (p)        
                  16     (l)        
Retained Earnings     5             (8 )   (c)     (3 )
Members deficit           (32 )     (20 )   (b), (c)      
                      (8 )   (g)        
                      60     (d)        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (6 )     6     (d)      
Total Collier Creek’s shareholders equity and UM-U’s members; deficit   $ 5     $ (38 )   $         $  
Total shareholders’ equity   $     $     $ 559         $ 526  
Noncontrolling interest   $     $     $ 567     (n)   $ 567  
Total equity   $ 5     $ (38 )   $ 1,126         $ 1,093  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 453     $ 791     $ 509         $ 1,753  

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

  

6

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020

 

(amounts in millions, except for per share information)     Collier Creek
Holdings
(Historical for the six months ended 6/30/20)
      Utz Brands
Holdings, LLC
and
Subsidiaries
and Affiliates
(Formerly
UM-U
Intermediate,
LLC, for the twenty-six weeks ended
6/28/20)
      Pro Forma
Adjustments
      Footnote
Reference
      Combined Pro
Forma
 
Net sales           470                     470  
Cost of goods sold       305     4       (gg)     309  
Gross Profit           165       (4 )             161  
Selling and administrative expenses                                        
Selling           98       1       (gg)       99  
Administrative     2       38       (9 )     (bb)       51  
                      20       (gg)          
Total selling and administrative expenses     2       136       12               150  
Gain on sale of assets                                        
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment                                
Gain on sale of routes, net           1                     1  
Total gain on sale of assets           1                     1  
(Loss) income from operations     (2 )     30       (16 )             12  
Other income (expense)                                        
Interest income (expense)     2       (20 )     (2 )     (aa)       (13 )
                      7       (cc)          
Other income (expense), net           1                     1  
Other income (expense), net     2       (19 )     5               (12 )
Income (loss) before taxes           11       (11 )              
Income tax expense (benefit)           3       (4 )     (dd)       (1 )
Net income (loss)           8       (7 )             1  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest                       (ff)        
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest           8       (7 )             1  
Other comprehensive income                                        
Interest rate swap           (8 )                   (8 )
Comprehensive (loss) income                 (7 )             (7 )
Earnings per Share                                        
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A ordinary shares/Common Stock, basic     44,000,000               14,369,050       (ee)       58,369,050  
Basic net income per share, Class A     0.04                               0.02  
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A ordinary shares/Common Stock, diluted     44,000,000               18,067,833       (ee)       62,067,833  
Diluted net income per share, Class A     0.04                               0.02  
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B ordinary shares/Common Stock     11,875,000               (11,875,000 )     (ee)        
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B     (0.15 )                              

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

7

 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
COMBINED STATE OF OPERATIONS FOR
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

(Amounts in millions, except for per share information)   Collier Creek
Holdings
(Historical for the year ended
12/31/19)
    Utz Brands
Holdings, LLC
and
Subsidiaries
and Affiliates
(Formerly
UM-U
Intermediate,
LLC, for the fiscal year ended
12/29/19)(A)
   

Pro Forma

Pro Adjustments

    Footnote
Reference
  Combined Pro
Forma
 
Net sales           866                 866  
Cost of goods sold       579     11     (gg)   590  
Gross Profit           287       (11 )         276  
Selling and administrative expenses                                    
Selling           184       2     (gg)     186  
Administrative     1       71           (bb)     114  
                      42     (gg)        
Total selling and administrative expenses     1       255       44           300  
Gain on sale of assets                                    
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment           6                 6  
Gain on sale of routes, net           7                 7  
Total gain on sale of assets           13                 13  
(Loss) income from operations     (1 )     45       (55 )         (11 )
Other income (expense)                                    
Interest income (expense)     9       (55 )     (9 )   (aa)     (29 )
                      26     (cc)        
Other (expense) income, net           (1 )               (1 )
Other income (expense), net     9       (56 )     17           (30 )
Income (loss) before taxes     8       (11 )     (38 )         (41 )
Income tax expense (benefit)           3       (10 )   (dd)     (7 )
Net income (loss)     8       (14 )     (28 )         (34 )
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest           (3 )     24     (ff)     21  
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest     8       (17 )     (4 )         (13 )
Other comprehensive income                                    
Interest rate swap           1                 1  
Comprehensive income (loss)     8       (16 )     (4 )         (12 )
Earnings per Share                                    
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A ordinary shares/Common Stock, basic     44,000,000               14,369,050     (ee)     58,369,050  
Basic net income (loss) per share, Class A     0.20                           (0.22 )
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A ordinary shares/Common Stock, diluted     44,000,000               18,067,833     (ee)     62,067,833  
Diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A     0.20                           (0.22 )
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B ordinary shares/Common Stock     11,875,000               (11,875,000 )   (ee)      
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B     (0.08 )                          
     
     
(A) Represents pro forma combined results of operations which give effect to the acquisitions of Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked. Refer to Note 4 for pro forma statement of operations adjustments made to Utz.

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

8

 

 

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 — Description of the Business Combination

 

Basis of presentation

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been prepared assuming the Business Combination is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting with Collier Creek as the acquiring entity. Under the acquisition method of accounting, Collier Creek’s assets and liabilities will retain their carrying values and the assets and liabilities associated with Utz will be recorded at their fair values measured as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired, if applicable, will be recorded as goodwill.

 

The acquisition method of accounting is based on ASC 805 and uses the fair value concepts defined in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”). In general, ASC 805 requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date by Collier Creek, which was determined to be the accounting acquirer.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and sets forth a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used to develop the fair value measurements. Fair value is defined in ASC 820 as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” This is an exit price concept for the valuation of the asset or liability. In addition, market participants are assumed to be buyers and sellers in the principal (or the most advantageous) market for the asset or liability. Fair value measurements for a non-financial asset assume the highest and best use by these market participants. Many of these fair value measurements can be highly subjective, and it is possible that other professionals applying reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts.

 

For accounting purposes, the acquirer is the entity that has obtained control of another entity and, thus, consummated a business combination. The determination of whether control has been obtained begins with the evaluation of whether control should be evaluated based on the variable interest or voting interest model pursuant to ASC Topic 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). If the acquiree is a variable interest entity, the primary beneficiary would be the accounting acquirer.

 

The pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of the filing of the condensed combined financial statements and do not reflect possible adjustments related to restructuring or integration activities that have yet to be determined or transaction or other costs following the Business Combination that are not expected to have a continuing impact on the statement of operations. Further, one-time transaction-related expenses incurred prior to, or concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations. The impact of such transaction expenses incurred prior to the Business Combination are reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as reductions to liabilities and a decrease to cash, whereas such transaction expenses incurred concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination are reflected as an adjustment to retained earnings or members deficit and a decrease to cash. Such transaction expenses incurred and paid by Utz prior to the Business Combination have been adjusted as part of the Utz equity close out adjustment mentioned in Note 2, tickmark (d).

 

In conjunction with the consummation of the Business Combination, Collier Creek has adopted Utz’s accounting policies. As a result of the adoption, there are no significant changes in accounting policies expected and no pro forma adjustments related to the alignment of the accounting policies of Collier Creek and Utz. The combined company has adopted the fiscal year end date of Utz.

 

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Description of Business Combination

 

On June 5, 2020 Collier Creek and Utz entered into an agreement for a business combination pursuant to which existing equity holders of Utz received a combination of cash and non-economic voting Class V Common Stock in the continuing public company and retained approximately 50.5% of the economic interests in Utz. The Business Combination is structured as a customary Up-C transaction, whereby the Sellers own equity in Utz and hold direct voting rights in Collier Creek.

 

Pursuant to and in connection with the Business Combination, the following transactions occurred:

 

· the Domestication;

 

· the Forward Purchases; and

 

· the adoption of the EIP by the Company.

 

The diagram below depicts a simplified version of the Company’s organizational structure immediately following the completion of the Domestication and the Business Combination.

  

 

10

 

 

The table below represents the sources and uses of funds as it relates to the Business Combination as if the Business Combination had closed on June 30, 2020:

 

Sources and Uses (in millions)

 

Sources         Uses      
Collier Creek Cash Held in Trust, less Shareholder Redemptions(1)   $ 453     Debt Paydown + Prepayment Fees(3)   $ 239  
Collier Creek Forward Purchase Agreement(2)     35     UPA Seller Preferred Units Acquisition(4)     139  
            Cash Consideration to Existing Utz Owners(5)     60  
            Transaction Fees(6)     50  
Total Sources   $ 488     Total Uses   $ 488  

 

(1) Represents the amount of the restricted investments and cash held in the trust account of Collier Creek, which holds the net proceeds from the initial public offering of certain securities of Collier Creek (the “Collier Creek IPO”) and certain of the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants, together with interest earned thereon, less amounts released to pay taxes (the “Trust Account”) upon consummation of the Business Combination. This amount also excludes the cash remitted to Collier Creek shareholders due to the redemptions of 5,950 Class A ordinary shares which were redeemed at a price of approximately $10.29 per share.

 

(2) Represents the proceeds from the forward purchase agreements entered into on September 7, 2018 with the Sponsor and Collier Creek’s independent directors to provide for the purchase of an aggregate of 3,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, plus an aggregate of 1,166,666 redeemable warrants to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $35 million, or $10.00 per share of Class A Common Stock, in a private placement that closed concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination.

 

(3) Represents the amount of existing Utz term debt that the combined company paid down upon closing of the Business Combination. This cash was applied to pay down the Utz Senior Secured First Lien Floating Rate Note due 2024 (the “Secured First Lien Note”) under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, fund the 2.0% prepayment penalty (approximately $3 million) due on the Secured First Lien Note, and pay down the First Lien Term Loan (“Utz First Lien Term Loan”) under the terms of the First Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement. No modifications to the terms of Utz remaining term debt occurred as part of the Business Combination. As of the closing of the Business Combination, an additional $1 million of funds was used to settle the interest accrued after the pro forma balance sheet date.

 

(4) Represents the amount to purchase, from UPA Seller, the preferred units in the Sellers as of the Closing (which includes $125 million plus approximately $14 million of preferred return and early redemption costs), which was used by Collier Creek to acquire 100% of the preferred units in the Sellers owned by UPA Seller (which was immediately redeemed by the Sellers, in exchange for a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units in Utz acquired by Collier Creek).

 

(5) Represents $60 million paid by Collier Creek to the Sellers and UPA Seller for the acquisition of a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units in Utz acquired by Collier Creek (including through the redemption of UPA Seller’s common units in the Sellers held by UPA Seller).

 

(6) Represents the total estimated transaction fees and expenses incurred by Collier Creek and Utz as part of the Business Combination as of Closing.

 

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Note 2 — Unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet adjustments

 

The pro forma adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

(a) Represents the release of cash held in the Trust Account that becomes available to fund the Business Combination after shareholder redemptions, as discussed in item (1) to the Sources and Uses table above.

 

(b) Represents payment of deferred underwriters’ and legal fees from the Collier Creek IPO, payable at the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

(c) Reflects the payment of acquisition-related transaction costs incurred by Collier Creek and Utz (see Note 1 — Description of the Business Combination), excluding deferred underwriters’ fees from the Collier Creek IPO included in item (b). These costs are expensed as incurred. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet reflects these costs that were paid concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination as a reduction of cash, with a corresponding adjustment in retained earnings, members deficit, and accrued expenses. These costs are not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as they are directly related to the Business Combination and will be nonrecurring.

 

(d) Represents the close out of the equity of Utz that is adjusted to goodwill.

 

(e) Represents the reclassification of the Public Shares which were not redeemed by the Public Shareholders and the conversion of those Public Shares to Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination.

 

(f) Represents the conversion of Class B ordinary shares to Class A Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination, including shares of Class A Common Stock that are issued upon the automatic conversion of the Class B ordinary shares concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination. There are 2,000,000 Class B ordinary shares which convert into the Series B-1 Common Stock and Series B-2 Common Stock of the Company in accordance with the Sponsor Side Letter Agreement, of which 1,000,000 Series B-1 Common Stock were converted as of the pro forma balance sheet date of June 30, 2020.

 

(g) Reflects the paydown of Utz’s existing indebtedness as it relates to the Secured First Lien Note and First Lien Term Loan in conjunction with the consummation of the Business Combination. The Secured First Lien Note has a prepayment penalty of 2.0%, or approximately $3 million, which has been reflected as a reduction to cash and an adjustment to members deficit in the pro forma condensed combined balance sheet. The reduction in long-term debt balance due to paydown is offset by a write off of unamortized debt issuance costs which has been adjusted to members deficit. This is reflected in the table below:

 

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Long term debt, net of current portion adjustment

 

(in millions)      
Debt paydown on Utz Secured First Lien Note   $ (125 )
Debt paydown on Utz First Lien Term Loan   $ (112 )
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs   $ 6  
Total long-term debt, net of current portion adjustment   $ (231 )

 

(h) Represents adjustments to reflect applicable deferred tax. Refer to tickmark (o) for the purchase price allocation. The deferred taxes are primarily related to the difference between the financial statement and tax basis in the Utz partnership interests. This basis difference primarily results from the Business Combination where Collier Creek recorded a fair market value basis on all assets for financial accounting purposes and a fair value step-up on a portion of the assets for income tax purposes. The $41 million adjustment related to the deferred tax liability, representing a gross deferred tax asset of $10 million offset by a $51 million valuation allowance, is assuming: (1) Utz’s GAAP balance sheet as of June 28, 2020 adjusted for the pro forma entries described herein, (2) estimated tax basis as of June 28, 2020 adjusted for the pro forma entries described herein, (3) a valuation allowance of $51 million, (4) a constant federal income tax rate of 21.0% and a state tax rate of 4.4%, and (5) no material changes in tax law. The recorded valuation allowance relates to a portion of Collier Creek’s tax basis in excess of GAAP basis in its Utz limited liability company interests for which Collier Creek believes it is not more likely than not that it will realize a tax benefit in the future.

 

(i) Represents the impact of the Forward Purchase Agreements to provide for the purchase of an aggregate of 3,500,000 Forward Purchase Shares, plus an aggregate of 1,166,666 Forward Purchase Warrants to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $35 million, or $10.00 per share of Class A Common Stock, in a private placement that closed concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination. The proceeds of the sales of the Forward Purchase Shares and Forward Purchase Warrants are part of the Business Combination Consideration.

 

(j) Represents $60 million paid by Collier Creek to the Sellers and UPA Seller for the acquisition of a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units in Utz acquired by Collier Creek (including through the redemption of UPA Seller’s common units in the Sellers held by UPA Seller). This adjustment is recorded to reduce cash with corresponding impact recorded to goodwill. Refer to tickmark (o) for the purchase price allocation.

 

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(k) Represents the expected amount to purchase, from UPA Seller, the preferred units in the Sellers as of the Closing (which includes $125 million plus approximately $14 million of preferred return and early redemption costs), which was used by Collier Creek to acquire 100% of the preferred units in the Sellers owned by UPA Seller (which were immediately redeemed by the Sellers, in exchange for a portion of the Common Company Units and Restricted Company Units in Utz acquired by Collier Creek).

 

(l) Represents the reclassification from liability to equity of the value of outstanding awards of active participants under the 2018 LTIP, calculated at June 30, 2020 in accordance with ASC 718. As a result of the Business Combination of Utz and Collier Creek and the election to convert to restricted stock units, these awards are no longer to be settled for cash and were converted to restricted stock units of the Public Company that were issued under the 2020 LTIP at the Closing of the Business Combination.

 

(m) Under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Company generally will be required to pay to the Sellers 85% of the applicable cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal and state income tax that the Company is deemed to realize in certain circumstances as a result of (i) certain increases in tax basis resulting from the Business Combination, (ii) certain tax attributes of Utz existing prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) tax benefits attributable to payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The Company generally will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of the applicable tax savings. The $38 million adjustment related to the tax receivable agreement assumes: (1) $199 million of cash paid to the equityholders of Utz immediately prior to Closing, (2) a share price equal to $10.29 per share, (3) a constant federal income tax rate of 21.0% and a state tax rate of 4.4%, (4) no material changes in tax law, (5) the ability to utilize tax attributes and (6) future payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The adjustments to the Tax Receivable Agreement have been recorded as an adjustment to goodwill. The Company anticipates that it will account for the income tax effects resulting from future taxable exchanges of Common Company Units by the Sellers for shares of Class A Common Stock or the cash equivalent thereof by recognizing an increase in deferred tax assets, based on enacted tax rates at the date of each exchange. Further, the Company will evaluate the likelihood that it will realize the benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, and, to the extent that the Company estimates that it is more likely than not that it will not realize the benefit, the Company will reduce the carrying amount of the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance.

 

(n) The adjustment represents the fair market value of non-controlling interest of 57,765,978 non-voting economic interest Common Company Units of Utz retained by the Sellers and an equal number of shares of Class V Common Stock of the Company that provide the Sellers with one vote per share, for each Common Company Unit the Sellers own based on the organization structure as a result of the Business Combination. Refer to tickmark (o) for details of the purchase considerations and the purchase price allocation.

 

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(o) Represents the adjustment for the estimated preliminary purchase price allocation for the Utz business resulting from the Business Combination. The preliminary calculation of total consideration and allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of Utz’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed is presented below as if the Business Combination was consummated on June 30, 2020. The Company has not completed the detailed valuations necessary to estimate the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed and, accordingly, the adjustments to record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value reflect the best estimates of the Company based on the information currently available and are subject to change once additional analyses are completed.

 

Calculation of consideration per the Business Combination Agreement      
Estimated cash held in trust, less shareholder redemptions   $ 453  
Proceed from the sale of 3,500,000 Class A ordinary shares through Forward Purchase Agreements     35  
Less transaction costs incurred by Collier Creek     (26 )
Total cash consideration   $ 462  
Tax Receivable Agreement obligations to the Sellers     38  
Restricted Stock Units issued under 2020 LTIP     16  
Seller’s Retained Restricted Units     48  
Total consideration   $ 564  
Non-controlling interest   $ 567  
Net debt assumed     407  
Total business enterprise value   $ 1,538  

 

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash and cash equivalent   $ 13  
Accounts receivable, net     123  
Inventories, net     57  
Prepaid and other assets     6  
Notes receivable     32  
Property, plant and equipment, net     271  
Goodwill     345  
Identifiable intangible assets     898  
Deferred tax liabilities     (63 )
Other assets     8  
Accounts payable     (56 )
Accrued expenses     (49 )
Notes payable     (37 )
Non-current accrued expenses and other     (10 )
Net assets acquired   $ 1,538  

 

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Intangible Assets. Intangible assets were identified that met either the separability criterion or the contractual-legal criterion described in ASC 805. The trade name intangible assets represent the Power and Foundation brands that Utz originated or acquired that were valued using the relief-from-royalty method. The customer relationships intangible asset represents the existing customer relationships of Utz that were valued using a discounted cash flow model using projected sales growth and customer attrition. The developed technology intangible asset represents a manufacturing technology acquired by Utz for the purpose of generating income for Utz, which was valued using the relief-from-royalty method. Intangible assets of independent operator (“IO”) routes are presented at fair value using a deviation of income approach and determined by the present value of the debt service payments from the IO route purchases. Master distribution rights are presented based on the costs incurred to acquire such distribution rights.

 

Identifiable intangible assets   Fair Value
(in millions)
    Useful life
(in years)
 
Indefinite lived trade names   $ 213       n/a  
Finite lived trade names     111       15 - 20  
Customer relationships     554       15  
Technology     1       n/a  
Master distribution rights     16       n/a  
IO routes     3      

    n/a

 
Total   $ 898          

 

Goodwill. Approximately $345 million, has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the gross consideration transferred over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Qualitative factors that contribute to the recognition of goodwill include certain intangible assets that are not recognized as separate identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill represents future economic benefits arising from acquiring Utz primarily due to its strong market position and its assembled workforce that are not individually identified and separately recognized as intangible assets.

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets related to certain acquired brands will not be amortized, but instead will be tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if certain indicators are present. In the event management of the combined company determines that the value of goodwill and/or indefinite/finite lived intangible assets has become impaired, an accounting charge for impairment during the quarter in which the determination is made may be recognized.

 

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(p) Represents adjustment to record the estimated fair market value of Sellers’ Retained Restricted Units that is considered a contingent consideration in ASC 805 purchase accounting. Such Sellers’ Retained Restricted Units will be converted to Common Company Units of Utz when vested and will entitle the holders to participate in any ordinary distributions paid on an equivalent number of Common Company Units upon the achievement of targeted share prices of the public company. Fifty percent of the shares will be vested when 3-day volume weighted average price is at least at $12.50, and the other 50% of the shares will be vested when 3-day volume weighted average price is at least at $15.00, with such thresholds being reduced by an amount equal to the dividends paid on a share of Class A Common Stock between the date of Closing and the vesting date. The calculation of the fair market value of this contingent consideration is calculated by using the vesting stock prices multiplied by the number of shares in each vesting tranche. If any Sellers’ Retained Restricted Units do not vest within 10 years of the Closing, they will be cancelled for no consideration. The adjustment has been recorded as an adjustment to goodwill. Refer to tickmark (o) for the purchase price allocation.

 

Note 3 — Unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations adjustments

 

The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2019 and six month period ended June 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

(aa) Elimination of interest income on the Trust Account resulting from the release of cash held in the Trust Account that was used to fund the Business Combination.

 

(bb) Reflects adjustments made to eliminate non-recurring transaction costs specifically incurred by Collier Creek and Utz as part of the Business Combination.

 

(cc) Reflects the adjustment to interest expense associated with the paydown of the Utz’s existing indebtedness upon consummation of the Business Combination (see Note 2 above). The decreased interest expense reflects the interest expense on the historical Secured First Lien Note and First Lien Term Loan, less the change in interest expense as recalculated to reflect the debt paid down on the Secured First Lien Note and First Lien Term Loan, and incorporating the amortization of debt issuance costs recognized. The interest expense adjustment is reflected in the table below:

 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019      
Outstanding Utz First Lien Term Loan   $ 420  
Interest rate     5.6 %
Interest on Utz First Lien Term Loan   $ 23  
Other interest expense     6  
Total pro forma interest expense     29  
Less: Interest on Utz historical debt and Kennedy pro forma interest adjustment     (55 )
Pro forma adjustment   $ (26 )

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2020      
Outstanding Utz First Lien Term Loan   $ 417  
Interest rate     4.8 %
Interest on Utz First Lien Term Loan   $ 10  
Other interest expense     3  
Total pro forma interest expense     13  
Less: Interest on Utz historical debt     (20 )
Pro forma adjustment   $ (7 )

 

(dd) Adjustment to eliminate the historical tax expense (benefit) of Collier Creek and Utz and to record the tax provisions of the combined entities on a pro forma basis using a pro forma effective tax rate of 15.9% for both periods, which was applied to the income attribute to the controlling interest as the income attributable to the non-controlling interest is pass-through income. However, the effective tax rate of the combined company could be different depending on post-Business Combination activities.

 

(ee) As a result of the Business Combination, the pro forma basic number of shares is reflective of 58,369,050 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and the pro forma diluted number of shares is reflective of 62,067,833 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. Given that conversion of the Common Company Units results in no change to diluted EPS, the 59,507,489 shares of Common Company Units held by the Sellers are not included in the diluted number of shares. As the unvested Restricted Sponsor Shares and Retained Restricted Units are entitled to Collier Creek and Utz distributable earnings, respecitvely, they meet the definition of participating securities under ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, and profits attributable to these securities are excluded in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

 

For the twelve months
ended December 31, 2019
 

Collier Creek

Holdings

(Historical for the
twelve months
ended 12/31/19)

    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Reference   Pro Forma
Consolidated
 
Earnings per Share                            
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A                            
Common Stock, basic     44,000,000       9,875,000     (i)     58,369,050  
              3,500,000     (ii)        
              (5,950 )   (iii)        
              1,000,000     (iv)        
Basic net income (loss) per share, Class A (v)     0.20                 (0.22 )
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A                            
Common Stock, diluted     44,000,000       9,875,000     (i)     62,067,833  
              3,500,000     (ii)        
              (5,950 )   (iii)        
              1,000,000     (iv)        
              3,698,783     (vi)        
Diluted net income (loss) per share, Class A (v)     0.20                 (0.22 )
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B                            
Common Stock     11,875,000       (9,875,000 )   (i)      
              (2,000,000 )   (iv)        
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B     (0.08 )                

 

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For the six months ended
June 30, 2020
 

Collier Creek

Holdings

(Historical for the
six months
ended 6/30/20)

    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Reference   Pro Forma
Consolidated
 
Earnings per Share                            
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A                            
Common Stock, basic     44,000,000       9,875,000     (i)     58,369,050  
              3,500,000     (ii)        
              (5,950 )   (iii)        
              1,000,000     (iv)        
Basic net income per share, Class A (v)     0.04                 0.02  
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A                            
Common Stock, diluted     44,000,000       9,875,000     (i)     62,067,833  
              3,500,000     (ii)        
              (5,950 )   (iii)        
              1,000,000     (iv)        
              3,698,783     (vi)        
Diluted net income per share, Class A (v)     0.04                 0.02  
Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B                            
Common Stock     11,875,000       (9,875,000 )   (i)      
              (2,000,000 )   (iv)        
Basic and diluted net loss per share Class B     (0.15 )                

 

i. Represents 9,875,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of the existing Collier Creek Class B ordinary shares. The ordinary shares automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock concurrently with the consummation of the initial Business Combination, or earlier at the option of the holder thereof, on a one-for-one basis.

 

ii. Represents 3,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the September 7, 2018 forward purchase agreements entered into by Collier Creek, the Sponsor and Collier Creek’s independent directors to provide for the purchase of an aggregate of 3,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, plus an aggregate of 1,166,666 redeemable warrants to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $35 million, or $10.00 per share of Class A Common Stock, in a private placement that closed concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination.

 

iii. Represents the 5,950 shares which were redeemed by shareholders in connection with the Business Combination and were not converted into Class A Common Stock.

 

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iv. Represents the exchange of 2,000,000 Class B shares for 2,000,000 Restricted Sponsor Shares to take place concurrently with the consummation of the Business Combination, convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock. These restricted shares will be non-transferable (subject to certain exceptions, including a dissolution of the Sponsor), unless and until they convert into shares of Class A Common Stock. The restricted shares will convert 50% when the shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company trade at or above $12.50 volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) in the prior 3 trading days and the remaining 50% when the shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company trade at or above $15.00 VWAP in the prior 3 trading days, which dollar thresholds will be decreased by the aggregate amount of dividends per share paid by the Company after the Closing; or in full upon a direct or indirect change of control to a third party unaffiliated with the Sponsor. Fifty percent of these Restricted Sponsor Shares have been considered in the denominator of the basic and diluted EPS calculation as the shares would have been issued as of the Pro Forma Balance Sheet date as the 3-day VWAP preceding the Pro Forma Balance Sheet date was greater than $12.50.

 

v. Class A basic and diluted EPS also takes into account the vesting of 50% of the 3,483,022 shares of the non-voting Retained Restricted Units in Utz retained by the Sellers that were contingently issuable based on the same conditions as the Restricted Sponsor Shares. Fifty percent of these Retained Restricted Units have been considered in quantifying the numerator of the basic and diluted EPS calculations as the shares would have been issued as of the Pro Forma Balance Sheet date as the 3-day VWAP preceding the Pro Forma Balance Sheet date was greater than $12.50, and the vesting of 50% of such Retained Restricted Units will increase the percentage of pro forma income (loss) attributable to NCI.

 

vi. Represents the dilutive effect of the 14,666,666 Public Warrants, 7,200,000 Private Placement Warrants, and 1,166,666 Forward Purchase Warrants. Each warrant has an exercise price of $11.50 to purchase one share of the Class A ordinary shares of Collier Creek that were registered in the Collier Creek IPO and will automatically be converted into warrants to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company upon the Domestication. Considering the share price of the Company on June 30, 2020, these warrants are dilutive to EPS. The adjustment reflects the number of incremental shares of Class A Common Stock that would be issued given the proceeds from the exercise of all the warrants less the assumed acquisition of shares in the market using those proceeds.

 

(ff) Represents the pro forma adjustment to the noncontrolling interest in the Business Combination.

 

(in millions)   For the Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2020
    For the Twelve
Months Ended
December 31, 2019
 
Pro forma income (loss) before taxes   $     $ (41 )
Pro forma income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (50.5%)   $     $ (21 )

 

(gg) Represents adjustments to incorporate additional tangible and intangible assets depreciation and amortization for the step up basis from purchase price accounting (“PPA”) at the closing of the Business Combination. This pro forma adjustment has been proposed assuming the Business Combination happened on the first day of the fiscal year 2019. The following table is a summary of information related to certain intangible assets acquired, including information used to calculate the pro forma change in amortization expenses that is adjusted to administrative expenses:

 

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Identifiable intangible assets   Fair Value
(in millions)
    Useful Life
(in years)
    Amortization
Expense for
the twelve
months ended
December 31,
2019
    Amortization
Expense for
the six
months ended
June 30,
2020
 
Indefinite lived trade names   $ 213       n/a       n/a       n/a  
Finite lived trade names     111       15 - 20       7       4  
Customer relationships     554       15       37       18  
Technology     1       n/a       n/a       n/a  
Master distribution rights     16       n/a       n/a       n/a  
IO routes     3      

  n/a

     

  n/a

     

  n/a

 
Total   $ 898             $ 44     $ 22  
Less: Historical amortization expenses                     6       4  
Pro forma adjustments                   $ 38     $ 18  

 

Pro forma adjustments for depreciation expenses to cost of goods sold are $8 million and $4 million, and to selling and administrative expenses are $6 million and $3 million respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Note 4 — Reclassifications and Adjustments to Historical Information of Utz for the period ended December 29, 2019

 

Kennedy was acquired by Utz on October 21, 2019. Kitchen Cooked was acquired by Utz on December 30, 2019. The following table provides the pro forma statement of operations of Utz for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 as if Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked had been acquired on December 31, 2018. As Kennedy was acquired by Utz on October 21, 2019, the table includes the pre-acquisition period of Kennedy from December 31, 2018 to October 20, 2019. The table includes full fiscal year results of Kitchen Cooked, and no pro forma adjustment is included for Kitchen Cooked as any such adjustments are not material. The combined pro forma financial information does not reflect the realization of any expected synergies from the acquisitions of Kennedy in fiscal 2019 and Kitchen Cooked in fiscal 2020, or incremental public company costs from the Business Combination. The Company currently estimates that synergies from the elimination of certain procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and selling and administrative expenses will result in annual combined integration-related cost savings of approximately $7.0 million from the acquisitions of Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked. Although the Company believes that such synergies will be realized, there can be no assurance that such synergies or cost estimates will be achieved, and therefore they have not been included as adjustments in the pro forma information.

 

21

 

 

Pro forma statement of operations of Utz

 

(Amounts in millions   Utz Brands
Holdings,
LLC
(Formerly
UM-U
Intermediate,
LLC, for the
twelve months
ended
12/29/19)
    Kennedy
Endeavors
Inc.
Acquisition
(Unaudited for
the period
12/31/18 to
10/20/19)
    Kitchen
Cooked
Inc.
Acquisition
(Unaudited for
the twelve
months ended
12/31/19)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Footnote
Reference
  Utz Brands
Holdings,
LLC
Pro Forma
Combined
(Formerly
UMU
Intermediate,
LLC, for the
twelve months
ended
12/29/19)
 
Net sales     768       89       9                 866  
Cost of goods sold     514       61       4                 579  
Gross profit     254       28       5                 287  
Selling and administrative expenses                                            
Selling     163       18       3                 184  
Administrative     65       3       3       3     (aaa)     71  
                              (3 )   (bbb)        
Total selling and administrative expenses     228       21       6                 225  
Gain on sale of assets                                            
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment     6                             6  
Gain on sale of routes, net     7                             7  
Total gain on sale of assets     13                             13  
Income from operations     39       7       (1 )               45  
Other expense                                            
Interest expense     (48 )                 (7 )   (ccc)     (55 )
Other expenses     (1 )                                 (1 )
Other expense, net     (49 )                 (7 )         (56 )
Income (loss) before taxes     (10 )     7       (1 )     (7 )         (11 )
Income tax expense     3                                   3  
Net (loss) income     (13 )     7       (1 )     (7 )         (14 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     (3 )                                 (3 )
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interest     (16 )     7       (1 )     (7 )         (17 )
Other comprehensive income:                                            
Interest rate swap     1                             1  
Comprehensive (loss) income     (15 )     7       (1 )     (7 )         (16 )

 

22

 

 

(aaa) The pro forma financials are adjusted to incorporate additional tangible and intangible asset depreciation and amortization for the step up fair value asset basis of the Kennedy acquisition that occurred on October 21, 2019. The allocation of purchase price and the final amortization of such tangible and intangible assets could be adjusted during the one year measurement period to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition dates that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of the acquisition dates. The following table is a summary of information related to certain tangible and intangible assets acquired, including information used to calculate the pro forma change in depreciation and amortization expenses:

 

(in millions)   Estimated
Fair
Value
    Estimated
Useful Life
in Years
 

Amortization

Expense for the

period

12/31/18-
10/20/19

 
Customer Relationships   $          13     15 years   $ 1  
Trade Name and Trademark     21     15-20 years     1  
Property, Plant, and Equipment     13     1-20 years     4  
Building Improvement and Site Improvement     4     2-40 years                
    $ 51           6  
Less: Historical amortization expenses               $ (3 )
Pro forma adjustment               $ 3  

 

(bbb) Reflects adjustments made to eliminate non-recurring transaction costs specifically incurred by Utz and Kennedy as part of the Business Combination.

 

(ccc) Reflects an adjustment to interest expense associated with the historical Secured First Lien Note which was a critical component of the financing arrangement to complete the Kennedy Acquisition on October 21, 2019. The increased interest expense reflects additional interest expense on the Secured First Lien Note as if the note was entered into as of January 1, 2019.

 

23

 

 

Exhibit 99.5

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Throughout this section, unless otherwise noted “the Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” and “Utz” refer to Utz Brands Holdings, LLC (formerly, UM-U Intermediate, LLC) and its consolidated subsidiaries. On March 18, 2020, we effected our name change from UM-U Intermediate, LLC to Utz Brands Holdings, LLC. For all periods presented throughout this section we refer to our name as Utz Brands Holdings, LLC.

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations of Utz (the “MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with our unaudited combined interim consolidated financial statements as of June 28, 2020 and for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, together with related notes thereto, and our pro forma financial information as of and for the thirteen week and twenty-six week periods ended June 28, 2020, included elsewhere in our Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Super 8-K”) of which this MD&A is part. The MD&A should also be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 29, 2019, December 30, 2018, and for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2019, December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and related notes thereto, as well as the sections entitled “Information About Utz Brands” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Utz” incorporated by reference into the Super 8-K. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our expectations for future performance, liquidity and capital resources that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include those identified below and those described under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements,” and elsewhere in the Super 8-K. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

 

Our fiscal year end is the Sunday closest to December 31. Our fiscal year 2019 ended December 29, 2019 and was a fifty-two-week period and our fiscal year 2020 ends January 3, 2021 and is a fifty-three-week fiscal year. Our fiscal quarters are comprised of thirteen weeks each, except for fifty-three-week fiscal periods for the which the fourth quarter is comprised of fourteen weeks, and end on the thirteenth Sunday of each quarter (fourteenth Sunday of the fourth quarter, when applicable). Our second fiscal quarters for 2020 and 2019 ended on June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Super 8-K.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of high-quality, branded snacking products in the United States. We produce a broad offering of salty snacks, including potato chips, pretzels, cheese snacks, veggie snacks, pork skins, pub/party mixes, and other snacks. Our iconic portfolio of authentic, craft, and “better for you” brands, which includes Utz®, Zapp’s®, Golden Flake®, Good Health®, Boulder Canyon®, Hawaiian® Brand, and TORTIYAHS!®, among others, enjoys strong household penetration in the United States, where our products can be found in approximately 40% of U.S. households. We operate 14 manufacturing facilities with a broad range of capabilities, and our products are distributed nationally to grocery, mass merchant, club, convenience, drug and other retailers through direct shipments, distributors, and more than 1,600 direct-store-delivery (“DSD”) routes. Our company was founded in 1921 in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and benefits from nearly 100 years of brand awareness and heritage in the salty snack industry. We have historically expanded our geographic reach and product portfolio organically and through acquisitions and have achieved more than 40 consecutive years of growth. Based on 2019 retail sales, we are second-largest producer of branded salty snacks in our core geographies, consisting of our legacy Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C. as well as Alabama, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington where we have acquired strong regional brands and distribution capabilities in recent years.

 

 

 

 

Key Developments and Trends

 

Our management team monitors a number of developments and trends that could impact our revenue and profitability objectives.

 

Long-Term Demographics, Consumer Trends, and Demand – We participate in the attractive and growing $26 billion U.S. salty snacks category, within the broader $93 billion market for U.S. snack foods. The salty snacks category has grown retail sales at an approximately 4.3% compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) over the last five years. During fiscal 2020, snacking occasions are on the rise as consumers increasingly seek out convenient, delicious snacks for both on-the-go and at-home lifestyles. According to data from the Hartman Group, The Consumer Goods Forum, and IRI, approximately 50% of U.S. eating occasions are snacks, with 95% of the U.S. population snacking daily and the average American snacking 2.6 times per day. Additionally, the salty snacks category has historically benefited from favorable competitive dynamics, including low private label penetration and category leaders competing primarily through marketing and innovation. We expect these consumer and category trends to continue to drive strong retail sales growth for salty snacks.

 

As a staple food product with resilient consumer demand and a predominantly domestic supply chain, the salty snack category is well positioned to navigate periods of economic disruption or other unforeseen global events. The U.S. salty snack category has demonstrated strong performance through economic downturns historically, growing at a 4% CAGR from 2007 to 2010 during the last recession and more recently demonstrated during the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic which began in March 2020 in the U.S. For the 13 weeks ended June 28, 2020, U.S. retail sales for salty snacks based on IRI data increased by 11% versus the comparable prior year period while our retail sales increased by 21% in the same period.

 

Competition – The salty snack industry is competitive and includes several diverse participants. Our products primarily compete with other salty snacks but also compete more broadly for certain eating occasions with other snack foods. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the salty snack industry include taste, convenience, product variety, product quality, price, nutrition, consumer brand awareness, media and promotional activities, in-store merchandising execution, customer service, cost-efficient distribution, and access to retailer shelf space. We believe we compete effectively with respect to each of these factors.

 

Operating Costs – Our operating costs include raw materials, labor, manufacturing overhead, selling, distribution, general and administrative expenses. We manage these expenses through annual cost saving and productivity initiatives, sourcing and hedging programs, pricing actions, refinancing and tax optimization. Additionally, we maintain ongoing efforts led by our project management office, or PMO, to expand our profitability, including implementing significant reductions to our operating cost structure in both supply chain and overhead costs.

 

Taxes – On March 27, 2020, The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted which includes various tax provisions with retroactive effect. The CARES Act is an approximately $2 trillion emergency economic stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, which among other things contains numerous income tax provisions. Some of these tax provisions are effective retroactively for years ending before the date of enactment. We continue to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

Financing Costs – We regularly evaluate our variable and fixed-rate debt. We continue to use low-cost, short- and long-term debt to finance our ongoing working capital, capital expenditures and other investments, dividends and share repurchases. Our weighted average interest rate for both the thirteen week and twenty-six weeks period ended June 28, 2020 was 4.7%, down from 6.7% during the same timeframe in 2019. We have begun to use interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to interest rate changes, which can drive cash flow variability related to our debt. Refer to the Notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements titled “Long-Term Debt” and “Derivative Financial Instruments and Purchase Commitments” filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K for additional information on debt, derivative and purchase commitment activity.

 

2

 

 

LIBOR Transition – As of June 28, 2020, we had $648.0 million in variable rate indebtedness, down from $649.3 million at March 29, 2020 and $650.6 million at December 29, 2019, all or a portion of which uses London interbank offered rates, or LIBOR, as a benchmark for establishing applicable rates. As announced in July 2017, LIBOR is expected to be phased out by the end of 2021. Although many of our LIBOR-based obligations provide for alternative methods of calculating the interest rate payable if LIBOR is not reported, the extent and manner of any future changes with respect to methods of calculating LIBOR or replacing LIBOR with another benchmark are unknown and impossible to predict at this time and, as such, may result in interest rates that are materially higher than current interest rates. If interest rates applicable to our variable interest indebtedness increase, our interest expense will also increase, which could make it difficult for us to make interest payments and fund other fixed costs and, in turn, adversely impact our cash flow available for general corporate purposes.

 

COVID-19 – In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 constituted a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and later characterized it as a “pandemic”. In response, we have taken necessary preventive actions and continue to implement safety measures to protect our employees who are working on and off site. The same time period, March 2020, also marked the beginning of COVID-19’s impact on the consumption, distribution and production of our products. Demand for product increased significantly for several weeks in late March and into April 2020 as customers “pantry-loaded” in response to “shelter-in-place” measures that were enacted in many markets. Following that initial spike, in the weeks that followed, demand for product has continued to out-pace prior year rates as families have favored “at-home” dining at a greater rate than pre-pandemic levels. We have serviced that demand by increasing production and distribution activities. Our strategic manufacturing capabilities and DSD distribution network have allowed us to effectively service the increased demand and be responsive to evolving market dynamics driven by changes in consumer behavior. We will continue to monitor customer and consumer activity and adapt our plans as necessary to best service the business.

 

Recent Developments and Significant Items Affecting Comparability

 

Acquisitions

 

On November 19, 2019, we entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock and certain real estate assets of Kitchen Cooked Inc., an Illinois corporation (“Kitchen Cooked”). We acquired Kitchen Cooked to expand our distribution and production capacity in Illinois and the surrounding area. The acquisition closed on December 30, 2019 when we made a cash payment of $6.9 million and recorded $2.0 million in deferred payment obligations for the acquisition of the outstanding shares of Kitchen Cooked as well as certain real estate supporting its operations. The $2.0 million in deferred payments are payable in installments of $1.0 million each on the first two anniversaries following the closing date.

 

On October 21, 2019, we closed on our acquisition of Kennedy Endeavors, LLC (“Kennedy”) from Conagra Brands Inc. Kennedy consists of two divisions: Tim’s Cascade Snacks and Snyder of Berlin, which are snack food manufacturers. We acquired this business to expand our national footprint and our DSD snacks business as well as capture significant synergies. The acquisition provided us with the second largest DSD network for branded salty snacks in the Pacific Northwest, a regional production facility outside of Seattle, Washington, and increased scale with retailers in the Western United States. Our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income include the operations of this business from October 21, 2019 through December 29 in 2019 and also the first two fiscal quarters of 2020.

 

Commodity Trends

 

We regularly monitor worldwide supply and commodity costs so we can cost-effectively secure ingredients, packaging and fuel required for production. A number of external factors such as weather conditions, commodity market conditions, and the effects of governmental, agricultural or other programs affect the cost and availability of raw materials and agricultural materials used in our products. We address commodity costs primarily through the use of buying-forward, which locks in pricing for key materials between three and 12 months in advance. Other methods include hedging, higher pricing, and manufacturing and overhead cost control. Our hedging techniques, such as forward contracts, limit the impact of fluctuations in the cost of our principal raw materials; however, we may not be able to fully hedge against commodity cost changes, where there is a limited ability to hedge, and our hedging strategies may not protect us from increases in specific raw material costs. Due to competitive or market conditions, planned trade or promotional incentives, or other factors, our pricing actions may also lag commodity cost changes temporarily.

 

3

 

 

We expect price fluctuations in the second half of 2020. While the costs of our principal raw materials fluctuate, we believe there will continue to be an adequate supply of the raw materials we use and that they will generally remain available from numerous sources.

 

Independent Operator Conversions

 

Our DSD distribution is executed via company-owned routes operated by company employee route sales professionals (“RSPs”), and third-party routes managed by independent operators, or IOs. We have used the IO and RSP models for more than a decade. In fiscal year 2017, we embarked on a multi-year strategy to convert all company owned RSP routes to the IO model. The mix between IOs and RSP was approximately 78% and 22%, respectively as of June 28, 2020 versus a 76% and 24% ratio for IOs and RSPs respectively as of June 30, 2019. The slight uptick in RSP routes represents the consolidation of acquired routes in the Kennedy transaction. We continue to anticipate completing all remaining conversions by the second half of 2021. The conversion process involves selling distribution rights to a defined route to an IO. As we convert a large number of routes in a year, there is a meaningful decrease in the selling and administrative costs that we previously incurred on RSPs and a corresponding increase in discounts paid to IOs to cover their costs to distribute our product. The net impact is a reduction in Selling expenses and a decrease in Net Sales and Gross Profit. Conversions also impact our balance sheet resulting in cash proceeds to us as a result of selling the route to an IO, or by creating notes receivable related to the sale of the routes.

 

Debt Structure

 

To fund the acquisition of Inventure Foods, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Inventure”) and the repurchase of Class A Common Units in 2017, we entered into a First Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement and a Second Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement in November 2017, which significantly increased our outstanding debt and resulted in $42.3 million in incremental interest expense in fiscal 2018, which impacted the comparability of our fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 results of operations in comparison to fiscal 2017. Those Term Loans also repaid all amounts outstanding under our January 2017 revolving credit facility. In October 2019, we repaid the Second Lien Term Loan with the proceeds of the sale of preferred and common stock by Series U, Series R, and SRS Leasing LLC (“SRS”). Separately, in October 2019, we entered into a Senior Secured First Lien Floating Rate Note to fund the acquisition of Kennedy.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

We are not currently required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act and are therefore not required in connection with periods ended prior to the consummation of the Business Combination to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, we will be required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which will require our management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports. We will be required to provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending January 3, 2021. We will not be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 until our first annual report subsequent to our ceasing to be an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of Section 2(a) of the Securities Act.

 

Financial Outlook

 

We seek to achieve profitable, long-term growth and manage our business to attain this goal using our key operating metrics: Adjusted Gross Profit, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Further Adjusted EBITDA. We use these non-GAAP financial metrics and related computations to evaluate and manage the business and to plan and make near and long-term operating and strategic decisions. As such, we believe these metrics are useful to investors as they provide supplemental information in addition to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), financial results. We believe it is useful to provide investors with the same financial information that we use internally to make comparisons of historical operating results, identify trends in underlying operating results, and evaluate our business. We believe our non-GAAP financial measures should always be considered in relation to GAAP results. We have provided reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, which appears later in this MD&A section.

 

4

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

The following table presents selected financial data for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-six Weeks Ended  
    June 28,
2020
    % of
sales
    June 30,
2019
    % of
sales
    June 28,
2020
    % of
sales
    June 30,
2019
    % of
sales
 
Net sales   $ 241,977       100.0 %   $ 188,432       100.0 %   $ 470,006       100.0 %   $ 366,844       100.0 %
Cost of goods sold     157,096       64.9 %     126,617       67.2 %     305,111       64.9 %     248,497       67.7 %
Gross profit     84,881       35.1 %     61,815       32.8 %     164,895       35.1 %     118,347       32.3 %
                                                                 
Selling and administrative expenses                                                                
Selling     49,598       20.5 %     36,324       19.3 %     97,931       20.8 %     73,460       20.0 %
Administrative     18,484       7.6 %     10,082       5.4 %     38,424       8.2 %     23,476       6.4 %
Total Selling and Administrative expenses     68,082       28.1 %     46,406       24.6 %     136,355       29.0 %     96,936       26.4 %
                                                                 
Gain (loss) on sale of assets                                                                
Gain (loss) on disposal of PP&E     25       0.0 %     287       0.2 %     93       0.0 %     1,016       0.3 %
Gain on sale of routes, net     627       0.3 %     2,798       1.5 %     1,031       0.2 %     5,240       1.4 %
Total gain (loss) on sale of assets     652       0.3 %     3,085       1.6 %     1,124       0.2 %     6,256       1.7 %
                                                                 
Income from operations     17,451       7.2 %     18,494       9.8 %     29,664       6.3 %     27,667       7.5 %
                                                                 
Other (expense) income                                                                
Interest expense     (9,987 )     -4.1 %     (12,851 )     -6.8 %     (19,630 )     -4.2 %     (25,395 )     -6.9 %
Other income, net     259       0.1 %     (1,337 )     -0.7 %     839       0.2 %     (204 )     -0.1 %
Other (expense) income, net     (9,728 )     -4.0 %     (14,188 )     -7.5 %     (18,791 )     -4.0 %     (25,599 )     -7.0 %
                                                                 
Income before taxes     7,723       3.2 %     4,306       2.3 %     10,873       2.3 %     2,068       0.6 %
                                                                 
Income tax (benefit) expense     1,171       0.5 %     1,389       0.7 %     2,629       0.6 %     1,766       0.5 %
                                                                 
Net income     6,552       2.7 %     2,917       1.5 %     8,244       1.8 %     302       0.1 %
                                                                 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest     0       0.0 %     (715 )     -0.4 %     0       0.0 %     (1,420 )     -0.4 %
Net income attributable to controlling interest   $ 6,552       2.7 %   $ 2,202       1.2 %   $ 8,244       1.8 %   ($ 1,118 )     -0.3 %
                                                                 
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 32,557       13.5 %   $ 24,857       13.2 %   $ 61,807       13.2 %   $ 42,601       11.6 %

 

5

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended June 28, 2020 versus Thirteen Weeks Ended June 30, 2019

 

Net sales

 

Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $242.0 million, a $53.5 million or a 28.4% increase compared to net sales of $188.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increase in net sales in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 was related to the Kennedy acquisition and Kitchen Cooked acquisition, increased sales to key customers, and significant demand increases related to COVID-19 stay-at-home measures.

 

The Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions contributed $31.2 million to net sales for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020. IO discounts increased from $20.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019 to $23.7 million for the corresponding fiscal period in 2020. Excluding the offsetting impacts of acquisitions and changes to IO discounts, total net sales grew 12.5% for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 versus the corresponding period in 2019.

 

Net sales are evaluated based on classification as Power and Foundation brands. Power brands include our iconic heritage Utz brand; craft brands such as Zapp’s®, Golden Flake® Pork Skins, and Hawaiian®; “better for you” brands such as Good Health® and Boulder Canyon®; and selected licensed brands such as TGI Fridays® and Herdez®. Our Foundation brands are comprised of several regional brands, including Bachman®, Golden Flake® Chips and Cheese, Tim’s Cascade® Snacks, Snyder of Berlin®, and “Dirty” Potato Chips® as well as partner and private label brands.

 

For the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020, excluding the impact of higher IO discounts and brands acquired through our Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions, Power Brand sales accounted for approximately 80% of overall sales and increased by approximately 16%, while Foundation Brand sales were down approximately 3% and represented the remaining 20% of sales. Growth in Power Brands was led by Utz®, Zapp’s®, TORTIYAHS!® and Golden Flake Pork® Skins brands. Growth in certain Foundation Brands was offset by lower sales in our Dirty® potato chip brand, which has a meaningful presence in the convenience store and food service channels (these channels were negatively impacted by COVID-19).

 

Cost of goods sold and Gross profit

 

Gross profit for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $84.9 million, a $23.1 million and 37.3% increase, compared to gross profit of $61.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increase in gross profit in the fiscal second quarter of 2020 was driven by higher sales, contributions from the Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions, leveraging our existing infrastructure and available capacity, as well as lower per unit costs for materials and overhead driven by productivity initiatives, and lower commodity costs.

 

Our gross profit margin was 35.1% for the fiscal second quarter of 2020 versus 32.8% for the corresponding thirteen week period in 2019. The improvement in gross profit margin was primarily driven by the sales volume leverage on controllable overhead costs and productivity savings. IO discounts increased from $20.0 million in the second fiscal quarter of the prior year to $23.7 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2020, reducing gross profit by $3.7 million.

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

Selling and administrative expenses for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 were $68.1 million, a $21.7 million and 46.7% increase, compared to selling and administrative expenses of $46.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. Excluding a $5.5 million increase in expenses related to the acquired Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked entities, selling and administrative expense for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 increased $16.2 million or 34.9% versus the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increased expenses in the second quarter of 2020 were driven by higher operational costs related to incremental sales volume, higher incentive compensation expense, higher transaction-related service provider fees, and incremental costs needed to maintain safe business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

6

 

 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

 

Gain on sale of assets for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $0.7 million, versus $3.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019, and was primarily driven by a reduction in the number of conversions of RSP routes to IO routes, which resulted in lower proceeds from the sale of routes in the second fiscal quarter of 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019.

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

Other expense, net for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $9.7 million, down $4.5 million from $14.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. The reduction was primarily related to lower interest expense of $2.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020, versus the corresponding period in 2019. The lower interest expense was driven by a reduction in the comparative average LIBOR rate and payoff of the existing second lien and subsequent origination of a new term loan with a lower fixed rate component in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2019, which favorably impacted the second fiscal quarters of 2020.

 

Income taxes

 

Income taxes for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 were $1.2 million, a $0.2 million decrease, compared to income taxes of $1.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increase in tax expense for this period was primarily driven by the stronger operating results, partially offset by a reduction in the effective tax rate associated with state taxes.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $32.6 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $24.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019. The adjusted EBITDA growth of $7.7 million or 30.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was driven by strong operating results due to higher sales and improved gross profit margins, as well as EBITDA contributions from the Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions.

 

Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 28, 2020 versus Twenty-six Weeks Ended June 30, 2019

 

Net sales

 

Net sales for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $470.0 million, a $103.2 million or a 28.1% increase compared to net sales of $366.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increase in net sales in the first two fiscal quarters of 2020 was related to the Kennedy acquisition and Kitchen Cooked acquisition, increased sales to key customers, and significant demand increases related to COVID-19 stay-at-home measures.

 

The Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions contributed $61.2 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020. For the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, IO discounts were $44.5 million versus $37.4 million in the corresponding period in 2019. Excluding the offsetting impacts of acquisitions and changes to IO discounts, total net sales grew 12.2% for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2020 compared to the corresponding fiscal period in fiscal 2019.

 

Net sales are evaluated based on classification as Power and Foundation brands. Power brands include our iconic heritage Utz brand; craft brands such as Zapp’s®, Golden Flake® Pork Skins, and Hawaiian®; “better for you” brands such as Good Health® and Boulder Canyon®; and selected licensed brands such as TGI Fridays® and Herdez®. Our Foundation brands are comprised of several regional brands, including Bachman®, Golden Flake® Chips and Cheese, Tim’s Cascade® Snacks, Snyder of Berlin®, and “Dirty” Potato Chips® as well as partner and private label brands.

 

For the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, excluding the impact of higher IO discounts and brands acquired through our Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions, Power Brand sales accounted for approximately 80% of overall sales and increased by approximately 15%, while Foundation Brand sales were down approximately 4% and represented the remaining 20% of sales. Growth in Power Brands was led by Utz®, Zapp’s®, TORTIYAHS!® and Golden Flake Pork® Skins brands. Growth in certain Foundation Brands was offset by lower sales in our Dirty® potato chip brand, which has a meaningful presence in the convenience store and food service channels (these channels were negatively impacted by COVID-19).

 

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Cost of goods sold and Gross profit

 

Gross profit for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $164.9 million, a $46.5 million and 39.3% increase, compared to a gross profit of $118.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increase in gross profit in the first half of fiscal 2020 was driven by higher sales, contributions from the Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions, leveraging our existing infrastructure and available capacity, as well as lower per unit costs for materials and overhead driven by productivity initiatives, and lower commodity costs.

 

Our gross profit margin was 35.1% for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 versus 32.3% for the corresponding twenty-six-week period in 2019. The improvement in gross profit margin was primarily driven by the sales volume leverage on controllable overhead costs and productivity savings. For the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, IO discounts were $44.5 million versus $37.4 million in the corresponding period in fiscal 2019, reducing gross profit by $7.1 million for the period.

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

Selling and administrative expenses for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 were $136.4 million, a $39.4 million and 40.7% increase, compared to selling and administrative expenses of $96.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. Excluding a $13.1 million increase in expenses related to the acquired Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked entities, selling and administrative expense for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 increased $26.3 million, or 27.1%, versus the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increased expenses in the first twenty-six weeks of 2020 were driven by higher operational costs related to incremental sales volume, higher incentive compensation expense, higher transaction-related service provider fees, and incremental costs needed to maintain safe business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

 

Gain on sale of assets for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $1.1 million, versus $6.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019, and was primarily driven by a reduction in the number of conversions of RSP routes to IO routes, which resulted in lower proceeds from the sale of routes in the first two fiscal quarters of 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019.

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

Other expense, net for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $18.8 million, down $6.8 million from $25.6 million during the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The reduction was primarily related to lower interest expense of $5.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, versus the corresponding period in fiscal 2019. The lower interest expense was driven by a reduction in the comparative average LIBOR rate and payoff of the existing second lien and subsequent origination of a new term loan with a lower fixed rate component in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2019, which favorably impacted the first two fiscal quarters of 2020.

 

Income taxes

 

Income taxes for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 were $2.6 million, a $0.8 million increase, compared to income taxes of $1.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The increase in tax expense for this period was primarily driven by the stronger operating results, partially offset by a reduction in the effective tax rate associated with state taxes.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $61.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 compared to $42.6 million for the corresponding period in 2019. The adjusted EBITDA growth of $19.2 million, or 45.1%, for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by strong operating results due to higher sales and improved gross profit margins, as well as EBITDA contributions from the Kennedy and Kitchen Cooked acquisitions.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We use non-GAAP financial information and believe it is useful to investors as it provides additional information to facilitate comparisons of historical operating results, identify trends in our underlying operating results and provides additional insight and transparency on how we evaluate the business. We use non-GAAP financial measures to budget, make operating and strategic decisions, and evaluate our performance. We have detailed the non-GAAP adjustments that we make in our non-GAAP definitions below. The adjustments generally fall within the categories of non-cash items, acquisition and integration costs, business transformation initiatives, and financing-related costs. We believe the non-GAAP measures should always be considered along with the related GAAP financial measures. We have provided the reconciliations between the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures below, and we also discuss our underlying GAAP results throughout this MD&A section.

 

Our primary non-GAAP financial measures are listed below and reflect how we evaluate our current and prior-year operating results. As new events or circumstances arise, these definitions could change. When the definitions change, we will provide the updated definitions and present the related non-GAAP historical results on a comparable basis.

 

    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-six Weeks Ended  
(dollars in millions)   June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Pro Forma Net Sales     242.0       217.8       470.0       422.0  
Adjusted Gross Profit     90.4       65.6       175.7       126.0  
Adjusted Gross Profit as a % of Net Sales     37.4 %     34.8 %     37.4 %     34.4 %
Pro Forma Adjusted Gross Profit     90.4       75.7       175.7       145.5  
Pro Forma Adjusted Gross Profit as a % of Pro   Forma Net Sales     37.4 %     34.8 %     37.4 %     34.5 %
                                 
Adjusted EBITDA     32.6       24.9       61.8       42.6  
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Net Sales     13.5 %     13.2 %     13.1 %     11.6 %
Further Adjusted EBITDA     32.6       27.8       61.8       48.0  
Further Adjusted EBITDA as % of Pro Forma Net Sales     13.5 %     12.8 %     13.1 %     11.4 %

 

Net Sales and Pro Forma Net Sales

 

Pro Forma Net Sales includes the historical net sales of Kennedy from the pre-acquisition period and the historical net sales of Kitchen Cooked from fiscal year 2019.

 

    13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
(dollars in millions)   June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Net Sales     242.0       188.4       470.0       366.8  
Kennedy Pro Forma Net Sales     -       27.3       -       51.1  
Kitchen Cooked Pro Forma Net Sales     -       2.1       -       4.1  
Pro Forma Net Sales     242.0       217.8       470.0       422.0  

 

Adjusted Gross Profit and Pro Forma Adjusted Gross Profit

 

We define Adjusted Gross Profit as Gross Profit excluding Depreciation and Amortization expense. Adjusted Gross Profit is one of the key performance indicators that our management uses to evaluate operating performance. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted Gross Profit is useful to investors in the evaluation of our operating performance compared to other companies in the salty snack industry, as similar measures are commonly used by the companies in this industry. This measure increases transparency and assists investors to understand and analyze our ongoing operational performance by excluding the impact from Depreciation and Amortization, a non-cash item. Pro Forma Adjusted Gross Profit is adjusted to include the historical gross profit (excluding depreciation and amortization) of Kennedy from the pre-acquisition period and the pre-acquisition gross profit of Kitchen Cooked for fiscal 2019.

 

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Please refer to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the Super 8-K for details of the preliminary purchase accounting due to the contemplated Business Combination.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation from Gross Profit to Adjusted Gross Profit and from Pro Forma Gross Profit to Pro Forma Adjusted Gross Profit for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019.

 

    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-six Weeks Ended  
(dollars in millions)   June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Gross Profit     84.9       61.8       164.9       118.3  
Depreciation and Amortization     5.5       3.8       10.8       7.7  
Adjusted Gross Profit     90.4       65.6       175.7       126.0  
                                 
Pro Forma Gross Profit     82.9       68.7       160.9       131.3  
Depreciation and Amortization     7.5       7.0       14.8       14.2  
Pro Forma Adjusted Gross Profit     90.4       75.7       175.7       145.5  

 

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Further Adjusted EBITDA

 

We define EBITDA as Net Income before Interest, Income Taxes, and Depreciation and Amortization.

 

We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash items, such as accruals for long-term incentive programs, hedging and purchase commitments adjustments, and asset impairments; Acquisition and Integration Costs; Business Transformation Initiatives; and Financing-Related Costs.

 

We define Further Adjusted EBITDA as Adjusted EBITDA after giving effect to pre-acquisition EBITDA of Kennedy, pre-acquisition Adjusted EBITDA of Kitchen Cooked, and pre-acquisition EBITDA of Collier Creek Holdings. We also report Further Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Pro Forma Net Sales as an additional measure to evaluate our Further Adjusted EBITDA margins on Pro Forma Net Sales.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is one of the key performance indicators we use in evaluating our operating performance and in making financial, operating, and planning decisions. We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Further Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors in the evaluation of Utz’s operating performance compared to other companies in the salty snack industry, as similar measures are commonly used by companies in this industry. We have also historically reported an Adjusted EBITDA metric to investors and banks for covenant compliance. We also report Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Net Sales as an additional measure for investors to evaluate our Adjusted EBITDA margins on Net Sales.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation from Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019:

 

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    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-six Weeks Ended  
(dollars in millions)   June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Net income (loss)     6.6       2.9       8.3       0.3  
Plus non-GAAP adjustments:                                
Income Tax (Benefit) or Expense     1.2       1.4       2.7       1.8  
Depreciation and Amortization     9.0       6.9       17.9       13.8  
Interest Expense, Net     10.0       12.8       19.6       25.3  
Interest Income (IO loans)(1)     (0.6 )     (1.0 )     (1.1 )     (1.9 )
EBITDA     26.2       23.0       47.4       39.3  
Certain Non-Cash Adjustments(2)     1.7       1.0       2.8       1.5  
Acquisition and Integration(3)     3.9       0.8       9.1       1.5  
Business Transformation Initiatives(4)     0.8       -       2.4       0.2  
Financing-Related Costs(5)     -       0.1       0.1       0.1  
Adjusted EBITDA     32.6       24.9       61.8       42.6  
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of Net Sales     13.5 %     13.2 %     13.1 %     11.6 %
                                 
Kennedy Pre-Acquisition EBITDA(6)     -       2.7       -       5.2  
Kitchen Cooked Pre-Acquisition Adjusted EBITDA(7)     -       0.2       -       0.2  
Further Adjusted EBITDA     32.6       27.8       61.8       48.0  
Further Adjusted EBITDA as % of Pro Forma Net Sales     13.5 %     12.8 %     13.1 %     11.4 %

 

(1) Interest Income from IO Loans refers to Interest Income that we earn from IO notes receivable that have resulted from our initiatives to transition from RSP distribution to IO distribution. (“Business Transformation Initiatives”). There is a Notes Payable recorded that mirrors the IO notes receivable, and the interest expense associated with the Notes Payable is part of the Interest Expense, Net adjustment.

 

(2) Certain Non-Cash Adjustments are comprised primarily of the following:

 

Incentive programs – Utz Quality Foods, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, established the 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2018 LTIP”) for employees in February 2018. We recorded expenses of $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively, and $1.9M and $1.8M for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively. Expenses incurred for the 2018 LTIP are non-operational in nature and are expected to decline upon the vesting of the remaining phantom units from fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 at the end of fiscal year 2021. The phantom units under the 2018 LTIP will be converted into restricted stock units as part of the intended business combination, as described in the Super 8-K.

 

Purchase Commitments and Other Adjustments – We have purchased commitments for specific quantities at fixed prices for certain of our products’ key ingredients. To facilitate comparisons of our underlying operating results, this adjustment was made to remove the volatility of purchase commitment related gains and losses. For the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020, we recorded a charge of $0.7 million compared to a charge of $0.1 million during the corresponding period in the prior year. Year-to-date, total charges for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $1.0 million compared to a benefit of $0.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019.

 

(3) Adjustment for Acquisition and Integration Costs – This is comprised of consulting, transaction services, and legal fees incurred for acquisitions and certain potential acquisitions. Through the first twenty-six weeks of 2020, the majority of charges are related to costs incurred for the combination of Utz and Collier Creek Holdings, where we incurred costs of $3.3 million for the thirteen weeks and $8.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 compared to $0.6 million and $1.2 million for the same periods in 2019 respectively.

 

(4) Business Transformation Initiatives Adjustment – This adjustment is related to consultancy, professional, and legal fees incurred for specific initiatives and structural changes to the business that do not reflect the cost of normal business operations. In addition, certain Rice/Lissette family-related costs incurred but not part of normal business operations, and gains realized from the sale of distribution rights to IOs and the subsequent disposal of trucks, offset by severance costs associated with the elimination of RSP positions, fall into this category. For the period ended June 28, 2020, the total net cost was $0.8 million for the most recent thirteen weeks and $2.4 million through the first two fiscal quarters of the 2020 fiscal year. This compares to $0 net spend for the same thirteen-week period and $0.2 million for the first twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019. The year-over-year difference through the second fiscal quarter was primarily driven by greater gains for the sale of distribution rights to IOs in 2019 as the conversions were slowed during the process to combine with Collier Creek Holdings in 2020.

 

(5) Financing-Related Costs – These costs include adjustments for various items related to raising debt and preferred equity capital. There were no adjustments for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 compared to a $0.1 million adjustment for the same thirteen weeks in 2019. Total for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $0.1 compared to the same amount of $0.1 million for the first twenty-six weeks in fiscal 2019.

 

(6) The following table presents a reconciliation from pro forma Kennedy Pre-Acquisition Net Income to Kennedy Pre-Acquisition EBITDA:

 

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    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-six Weeks Ended  
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Kennedy Pre-Acquisition Net Income     0.0       1.7       0.0       3.8  
Plus: Pro Forma Pre-Acquisition Depreciation and Amortization     0.0       1.0       0.0       1.4  
Kennedy Pre-Acquisition EBITDA     0.0       2.7       0.0       5.2  

 

(7) Kitchen Cooked Pre-Acquisition Adjusted EBITDA represents a $0.2 million pre-acquisition net loss from Kitchen Cooked in fiscal 2019, primarily adjusted for depreciation and amortization, interest income, and certain adjustments related to its acquisition by Utz, such as transaction costs, one-time transaction-related bonuses, and a one-time rent payout upon acquisition of certain Kitchen Cooked facilities.

  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table presents net cash provided by operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019.

 

    Twenty-six weeks Ended  
    June 28,
2020
    June 30,
2019
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities     20,313       (9,323 )
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (18,011 )     23,630  
                 
Net cash used in financing activities     (7,384 )     (10,043 )

 

For the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, our consolidated cash balance, including cash equivalents, was $10.0 million or $1.2 million lower than at June 30, 2019. Net cash provided by operating activities for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $20.3 million compared to a use of $9.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019, with the difference largely driven by higher operating income of $7.2 million, higher depreciation and amortization of $4.2 million, lower interest expense of $5.8 million and lower net working capital use of $14.3 million in the fiscal first quarter of 2020. Cash used in investing activities for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $18.0 million mostly driven by the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked of $8.8 million and capital expenditures of $8.4 million, versus cash provided by investing activity of $23.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019, which was driven by the proceeds from the sale of notes receivable from IOs to a financial institution in the amount of $29.2 million; capital expenditures for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019 were $7.7 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $7.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 versus a usage of $10.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019 with the majority of the change resulting from the deferred purchase price of $2.0 million related to the Kitchen Cooked acquisition.

 

Financing Arrangements

 

The primary objective of our financing strategy is to maintain a prudent capital structure that provides us flexibility to pursue our growth objectives. We use short-term debt as management determines is reasonable, principally to finance ongoing operations, including our seasonal requirements for working capital (generally accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid expenses and other current assets, less accounts payable, accrued payroll, and other accrued liabilities), and a combination of equity and long-term debt to finance both our base working capital needs and our non-current assets.

 

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Revolving Credit Facility

 

On November 21, 2017, the Company entered into an asset based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million. The facility was initially set to expire on the fifth anniversary of closing, or November 21, 2022. On April 1, 2020, was amended to increase the credit limit up to $116.0 million and to extend the maturity through August 22, 2024. No amounts were outstanding under this facility as of June 28, 2020 or December 29, 2019. Availability under the ABL Facility is based on a monthly accounts receivable and inventory borrowing base certification, which is net of outstanding letters of credit. As of June 28, 2020, and December 29, 2019, $101.9 million and $83.0 million, respectively, was available for borrowing, net of letters of credit.  The ABL Facility bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin (ranging from 1.5% to 2.0%) or the prime rate plus an applicable margin (ranging from 0.5% to 1.0%). Under the prime rate, had there been outstanding balances the interest rate on the facility as of June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 would have been 3.75% and 6.00%, respectively. Had there been outstanding balances and the Company elected to use the LIBOR rate the interest rate on the facility as of June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 would have been 1.66% and 3.87%, respectively. The facility is also subject to unused line fees (0.5% at June 28, 2020) and other fees and expenses. The Company incurred interest of $0.2 million related to the ABL Facility during each of the fiscal quarters ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 and $0.4 million and $0.5 million during the 26 weeks ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019, respectively.

 

Standby letters of credit in the amount of $14.1 million have been issued as of each of June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019. The standby letters of credit are primarily issued for insurance purposes.

 

Term Loans

 

On November 21, 2017, the Company entered into a First Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “First Lien Term Loan”) in a principal amount of $535.0 million and a Second Lien Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Second Lien Term Loan”, and collectively with the First Lien Term Loan, the “Term Loans”) in a principal amount of $125.0 million. The proceeds of the Term Loans were used to refinance the Company’s January 2017 credit facility and fund the acquisition of Inventure and the repurchase of the Class A Common Units held by a minority investor.

 

The First Lien Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.3 million that began on March 2018, with a balloon payment due for any remaining balance on the seventh anniversary of the closing of the loan, or November 21, 2024. The First Lien Term Loan bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.5% or prime rate plus an applicable margin of 2.5%. The interest rate on the First Lien Term Loan as of June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019 was 3.67% and 5.94%, respectively.

 

The Company incurred closing and other costs associated with the Term Loans, which were allocated to each loan on a specific identification basis based on original principal amounts. Finance fees allocated to the First Lien Term Loan and the Second Lien Term Loan were $10.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively, which are presented net within “non-current portion of debt” on the balance sheet. Deferred fees are amortized ratably over the respective lives of each term loan. Deferred fees associated with the term loans under the January 2017 credit agreement were fully expensed during fiscal 2017.

 

On October 1, 2019, the Company repaid the Second Lien Term Loan with the proceeds of the sale of preferred and common stock by Series U, Series R, and SRS. The Company accounted for the repayment of the Second Lien Term Loan as a debt extinguishment as the investors who purchased the preferred stock and common stock were not parties to the Second Lien Term Loan. The total repayment was $126.3 million, which resulted in a loss on early extinguishment of approximately $4.3 million.

 

Separately, on October 21, 2019, the Company entered into a Senior Secured First Lien Floating Rate Note (the “Secured First Lien Note”) in a principal amount of $125.0 million. Proceeds from the Secured First Lien Note were used primarily to finance the Kennedy acquisition. The Secured First Lien Note requires quarterly interest payments, with a repayment of principal on the maturity date of November 21, 2024. The Secured First Lien Note bears interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 5.3%. The interest rate on the Secured First Lien Note as of June 28, 2020 was 6.7%.

 

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The First Lien Term Loan, the Secured First Lien Note and the November 2017 ABL Facility are collateralized by substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Company. The credit agreements contain certain affirmative and negative covenants as to operations and the financial condition of the Company. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants as of June 28, 2020.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

To reduce the effect of interest rate fluctuations, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract on September 6, 2019, with an effective date of September 30, 2019, with a counter party to make a series of payments based on a fixed interest rate of 1.339% and receive a series of payments based on the greater of LIBOR or 0.00%. Both the fixed and floating payment streams are based on a notional amount of $250 million. The Company entered into this transaction to reduce its exposure to changes in cash flows associated with its variable rate debt and has designated this derivative as a cash flow hedge. At June 28, 2020, the effective fixed interest rate on the long-term debt partially hedged by this contract was 4.2%.

 

IO Loan Purchase Commitments

 

The Company sold notes receivable on its books to Bank of America during 2019, which the Company partially guarantees. The outstanding balance of notes purchased by Bank of America at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019 was $20.6 million and $25.1 million, respectively. Due to the structure of the transaction, the sale did not qualify for sale accounting treatment, as such the Company records the notes payable obligation owed by the IOs to the financial institution on its books; the corresponding note receivable also remained on the Company’s books. The maximum amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these guarantees equates to 25% of the outstanding loan balance on the first day of each calendar year plus 25% of the amount of any new loans issued during such calendar year. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

The Company guarantees loans made to IOs by M&T Bank for the purchase of routes. The agreement with M&T Bank was amended in January 2020 to provide that the Company guaranteed up to 25% of the greater of the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding on the payment date or January 1st of the subject year. The outstanding balance of loans guaranteed was $7.7 million and $8.6 million at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, all of which was on the balance sheet as of the respective dates indicated. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

Other Notes Payable and Capital Leases

 

During the first fiscal quarter of 2020, we closed on the acquisition of Kitchen Cooked. The acquisition included a deferred purchase price of $2.0 million. During the fiscal first quarter of 2020 we also purchased intellectual property that included a deferred purchase price of $0.5 million.

 

In 2019, we sold $33.2 million of notes receivable on its books for $34.1 million in a series of transactions to a financial institution. Due to the structure of the transaction, the sale did not qualify for sale accounting treatment and we recorded the notes payable obligation owed by the IOs to the financial institution on our books; the corresponding notes receivable also remained on the books. We service the loans for the financial institution by collecting principal and interest from the IOs and passing it through to the institution. The underlying notes have various maturity dates through December 2028. We also partially guarantee the outstanding loans. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, we have the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

Interest expense for the thirteen weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $10.0 million, $8.7 million of which was related to the Company’s First Lien Term Loan, ABL Facility and other long-term debt, $0.7 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $0.6 million of which was related to IO loans. Interest expense for the thirteen weeks ended June 30, 2019 was $12.8 million, $11.7 million of which was related to the Company’s ABL Facility and other long-term debt, $0.5 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $0.6 million of which was related to IO loans. The interest expense on IO loans is a pass-through expense that has an offsetting interest income within Other Income, Net.

 

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Interest expense for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020 was $19.6 million, $17.1 million of which was related to the Company’s ABL Facility and other long-term debt, $1.3 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $1.2 million of which was related to IO loans. Interest expense for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019 was $25.4 million, $23.5 million of which was related to the Company’s ABL Facility and other long-term debt, $1.0 million of which was related to amortization of deferred financing fees, and $0.9 million of which was related to IO loans. The interest expense on IO loans is a pass-through expense that has an offsetting interest income within Other Income, Net.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Purchase Commitments

 

The Company has outstanding purchase commitments for specific quantities at fixed prices for certain key ingredients to economically hedge commodity input prices. These purchase commitments totaled $76.1 million as of June 28, 2020.  The Company has recorded purchase commitment losses totaling $0.7 million for the first quarter ended June 28, 2020 and $1.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020. These outstanding purchase commitments generally do not exceed two years.

 

IO Guarantees-Off-Balance Sheet

 

The Company partially guarantees loans made to IOs by Cadence Bank for the purchase of routes. The outstanding balance of loans guaranteed was $4.6 million and $5.1 million at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, all of which was recorded by the Company as an off-balance sheet arrangement. The maximum amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under the guarantees equates to 25% of the outstanding loan balance up to $2.0 million per loan. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, the Company has the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

The Company partially guarantees loans made to IOs by Bank of America for the purchase of routes. The outstanding balance of loans guaranteed that were issued by Bank of America was $2.9 million and $0.7 million at June 28, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, which are off balance sheet. The maximum amount of future payments we could be required to make under these guarantees equates to 25% of the outstanding loan balance on the first day of each calendar year plus 25% of the amount of any new loans issued during such calendar year. These loans are collateralized by the routes for which the loans are made. Accordingly, we have the ability to recover substantially all of the outstanding loan value upon default.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K.

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

General

 

Our Consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. While the majority of our revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities are not based on estimates, there are certain accounting principles that require management to make estimates regarding matters that are uncertain and susceptible to change. Critical accounting policies are defined as those policies that are reflective of significant judgments, estimates and uncertainties, which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Management regularly reviews the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements for reasonableness and adequacy. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K ; however, the following discussion pertains to accounting policies we believe are most critical to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require significant, difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Other companies in similar businesses may use different estimation policies and methodologies, which may affect the comparability of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows to those of other companies.

 

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Revenue Recognition

 

Our revenues primarily consist of the sale of salty snack items that are sold through DSD and Direct-To-Warehouse distribution methods, either directly to retailers or via distributors. We sell to supermarkets, mass merchandisers, club warehouses, convenience stores and other large-scale retailers, merchants, distributors, brokers, wholesalers, and IOs (which are third party businesses). These revenue contracts generally have a single performance obligation. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, consumer coupon redemption, unsaleable product, and other costs. Amounts billed and due from customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis and, therefore, we do not have any significant financing components.

 

We recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the goods to customers. Control is transferred upon delivery of the goods to the customer. Shipping and/or handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. Applicable shipping and handling are included in customer billing and are recorded as revenue as products’ control is transferred to customers. We assess the goods promised in customers’ purchase orders and identify a performance obligation for each promise to transfer a good that is distinct.

 

We offer various forms of trade promotions and the methodologies for determining these provisions are dependent on local customer pricing and promotional practices, which range from contractually fixed percentage price reductions to provisions based on actual occurrence or performance. Our promotional activities are conducted either through the retail trade or directly with consumers and include activities such as in store displays and events, feature price discounts, consumer coupons, and loyalty programs. The costs of these activities are recognized at the time the related revenue is recorded, which normally precedes the actual cash expenditure. The recognition of these costs therefore requires management judgment regarding the volume of promotional offers that will be redeemed by either the retail trade or consumer. These estimates are made using various techniques including historical data on performance of similar promotional programs. In 2019, we implemented a system that improves our ability to analyze and estimate the reserve for unpaid costs relating to our promotional activities. Differences between estimated expense and actual redemptions are recognized as a change in management estimate as the actual redemption incurred.

 

Distribution Route Purchase and Sale Transactions

 

We purchase and sell distribution routes as a part of our maintenance of our DSD network. As new IOs are identified, we either sell our existing routes to the IOs or sells routes that were previously purchased by us to the IOs. Gain/loss from the sale of a distribution route is recorded upon the completion of the sale transaction and signing of the relevant documents and is calculated based on the difference between the sale price of the distribution route and the asset carrying value of the distribution route as of the date of sale. We record intangible assets for distribution routes that it purchases based on the payment that we make to acquire the route and records the purchased distribution routes as indefinite-lived intangible assets under FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. The indefinite lived intangible assets are subject to annual impairment testing.

 

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles

 

We allocate the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount classified as goodwill. The identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition, as well as the completion of impairment tests, require significant management judgments and estimates. These estimates are made based on, among other factors, review of projected future operating results and business plans, economic projections, anticipated highest and best use of future cash flows and the cost of capital. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and potentially result in a different impact to our results of operations. Further, changes in business strategy and/or market conditions may significantly impact these judgments and thereby impact the fair value of these assets, which could result in an impairment of the goodwill or intangible assets.

 

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Finite-lived intangible assets consist of distribution/customer relationships, technology, trademarks and non-compete agreements. These assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives. Finite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment only when management has determined that potential impairment indicators are present.

 

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets (including trade names, master distribution rights and IO routes) are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually and whenever events or circumstances change that indicate impairment may have occurred. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level.

 

As we have early adopted ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, we will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over our fair value.

 

ASC 350, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets also permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment tests for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. If an entity believes, as a result of each qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that goodwill or an indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired, a quantitative impairment test is not required.

 

We have identified the existing snack food operations as our sole reporting unit. For the second fiscal quarter of 2020, we reviewed Goodwill and Intangibles to determine if any triggering events occurred, which indicated that fair values were less than the carrying values, and we determined that no additional impairment testing was necessary.

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes pursuant to the asset and liability method of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which require us to recognize current tax liabilities or receivables for the amount of taxes we estimate are payable or refundable for the current year, and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of net operating loss and credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period enacted. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible.

 

We follow the provisions of ASC 740-10 related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. ASC 740-10 prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns.

 

The benefit of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in our income tax returns is recognized in the financial statements if such positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. Differences between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit recognized and measured pursuant to the interpretation are referred to as “unrecognized benefits”. A liability is recognized (or amount of net operating loss carryover or amount of tax refundable is reduced) for an unrecognized tax benefit because it represents an enterprise’s potential future obligation to the taxing authority for a tax position that was not recognized as a result of applying the provisions of ASC 740-10. Interest costs and related penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are required to be calculated, if applicable. Our policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as selling and administrative expenses. As of June 28, 2020, and December 29, 2019, no liability for unrecognized tax benefits was required to be reported. We do not expect any significant changes in our unrecognized tax benefits in the next year.

 

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Business Combinations

 

We evaluate acquisitions of assets and other similar transactions to assess whether or not the transaction should be accounted for as a business combination or asset acquisition by first applying a screen test to determine if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. If the screen is met, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the screen is not met, further determination is required as to whether or not we have acquired inputs and processes that have the ability to create outputs which would meet the definition of a business. Significant judgment is required in the application of the screen test to determine whether an acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of assets.

 

We use the acquisition method in accounting for acquired businesses. Under the acquisition method, our financial statements reflect the operations of an acquired business starting from the completion of the acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

 

Self-Insurance

 

We are primarily self-insured, up to certain limits, for employee group health claims. We purchase stop-loss insurance, which will reimburse us for individual and aggregate claims in excess of certain annual established limits. Operations are charged with the cost of claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.

 

We are primarily self-insured through large deductible insurance plans for automobile, general liability and workers’ compensation. We have utilized a number of different insurance vehicles and programs for these insurable risks and recognizes expenses and reserves in accordance with the provisions of each insurance vehicle/program.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to certain commodity and interest rate risks as part of our ongoing business operations. We may use derivative financial instruments, where appropriate, to manage some of these risks related to interest rates. We do not use derivatives for trading purposes.

 

Commodity Risk

 

We purchase certain raw materials that are subject to price volatility caused by weather, market conditions, growing and harvesting conditions, governmental actions and other factors beyond our control. Our most significant raw material requirements include potatoes, oil, flour, wheat, corn, cheese, spices, and seasonings. We also purchase packaging materials that are subject to price volatility. In the normal course of business, in order to mitigate the risks of volatility in commodity markets to which we are exposed, we enter into forward purchase agreements with certain suppliers based on market prices, forward price projections and expected usage levels. Amounts committed under these forward purchase agreements are discussed in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K under the note titled “Derivative Financial Instruments and Purchase Commitments.”

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our variable-rate debt obligations incur interest at floating rates based on changes in the LIBOR rate. To manage exposure to changing interest rates, we selectively enter into interest rate swap agreements to maintain a desired proportion of fixed to variable-rate debt. See the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Super 8-K under the note titled “Derivative Financial Instruments and Purchase Commitments” for further information related to our interest rate swap agreements. While these interest rate swap agreements fixed a portion of the interest rate at a predictable level, interest expense would have been $0.2 million lower and equivalent without these swaps during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, respectively. Including the effect of the interest rate swap agreement, the weighted average interest rate was 4.2% and 5.8%, respectively, as of June 28, 2019 and December 29, 2019. A 1% increase in the LIBOR rate would not have significantly impacted interest expense during the second fiscal quarter or through the first twenty-six weeks of 2020.

 

Credit Risk

 

We are exposed to credit risks related to our accounts and notes receivable. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers to minimize the potential exposure. We experienced no material credit losses during the first and second fiscal quarters of 2020 or 2019. During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 28, 2020, net bad debt expense was $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2019, net bad debt expense was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Our reserve for potential future bad debt was $1.6 million as of June 28, 2020 and $1.4 million as of December 29, 2019.

 

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