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): March 12, 2015

 

Levy Acquisition Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
  001-36197
(Commission File Number)
  46-3340980
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3500

Chicago, IL

(Address of principal
executive offices)

 

 

60611
(Zip code)

 

(312)-267-4190
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act

 

þ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On March 12, 2015, Levy Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Levy Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), and Del Taco Holdings, Inc. (“DTH”), providing for the merger (the “Merger”) of Merger Sub with and into DTH, with DTH surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination”). Concurrently with the signing of the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into a Stockholders Agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”), by and among the Company, certain stockholders of DTH who will acquire shares in the Company upon the consummation of the Merger, certain stockholders of the Company and certain other persons, providing for certain agreements relating to the rights and restrictions of common stock of the Company held by the parties to the Stockholders Agreement following the Merger.

 

The Company also entered into Common Stock Purchase Agreements (the “Common Stock Purchase Agreements”) with certain investors, each dated as of March 11, 2015, as described below.

 

The Merger Agreement

 

Transactions Prior to Merger

 

In order to induce DTH to enter into the Merger Agreement, Levy Epic Acquisition Company, LLC (“Newco”) and Levy Epic Acquisition Company II, LLC (“Newco II”) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) at the time of the execution of the Merger Agreement, with DTH and the stockholders of DTH immediately prior to the execution thereof (the “DTH Stockholders”), providing for the sale of a certain number of shares of DTH common stock (“DTH Stock”) to Newco and Newco II (representing approximately 46% of the outstanding shares of DTH Stock) based on an enterprise value for DTH of $500,000,000, excluding transaction costs, for an aggregate purchase price of $120,000,000 (the “Initial Investment”). Newco and Newco II are affiliates of Levy Acquisition Sponsor, LLC and Lawrence Levy, Ari Levy and Steve Florsheim, directors of the Company.

 

Merger Consideration

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the effectiveness of the Merger, all shares of DTH Stock then outstanding will be converted into either (i) the right to receive cash and common stock of the Company or (ii) the right to receive only common stock of the Company (with Newco and Newco II having only the right to receive shares of common stock of the Company in exchange for their shares of DTH Stock held prior to the Merger). The consideration payable with respect to outstanding shares of DTH Stock pursuant to the Merger will be based on the same valuation of DTH as determined in connection with the Initial Investment and any shares of common stock of the Company issued pursuant to the Merger will be valued at a price of $10 per share.

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Under the Merger Agreement, each of DTH, on the one hand, and the, Company and Merger Sub, on the other hand, made customary representations and warranties for transactions of this nature. The representations and warranties made under the Merger Agreement shall not survive the closing.

 

Conditions to Consummation of the Merger

 

Consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement is subject to customary conditions of the respective parties, including (i) the approval of the Company’s stockholders; (ii) that there has been no material adverse effect on DTH’s business; (iii) that the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and applicable antitrust laws have expired or early termination has been granted; (iv) that the Initial Investment shall have been consummated; and (v) that certain subsidiaries of DTH shall have entered into an amendment to a credit agreement between such subsidiaries of DTH and the lenders party thereto (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”).

 

 
 

 

Termination

 

The Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Company or DTH on or after September 30, 2015, if the closing of the transactions thereunder has not occurred by the close of business on such date and the delay in closing beyond such date is not due to the breach of the Merger Agreement by the party seeking to terminate (or, in the case of the Company only, Merger Sub). Furthermore, the Merger Agreement may be terminated by the mutual written consent of the Company and DTH and under certain other limited circumstances at any time prior to the closing thereunder, including in the event of a failure to consummate the Initial Investment or a failure to enter into the Credit Agreement Amendment.

 

A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of such agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such agreement. The representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement are also modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to stockholders and were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. We do not believe that these schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision.

 

The Stockholders Agreement

 

Concurrent with the closing of the Merger Agreement, the Company will be bound by the terms of the Stockholders Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, certain stockholders of the Company following the effective time of the Merger will be bound by restrictions on the transfer of their common stock in the Company. Furthermore, the Company has agreed that certain stockholders of the Company, upon the consummation of the Merger, shall have certain registration rights whereby the Company will be obligated to register their stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In connection with entering into the Stockholders Agreement effective upon the closing of the Merger Agreement, the parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement (the “RR Agreement”), dated as of November 13, 2013, by and among Levy Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, Howard Bernick, Greg Flynn, Marc Simon and Craig Duchossois have agreed to terminate the RR Agreement and their rights and obligations thereunder.

 

The Stockholders Agreement will only become effective upon the consummation of the Merger and may terminate thereafter in certain limited circumstances. Upon termination of the Stockholders Agreement, all rights and obligations of the parties thereunder shall cease. In addition, stockholders who are parties to the Stockholders Agreement will cease to be parties if their ownership of common stock of the Company drops below 2% of the total outstanding common stock of the Company or in the event that the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms; provided, that such stockholders will continue to have certain registration rights with respect to their common stock of the Company. A copy of the Stockholders Agreement is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Stockholders Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

 

Common Stock Purchase Agreements

 

Prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company entered into two Common Stock Purchase Agreements (the “Common Stock Purchase Agreements”) with three investors (the “Common Stock Purchase Investors”) in which the Company agreed to sell, subject to the closing of the Merger, 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to one investor and an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the other two investors, with both sales at a purchase price of $10.00 per share. The Common Stock Purchase Agreements will terminate automatically upon any termination of the Merger Agreement prior to the closing of the Merger and in certain other limited circumstances. On March 11, 2015, the purchase price for the shares to be sold by the Company pursuant to each of the Common Stock Purchase Agreements was placed in an escrow with the funds in escrow to be released upon the effectiveness of the Merger.

 

 
 

 

The Company will issue the shares of common stock pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreements pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Under the Stockholders Agreement, the Common Stock Purchase Investors will have certain “piggyback” registration rights with respect to the shares purchased by them under the Common Stock Purchase Agreements.

 

Copies of the Common Stock Purchase Agreements are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3 and are incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Common Stock Purchase Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The disclosure set forth above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein. The shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued in connection with the Merger Agreement and the Common Stock Purchase Agreements will not be registered under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

Attached as Exhibit 99.l to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 7.01 by reference is the investor presentation dated March 12, 2015 that will be used by the Company in making presentations to certain existing and potential stockholders of the Company with respect to the Business Combination.

 

The foregoing (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

 

 

On March 12, 2015, the Company issued a press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1and is incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference.

 

Additional Information About the Transaction and Where to Find It

 

The Company intends to file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement of the Company in connection with the Merger and will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders. The Company’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, and amendments thereto, and definitive proxy statement in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for its stockholders’ meeting to be held to approve the Merger because the proxy statement will contain important information about DTH, the Company and the Merger. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders of the Company as of a record date to be established for voting on the Merger. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Levy Acquisition Corp., 444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3500, Chicago IL 60611, Attn: Sophia Stratton.

 

Participants in Solicitation

 

The Company and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to the Company’s stockholders with respect to the transaction. A list of the names of those directors and officers and a description of their interests in the Company is contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which was filed with the SEC, and will also be contained in the proxy statement for the Merger when available.

 

 
 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K may include “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “plan”, “outlook”, and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward looking statements with respect to the timing of the proposed Merger, as well as the expected performance, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the businesses of the parties to the Merger Agreement and the combined company after completion of the proposed Merger, are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

 

A number of factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company, DTH, Merger Sub or others following announcement of the Merger Agreement and transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of the Company or other conditions to closing in the Merger Agreement; (4) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (5) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with suppliers and obtain adequate supply of products and retain its key employees; (6) costs related to the proposed Merger; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the possibility that DTH, Merger Sub and the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (9) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement to be filed by the Company with the SEC, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other filings with the SEC by the Company.

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and the Company, Merger Sub and DTH undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Disclaimer

 

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
2.1† Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 12, 2015, by and among Levy Acquisition Corp., Levy Merger Sub, LLC and Del Taco Holdings, Inc.

 

10.1 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2015, by and among Levy Acquisition Corp. and certain holders of common stock of Levy Acquisition Corp. and certain other persons.

 

10.2 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015, by and between Levy Acquisition Corp. and Del Taco Series, a series of Pleasant Lake Opportunities Fund LP.

 

10.3 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015, by and among Levy Acquisition Corp., Lime Partners, LLC and Belfer Investment Partners L.P.

 

99.1 Investor Presentation of the Company dated March 12, 2015.

 

99.2 Press Release issued by the Company on March 12, 2015.

 

†The exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

Dated: March 12, 2015

 

  Levy Acquisition Corp.
   
     
  By: /s/ Steve Florsheim
    Executive Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Form 8-K]

 

 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
Exhibit
2.1† Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 12, 2015, by and among Levy Acquisition Corp., Levy Merger Sub, LLC and Del Taco Holdings, Inc.

 

10.1 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 12, 2015, by and among Levy Acquisition Corp. and certain holders of common stock of Levy Acquisition Corp. and certain other persons.

 

10.2 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015, by and between Levy Acquisition Corp. and Del Taco Series, a series of Pleasant Lake Opportunities Fund LP.

 

10.3 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015, by and among Levy Acquisition Corp., Lime Partners, LLC and Belfer Investment Partners L.P.

 

99.1 Investor Presentation of the Company dated March 12, 2015.

 

99.2 Press Release issued by the Company on March 12, 2015.

 

†The exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

BY AND AMONG

 

DEL TACO HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

LEVY ACQUISITION CORP.

 

AND

 

LEVY MERGER SUB, LLC

 

Dated as of March 12, 2015

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE I   DEFINITIONS 3
  SECTION 1.1   Certain Definitions. 3
         
ARTICLE II   MERGER 15
  SECTION 2.1   The Merger 15
  SECTION 2.2   Effective Time; Closing 15
  SECTION 2.3   Effect of the Merger 15
  SECTION 2.4   Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws. 15
  SECTION 2.5   Directors and Officers 16
  SECTION 2.6   Conversion of Securities 16
  SECTION 2.7   Exchange of Common Stock. 17
  SECTION 2.8   Equity Awards. 20
  SECTION 2.9   Warrants 21
  SECTION 2.10   Payments and Deliveries at Closing 22
  SECTION 2.11   Sample Calculation 22
         
ARTICLE III   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 23
  SECTION 3.1   Organization and Good Standing 23
  SECTION 3.2   Authorization of Agreement 23
  SECTION 3.3   Title to Assets 23
  SECTION 3.4   Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties. 24
  SECTION 3.5   Capitalization. 24
  SECTION 3.6   Subsidiaries. 25
  SECTION 3.7   Financial Statements 25
  SECTION 3.8   No Undisclosed Liabilities 26
  SECTION 3.9   Absence of Certain Developments 26
  SECTION 3.10   Taxes 26
  SECTION 3.11   Real Property. 27
  SECTION 3.12   Intellectual Property. 29
  SECTION 3.13   Material Contracts. 29
  SECTION 3.14   Employee Benefits Plans. 31
  SECTION 3.15   Labor. 32
  SECTION 3.16   Litigation 33
  SECTION 3.17   Compliance with Laws; Permits. 33
  SECTION 3.18   Environmental Matters 33
  SECTION 3.19   Insurance 34
  SECTION 3.20   Transactions with Affiliates 34
  SECTION 3.21   No Brokers 34
  SECTION 3.22   Franchise Matters. 35
  SECTION 3.23   Suppliers 36
  SECTION 3.24   Information Supplied 36
  SECTION 3.25   No Other Representations or Warranties; Disclosure Schedules 36
  SECTION 3.26   Liability of Buyer and its Affiliates 37

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE IV   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER 37
  SECTION 4.1   Organization and Good Standing 37
  SECTION 4.2   Authorization of Agreement 37
  SECTION 4.3   Title to Assets 37
  SECTION 4.4   Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties. 38
  SECTION 4.5   Capitalization. 38
  SECTION 4.6   Subsidiaries 39
  SECTION 4.7   No Undisclosed Liabilities. 39
  SECTION 4.8   Absence of Certain Developments 39
  SECTION 4.9   Taxes 39
  SECTION 4.10   Material Contracts 40
  SECTION 4.11   Employee Benefits Plans 40
  SECTION 4.12   Litigation 40
  SECTION 4.13   Compliance with Laws; Permits. 40
  SECTION 4.14   Environmental Matters 40
  SECTION 4.15   Insurance 41
  SECTION 4.16   Transactions with Affiliates 41
  SECTION 4.17   No Brokers 41
  SECTION 4.18   Solvency 41
  SECTION 4.19   Condition of the Business 41
  SECTION 4.20   Filings with SEC and Financial Statements. 42
  SECTION 4.21   Information Supplied 42
  SECTION 4.22   Board Approval 43
  SECTION 4.23   Investment Company Act 43
  SECTION 4.24   Trust Account 43
  SECTION 4.25   Listing 43
  SECTION 4.26   Fairness Opinion 44
  SECTION 4.27   No Other Representations and Warranties 44
         
ARTICLE V   COVENANTS 44
  SECTION 5.1   Access to Information 44
  SECTION 5.2   Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing. 45
  SECTION 5.3   Consents 49
  SECTION 5.4   Regulatory Approvals. 49
  SECTION 5.5   Further Assurances 51
  SECTION 5.6   Confidentiality 51
  SECTION 5.7   Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance. 51
  SECTION 5.8   Publicity 52
  SECTION 5.9   Proxy Statement. 52
  SECTION 5.10   Employment and Employee Benefits. 54
  SECTION 5.11   Preservation of Books and Records 55
  SECTION 5.12   Supplementation and Amendment of Disclosure Schedules 56
  SECTION 5.13   CERCLA Waiver 56
  SECTION 5.14   Exclusivity. 56
  SECTION 5.15   Release 57
  SECTION 5.16   Tax Matters 57

 

iii
 

 

  SECTION 5.17   Directors and Officers of Buyer 58
  SECTION 5.18   Listing 58
  SECTION 5.19   Credit Agreement Amendment 58
  SECTION 5.20   Section 16 of the Exchange Act 58
  SECTION 5.21   Company Statement 58
  SECTION 5.22   Indebtedness Certificate 59
  SECTION 5.23   Certain Amendments 59
         
ARTICLE VI   CONDITIONS TO CLOSING 59
  SECTION 6.1   Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer and Merger Sub 59
  SECTION 6.2   Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Company 60
  SECTION 6.3   Frustration of Closing Conditions 62
         
ARTICLE VII   SURVIVAL 62
  SECTION 7.1   Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants 62
         
ARTICLE VIII   TERMINATION 62
  SECTION 8.1   Termination of Agreement 62
  SECTION 8.2   Procedure Upon Termination 63
  SECTION 8.3   Effect of Termination 63
         
ARTICLE IX   MISCELLANEOUS 64
  SECTION 9.1   Payment of Sales, Use or Similar Taxes 64
  SECTION 9.2   Expenses 64
  SECTION 9.3   Entire Agreement 64
  SECTION 9.4   Amendments and Waivers 64
  SECTION 9.5   Governing Law 65
  SECTION 9.6   Jurisdiction and Venue. 65
  SECTION 9.7   Notices 66
  SECTION 9.8   Severability 67
  SECTION 9.9   Binding Effect; Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries 67
  SECTION 9.10   Counterparts 67
  SECTION 9.11   Waiver of Jury Trial 67
  SECTION 9.12   Performance 68
  SECTION 9.13   Trust Account Waiver 68
  SECTION 9.14   Legal Representation. 69

 

iv
 

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A Form of Credit Agreement Amendment
Exhibit B Form of Amended Company Charter
Exhibit C Form of Amended Buyer Charter
Exhibit D Form of Letter of Transmittal
Exhibit E Form of Equity Award Payment Letter
Exhibit F Form of Management Rights Letter

 

†The exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

  

v
 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (as amended or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of March 12, 2015, is by and among (i) Levy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”), (ii) Levy Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer (“ Merger Sub ”), and (iii) Del Taco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”).

 

WHEREAS the respective Boards of Directors of Buyer and the Company, and Buyer as the sole member of Merger Sub, have approved the merger (the “ Merger ”) of Merger Sub with and into the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, whereby each issued share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) not owned by Buyer, Merger Sub or the Company shall be converted into the right to receive Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Buyer (the “ Buyer Common Stock ”) and, in the case of the Original Stockholders, available cash;

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the Contracts referred to below being the “ Preliminary Contracts ”):

 

i. In order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement, (A) Levy Epic Acquisition Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Levy Newco ”), and Levy Epic Acquisition Company II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Levy Newco II ”), entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time, the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”) with the Company and the Original Stockholders, pursuant to which Levy Newco and Levy Newco II agreed to purchase Common Stock from the Company (the “ Levy Subscription ”) and the Original Stockholders and those of the Optionholders, the RSU Holders and the Warrant Holders that exercise, settle or exchange their Options, RSUs or Warrants prior to such purchase (the “ Levy Stock Purchase ”), (B) certain investors (the “ Common Stock Investors ”) agreed to purchase Buyer Common Stock upon the closing of the Merger pursuant to common stock purchase agreements (as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with Section 5.23 , the “ Common Stock Purchase Agreements ”) with Buyer, the proceeds of which will fund a portion of the cash component of the Per Share Merger Consideration, and (C) each of the Common Stock Investors entered into an Escrow Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with Section 5.23 , the “ Escrow Agreements ”) with Buyer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, pursuant to which such Common Stock Investor has deposited into escrow cash in the amount of the purchase price to be paid by such Common Stock Investor for Buyer Common Stock under its Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Buyer;

 

ii. The Company, the Original Stockholders, Levy Newco and Levy Newco II entered into an Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time, the “ Company Stockholders Agreement ”), to become effective upon the consummation of the Levy Stock Purchase, pursuant to which the Company, Levy Newco, Levy Newco II and the Original Stockholders agreed to certain corporate governance and other matters, and each Original Stockholder delivered to the Company a duly executed letter of transmittal and any physical certificates that represented shares of Common Stock or Warrants held of record by each such Original Stockholder;

 

 
 

 

iii. In order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement, Levy Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Buyer’s sponsor (“ Buyer Sponsor ”), and the other Levy Parties (as defined in the Buyer Stockholders Agreement) entered into a Lock-Up Agreement with Buyer and the Company, pursuant to which Buyer Sponsor and such other Persons agreed not to transfer any shares of Buyer Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of Buyer Common Stock or other equity interests in Buyer prior to the Closing; and

 

iv. Buyer, Buyer Sponsor, certain of the Original Stockholders, Levy Newco, Levy Newco II, the Common Stock Investors and certain other Persons entered into a Stockholders Agreement (as amended or modified from time to time, the “ Buyer Stockholders Agreement ”), to become effective upon the consummation of the Merger, pursuant to which Buyer, Buyer Sponsor, such Original Stockholders, Levy Newco, Levy Newco II and the other Persons party thereto agreed to certain corporate governance and other matters;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with Levy Newco’s and Levy Newco II’s purchase of Common Stock under the Stock Purchase Agreement, certain lenders party to the Credit Agreement and certain Subsidiaries of the Company will enter into an amendment to the Credit Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (and with such other changes as the Company and Buyer reasonably agree) (as amended or modified from time to time with the consent of the Company and Buyer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the “ Credit Agreement Amendment ”), providing for additional loans under the Credit Agreement and permitting the change of control with respect to the Company contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement and the repayment of all Indebtedness owed under the Notes;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Buyer, and Buyer as the sole member of Merger Sub, respectively, have unanimously approved this Agreement and have determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are advisable and in the respective best interest of each of Buyer and Merger Sub, respectively, and the Board of Directors of Buyer has unanimously resolved to recommend that Buyer’s stockholders adopt this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved this Agreement and has determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are advisable and in the best interest of the Company; and

 

2
 

 

WHEREAS, immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company will obtain and deliver to Buyer copies of (i) the written consents of all of the Stockholders pursuant to which they will adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger (the “ Stockholder Written Consent ”) and (ii) Letters of Transmittal from all of the Original Stockholders; provided that the Company will obtain Letters of Transmittal (a) at the Stock Purchase Closing from Levy Newco, Levy Newco II and certain Optionholders and RSU Holders that become Stockholders at the Stock Purchase Closing and (b) as promptly as practicable after the Stock Purchase from the remaining Optionholders and RSU Holders that become Stockholders at the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1               Certain Definitions .

 

(a)              For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this Section 1.1 :

 

Adjusted Aggregate Exercise Amount ” means the aggregate amount of the per share exercise price payable for all of the Options outstanding immediately prior to the Closing.

 

Adjusted Aggregate Shares ” means a number equal to (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, plus (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying Options outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, plus (iii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs outstanding immediately prior to the Closing.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, and the term “ control ” (including the terms “ 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 such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise.

 

Affiliated Group ” means an affiliated group as defined in Section 1504 of the Code.

 

Aggregate Option Exercise Amount ” means the aggregate amount of the per share exercise price payable for all of the Options outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

Aggregate Shares ” means a number equal to (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Purchase Closing, plus (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying Options outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Purchase Closing, plus (iii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying RSUs outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Purchase Closing, plus (iv) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying Warrants outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

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Aggregate Warrant Exercise Amount ” means the aggregate amount of the per share exercise price payable for all of the Warrants outstanding immediately prior to the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

Antitrust Law ” means the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, and any applicable foreign antitrust Laws and all other applicable Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.

 

Approved Transaction Expenses ” means the fees, costs and expenses of the parties incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement and the Transactions and the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement and payable to the Persons as described on Schedule 1.1(a) , good faith estimates of which fees, costs and expenses payable at the Stock Purchase Closing and payable to certain Persons at the Closing are set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) .

 

Available Cash ” means the lesser of (x) the sum of (i) the positive amount, if any, of cash remaining in the Trust Account after completion of the Buyer Stockholder Redemption and payment of the Permitted Releases and Transaction Expenses, provided that the Transaction Expenses incurred by Buyer, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) and paid from the Trust Account shall only include Approved Transaction Expenses and shall not exceed $15,000,000, plus (ii) the amount received by Buyer at Closing pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Agreements, and (y) $95,000,000.

 

Business Day ” means any day of the year on which national banking institutions in New York, New York are open to the public for conducting business and are not required or authorized to close.

 

Buyer Benefit Plan ” means a Plan (i) which is maintained or sponsored by Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) with respect to which contributions, premiums or other payments are made or required to be made by Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) pursuant to which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries could have any liability (other than a Buyer Employee Agreement).

 

Buyer Employee Agreement ” means any employment, consulting, severance, termination, bonus or incentive compensation, change in control, retention, deferred compensation or other compensatory agreement, contract, understanding, obligation or commitment with any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries and to which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or under which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries could have any liability.

 

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Buyer Stockholder Redemption ” means the right held by certain stockholders of Buyer to redeem all or a portion of their public Buyer Common Stock, upon the completion of the Merger, for a per share redemption price of cash equal to (a) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Merger, divided by (b) the total number of then outstanding shares of public Buyer Common Stock, as provided in Buyer’s certificate of incorporation.

 

Capitalization Schedule ” means the list, delivered by the Company to Buyer in connection with this Agreement, of the holders of Common Stock, Options, RSUs and Warrants as of the date hereof and the number of shares of Common Stock or Options, RSUs or Warrants held by each.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Company Benefit Plan ” means a Plan (i) which is maintained or sponsored by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) with respect to which contributions, premiums or other payments are made or required to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Employee or (iii) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could have any liability (other than a Company Employee Agreement).

 

Company Cash ” means the amount of all cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities held by the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than cash held at restaurants owned or operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries), determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Company Employee Agreement ” means any employment, consulting, severance, termination, bonus or incentive compensation, change in control, retention, deferred compensation or other compensatory agreement, contract, understanding, obligation or commitment with any Employee and to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could have any liability.

 

Company FDD ” means any franchise disclosure document used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the offer or sale of Company Franchises in the United States.

 

Company Franchisee ” means a Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is granted a right (whether directly by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by another Company Franchisee) to develop or operate, or is granted a right to license others to develop or operate, a Company Franchise within a specific geographic area or at a specific location.

 

Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement entered into by the Company and Buyer, dated as of August 25, 2014.

 

Contract ” means any contract, indenture, note, bond, lease, license, commitment, instrument or other agreement.

 

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Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2013, among F&C Restaurant, Sagittarius, as borrower, General Electric Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, collateral agent, L/C issuer and swing line lender, GE Capital Markets, Inc., as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner and syndication agent, and the other lenders party thereto, as amended or modified from time to time.

 

Credit Agreement Agent ” means General Electric Capital Corporation in its capacity as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.

 

Debt Financing Sources ” means the Credit Agreement Agent and the lenders party to the Credit Agreement.

 

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

 

Emergency ” means an emergency situation which presents a direct risk of human injury or loss of life or of material damage or destruction of material property or material tangible assets.

 

Employee ” means any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Environmental Law ” means all Laws and Orders relating to public or worker health and safety (to the extent related to exposure to Hazardous Materials), natural resources and pollution or protection of the environment, including all those relating to the use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, distribution, processing, Release, or cleanup of any Hazardous Materials.

 

Environmental Permits ” means any Permits required by applicable Environmental Law.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

F&C Restaurant ” means F&C Restaurant Holding Co., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Force Majeure ” means acts of terrorism, fire, explosion, earthquake, storm, flood, strike, wars, insurrection, riot, acts of God, any Order or any other similar change, event, circumstance or effect not reasonably within the control of the party claiming force majeure.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect from time to time; provided that leases accounted for as operating leases on the date hereof shall continue to constitute operating leases notwithstanding any changes to GAAP to the contrary.

 

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Governmental Body ” means any government or governmental or regulatory body thereof, or political subdivision thereof, whether federal, state, local or foreign, or any agency, instrumentality or authority thereof, or any court or arbitrator (public or private).

 

GSMP Entities ” means, collectively, GSMP 2006 Onshore US, Ltd., GSMP 2006 Offshore US, Ltd. and GSMP 2006 Institutional US, Ltd.

 

Hazardous Material ” means (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, radon gas, lead-based paint, asbestos in any form, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and toxic mold or toxic fungus, (b) any chemicals or other materials or substances which are defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “contaminants,” “pollutants,” or words of similar import under any Environmental Law, and (c) any other chemical, material or substance exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated under any Environmental Law.

 

HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication: (i) the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of any property, including all conditional sale obligations of such Person (but excluding trade accounts payable and other current liabilities); (iii) all obligations of such Person under capitalized leases; and (iv) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) of another Person secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such first Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person) in each case including any and all accrued interest, prepayment fees, expenses, premiums or penalties related thereto; provided that Indebtedness shall not include, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, (a) any such indebtedness or obligations of Del Taco Restaurant Properties I, a California limited partnership, Del Taco Restaurant Properties II, a California limited partnership, Del Taco Restaurant Properties III, a California limited partnership, or Del Taco Income Properties IV, a California limited partnership, or (b) any intercompany indebtedness solely between the Company and any Subsidiary thereof or any two Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Intellectual Property ” means (i) patents, (ii) trademarks and service marks, (iii) copyrights, (iv) trade secrets, and (v) applications and registrations for any of the foregoing.

 

Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

Knowledge of the Company ” means the actual knowledge of Paul J.B. Murphy III, Steven L. Brake, Jack T. Tang, Rebecca H. Yang, David Pear and John Cappasola.

 

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Law ” means any foreign or domestic federal, state or local law, statute, code, ordinance, regulation, rule, consent agreement, constitution or treaty of any Governmental Body, including common law.

 

Lien ” means any lien, encumbrance, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, claim, lease, charge, option, right of first refusal, easement, servitude or transfer restriction.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” with respect to any entity means any change, event, circumstance or effect that individually or in the aggregate with all other changes, events, circumstances and effects has a material adverse effect on, or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on, the (a) business, operations, results of operations or financial condition of such entity and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), or (b) the ability of such entity to consummate the Transactions, other than a change, event, circumstance or effect to the extent resulting from one or more of the following: (i) the effect of any change in the United States or foreign economies or capital, credit or financial markets in general; (ii) the effect of any change that generally affects any industry in which such entity or any of its Subsidiaries operates; (iii) the effect of any change arising in connection with hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any escalation or material worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions existing or underway as of the date hereof; (iv) the effect of any action taken by the other party or its Affiliates with respect to the Transactions with respect to such entity or its Subsidiaries; (v) the effect of any earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or other natural disasters; (vi) the effect of any changes in applicable Laws or GAAP; (vii) any effect resulting from the public announcement of this Agreement; or (viii) any effect resulting from compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions; provided , however , that clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi) may be taken into account to the extent that such conditions have a materially disproportionate effect on such entity and its Subsidiaries relative to other similarly situated participants in the industries or markets in which such entity or any of its Subsidiaries operates.

 

Notes ” means, collectively, (i) the 12.00%/13.00% senior subordinated notes due 2022 of Sagittarius and (ii) the 13.00% senior subordinated notes due 2019 of F&C Restaurant.

 

Option ” means the unexercised portion of each and every outstanding option to purchase Common Stock, pursuant to the terms of the Del Taco Holdings, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

Optionholder ” means any holder of Options.

 

Order ” means any order, injunction, judgment, decree, subpoena, ruling, writ, verdict, assessment or award entered, issued, made or rendered by any Governmental Body.

 

Ordinary Course of Business ” means the ordinary and usual course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries consistent with past practice.

 

Original Stockholders ” means the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock listed on the Capitalization Schedule and, from and after the Stock Purchase Closing, includes the Optionholders, the RSU Holders and the Warrant Holders to the extent such Persons hold outstanding shares of Common Stock prior to Closing.

 

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Per Share Merger Consideration ” means (i) the amount equal to (a) $500,000,000, plus (b) Company Cash as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date, less (c) the amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date, less (without duplication) (d) any incremental amount required to repay the Notes as of the Stock Purchase Closing Date, plus (e) the Aggregate Option Exercise Amount, plus (f) the Aggregate Warrant Exercise Amount, divided by (ii) the Aggregate Shares.

 

Per Share Option Consideration ” means, with respect to a share of Common Stock underlying an Option, (i) the Per Share Merger Consideration less (ii) the exercise price for such share underlying such Option.

 

Permits ” means any approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, permits or certificates of a Governmental Body.

 

Permitted Exceptions ” means all (i) defects, exceptions, restrictions, easements, rights of way and encumbrances disclosed in policies of title insurance made available to Buyer or the Company, as applicable, prior to the date hereof; (ii) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet delinquent or the validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (promptly instituted and conducted) and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (iii) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and similar Liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in Buyer’s case, or that are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (iv) zoning, entitlement and other similar land use regulations by any Governmental Body, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, materially impairs the continued use and operation of the owned real property or leased real property to which they relate in the conduct of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’, or Buyer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’, business as presently conducted thereon; (v) title of a lessor under a capital or operating lease; (vi) licenses granted in the Ordinary Course of Business, or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in Buyer’s case; (vii) Liens that will be released prior to or as of the Closing; (viii) Liens arising under this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, the Company Stockholders Agreement or the Buyer Stockholders Agreement; (ix) Liens created by or through Buyer (in the case of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries); (x) Liens set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) ; and (xi) other Liens, if any, that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, joint venture, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Body or other entity.

 

Plan ” or “ Plans ” means (a) any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA) and (b) any retirement, deferred compensation, severance, retention, incentive, stock option or other equity compensation, fringe benefit, insurance, vacation, paid-time off, supplemental unemployment, supplemental or excess benefit, or other employee benefit plan, program or arrangement.

 

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Proceeding ” means any action, suit, hearing, claim, lawsuit, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding (in each case, whether civil, criminal or administrative) pending by or before any Governmental Body.

 

Release ” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing of any Hazardous Material into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers, or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material).

 

RSU ” means each and every outstanding restricted stock unit in respect of Common Stock, pursuant to the terms of the Del Taco Holdings, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

RSU Holder ” means any holder of RSUs.

 

Sagittarius ” means Sagittarius Restaurants LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Sellers ” means the Original Stockholders, the Warrant Holders, the RSU Holders and the Optionholders collectively.

 

Stock Purchase Closing ” means the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

Stock Purchase Closing Date ” means the date of the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

Stockholder ” means each holder of outstanding Common Stock.

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person means any other Person of which 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities or other voting equity interests, or a majority of any other interests having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such first Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such first Person or a combination thereof.

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means (i) all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all net income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, alternative, environmental, inventory, abandoned or unclaimed property, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, and property (real or personal) taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments and similar charges, and (ii) all interest, penalties, fines, additions to Tax or additional amounts imposed by any Taxing Authority in connection with any item described in clause (i).

 

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Tax Return ” means all returns, declarations, reports, estimates, information returns and statements required to be filed in respect of any Taxes, including any amendments thereof.

 

Taxing Authority ” means the IRS and any other Governmental Body responsible for the administration of any Tax.

 

Transactions ” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company Documents and the Buyer Documents.

 

Trust Account ” means the U.S.-based trust account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee, in which certain proceeds from Buyer’s initial public offering and sale of warrants to purchase shares of Buyer Common Stock to members of Buyer Sponsor are held in trust for the public stockholders of Buyer.

 

Warrant ” means the unexercised portion of each and every outstanding warrant in respect of Common Stock.

 

Warrant Holders ” means the holders of Warrants.

 

(b)              For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have meanings set forth in the sections indicated:

 

Term Section
   
Acquisition Proposal 5.14(b)
Agreement Preamble
Amended Buyer Charter 2.4(c)
Antitrust Filings 5.4(a)
Balance Sheet 3.7
Balance Sheet Date 3.7
Bankruptcy and Equity Exception 3.2
Books and Records 5.11(a)
Business Combination 9.13
Business Property 3.11(b)
Buyer Preamble
Buyer Acquisition Proposal 5.14(d)
Buyer Board Recommendation 5.9(d)
Buyer Common Stock Recitals
Buyer Disclosure Schedules Introductory paragraph to Article IV
Buyer Documents 4.2
Buyer SEC Reports 4.20(a)
Buyer Sponsor Recitals
Buyer Stockholders Agreement Recitals
Buyer Stockholder Meeting 5.9(d)
Certificate of Merger 2.2
Certificates 2.7(b)

 

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Term Section
   
Chosen Courts 9.6
Closing 2.2
Common Stock Recitals
Common Stock Investors Recitals
Common Stock Purchase Agreements Recitals
Company Preamble
Company Disclosure Schedules Introductory paragraph to Article III
Company Documents 3.2
Company Franchise 3.22(a)
Company Intellectual Property 3.12(a)
Company Leased Real Property Leases 3.11(c)
Company Pension Plan 3.14(b)
Company Specified Agreements 3.22(a)
Company Stockholders Agreement Recitals
Credit Agreement Amendment Recitals
DOJ 5.4(a)
D&O Tail 5.7(b)
Effective Time 2.2
Escrow Agreements Recitals
Exchange Agent 2.7(a)
Exchange Fund 2.7(a)
Fairness Opinion 4.26
Financial Statements 3.7
Fried Frank 9.14(a)
FTC 5.4(a)
Indemnitee 5.7(a)
Levy Merger Consideration 2.6(c)
Levy Newco Recitals
Levy Newco II Recitals
Levy Stock Purchase Recitals
Levy Subscription Recitals
Leased Real Property 3.11(b)
Leased Real Property Leases 3.11(b)
Letter of Transmittal 2.7(b)
Licensed Intellectual Property 3.12(a)
Material Contract(s) 3.13(a)
Merger Recitals
Merger Closing Date 2.2
Merger Sub Preamble
Merger Sub Documents 4.2
Option Amount 2.8(a)
Option Cash Consideration 2.8(b)
Owned Real Property 3.11(a)
Per Share Cash Consideration 2.6(b)
Per Share Equity Consideration 2.6(b)

 

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Term Section
   
Permitted Releases 4.24
Preliminary Contracts Recitals
Prospectus 9.13
Proxy Statement 5.9(a)
RSU Settlement Amount 2.8(c)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act 4.20(a)
Section 16 5.20
Stock Purchase Agreement Recitals
Stockholder Written Consent Recitals
Suppliers 3.23
Surviving Corporation 2.3
Transaction Expenses 9.2
Transferred Employees 5.10(a)
Trust Agreement 4.24

 

(c)              Unless otherwise expressly provided, for purposes of this Agreement, the following rules of interpretation shall apply:

 

(i)                  Calculation of Time Period . When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step is to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded. If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(ii)                Dollars . Any reference in this Agreement to “$” means U.S. dollars. The specification of any dollar amount in the representations and warranties or otherwise in this Agreement, in the Company Disclosure Schedules or in the Buyer Disclosure Schedules is not intended and shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment of the materiality of such amounts or items, nor shall the same be used in any dispute or controversy between the parties to determine whether any obligation, item or matter (whether or not described herein or included in any schedule) is or is not material for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(iii)              Exhibits/Schedules . All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein and are an integral part of this Agreement. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall be defined as set forth in this Agreement. References to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement include the transactions contemplated by the Company Documents and Buyer Documents.

 

(iv)              Gender and Number . Any reference in this Agreement to gender shall include all genders, and words imparting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

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(v)                Headings . The provision of a Table of Contents, the division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in construing or interpreting this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to any “Article” or “Section” are to the corresponding Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(vi)              Herein . The words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.

 

(vii)            Including . The word “including” or any variation thereof means “including, without limitation,” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.

 

(viii)          Reflected On or Set Forth In . An item arising with respect to a specific representation or warranty shall be deemed to be “reflected on” or “set forth in” a balance sheet or financial statements, to the extent any such phrase appears in such representation or warranty, if (A) there is a reserve, accrual or other similar item underlying a number on such balance sheet or financial statements that related to the subject matter of such representation, (B) such item is otherwise specifically set forth on the balance sheet or financial statements or (C) such item is reflected on the balance sheet or financial statements and is specifically set forth in the notes thereto.

 

(ix)              Joint Drafting . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

(x)                Disclosure Schedules . Each section of the Company Disclosure Schedules and the Buyer Disclosure Schedules will be deemed to incorporate by reference all information disclosed in any other section of the Company Disclosure Schedules or the Buyer Disclosure Schedules, as applicable, to the extent reasonably apparent that such information applies to such other section. No reference to or disclosure of any item or other matter in the Company Disclosure Schedules or the Buyer Disclosure Schedules shall be construed as an admission or indication that such item or other matter is material (nor shall it establish a standard of materiality for any purpose whatsoever) or that such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedules or the Buyer Disclosure Schedules, as applicable. The information set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedules and the Buyer Disclosure Schedules is disclosed solely for the purposes of this Agreement, and no information set forth therein shall be deemed to be an admission by any party hereto to any third party of any matter whatsoever, including any violation of Law or breach of any agreement or other instrument or obligation.

 

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ARTICLE II

MERGER

 

SECTION 2.1                  The Merger . Upon the terms set forth in this Agreement and subject to the conditions set forth in Article VI of ‎this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company.

 

SECTION 2.2               Effective Time; Closing . As promptly as practicable, but in no event later than the third Business Day after the satisfaction or written waiver (where permissible) of the conditions set forth in ‎‎ Article VI (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or written waiver (where permissible) of those conditions at the Closing), the parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by filing a certificate of merger (the “ Certificate of Merger ”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in such form as is required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL (the date and time of such filing of the Certificate of Merger (or such later time as may be agreed by each of the parties hereto and specified in the Certificate of Merger as the date and time of the effectiveness of the Merger) being the “ Effective Time ”). Immediately prior to such filing of the Certificate of Merger, a closing (the “ Closing ”) shall be held at the offices of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, in Chicago, Illinois, commencing at 9:00 a.m. local time (the “ Merger Closing Date ”).

 

SECTION 2.3               Effect of the Merger . As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the “ Surviving Corporation ”). At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement and in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

 

SECTION 2.4               Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws .

 

(a)              At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended and restated to be in the form of Exhibit B , shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by Law and such certificate of incorporation (and subject to Section 5.7 ).

 

(b)              At the Effective Time, the by-laws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by Law, the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and such by-laws (and subject to Section 5.7 ).

 

(c)              Buyer shall cause the certificate of incorporation of Buyer, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, to be amended and restated at the Effective Time to be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Amended Buyer Charter ”) and, as so amended, the Amended Buyer Charter shall be the certificate of incorporation of Buyer until thereafter amended as provided by Law and the Amended Buyer Charter.

 

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SECTION 2.5               Directors and Officers . The initial directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be as determined by Buyer prior to the Effective Time. Each such director will hold office in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation, and the officers of the Company as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.

 

SECTION 2.6               Conversion of Securities . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any of the following securities, subject to Section 2.7 and Section 2.8 :

 

(a)              All issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Merger Sub shall be converted into and become one fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation, and such share shall constitute the only outstanding share of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time.

 

(b)              Each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock held by the Original Stockholders shall be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration, which shall be paid in Buyer Common Stock and cash. The per share cash consideration payable to the Original Stockholders shall equal (i) the Available Cash, plus the Adjusted Aggregate Exercise Amount, if any, divided by (ii) the Adjusted Aggregate Shares, excluding the shares held by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II (the “ Per Share Cash Consideration ”). The Buyer Common Stock consideration payable to the Original Stockholders for each share of Common Stock shall be a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to (i) the Per Share Merger Consideration, less the Per Share Cash Consideration, if any, divided by (ii) $10 (the “ Per Share Equity Consideration ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Per Share Cash Consideration payable to each Original Stockholder and RSU Holder that makes an election pursuant to Section 2.6(d) or Section 2.8(f) , as applicable, and the Option Cash Consideration payable to each Optionholder that makes an election pursuant to Section 2.8(f) , shall be decreased, in each case, by the percentage of the Per Share Merger Consideration that such Original Stockholder, RSU Holder or Optionholder elected to receive in additional shares of Buyer Common Stock, and the aggregate amount of all additional cash available to the Original Stockholders, RSU Holders and Optionholders as a result of such elections shall increase the Per Share Cash Consideration payable to each Original Stockholder, RSU Holder and Optionholder that did not make such an election, pro rata based on the ownership of the Adjusted Aggregate Shares held by all Original Stockholders, RSU Holders and Optionholders that did not make such elections. The Per Share Equity Consideration payable to each Original Stockholder, RSU Holder and Optionholder that does not make the election described in the preceding sentence shall be decreased to reflect the increase in the Per Share Cash Consideration described in the preceding sentence.

 

(c)              Each issued and outstanding share of Common Stock held by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to the Per Share Merger Consideration divided by $10 (the “ Levy Merger Consideration ”).

 

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(d)             Notwithstanding Section 2.6(b) , any Original Stockholder that is or was an Optionholder or RSU Holder may, by written notice to Buyer at any time prior to (i) the initial filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC, in the case of the Optionholders and RSU Holders set forth on Schedule 2.6(d) , and (ii) fifteen (15) calendar days following the initial filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC, in the case of each other Optionholder and RSU Holder, elect to reduce (but not below zero) the Per Share Cash Consideration that it would otherwise receive pursuant to Section 2.6(b) with respect to the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of its Options or settlement of its RSUs prior to the Closing (and as a result receive a corresponding increase in the Per Share Equity Consideration as calculated pursuant to Section 2.6(b) equivalent to such reduced Per Share Cash Consideration amount).

 

As of the Effective Time, all shares of Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any shares of Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive consideration described above in this Section 2.6 , in accordance with Section 2.8 , without interest.

 

SECTION 2.7               Exchange of Common Stock .

 

(a)              Exchange Agent . At or prior to the Effective Time, Buyer shall deposit with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, or such other bank or trust company as may be designated by Buyer and reasonably satisfactory to the Company (the “ Exchange Agent ”), for exchange in accordance with this Section 2.7 , through the Exchange Agent, certificates representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 2.6 . At or prior to the Effective Time, Buyer shall provide the Exchange Agent with the cash consideration payable pursuant to Section 2.6 as of the Closing (such shares of Buyer Common Stock and cash, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, being hereinafter referred to as the “ Exchange Fund ”). For the purposes of such deposit, Buyer shall assume that there will not be any fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock. Buyer shall make available to the Exchange Agent, for addition to the Exchange Fund, from time to time as needed, cash sufficient to pay cash in lieu of fractional shares and to pay any cash consideration payable at or after the Closing. The Exchange Fund shall not be used for any other purpose.

 

(b)              Exchange Procedures . At least one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing, the Company will deliver to the Exchange Agent (i) a duly executed letter of transmittal in the form set forth on Exhibit D from each Stockholder, including Levy Newco and Levy Newco II (the “ Letter of Transmittal ”), and (ii) any physical certificate or certificates (the “ Certificates ”) that represent outstanding shares of Common Stock held by such Stockholder, in each case, to the extent received by the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing. Upon the surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, together with a Certificate, if any, representing the shares of Common Stock held by such Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Company or the Exchange Agent, the Stockholder that surrendered such documents shall be entitled after the Effective Time to receive, in exchange for the shares of Common Stock held by such Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time, a certificate representing that number of whole shares of Buyer Common Stock (together with cash in lieu of fractional shares) and other cash consideration that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the Merger, and any shares of Common Stock so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until such time as a certificate representing Buyer Common Stock is issued to or at the direction of the holder of a surrendered Letter of Transmittal and Certificate, if any, such Buyer Common Stock shall be deemed not outstanding and shall not be entitled to vote on any matter. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.7 , any shares of Common Stock held by a Stockholder and each Certificate representing any shares of Common Stock shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the consideration contemplated by Section 2.6 . No interest shall be paid or accrue on any cash payable upon surrender of any Letter of Transmittal or Certificate. Each certificate representing Buyer Common Stock that is issued in the Merger shall have the legend set forth below:

 

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“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND SAID LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREOF.”

 

(c)              Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares . No dividends or other distributions with respect to Buyer Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any uncertificated Common Stock or any Certificate formerly representing Common Stock with respect to the shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable upon surrender thereof, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 2.6 , until the surrender by such Stockholder to the Exchange Agent of the Letter of Transmittal and such Certificate, if any, in accordance with this Section 2.7 . Subject to applicable Law, following surrender of any such Letter of Transmittal and Certificate, if any, there shall be paid to the holder of such shares of Common Stock surrendered thereby in respect of the whole shares of Buyer Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Buyer Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.6 and the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Buyer Common Stock, and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Buyer Common Stock.

 

(d)             No Further Ownership Rights in Common Stock . The consideration issued (and paid) in the Merger in accordance with the terms of Section 2.6 and this Section 2.7 shall be deemed to have been issued (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to shares of Common Stock, subject , however , to the Surviving Corporation’s obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time that may have been declared or made by the Company on such shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or prior to the date of this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time, and after the Effective Time there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Section 2.7 .

 

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(e)              No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to Section 2.6 , and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a holder of Buyer Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 2.7(e) , all fractional shares to which a single record holder would be entitled shall be aggregated. In lieu of any such fractional shares, each holder of Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to such fractional shares shall be entitled to an amount in cash, without interest, rounded to the nearest cent, equal to the product of (A) the amount of the fractional share interest in a share of Buyer Common Stock to which such holder would be entitled under Section 2.6 and (B) $10. The Exchange Agent shall make available such amounts, without interest, after the Effective Time to the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such cash upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, together with a Certificate, if any, representing the shares of Common Stock held by such Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Company or the Exchange Agent.

 

(f)               Termination of Exchange Fund . Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed six (6) months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Buyer, upon demand, and any holder of Common Stock or Warrants who has not theretofore complied with this Section 2.7 shall thereafter look only to Buyer for payment of its claim for consideration for its Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.

 

(g)              No Liability . None of Buyer, Merger Sub, the Company or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares of Buyer Common Stock (or dividends or distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. If any Letter of Transmittal and Certificate, if any, in respect of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time has not been surrendered prior to five (5) years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which the consideration contemplated by Section 2.6 or any dividends or distributions with respect to Buyer Common Stock as contemplated by Section 2.7 in respect of such Letter of Transmittal and Certificate, if any, would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Body), any such shares, cash, dividends or distributions in respect of such Letter of Transmittal and Certificate, if any, shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

 

(h)              Investment of Exchange Fund . The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Buyer, on a daily basis; provided that such investments shall be in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of America, in commercial paper obligations rated A1 or P1 or better by Moody’s Investors Service or Standard & Poor’s, respectively, or in money market funds having a rating in the highest investment category granted by a recognized credit rating agency at the time of investment. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to Buyer.

 

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(i)                Withholding Rights . Buyer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any holder of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or under any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid.

 

SECTION 2.8               Equity Awards .

 

(a)              In accordance with the terms of the Del Taco Holdings, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Company shall (i) take all actions necessary to cause all unvested Options to become fully vested on the Stock Purchase Closing Date immediately following the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Company and immediately prior to the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Stockholders, (ii) use its best efforts to cause all vested Options to be exercised on the Stock Purchase Closing Date immediately following the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Company and immediately prior to the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Stockholders, and (iii) take all actions necessary to cause each Option that remains outstanding as of the Closing to be converted into the right to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock underlying such Option, the Per Share Option Consideration, which shall be paid in Buyer Common Stock and cash (the aggregate amount payable in respect of Options pursuant to this Section 2.8(a) , the “ Option Amount ”), in each case, less required withholding Taxes.

 

(b)              The portion of the Per Share Option Consideration payable in cash in respect of each Option held by an Optionholder immediately prior to the Effective Time shall equal (i) the Per Share Option Consideration multiplied by (ii) the quotient of (x) the Per Share Cash Consideration divided by (y) the Per Share Merger Consideration (such cash amount the “ Option Cash Consideration ”). The portion of the Per Share Option Consideration payable in Buyer Common Stock in respect of each Option held by an Optionholder immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to (1) the Per Share Option Consideration less the Option Cash Consideration, divided by (2) $10.

 

(c)              In accordance with the terms of the Del Taco Holdings, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Company shall (i) take all actions necessary to cause all unvested RSUs to become fully vested on the Stock Purchase Closing Date immediately following the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Company and immediately prior to the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Stockholders, (ii) use its best efforts to cause each RSU to be settled on the Stock Purchase Closing Date immediately following the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Company and immediately prior to the purchase of Common Stock by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II from the Stockholders and (iii) take all actions necessary to cause each RSU that remains outstanding as of the Closing to be settled and exchanged for the Per Share Merger Consideration, which shall be paid in Buyer Common Stock and cash in the same proportions as payable to the Original Stockholders under Section 2.6(b) (the aggregate amount payable in respect of RSUs pursuant to this Section 2.8(c) , the “ RSU Settlement Amount ”), in each case, less required withholding Taxes.

 

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(d)             The cash portion of the merger consideration payable to the Optionholders and the RSU Holders shall be paid by the Surviving Corporation through payroll processing and distribution at the next administratively practicable payroll date following the Closing to each Optionholder and RSU Holder (less required withholding Taxes). All disbursements to each Optionholder or RSU Holder shall be made only after delivery by such Optionholder or RSU Holder of an equity award payment letter in substantially the form attached as Exhibit E (the “ Equity Award Payment Letter ”) and such other documents, in each case, as reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Buyer and the Company shall establish procedures to enable each Optionholder and RSU Holder to deliver an Equity Award Payment Letter prior to the Closing and to receive cash payment for the shares of Common Stock underlying the Options or RSUs covered thereby that were outstanding at the Effective Time at the next administratively practicable payroll date following the Closing or, if the Equity Award Payment Letter is delivered after the Closing, at the next administratively practicable payroll date following the delivery thereof.

 

(e)              Each Optionholder and RSU Holder shall be entitled after the Effective Time to receive, in exchange for the shares of Common Stock underlying the Options or RSUs held by such Optionholder or RSU Holder at the Effective Time, a certificate representing that number of whole shares of Buyer Common Stock that such Optionholder or RSU Holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Section 2.8 . No fractional shares of Buyer Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to this Section 2.8 and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the Optionholder or RSU Holder thereof to vote or to any rights of a holder of Buyer Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the Optionholder shall be entitled to a payment calculated in the same manner as applies to a holder of Common Stock under Section 2.7(e) and added to the cash portion of the merger consideration payable to the Optionholder or RSU Holder in accordance with this Section 2.8 .

 

(f)               Notwithstanding Section 2.8(b) or 2.8(c) , any Optionholder or RSU Holder may, by written notice to Buyer at any time prior to (i) the initial filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC, in the case of the Optionholders and RSU Holder set forth on Schedule 2.6(d) , and (ii) fifteen (15) calendar days following the initial filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC, in the case of each other Optionholder and RSU Holder, elect to reduce (but not below zero) the Option Cash Consideration (in the case of an Optionholder) or the Per Share Cash Consideration (in the case of an RSU Holder) that it would otherwise receive (and as a result receive a corresponding increase in the Buyer Common Stock that it receives pursuant to the Merger as calculated pursuant to Section 2.8(b) or 2.8(c) , as applicable, equivalent to such reduced cash amount).

 

SECTION 2.9               Warrants . Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, all Warrant Holders shall exchange all of their Warrants for Common Stock at or prior to the Closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement.

 

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SECTION 2.10           Payments and Deliveries at Closing . At the Closing:

 

(a)              Buyer shall cause the Exchange Agent to pay and deliver to each Original Stockholder that has theretofore surrendered to the Exchange Agent a Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, together with a Certificate, if any, representing the shares of Common Stock held by such Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Company or the Exchange Agent, in respect of each share of Common Stock surrendered by such Letter of Transmittal or underlying such Certificate, the Per Share Cash Consideration (together with cash in lieu of any fractional shares), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by such Stockholder in such Letter of Transmittal or by certified check if requested by such Stockholder in such Letter of Transmittal, and the Per Share Equity Consideration (less any fractional shares paid in cash);

 

(b)              Buyer shall cause the Exchange Agent to pay and deliver to Levy Newco and Levy Newco II, if Levy Newco and Levy Newco II have each theretofore surrendered to the Exchange Agent a Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, together with a Certificate, if any, representing the shares of Common Stock held by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II immediately prior to the Effective Time and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Company or the Exchange Agent, in respect of each share of Common Stock surrendered by such Letter of Transmittal or underlying such Certificate, the Levy Merger Consideration (together with cash in lieu of any fractional shares, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by each of Levy Newco and Levy Newco II in such Letter of Transmittal or by certified check if requested by either Levy Newco or Levy Newco II in such Letter of Transmittal);

 

(c)              Buyer shall pay and deliver to each Optionholder and RSU Holder, in respect of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Options and RSUs held by such Optionholder or RSU Holder, a Certificate representing the merger consideration payable to such Optionholder or RSU Holder in shares of Buyer Common Stock;

 

(d)             The Company shall deliver to Buyer written resignations, dated as of the Merger Closing Date, of each of the directors of the Company immediately prior to the Closing whom Buyer determined shall cease to serve as directors of the Company at the Effective Time;

 

(e)              The Company and Merger Sub shall execute the Certificate of Merger and the Certificate of Merger shall be submitted for immediate filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

 

(f)               Buyer and GS Mezzanine Partners 2006 Institutional, L.P. shall enter into a management rights letter agreement in the form attached as Exhibit F hereto; and

 

(g)              Buyer shall, or cause the Surviving Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries to, pay the Transaction Expenses of Buyer, the Company and its Subsidiaries that remain unpaid as of the Closing, including any Approved Transaction Expenses that were not paid at the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

SECTION 2.11           Sample Calculation . A sample calculation of the Per Share Cash Consideration, the Per Share Equity Consideration and the Levy Merger Consideration is set forth on Schedule 2.11(a) . A sample calculation of the aggregate number of shares of Buyer Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the Closing, assuming the exercise and settlement of all of the Options and RSUs and the exchange of all of the Warrants at the Stock Purchase Closing, is set forth on Schedule 2.11(b) . A sample calculation of the sources and uses of all cash amounts to be paid at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement is set forth on Schedule 2.11(c) .

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedules (the “ Company Disclosure Schedules ”) delivered to Buyer in connection with this Agreement, the Company hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that each statement contained in this Article III is true and correct as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 3.1               Organization and Good Standing . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule 3.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedules and in each other jurisdiction in which it owns, leases or operates properties, or conducts business, so as to require such qualification, except where the lack of such license or qualification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.2               Authorization of Agreement . The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby or to be executed by the Company in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (the “ Company Documents ”). This Agreement has been, and each of the Company Documents has been or will be at or prior to the Closing, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and this Agreement constitutes, and each Company Document constitutes or when so executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, including principles of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity) (the “ Bankruptcy and Equity Exception ”). The Stockholder Written Consent is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company that is necessary to adopt this Agreement and to approve the Transactions. Other than the Stockholder Written Consent, there are no other votes of the holders of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock necessary with respect to the approval of the Merger and the Transactions.

 

SECTION 3.3               Title to Assets . Either the Company or one of its Subsidiaries owns good and marketable title to, or holds a valid leasehold interest in, or a valid license to use, all of the assets used by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the operation of their business and which are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Exceptions.

 

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SECTION 3.4               Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties .

 

(a)              None of the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the Company Documents, the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, or compliance by the Company with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation under, any provision of (i) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any Material Contract, Leased Real Property Lease, Company Specified Agreement, Licensed Intellectual Property Contract or material Permit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (iii) any Order applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; or (iv) any applicable Law, other than, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), such items that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

(b)              No consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Body is required on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the Company Documents or the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, except for (i) compliance with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws and (ii) such consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations, declarations or filings that are not material.

 

SECTION 3.5               Capitalization .

 

(a)              The record owners of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Warrants, Options and RSUs are set forth on the Capitalization Schedule. Except for the securities listed on the Capitalization Schedule, there is no share of capital stock, Option, RSU or other equity interest of the Company outstanding or which, as of the Merger Closing Date, will be outstanding (other than (i) shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding Options or Warrants or the settlement of outstanding RSUs and (ii) shares of Common Stock to be issued to Levy Newco and Levy Newco II pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement).

 

(b)              All outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to and were not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any Contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound. All outstanding Warrants, Options and RSUs are duly authorized, validly issued and not subject to and were not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any Contract to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound.

 

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(c)              There are no options, warrants, rights, convertible or exchangeable securities, “phantom” stock rights, stock appreciation rights, stock-based performance units, commitments, Contracts, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of or other equity (or phantom equity) interests in, or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any capital stock of or other equity interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(d)             Since December 31, 2013, the Company has not declared, set aside or made any payment or distribution of property (or cash) with respect to any security of the Company or its Subsidiaries or purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including any warrants, options or other rights to acquire any securities) except for the redemption by Sagittarius in 2014 of certain senior subordinated notes of Sagittarius for a total amount of $62,470,166.67.

 

SECTION 3.6               Subsidiaries .

 

(a)              Schedule 3.6(a)  sets forth a true and complete list of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries and each such Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. All outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each such Subsidiary are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Liens, other than restrictions under applicable securities Laws and Permitted Exceptions.

 

(b)              Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and has all requisite corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership power and authority and governmental authorizations to own, operate, lease and otherwise hold its assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each other jurisdiction in which it owns, operates, leases or otherwise holds assets, or conducts any business, so as to require such qualification, except where the lack of such power, authority, authorization, license or qualification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.7                  Financial Statements . The Company has delivered to Buyer copies of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet (the “ Balance Sheet ”) of Sagittarius and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows of Sagittarius and its Subsidiaries for the fifty-two (52) weeks ended December 31, 2013, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheet of Sagittarius and its Subsidiaries as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Balance Sheet Date ”) and the related unaudited consolidated condensed statements of income and cash flows of Sagittarius and its Subsidiaries for the nine (9) fiscal months ended September 9, 2014 (the “ Financial Statements ”). The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied except as described therein and fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Sagittarius and its Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein (in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes). The accountants of the Company and its Subsidiaries have not notified the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal controls of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the audits of the Financial Statements.

 

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SECTION 3.8               No Undisclosed Liabilities . Except as set forth in the Financial Statements, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities of any nature, other than (i) liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business after the Balance Sheet Date, (ii) liabilities incurred in connection with the Stock Purchase Agreement and the Transactions, (iii) liabilities that have been discharged or paid in full prior to the date hereof in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (iv) any other liabilities that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.9               Absence of Certain Developments . Except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Purchase Agreement, since the Balance Sheet Date, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (ii) there has not been any event, condition or change that, individually or in the aggregate, constitutes (or would reasonably be expected to constitute) a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Company has not taken any action that would have been prohibited pursuant to Section 5.2(b) if this Agreement had been in effect on the Balance Sheet Date.

 

SECTION 3.10           Taxes . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10 or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company:

 

(a)              The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed all income and other Tax Returns required to be filed by it, all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all respects, and all Taxes due and payable by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown as due on a Tax Return) have been timely paid;

 

(b)              All Taxes that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to collect or withhold from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or third party have been collected or withheld and all such amounts collected or withheld have been, or will be, timely remitted to the Taxing Authority to whom such payment is due;

 

(c)              No examination, claim, assessment, deficiency or other Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(d)             No requests for waivers of the time to assess any Tax have been made that are still pending (other than extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course);

 

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(e)              Except for any group of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or was the common parent, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or was a member of an Affiliated Group or has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any analogous or similar provision of law, as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise;

 

(f)               No written claim has been made in the last three (3) years by a Taxing Authority in any jurisdiction where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that the Company or such Subsidiary is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction or required to file Tax Returns in that jurisdiction;

 

(g)              There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Permitted Exceptions) upon any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)              Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude an item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Merger Closing Date as a result of any (A) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Merger Closing Date, (B) use of an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Merger Closing Date, (C) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code or any analogous or similar provision of law executed on or prior to the Merger Closing Date, (D) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Merger Closing Date or (E) election under Section 108(i) of the Code or any analogous or similar provision of law;

 

(i)                Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4 or any analogous or similar provision of law;

 

(j)                In the last five (5) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in connection with a distribution that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code; and

 

(k)              Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that has resulted or, in connection with the Transactions, will result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability to “gross-up” any Person for excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Code.

 

SECTION 3.11           Real Property .

 

(a)              Schedule 3.11(a) sets forth a list of all real property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “ Owned Real Property ”). Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has good fee simple title to all Owned Real Property free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Exceptions.

 

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(b)              Schedule 3.11(b) sets forth (i) a list of all leases or subleases for real property leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries as tenant or lessee (including as subtenant or sublessee), other than leases of real property related to a restaurant, and (ii) a list of all leases or subleases for real property leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries as tenant or lessee (including as subtenant or sublessee) related to a restaurant that provide for annual payments by the Company or its Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000 (collectively, the “ Leased Real Property ”, which together with the Owned Real Property is referred to as the “ Business Property ”) (collectively, the “ Leased Real Property Leases ”). Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, the Leased Real Property Leases, and all other leases of real property by the Company or its Subsidiaries as tenant or lessee (including as subtenant or sublessee) related to a restaurant, are in full force and effect and binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to proper authorization and execution of such lease by the other party thereto and the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. The Company or one of its Subsidiaries now has, and on the Merger Closing Date shall have, peaceful and undisturbed possession under all of the Leased Real Property Leases. There is not, under any Leased Real Property Lease, any existing default, event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Schedule 3.11(b) sets forth a list of all leases accounted for by the Company or its Subsidiaries as a capital lease. Complete and correct copies of all Leased Real Property Leases listed in the Company Disclosure Schedules, together with all modifications and amendments thereto, have been delivered to Buyer.

 

(c)              Schedule 3.11(c) sets forth (i) a list of all leases or subleases for real property leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries as landlord or lessor (including as sublandlord or sublessor), other than leases related to a restaurant, and (ii) a list of all leases or subleases for real property leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries as landlord or lessor (including as sublandlord or sublessor) related to a restaurant that provide for annual payments to the Company or its Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000 (collectively, the “ Company Leased Real Property Leases ”). Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, the Company Leased Real Property Leases, and all other leases of real property by the Company or its Subsidiaries landlord or lessor (including as sublandlord or sublessor) related to a restaurant, are in full force and effect and binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to proper authorization and execution of such lease by the other party and the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. There is not, under any Company Leased Real Property Lease, any existing default, event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Complete and correct copies of all Company Leased Real Property Leases listed in the Company Disclosure Schedules, together with all modifications and amendments thereto, have been delivered to Buyer.

 

(d)             The Company is not a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property or interest therein.

 

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SECTION 3.12           Intellectual Property .

 

(a)              Schedule 3.12(a) sets forth a list of all (i) patents and patent applications and trademark, service mark and copyright registrations and applications for registration, in each case, that are owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and material to their business as currently conducted (collectively, “ Company Intellectual Property ”) and (ii) licenses of Intellectual Property (other than licenses concerning commercially available off-the-shelf software) granted by third parties to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are material to the business (“ Licensed Intellectual Property ”).

 

(b)              Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries: (i) is the sole owner of all right, title and interest in and to each item of Company Intellectual Property listed in Schedule 3.12(a) free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Exceptions, and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, is entitled to use each item of Licensed Intellectual Property in the operation of its business as currently conducted in all material respects.

 

(c)              Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, (i) the Company Intellectual Property and operation of the Company’s business (or any products thereof or materially used therein) do not infringe, conflict with, misappropriate, or otherwise violate any rights of any Person in or to any Intellectual Property; (ii) no Proceeding is currently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing by any Person that the current use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the Company Intellectual Property or the operation of the Company’s business (or any products thereof or materially used therein) infringes the Intellectual Property of a third party; and (iii) no Proceeding is currently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against any third party involving an infringement or misappropriation by such third party of any Company Intellectual Property and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no third party is engaging in any activity that infringes or misappropriates Company Intellectual Property.

 

(d)             To the Knowledge of the Company, the Company Intellectual Property and the Licensed Intellectual Property is all of the material Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of the Company’s business.

 

(e)              The Company has taken commercially reasonable steps to obtain, maintain and protect the Company Intellectual Property.

 

SECTION 3.13           Material Contracts .

 

(a)              Schedule 3.13(a)  sets forth a list of the following Contracts (excluding any Contract covered by Section 3.11 , 3.12 , 3.14 , 3.15 or 3.22 ) (each a “ Material Contract ” and, collectively, the “ Material Contracts ”) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound and which:

 

(i)                  involve payments of more than $750,000 per year and relate to the borrowing of money or to mortgaging, pledging or otherwise placing a Lien on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Exceptions;

 

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(ii)                relate to joint ventures;

 

(iii)              provide for severance, retention, change of control or other similar payments to employees involving payments in excess of $75,000;

 

(iv)              impose any restrictions upon the ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to freely engage in their businesses anywhere in the world;

 

(v)                constitute a guaranty of any obligation of any Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries);

 

(vi)              relate to the supply, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, advertising or promotion of products or services involving in any such case payments by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than $500,000 per year (other than purchases made pursuant to purchase orders in the Ordinary Course of Business);

 

(vii)            relate to the supply of products or services by the Company or its Subsidiaries involving in any such case payments to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than $500,000 per year;

 

(viii)          relate to the pending acquisition or sale of a business;

 

(ix)              constitute an employment agreement, option agreement or restricted stock unit agreement;

 

(x)                constitute a consulting agreement providing for payments thereunder in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate that have not yet been paid;

 

(xi)              constitute a Contract under which a Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) is advanced or loaned an amount exceeding $50,000; or

 

(xii)            other than this Agreement or any Preliminary Contract, constitute a Contract that is otherwise material to the Company or its operations taken as a whole.

 

(b)              Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, each of the Material Contracts is, and immediately after the Closing shall continue to be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable against the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and to the Knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms subject to proper authorization and execution of such Material Contract by the other party thereto and the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, (i) no party has repudiated any material provision of any Material Contract, (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under, in breach of, or in receipt of any claim of default or breach under, any Material Contract, (iii) no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would result in a default or breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Material Contract, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no existing or threatened material breach or cancellation by the other parties to any Material Contract, and (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any default or event that with or without notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by the Company and its Subsidiaries under any Material Contract. None of the rights of the Company under any of such Material Contracts will be subject to termination or modification (nor will the Company be required to make any payment or incur any other liability or obligation) as a result of the consummation of the Transactions, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

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(c)              The Company provided Buyer with a true, complete and correct copy of each written Material Contract, together with all material amendments, waivers or other changes thereto.

 

SECTION 3.14           Employee Benefits Plans .

 

(a)              Schedule 3.14(a) sets forth a list of each material Company Benefit Plan or Company Employee Agreement. The Company has made available to Buyer true, correct and complete copies of (i) each Company Benefit Plan or Company Employee Agreement (or, in the case of any such Company Benefit Plan or Company Employee Agreement that is unwritten, a description thereof), (ii) the most recent annual reports on Form 5500 required to be filed with the IRS with respect to each Company Benefit Plan (if any such report was required), (iii) the most recent summary plan description for each Company Benefit Plan for which such summary plan description is required, (iv) each trust agreement and insurance or group annuity contract relating to any Company Benefit Plan, and (v) each material correspondence with any Governmental Body with respect to any Company Benefit Plan in the last two (2) years. The Company Benefit Plans and Company Employee Agreements are all in compliance with their terms and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Laws, except for any noncompliance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

(b)              All Company Benefit Plans that are “employee pension plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) and that are intended to be tax qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code that are sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “ Company Pension Plan ”) are so qualified. No event has occurred since the date of the most recent determination letter or application therefor relating to any such Company Pension Plan that would adversely affect the qualification of such Company Pension Plan. The Company has made available to Buyer a complete copy of the most recent determination letter received with respect to each Company Pension Plan.

 

(c)              Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14(c) , none of the Company Benefit Plans or Company Employee Agreements nor any other obligation of the Company provides retiree medical or other retiree welfare benefits to any Person, other than health continuation coverage as required by Section 4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.

 

(d)             All material contributions, premiums and benefit payments under or in connection with the Company Benefit Plans that are required to have been made in accordance with the terms of the Company Benefit Plans have been timely made.

 

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(e)              No Company Benefit Plan is and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any entity treated as a single employer with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 414 of the Code contributes to (i) an employee benefit plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) a “multiemployer plan” (within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), (iii) a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code or (iv) a multiple employer welfare arrangement (within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates (as defined in ERISA) has incurred or is reasonably likely to incur any material liability under Title IV of ERISA that has not been satisfied in full.

 

(f)               All material contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions), premiums or payments required to be made with respect to any Company Benefit Plan have been made on or before their due dates, or, to the extent not yet due, have been adequately accrued on the Financial Statements.

 

(g)              Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligations to provide health, accident, disability, life insurance or death benefits with respect to any current and former employees, consultants or directors or any retirees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the spouses, dependents or beneficiaries of any of the foregoing, beyond the termination of employment or service of any such employee, consultant, director or retiree, whether under a Company Benefit Plan or otherwise, other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code or other applicable law.

 

(h)              No Company Benefit Plan, and none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries nor any Company Benefit Plan fiduciary with respect to any Company Benefit Plan, in any case, is currently the subject of an audit or investigation by the IRS, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other Governmental Body, nor is any such audit or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(i)                The Company, its Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates (as defined in ERISA) are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the provision of employee benefits.

 

(j)                Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions herein, will result in any payment (including any bonus or severance payment) by the Company or any Subsidiaries to any Employee, or materially increase the benefits payable by the Company or any Subsidiary under any Company Benefit Plan, or result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.

 

SECTION 3.15           Labor .

 

(a)              Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any unexpired labor or collective bargaining agreement.

 

(b)              Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party or subject to any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened material labor strike, organized work stoppage, slowdown, lock out, unfair labor practice charge or similar labor activity or dispute affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(c)              Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary thereof is a “joint employer” with any Company Franchisee or other entity.

 

SECTION 3.16           Litigation . There are no (a) investigations by a Governmental Body pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) Proceedings pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) to the Knowledge of the Company, Proceedings pending or threatened against any Company Franchisee for which the Company could have any liability, or (d) to the Knowledge of the Company, Proceedings threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party or subject to any material Order.

 

SECTION 3.17           Compliance with Laws; Permits .

 

(a)              The Company and its Subsidiaries have at all times during the past three (3) years been and are in compliance in all material respects with all Laws of any Governmental Body applicable to their respective businesses or operations. The current use by the Company of the restaurants and other facilities located on the Business Property does not violate any local zoning or similar land use or government regulations, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of a violation of any Laws by the Company or any such Subsidiary, except for violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

(b)              The Company and its Subsidiaries currently each have in its name all Permits required for the operation of their respective businesses as presently conducted, except where the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms of the Permits to which it is a party, except for failures to comply or violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. During the past three (3) years, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have received notice of any proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Permits the loss of which, individually or in the aggregate, has had and would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

(c)              Since January 1, 2014, (i) there have been no recalls of any food or beverage product of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether ordered by a Governmental Body or undertaken voluntarily by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) none of the food or beverage products of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been adulterated, misbranded, mispackaged, or mislabeled in violation of applicable Law, or pose an inappropriate threat to the health or safety of a consumer when consumed in the intended manner, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.18           Environmental Matters . Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in material liabilities to the Company, (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and for the previous three (3) years has been in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained and for the previous three (3) years has materially complied with, and is currently in compliance with, in all material respects, all Environmental Permits, and to the Knowledge of the Company there is no action pending or threatened to revoke, cancel, terminate, materially modify or otherwise materially limit any Environmental Permit; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Proceeding alleging non-compliance by the Company or its Subsidiaries with, or that the Company or its Subsidiaries have a liability under, Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Owned Real Property or any real property leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries contains any underground storage tanks currently, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, has contained any underground storage tanks in the past, in each case for which the Company or its Subsidiaries would reasonably be expected to incur any material liability; (v) there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on or under the Owned Real Property or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other properties currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company either in material violation of Environmental Laws or in concentrations or quantities that could give rise to any material liability under any Environmental Law; and (vi) the Company and its Subsidiaries have provided or made available to Buyer all material reports, assessments, audits, citations, notices, surveys, studies and investigations in the possession, custody or control of the Company or its Subsidiaries concerning compliance by the Companies or its Subsidiaries with or liability or obligation of the Company or its Subsidiaries under Environmental Law. Section 3.7 , Section 3.8 , Section 3.9 , Section 3.13 and this Section 3.18 constitute the sole and exclusive representations of the Company with respect to matters arising under Environmental Law.

 

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SECTION 3.19           Insurance . The material insurance policies maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective assets and properties are set forth on Schedule 3.19 . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, all such policies are in full force and effect, all premiums due and payable thereon have been paid (other than retroactive or retrospective premium adjustments that are not yet but may be required to be paid with respect to any period ending prior to the Merger Closing Date) and no notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy which has not been replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation.

 

SECTION 3.20           Transactions with Affiliates . Except for Contracts contemplated by this Agreement, no Contract between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of the Stockholders or the Warrant Holders, on the other hand, will continue in effect subsequent to the Closing.

 

SECTION 3.21           No Brokers . No Person has acted, directly or indirectly, as a broker, finder or financial advisor for the Company in connection with the Transactions and no such Person is entitled to any fee or commission or like payment from the Company in respect thereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) , none of the Stockholders nor any of their Affiliates is entitled to receive any fee, commission or like payment from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any of the Transactions.

 

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SECTION 3.22           Franchise Matters .

 

(a)              Schedule 3.22(a) sets forth a list of all (i) development agreements in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has granted exclusive rights to develop or operate “Del Taco” restaurants, or license others to develop or operate “Del Taco” restaurants, within specific geographic areas or at specific locations, and (ii) franchise agreements (collectively, the “ Company Specified Agreements ”) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their properties is bound and that grant or purport to grant to any Person the right to develop or operate “Del Taco” restaurants, or license others to develop or operate “Del Taco” restaurants, within specific geographic areas or at specific locations (each, a “ Company Franchise ”).

 

(b)              Schedule 3.22(b) sets forth a list of the top ten (10) Company Franchisees based upon the total royalties paid by each such Company Franchisee to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during the 2013 fiscal year and during the first nine (9) fiscal months of 2014.

 

(c)              Each of the Company Specified Agreements is valid and binding on the Company or the Subsidiary of the Company party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under, in breach of, or in receipt of any claim of default or breach under, any Company Specified Agreement, (ii) no event has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would result in a default or breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Company Specified Agreement, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no existing or threatened material breach or cancellation by the other parties to any Company Specified Agreement, and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any default or event that with or without notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default by the Company and its Subsidiaries under any Company Specified Agreement. None of the rights of the Company under any Company Specified Agreement will be subject to termination or modification (nor will the Company be required to make any payment or incur any other liability or obligation) as a result of the consummation of the Transactions, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company. The Company has provided Buyer with a complete and correct copy of each Company Specified Agreement.

 

(d)             Schedule 3.22(d) sets forth a list of all Company FDDs that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have used to offer or sell Company Franchises within the United States at any time since January 1, 2014. The Company has made available to Buyer true and complete copies of each such Company FDD.

 

(e)              Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order that would prohibit or restrict the offer or sale of Company Franchises in any jurisdiction within the United States.

 

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(f)               To the Knowledge of the Company, all funds administered by or paid to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by or on behalf of one or more Company Franchises at any time since January 1, 2014, including funds that Company Franchises contributed for advertising and promotion and rebates and other payments made by suppliers and other third parties on account of Company Franchises’ purchases from those suppliers and third parties, have been administered and spent in accordance in all material respects with the applicable franchise agreements, except where the failure to do so would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.23           Suppliers . Schedule 3.23 sets forth a list of the five (5) largest food and paper suppliers or vendors (“ Suppliers ”) to the Company and its Subsidiaries (based on purchases during the 2013 fiscal year and the first nine (9) fiscal months of 2014). To the Knowledge of the Company, no Supplier has adversely changed the terms of, canceled or otherwise terminated, or threatened to adversely change the terms of, cancel or otherwise terminate, its relationship with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.

 

SECTION 3.24           Information Supplied . None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company relating to the Company, the Original Stockholders or the Warrant Holders expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to Buyer’s stockholders or at the time of the Buyer Stockholder Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading (subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth in the materials provided by the Company or that is included in the Proxy Statement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to (i) statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by Buyer or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement or any filings made by Buyer or Merger Sub with the SEC or (ii) any projections or forecasts included in the Proxy Statement.

 

SECTION 3.25           No Other Representations or Warranties; Disclosure Schedules . Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article III (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedules hereto) or in the Letters of Transmittal, neither the Company nor any other Person, including any Original Stockholder or Warrant Holder, makes any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Transactions. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article III (as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedules hereto), the Company hereby disclaims all liability and responsibility for any other representation, warranty, projection, forecast, statement or information made, communicated or furnished (orally or in writing) to Buyer or its Affiliates or representatives (including any opinion, information, projection or advice that may have been or may be provided to Buyer or any of its Affiliates or representatives by any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of the Company or any of its Affiliates), and the Company will not have or be subject to any liability or obligation to Buyer or any other Person resulting from the distribution to Buyer of, or any such party’s use of or reliance upon, any such information.

 

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SECTION 3.26           Liability of Buyer and its Affiliates . Without limiting the generality of Section 4.27 , the Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) except with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Article IV , Buyer and Merger Sub are not making any representations or warranties in connection with the Transactions, and (b) except with respect to the representations and warranties contained in Article IV , Buyer and Merger Sub shall not have any liability, and the Company, the Stockholders or their Affiliates shall not have any recovery against Buyer or Merger Sub hereunder, in connection with any breach or alleged breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by Levy Newco or Levy Newco II in connection with the Transactions.

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

 

Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedules (the “ Buyer Disclosure Schedules ”) delivered to the Company in connection with this Agreement, Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Company that each statement contained in this Article IV is true and correct as of the date hereof.

 

SECTION 4.1               Organization and Good Standing . Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and carry on its business as now being conducted. Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and carry on its business as now being conducted.

 

SECTION 4.2               Authorization of Agreement . Buyer has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby or to be executed by Buyer in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (the “ Buyer Documents ”). This Agreement has been, and each Buyer Document has been or will be at or prior to the Closing, duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer, and this Agreement constitutes, and each Buyer Document constitutes or when so executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception. Merger Sub has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby or to be executed by Merger Sub in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (the “ Merger Sub Documents ”). This Agreement has been, and each Merger Sub Document has been or will be at or prior to the Closing, duly and validly executed and delivered by Merger Sub, and this Agreement constitutes, and each Merger Sub Document constitutes or when so executed and delivered will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Merger Sub, enforceable against Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

 

SECTION 4.3               Title to Assets . Subject to the restrictions on use of the Trust Account described in the Prospectus, either Buyer or Merger Sub owns good and marketable title to, or holds a valid leasehold interest in, or a valid license to use, all of the assets used by Buyer and Merger Sub in the operation of their business and which are material to Buyer and Merger Sub taken as a whole, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Exceptions.

 

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SECTION 4.4               Conflicts; Consents of Third Parties .

 

(a)              Neither of the execution and delivery by Buyer or Merger Sub of this Agreement or the Buyer Documents or the Merger Sub Documents or the consummation of the Transactions, nor compliance by Buyer or Merger Sub with any of the provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination or cancellation under, any provision of (i) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Buyer or the certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement of Merger Sub; (ii) any Contract or Permit to which Buyer or Merger Sub is a party or by which any of the properties or assets of Buyer or Merger Sub is bound; (iii) any Order applicable to Buyer or Merger Sub or by which any of the properties or assets of Buyer or Merger Sub is bound; or (iv) any applicable Law, other than, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), such items that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have an adverse effect on the ability of Buyer or Merger Sub to consummate the Transactions or a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer.

 

(b)              No consent, waiver, approval or authorization of, or declaration or filing with, or notification to, any Governmental Body is required on the part of Buyer or Merger Sub in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Buyer Documents or the Merger Sub Documents or the consummation by Buyer or Merger Sub of the Transactions, except for compliance with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws, filings with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission as set forth in Section 5.9 and approvals for listing shares of Buyer Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

SECTION 4.5               Capitalization .

 

(a)              The authorized capital stock of Buyer consists of (i) 400,000,000 shares of Buyer Common Stock and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The issued and outstanding shares of Buyer’s capital stock consist of (A) 18,750,000 shares of Buyer Common Stock and (B) no shares of preferred stock. Buyer owns all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Merger Sub.

 

(b)              All outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Buyer or any Contract to which Buyer is a party or otherwise bound. All outstanding warrants of Buyer have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of Buyer or any Contract to which Buyer is a party or otherwise bound.

 

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(c)              Other than (i) the warrants of Buyer set forth in Schedule 4.5 , and (ii) the Common Stock Purchase Agreements, dated as of the date hereof, there are no options, warrants, rights, convertible or exchangeable securities, “phantom” stock rights, stock appreciation rights, stock-based performance units, commitments, Contracts, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which Buyer or Merger Sub is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating Buyer or Merger Sub to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock of or other equity (or phantom equity) interests in, or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any capital stock of or other equity interest in, Buyer or Merger Sub.

 

(d)             Each holder of any of the shares of Buyer Common Stock initially issued to Buyer Sponsor in connection with Buyer’s initial public offering (i) is obligated to vote all of such shares of Buyer Common Stock in favor of adopting this Agreement and approving the Merger and (ii) is not entitled to elect to redeem any of such shares of Buyer Common Stock pursuant to Buyer’s certificate of incorporation, as amended.

 

SECTION 4.6               Subsidiaries . Except for Merger Sub, Buyer does not own directly or indirectly any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other Person.

 

SECTION 4.7               No Undisclosed Liabilities .

 

(a)              The accountants of Buyer and its Subsidiaries have not notified Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries of any deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal controls of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the audits of the financial statements of Buyer and its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)              None of Buyer’s Subsidiaries have ever been subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(c)              Buyer and its Subsidiaries do not now conduct and have never conducted any business or operations and have not engaged in any other material transaction other than valuation and pursuit of transactions such as the Merger and any related transactions.

 

(d)             Neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities of any nature, other than (i) liabilities incurred in connection with the Transactions and (ii) liabilities that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material impact on Buyer.

 

SECTION 4.8               Absence of Certain Developments . Since the date of Buyer’s incorporation, (i) Buyer and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) there has not been any event, condition or change that, individually or in the aggregate, has had (or would reasonably be expected to have) a material impact on Buyer and (iii) there has not been any circumstance, action or activity which, if taken after the date hereof, would be a violation of Section 5.2(c) .

 

SECTION 4.9               Taxes . No election has been made to treat Merger Sub as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

 

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SECTION 4.10           Material Contracts . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 , none of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries is party to any Contract (a) that is required to be included or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to Buyer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, or (b) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company, that would after the Effective Time be binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 4.11           Employee Benefits Plans . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 , Buyer does not maintain or have any liability under any Plan, and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions will (i) result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any stockholder, director, officer or employee of Buyer or Merger Sub, or (ii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.

 

SECTION 4.12           Litigation . There are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer or Merger Sub, threatened that are reasonably likely to prohibit or restrain the ability of Buyer or Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement or consummate the Transactions.

 

SECTION 4.13           Compliance with Laws; Permits .

 

(a)              Buyer and its Subsidiaries have at all times since Buyer’s and each such Subsidiary’s incorporation or organization been and are in compliance in all material respects with all Laws of any Governmental Body applicable to their respective businesses or operations, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in material liabilities to Buyer. Neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of a violation of any Laws by Buyer or any such Subsidiary, except for violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer.

 

(b)              Buyer and its Subsidiaries currently each have in its name all Permits required for the operation of their respective businesses as presently conducted, except where the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer. Each of Buyer and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms of the Permits to which it is a party, except for failures to comply or violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer. Since Buyer’s and each such Subsidiary’s incorporation or organization, neither Buyer nor its Subsidiaries have received notice of any proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Permits the loss of which, individually or in the aggregate, has had and would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer.

 

SECTION 4.14           Environmental Matters . Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in material liabilities to Buyer, (a) to the knowledge of Buyer, no real property owned or leased by Buyer or Merger Sub contains any underground storage tanks currently, nor, to the knowledge of Buyer, has contained any underground storage tanks in the past, in each case for which Buyer or Merger Sub would reasonably be expected to incur any material liability, and (b) there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on or under, to the knowledge of Buyer, any properties currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by Buyer or Merger Sub either in material violation of Environmental Laws or in concentrations or quantities that could give rise to any material liability under any Environmental Law.

 

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SECTION 4.15           Insurance . Except for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, neither Buyer nor Merger Sub maintains any insurance policies.

 

SECTION 4.16           Transactions with Affiliates . No Contract between Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of the present or former directors, officers, employees, stockholders or warrant holders or Affiliates of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or a member of his or her immediate family, on the other hand, will continue in effect subsequent to the Closing.

 

SECTION 4.17           No Brokers . Except for Approved Transaction Expenses, none of Buyer or any of its Affiliates has employed or incurred any liability to any broker, finder or agent for any brokerage fees, finder’s fees, commissions or other amounts with respect to this Agreement, the other documents contemplated hereby or the Transactions. Neither Buyer nor any of its Affiliates, including Buyer Sponsor, Levy Newco and Levy Newco II, is entitled to receive any fee, commission or like payment from Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any of the Transactions.

 

SECTION 4.18           Solvency . Neither Buyer nor Merger Sub is entering into the Transactions with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 4.19           Condition of the Business . Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Buyer and Merger Sub each acknowledges that none of the Company, any Original Stockholder or any Warrant Holder is making any representations or warranties whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by the Company in Article III (in each case, as modified by the Company Disclosure Schedules hereto as supplemented or amended in accordance with the terms hereof) or given in the Letters of Transmittal. Buyer and Merger Sub each further acknowledges that none of the Company, any Original Stockholder or any Warrant Holder has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the Transactions, not expressly set forth in this Agreement, in the Stock Purchase Agreement or in the Letters of Transmittal, and none of the Company, any Original Stockholder or any Warrant Holder will have or be subject to any liability to Buyer or Merger Sub resulting from the distribution to Buyer, Merger Sub or representatives of, or Buyer’s, Merger Sub’s or any such other Person’s use of, any such information, including any confidential memoranda distributed on behalf of the Company relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other publications or data room information provided to Buyer, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates or representatives, or any other document or information in any form provided to Buyer, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates or representatives in connection with the sale of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Transactions. Buyer and its Affiliates are knowledgeable about the industry in which the Company operates and the Laws applicable to the Company’s business and operations, and are experienced in the acquisition and management of businesses. Buyer and its Affiliates have been afforded reasonable access to the books and records, facilities and personnel of the Company for purposes of conducting a due diligence investigation of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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SECTION 4.20           Filings with SEC and Financial Statements .

 

(a)              Buyer has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by Buyer with the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and will file all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof through the Merger Closing Date (the “ Buyer SEC Reports ”). All such documents, any material correspondence from or to the SEC or the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and all certifications and statements required by (x) Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act, or (y) 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), with respect to any of the foregoing have been or will be delivered to the Company in the form filed with the SEC or are available on the SEC’s Electronic Data-Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR). As of their respective dates or, if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment, each of the Buyer SEC Reports has complied or will through the Merger Closing Date comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, in all material respects and none of such documents, as of their respective dates, contained or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(b)              The financial statements and notes contained or incorporated or to be contained or incorporated by reference in the Buyer SEC Reports fairly present or will fairly present, as the case may be, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows of Buyer and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with (i) GAAP (except as otherwise noted therein) and (ii) the Exchange Act, Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, or the published general rules and regulations of the SEC, as applicable, subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments (the effect of which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be materially adverse) and the omission of notes to the extent permitted by the Exchange Act, Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable. Buyer has no off-balance sheet arrangements that are not disclosed in the Buyer SEC Reports. No financial statements other than those of Buyer and its Subsidiaries are required by GAAP to be included in the consolidated financial statements of Buyer.

 

SECTION 4.21           Information Supplied . None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Buyer and Merger Sub expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will at the date of mailing of the definitive Proxy Statement (and any amendment or supplement thereto), or at the time of the Buyer Stockholder Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading (subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth in the materials provided by Buyer or Merger Sub that is included in the Proxy Statement). The definitive Proxy Statement (and any amendment or supplement thereto) will, as of the mailing date and as of the date of the Buyer Stockholder Meeting, comply as to form and substance in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer makes no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information supplied by the Company, the Original Stockholders or the Warrant Holders for inclusion which is contained in the Proxy Statement or any filings made by Buyer with the SEC.

 

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SECTION 4.22           Board Approval . The Board of Directors of Buyer (including any required committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors of Buyer) has, as of the date of this Agreement, (i) declared the advisability of the Merger and approved this Agreement and the Transactions, and (ii) determined that the Merger is in the best interest of the stockholders of Buyer. The only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Buyer necessary to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby is the approval of Buyer’s stockholders.

 

SECTION 4.23           Investment Company Act . Buyer is not, and following the Closing will continue not to be, an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

 

SECTION 4.24           Trust Account . Buyer has (and will have immediately prior to the Effective Time) at least $149,998,500.77 in the Trust Account, such monies invested in United States Government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and held in trust by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2013, between Buyer and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee, (the “ Trust Agreement ”). The Trust Agreement is valid and in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms and has not been amended or modified. There are no separate agreements, side letters or other agreements or understandings (whether written or unwritten, express or implied) that would cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Buyer SEC Reports to be inaccurate in any material respect and/or that would entitle any Person (other than stockholders of Buyer holding shares of Buyer Common Stock sold in Buyer’s initial public offering who shall have elected to redeem their shares of Buyer Common Stock pursuant to Buyer’s certificate of incorporation, as amended) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except (x) to pay income and franchise taxes from any interest income earned in the Trust Account and (y) to redeem shares of Buyer Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of Buyer’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, as described in the Buyer SEC Reports (the “ Permitted Releases ”). At the Closing, all of the funds remaining in the Trust Account after accounting for the Permitted Releases may and shall be released and used to make the payments contemplated by Sections 2.7 , 2.8 and 2.10 .

 

SECTION 4.25           Listing . Buyer Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market. There is no Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer or Merger Sub, threatened against Buyer by the Nasdaq Capital Market or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Buyer Common Stock or prohibit or terminate the listing of Buyer Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Buyer has taken no action that is designed to terminate the registration of Buyer Common Stock under the Exchange Act.

 

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SECTION 4.26           Fairness Opinion . Buyer has received an opinion from William Blair & Company, L.L.C. addressed to the Board of Directors of Buyer that the consideration to be paid by Buyer for the Company is fair, from a financial point of view, to Buyer (the “ Fairness Opinion ”). Buyer has obtained the authorization of William Blair & Company, L.L.C. to include a copy of the Fairness Opinion in the Proxy Statement.

 

SECTION 4.27           No Other Representations and Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article IV and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, neither of Buyer or Merger Sub nor any other Person on behalf of Buyer or Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates has made, makes or shall be deemed to make any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Buyer or Merger Sub or with respect to any other information provided to the Company, and each of Buyer and Merger Sub disclaims any such representation or warranty. Except for the specific representations and warranties contained in this Article IV (as modified by the Buyer Disclosure Schedules) and in any certificate or agreement delivered pursuant hereto, each of Buyer and Merger Sub hereby disclaims all liability and responsibility for any representation, warranty, projection, forecast, statement, or information made, communicated, or furnished (orally or in writing) to the Company or its Affiliates or representatives (including any opinion, information, projection, or advice that may have been or may be provided to the Company by any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant, or representative of Buyer or Merger Sub, or any of their respective Affiliates), and none of Buyer or Merger Sub will have or be subject to any liability or obligation to the Company or any other Person resulting from the distribution to the Company of, or any such party’s use of or reliance upon, any such information.

 

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 5.1               Access to Information . Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement and applicable Law relating to the sharing of information, prior to the Merger Closing Date, upon reasonable notice to the Company, Buyer shall be entitled, through its officers, employees and representatives and agents, to make such investigation of the personnel, properties, businesses and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and such examination of the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries as each reasonably requests ( provided that they shall conduct any such activities in such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries) and, at Buyer’s cost and expense, to make extracts and copies of such books and records. Any such investigation and examination shall be conducted during regular business hours upon reasonable advance notice and under reasonable circumstances and shall be subject to restrictions under applicable Law. Buyer and its representatives shall cooperate with the Company and its representatives and shall use their reasonable best efforts to minimize any disruption to the business in connection with such investigation and examination. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no such investigation or examination shall be permitted to the extent that it would require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to disclose information subject to attorney-client privilege or conflict with any confidentiality obligations to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, prior to the Closing, without the prior written consent of a representative of the Company (who shall be identified in writing to Buyer as the representative contemplated by this Section 5.1 ), (i) Buyer and Merger Sub shall not contact any suppliers to, or franchisees, customers or employees of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries about the Transactions or any matter relating to the Transactions and (ii) Buyer and Merger Sub shall have no right to perform invasive or subsurface investigations of the properties or facilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Buyer and Merger Sub shall and shall cause Buyer’s and Merger Sub’s Affiliates and representatives to keep confidential any non-public information received from the Company, its Affiliates or its representatives, directly or indirectly, pursuant to this Section 5.1 in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

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SECTION 5.2               Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing .

 

(a)              Prior to the Closing, except (w) as set forth on Schedule 5.2(a) , (x) as required by applicable Law, (y) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or, in the case of the Company, the Stock Purchase Agreement or the Company Stockholders Agreement or, in the case of Buyer, the Common Stock Purchase Agreements, or (z) with the prior written consent of the other (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), each of Buyer and the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) conduct its business in the Ordinary Course of Business, or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in Buyer’s case; (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact its corporate existence and business organization; (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the goodwill and present business relationships (contractual or otherwise) with material franchisees, suppliers, licensors, distributors and others having material business relationships with it; and (iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the services of its current officers and employees.

 

(b)              Without limiting the generality of the foregoing Section 5.2(a) , except (w) as set forth on Schedule 5.2(b) , (x) as required by applicable Law, (y) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Stock Purchase Agreement or the Company Stockholders Agreement or (z) with the prior written consent of Buyer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(i)                  authorize or reserve for issuance, issue or sell any shares of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity securities;

 

(ii)                authorize or reserve for issuance, issue or sell any securities convertible into, or options with respect to, warrants to purchase, or rights to subscribe for, any shares of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity securities;

 

(iii)              effect any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or like change in the capitalization of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(iv)              declare, set aside or make any payment or distribution of property (or cash) with respect to any security of the Company or its Subsidiaries or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including any warrants, options or other rights to acquire any securities);

 

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(v)                amend in any material respect the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except (A) to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock of the Company so to permit the Levy Subscription and (B) to effect the intent of the last sentence of Section 7.1(a) of the Company Stockholders Agreement;

 

(vi)              subject to any Lien any of the properties or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except (A) in the Ordinary Course of Business or (B) for Permitted Exceptions;

 

(vii)            become legally committed to make any capital expenditures, except for (A) capital expenditures pursuant to projects for which work has already been commenced or committed and is contemplated in the capital expenditure budget provided to Buyer or (B) capital expenditures related to any Emergency or Force Majeure;

 

(viii)          enter into any merger or consolidation with any Person, or acquire the securities or a substantial portion of the assets of any Person;

 

(ix)              incur or assume any Indebtedness in excess of $750,000 or guarantee any such Indebtedness, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

 

(x)                loan or advance any funds to any Person such that the amount of principal of loan advances owed by such Person shall be in excess of $50,000;

 

(xi)              sell, assign, license, transfer, convey or lease or otherwise dispose of any material properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries except in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(xii)            make or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, settle or compromise any material Proceeding relating to Taxes, or, except as required by applicable Law, make any material change to any of its methods of Tax accounting;

 

(xiii)          make any material change to the terms of the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ policies or procedures with respect to its relationships with any Company Franchisees, including (A) any material change to the terms of policies relating to franchisee rent, royalty, or advertising funds, or (B) any material modification to any existing program or plan providing any franchisee incentives or franchisee economic assistance;

 

(xiv)          discharge or satisfy any material Lien or pay any material obligation or liability, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(xv)            delay, postpone or cancel the payment of accounts payable, the purchase of inventory, or the replacement of inoperable, worn-out or obsolete assets with assets of comparable quality, in each case in any material respect other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

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(xvi)          sell, assign, transfer, lease, license, permit to lapse, fail to maintain or abandon any material real property interest of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss, lapse or abandonment of any material real property interest of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(xvii)        other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, take or fail to take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss, lapse or abandonment of any material Company Intellectual Property;

 

(xviii)      form any Subsidiary or make a material investment in any other entity (other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company);

 

(xix)          terminate or cancel, or amend or modify in any material adverse respect any material insurance policy of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is not replaced by a comparable amount of insurance with premiums at a comparable price;

 

(xx)            cancel or waive any right or claim (or series of related rights and claims) either involving more than $1,000,000 or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(xxi)          terminate, materially modify or cancel any Material Contract, or any Leased Real Property Lease, Company Leased Real Property Lease, Licensed Intellectual Property Contract, Company Benefit Plan, Company Employee Agreement or Company Specified Agreement that meets any of the descriptions set forth in clauses (i) through (xii) of the definition of “Material Contract” in Section 3.13(a) , or enter into any Material Contract or any such Leased Real Property Lease, Company Leased Real Property Lease, Licensed Intellectual Property Contract, Company Benefit Plan, Company Employee Agreement or Company Specified Agreement outside the Ordinary Course of Business, except in the case of a Company Benefit Plan as required by Law; or

 

(xxii)        authorize, or commit or agree to do, anything prohibited by this Section 5.2(b) .

 

(c)              Without limiting the generality of the foregoing Section 5.2(a) , except (w) as set forth on Schedule 5.2(c) , (x) as required by applicable Law, (y) as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or the Common Stock Purchase Agreements or (z) with the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Buyer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(i)                  authorize or reserve for issuance, issue or sell any shares of Buyer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity securities;

 

(ii)                authorize or reserve for issuance, issue or sell any securities convertible into, or options with respect to, warrants to purchase, or rights to subscribe for, any shares of Buyer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity securities;

 

(iii)              effect any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or like change in the capitalization of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

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(iv)              declare, set aside or make any payment or distribution of property (or cash) with respect to any security of Buyer or its Subsidiaries or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any securities of Buyer or its Subsidiaries (including any warrants, options or other rights to acquire any securities);

 

(v)                amend the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable organizational documents of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(vi)              (A) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as contemplated by an existing Buyer Benefit Plan or Buyer Employee Agreement, agreement, policy or arrangement (including any collective bargaining agreement) increase the compensation or benefits of any employee, (B) materially increase the annual level of compensation of any executive officer of Buyer, (C) modify or amend any Buyer Benefit Plan or Buyer Employee Agreement in any manner that materially increases the amount of the liability attributable to Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of such Buyer Benefit Plan or Buyer Employee Agreement, (D) enter into, adopt, terminate, establish or materially modify or amend any Buyer Benefit Plans, except as required by Law, or (E) accelerate the vesting or payment of any compensation or benefits under any Buyer Benefit Plan (other than as required under any Buyer Benefit Plan or this Agreement);

 

(vii)            subject to any Lien any of the properties or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries, except (A) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (B) for Permitted Exceptions;

 

(viii)          become legally committed to make any capital expenditures;

 

(ix)              enter into any merger or consolidation with any Person, or acquire the securities or a substantial portion of the assets of any Person;

 

(x)                incur or assume any Indebtedness or guarantee any Indebtedness other than to fund Approved Transaction Expenses;

 

(xi)              loan or advance any funds to any Person;

 

(xii)            sell, assign, license, transfer, convey or lease or otherwise dispose of any material properties or assets of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xiii)          make or rescind any material election relating to Taxes, settle or compromise any material Proceeding relating to Taxes, or, except as required by applicable Law, make any material change to any of its methods of Tax accounting;

 

(xiv)          discharge or satisfy any material Lien or pay any material obligation or liability, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xv)            delay, postpone or cancel the payment of accounts payable in any material respect other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

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(xvi)          sell, assign, transfer, lease, license, permit to lapse, fail to maintain or abandon any material real property interest of Buyer or its Subsidiaries, or take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss, lapse or abandonment of any material real property interest of Buyer or its Subsidiaries;

 

(xvii)        take or fail to take any action that could reasonably be expected to cause the loss, lapse or abandonment of any patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, copyright registrations or applications for registration, in each case, that are owned by Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries and material to their business as currently conducted;

 

(xviii)      form any Subsidiary or make a material investment in any other entity (other than Buyer or a Subsidiary of Buyer);

 

(xix)          terminate or cancel, or amend or modify in any material adverse respect any material insurance policy of Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries which is not replaced by a comparable amount of insurance with premiums at a comparable price;

 

(xx)            cancel or waive any right or claim (or series of related rights and claims) outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xxi)          terminate, materially modify or cancel any material Contract, or enter into any material Contract outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xxii)        initiate, compromise or settle any Proceeding;

 

(xxiii)      use any portion of the Trust Account to acquire any shares of Buyer’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity securities, other than acquisitions of shares of Buyer Common Stock from holders of Buyer Common Stock who properly exercise their redemption rights in accordance with Buyer’s certificate of incorporation; or

 

(xxiv)      authorize, or commit or agree to do, anything prohibited by this Section 5.2(c) .

 

SECTION 5.3               Consents . From the date hereof until the Closing, Buyer, Merger Sub and the Company shall use (and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries to use) their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain at the earliest practicable date all consents and approvals required to consummate the Transactions, including under the HSR Act; provided , however , that no party shall be obligated to pay any consideration to any third party, except as contemplated by Sections 5.4(a) and 5.19 , from whom consent or approval is requested.

 

SECTION 5.4               Regulatory Approvals .

 

(a)              Each of Buyer, Merger Sub and, where applicable, the Company shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the expiration or early termination of any waiting periods, or any applicable approvals required, under the HSR Act or other Antitrust Law, and shall (i) make or cause to be made the registrations, declarations and filings required of such party under the HSR Act and any other Antitrust Law listed in Schedule 5.4 (“ Antitrust Filings ”) with respect to the Transactions as promptly as reasonably practicable and advisable after the date of this Agreement (but, with respect to the HSR Act, in no event later than five (5) Business Days following the Stock Purchase Closing Date), and any filing fees associated therewith shall be borne by Company and shall constitute an Approved Transaction Expense, and such initial filings from Buyer and the Company shall request early termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, (ii) agree not to extend any waiting period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Body not to consummate the Transactions, except with the prior written consent of the other party not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, (iii) subject to applicable Law, furnish to the other party as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any application or other filing to be made by the other party pursuant to any applicable Law in connection with the Transactions, (iv) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any inquiries received from, and supply as promptly as reasonably practicable any additional information or documentation that may be requested by, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (the “ DOJ ”), the Federal Trade Commission (“ FTC ”) or any other Governmental Body in respect of such Antitrust Filings, this Agreement or the Transactions, (v) promptly notify the other party of any material communication between that party and the FTC, the DOJ or any other Governmental Body in respect of any Antitrust Filings or any inquiry or Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Transactions and of any material communication received or given in connection with any Proceeding by a private party relating to the Transactions, (vi) subject to applicable Law, discuss with and permit the other party (and its counsel) to review in advance, and consider in good faith the other party’s reasonable comments in connection with, any Antitrust Filing or communication to the FTC, the DOJ or any other Governmental Body or in connection with any Proceeding by a private party to any other Person, relating to any Antitrust Filing or inquiry or other Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Transactions, (vii) not participate or agree to participate in any substantive meeting, telephone call or discussion with the FTC, the DOJ or any other Governmental Body in respect of any Antitrust Filing, inquiry or Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Transactions unless it consults with the other party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Body, gives the other party the opportunity to attend and participate in such meeting, telephone call or discussion, (viii) subject to applicable Law, furnish the other party promptly with copies of all correspondence, filings and communications between them and their Affiliates on the one hand, and the FTC, the DOJ or any other Governmental Body or members of their respective staffs on the other hand, with respect to any Antitrust Filing, inquiry or Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Transactions, and (ix) act in good faith and reasonably cooperate with the other party in connection with any Antitrust Filings and in connection with resolving any investigation or inquiry of any such agency or other Governmental Body under the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Law with respect to any such Antitrust Filing, this Agreement or the Transactions.

 

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(b)              In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Buyer, Merger Sub and the Company shall take any and all steps necessary to (i) resolve, avoid or eliminate impediments or objections, if any, that may be asserted with respect to the Transactions under any Antitrust Law and (ii) avoid the entry of, effect the dissolution of, and have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned, any Order that would prevent, prohibit, restrict or delay the consummation of the Transactions, so as to enable the parties hereto to close the Transactions expeditiously and as promptly as reasonably practicable. Without limiting the foregoing, Buyer and Merger Sub shall propose, negotiate, commit to and effect, by consent decree, hold separate orders or otherwise, the sale, divesture, disposition or license of, and otherwise take or commit to take actions that after the Merger Closing Date would limit Buyer’s, any of its Affiliates’, the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ freedom of action with respect to, or its or their ability to retain, one or more of the assets, properties, businesses, product lines or services of Buyer, any of its Affiliates, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any interest or interests therein. Buyer and Merger Sub also shall agree to terminate or assign any Contract or business relationship if required to obtain any necessary clearance, or the termination of any applicable waiting period, under any Antitrust Law. In addition, Buyer and Merger Sub shall defend vigorously through litigation on the merits any claim asserted in court by any party in order to avoid entry of, or to have vacated, lifted, reversed, overturned or terminated, any Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that would restrain, prevent or delay the Closing prior to the consummation of the Transactions, including by pursuing all available avenues of administrative and judicial appeal and all available legislative action. In furtherance of the foregoing, Buyer and Merger Sub shall negotiate in good faith with all applicable Governmental Bodies.

 

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SECTION 5.5               Further Assurances . Each of Buyer, Merger Sub and the Company shall use (and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use) its best efforts to (i) take all actions necessary or appropriate to consummate the Transactions and (ii) cause the fulfillment at the earliest practicable date of all of the conditions to their respective obligations to consummate the Transactions. Buyer, Merger Sub and the Company shall use their best efforts to cause the Closing to occur. Each of Buyer, Merger Sub and the Company shall not, and the Company shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, take any action that would, or that would reasonably be expected to, result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VI not being satisfied.

 

SECTION 5.6               Confidentiality . Buyer acknowledges that the information provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby and the Transactions is subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. Effective upon, and only upon, the Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate.

 

SECTION 5.7               Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance .

 

(a)              All rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses for acts or omissions occurring through the Closing in favor of the current or former directors, managers, partners and officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) as provided in (i) the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and the organizational documents of such Subsidiaries as currently in effect and (ii) the indemnification agreements listed on Schedule 5.7 , shall survive the consummation of the Transactions and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in a manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of the Indemnitees.

 

(b)              For a period of six (6) years after the Closing, Buyer shall cause to be maintained by the Surviving Corporation a “run-off” or “tail” directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy to the current policy for the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “ D&O Tail ”), underwritten by one or more insurers with an A.M. Best rating no less than the A.M. Best rating of the current insurer for the Company and its Subsidiaries, with respect to matters occurring prior to or at the Closing and having coverage limits in the same aggregate amount as currently provided for a six (6)-year period following the Merger Closing Date. The costs of the D&O Tail shall be borne by the Surviving Corporation. In no event will Buyer or the Surviving Corporation be required to expend for each covered year an amount in excess of 300% of the current annual premium for such insurance.

 

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(c)              If Buyer or the Surviving Corporation or any of their successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, in each such case, to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Buyer or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.7 .

 

SECTION 5.8               Publicity . Prior to Closing, no party hereto shall issue any press release or public announcement concerning this Agreement or the Transactions without obtaining the prior written approval of Buyer and the Company, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, unless, in the judgment of counsel to the applicable party, public disclosure is otherwise required by applicable Law or by the applicable rules of any stock exchange, provided that, to the extent required by applicable Law, the party intending to make such release shall use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with applicable Law and the rules of any stock exchange to consult with Buyer and the Company with respect to the text thereof. The parties agree to reasonably cooperate on the form of the initial press release to be issued in connection with the Transactions.

 

SECTION 5.9               Proxy Statement .

 

(a)              As promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Buyer shall prepare a proxy statement in connection with the Transactions (as amended or supplemented, the “ Proxy Statement ”) to be sent to the stockholders of Buyer relating to the Buyer Stockholder Meeting, for the purpose of, among other things, solicitation of proxies from holders of Buyer Common Stock to vote at the Buyer Stockholder Meeting in favor of (A) the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Transactions, (B) the issuance of Buyer Common Stock payable as merger consideration in the Merger, (C) the amendment to Buyer’s certificate of incorporation in the form of the Amended Buyer Charter and (D) any other proposals the parties hereto deem necessary to effectuate the Transactions. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form and substance in all material aspects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Buyer shall file the Proxy Statement with the SEC as promptly as practicable following the Stock Purchase Closing.

 

(b)              The Company acknowledges that a substantial portion of the Proxy Statement shall include disclosure regarding the Company and the Company’s management, operations and financial condition. Accordingly, the Company agrees to as promptly as reasonably practicable provide Buyer with all information concerning the operations of its business and the Company’s management and operations and financial condition, in each case, required to be included in the Proxy Statement, including the required financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X and a related consent from the Company’s independent public accountants. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, make their managers, directors, officers and employees available to Buyer and its counsel in connection with the drafting of the Proxy Statement and responding in a timely manner to comments on the Proxy Statement from the SEC.

 

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(c)              Prior to filing them with the SEC, Buyer will make available to the Company drafts of the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement and provide the Company with an opportunity to comment on such drafts. Buyer shall promptly transmit any such amendment or supplement to its stockholders if at any time prior to the Buyer Stockholder Meeting there shall be discovered any information that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement. Buyer will advise the Company, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Proxy Statement has been approved by the SEC or any supplement or amendment has been filed, or of the issuance of any stop order, or of any request by the SEC for amendment of the Proxy Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information.

 

(c)             Buyer, with the assistance of the Company, shall promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Proxy Statement and shall use reasonable best efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC under the Exchange Act as soon after filing as practicable.

 

(d)             Buyer shall, as soon as practicable following the filing of the preliminary Proxy Statement with the SEC duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the “ Buyer Stockholder Meeting ”) for the purpose of seeking the approval of Buyer’s stockholders by the requisite vote under the Laws of the State of Delaware and Buyer’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws for (i) the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Transactions, (ii) the issuance of Buyer Common Stock payable as merger consideration in the Merger, (iii) the amendment to Buyer’s certificate of incorporation in the form of the Amended Buyer Charter and (iv) any other proposals the parties hereto deem necessary to effectuate the Transactions. Buyer shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Buyer’s stockholders as promptly as practicable. Buyer shall, through Buyer’s Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders that they (i) adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and other Transactions, (ii) approve the issuance of Buyer Common Stock payable as merger consideration in the Merger, (iii) approve the amendment to Buyer’s certificate of incorporation in the form of the Amended Buyer Charter and (iv) approve any other proposals the parties hereto deem necessary to effectuate the Transactions (the “ Buyer Board Recommendation ”). Buyer agrees that its obligation to duly call, give notice or, convene and hold the Buyer Stockholders Meeting for the purpose of seeking the approval of Buyer’s stockholders on the matters described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the first sentence of this Section 5.9(d) shall not be affected by any change of the Buyer Board Recommendation, and Buyer agrees to submit the foregoing matters to the vote of its stockholders regardless of whether or not Buyer’s Board of Directors changes the Buyer Board Recommendation.

 

(e)              Buyer shall make all necessary filings with respect to the Transactions under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and applicable “blue sky” laws and rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(f)               If at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event, circumstance or information relating to Buyer, Merger Sub or the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates, officers or directors, or the Original Stockholders or the Warrant Holders should be discovered by Buyer, Merger Sub or the Company, as applicable, that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, so that such documents would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party which discovers such information shall promptly notify Buyer or the Company, as applicable, and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC by Buyer and, to the extent required by law, disseminated to the stockholders of Buyer; provided that no information received by Buyer and the Company pursuant to this Section 5.9(f) shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or agreement given or made by Buyer, and no such information shall be deemed to change, supplement or amend the Company Disclosure Schedules or the Buyer Disclosure Schedules.

 

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SECTION 5.10           Employment and Employee Benefits .

 

(a)              Buyer shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to provide Employees who continue to be employed by the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries after the Merger Closing Date (the “ Transferred Employees ”), (i) for the period of twelve (12) months immediately following the Merger Closing Date, (x) at least the same level of base salary and hourly wages as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Closing Date, (y) employee benefit and incentive plans, programs, contracts and arrangements that are substantially similar, in the aggregate, to the Company Benefit Plans (excluding stock-based compensation) provided by the Company and its Subsidiaries to Transferred Employees prior to the Merger Closing Date, and (z) at least the same level of severance payments and benefits as would have been provided under the Company’s severance plans or policies as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Closing Date; and (ii) for the period immediately following the Merger Closing Date until December 31, 2015 (it being acknowledged that payments related to the Company’s 2014 fiscal year incentive plans will be paid promptly after completion of the 2014 fiscal year-end audit), the same level of cash incentive bonus opportunity as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Closing Date. From and after the Merger Closing Date, Buyer or one of its Affiliates shall honor, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to honor, in accordance with their terms, all employment, retention and severance agreements and all severance, incentive and bonus plans, programs and arrangements (excluding with respect to stock-based compensation) as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Closing Date that are applicable to any Employees. Buyer or one of its Affiliates shall recognize the services of the Transferred Employees with the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the Merger Closing Date as service with Buyer and its Affiliates in connection with any pension or welfare benefit plans and policies (including vacation, paid time off and holiday policies) maintained by Buyer or one of its Affiliates which is made available following the Merger Closing Date by Buyer or one of its Affiliates for purposes of any waiting period, vesting, eligibility and benefit entitlement. Buyer shall make commercially reasonable efforts to (i) waive, or cause its insurance carriers to waive, all limitations as to pre-existing and at-work conditions, if any, with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to Transferred Employees under any welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which is made available to Transferred Employees following the Merger Closing Date by Buyer or one of its Affiliates, and (ii) provide credit to Transferred Employees for any co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses paid by such Transferred Employees under the employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the portion of the relevant plan year including the Merger Closing Date.

 

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(b)              Buyer shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to (i) credit each of the Transferred Employees with an amount of paid vacation and sick leave days following the Merger Closing Date equal to the amount of vacation time and sick leave days each such Transferred Employee has accrued but not yet used or cashed out as of the Merger Closing Date under the Company’s vacation and sick leave policies as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Closing Date, and (ii) allow each of the Transferred Employees to use such accrued vacation and sick leave days at such times as each would have been allowed under the Company’s vacation and sick leave policies as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Closing Date.

 

(c)              Nothing set forth in this Section 5.10 shall confer any rights or remedies upon any Employee, any Transferred Employee or any other Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns or shall constitute an amendment to any Company Benefit Plan or Buyer Benefit Plan or any other plan or arrangement covering the Transferred Employees. Nothing in this Section 5.10 shall obligate Buyer to continue the employment of any Transferred Employee for any specific period.

 

SECTION 5.11           Preservation of Books and Records . For the period of seven (7) years after the Merger Closing Date (or longer if required by Law):

 

(a)              The Surviving Corporation shall maintain the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries relating to periods prior to the Closing (the “ Books and Records ”) and shall not dispose of or destroy, or permit the disposition or destruction of, any of the Books and Records without first offering to turn over possession thereof at the Surviving Corporation’s principal place of business to the GSMP Entities by written notice to the GSMP Entities at their principal place of business at least sixty (60) days prior to the proposed date of such disposition or destruction.

 

(b)              The Surviving Corporation shall allow the Original Stockholders and their respective agents access to all Books and Records on reasonable notice and at reasonable times at Buyer’s principal place of business or at any location where any Books and Records are stored, for the purposes of (i) preparing Tax Returns and complying with the requirements of any Taxing Authority, (ii) financial reporting and accounting, (iii) complying with requirements of applicable Law and (iv) preparing for and conducting any litigation, and any Original Stockholder shall have the right, at its own expense, to make copies of any Books and Records for such purpose; provided that any such access or copying shall be had or done in such a manner so as not to unduly interfere with the normal conduct of Buyer’s business.

 

(c)              Buyer shall and shall cause its Affiliates to make available to the Original Stockholders upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times and upon written request Buyer’s personnel to assist the Original Stockholders in locating and obtaining any Books and Records to which each of the Original Stockholders is entitled.

 

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SECTION 5.12           Supplementation and Amendment of Disclosure Schedules . From time to time after the date hereof until the Closing, the Company may supplement or amend the Company Disclosure Schedules which were delivered pursuant to this Agreement with respect to any matter first existing or occurring after the date hereof which, if existing or occurring at or prior to the date hereof, would have been required to be set forth or described in such Company Disclosure Schedules or which is necessary to correct any information in such Company Disclosure Schedules which has been rendered inaccurate thereby. No such supplement or amendment shall be taken into account for purposes of determining whether the conditions to closing set forth in Section 6.1(a) or Section 6.1(b) have been satisfied or the accuracy of any representation or warranty.

 

SECTION 5.13           CERCLA Waiver . Effective upon the Closing, each of Buyer and the Company, for itself, its Subsidiaries and their respective successors and assigns, hereby waives, and unconditionally releases each Stockholder and Warrant Holder from, any rights or remedies that Buyer, the Company, any of their Subsidiaries or any of their respective successors or assigns may otherwise have against such Stockholder or Warrant Holder under any Environmental Law, including any claim for contribution under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), as amended, or common law.

 

SECTION 5.14           Exclusivity .

 

(a)              The Company shall immediately cease any existing discussions and negotiations with any third parties conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below) and shall not enter into any Contract with respect to any Acquisition Proposal until the earlier of the consummation of the Transactions or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 . Until the earlier of the consummation of the Transactions or the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly or indirectly, through any Affiliate or any of its or their officers, directors, employees, attorneys, equityholders, financial advisors, accountants or other representatives or agents, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, pursue, discuss or encourage any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes an Acquisition Proposal, (ii) continue or engage in negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide any information to any Person relating to, any Acquisition Proposal other than information to any other Person which is traditionally provided in the regular course of business to third parties where the Company and its officers, directors and Affiliates have no reason to believe that such information may be utilized to evaluate any such Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) agree to, approve or recommend, or otherwise enter into any Contract with respect to, any Acquisition Proposal.

 

(b)              For purposes of this Agreement, an “ Acquisition Proposal ” means any proposal, Contract, offer or inquiry by any Person or Persons for or with respect to (regardless how structured) (i) the acquisition of twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of the equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a merger, consolidation, dissolution, recapitalization, refinancing or otherwise, (ii) a transaction pursuant to which the Company issues or would issue, or such Person or Persons acquires or would acquire, twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of the equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or (iii) a transaction pursuant to which such Person or Persons acquires or would acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof constituting twenty percent (20%) or more of the fair market value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

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(c)              Buyer shall immediately cease any existing discussions and negotiations with any third parties conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to any Buyer Acquisition Proposal (as defined below) and shall not enter into any Contract with respect to any Buyer Acquisition Proposal until the earlier of the consummation of the Merger or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 . Until the earlier of the consummation of the Transactions or the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, neither Buyer nor Merger Sub shall, directly or indirectly, through any Affiliate or any of its or their officers, directors, employees, attorneys, equityholders, financial advisors, accountants or other representatives or agents, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, pursue, discuss, inquire about or make any proposal that constitutes a Buyer Acquisition Proposal, (ii) continue or engage in negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide any information to or request any information from any Person relating to, any Buyer Acquisition Proposal other than information to or from any other Person which is traditionally provided in the regular course of business to third parties where Buyer, Merger Sub and their officers, directors and Affiliates have no reason to believe that such information may be utilized to evaluate any such Buyer Acquisition Proposal, or (iii) agree to, approve or recommend, or otherwise enter into any Contract with respect to, any Buyer Acquisition Proposal.

 

(d)             For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Buyer Acquisition Proposal ” means any proposal, Contract, offer or inquiry by any Person or Persons for or with respect to (regardless how structured) (i) the acquisition of twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of the equity interests of another Person pursuant to a merger, consolidation, dissolution, recapitalization, refinancing or otherwise, (ii) a transaction pursuant to which another Person issues or would issue, or Buyer, its stockholders or any of its Subsidiaries acquire or would acquire, twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of the equity interests of such other Person or (iii) a transaction pursuant to which Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries acquires or would acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, any assets of another Person constituting twenty percent (20%) or more of the fair market value of the assets of such other Person.

 

SECTION 5.15              Release . Effective as of the Closing, the Company, for itself and on behalf of each of its Subsidiaries and their respective successors and assigns, hereby fully and unconditionally releases, acquits and forever discharges the Sellers from any and all manner of actions, causes of actions, claims, obligations, orders, demands, damages, costs, expenses, compensation or other relief, whether known or unknown, whether in law or equity, arising out of or relating to or accruing from Sellers’ relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing; other than with respect to (i) any obligation under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or with respect to any Transaction or (ii) any criminal action committed by such Persons.

 

SECTION 5.16              Tax Matters . Subject to the following sentence, Buyer shall not elect at any time to classify Merger Sub as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes without the prior written consent of each of Levy Newco, Levy Newco II and the GSMP Entities. Upon written notice from Levy Newco, Levy Newco II and the GSMP Entities to such effect at any time on or prior to seventy-five (75) days following the Merger Closing Date, Buyer shall make such election as promptly as practicable.

 

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SECTION 5.17              Directors and Officers of Buyer . Subject to any limitation imposed under applicable Laws and Nasdaq listing requirements, the parties hereto shall take all necessary actions so that the persons designated by Buyer are elected or appointed, as applicable, to the positions of directors and officers of Buyer effective immediately after the Closing.

 

SECTION 5.18              Listing . Buyer will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Buyer Common Stock that will be issued in the Merger to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Effective Time. From the date hereof through the Closing, Buyer shall take all reasonable efforts which are necessary or reasonably desirable for Buyer to remain listed as a public company on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

SECTION 5.19              Credit Agreement Amendment . The Company shall use its (and cause its applicable Subsidiaries to use their) best efforts to cause certain lenders party to the Credit Agreement and applicable Subsidiaries of the Company to enter into the Credit Agreement Amendment as promptly as possible following the date hereof, providing for additional loans of at least $25,100,000 under the Credit Agreement to be funded on the Stock Purchase Closing Date and permitting the change of control with respect to the Company contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement and the repayment of all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Company owed under the Notes; provided that the foregoing shall not be deemed to require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to agree to any terms or conditions materially less favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries, or to pay any fees to the Debt Financing Sources or any other debt financing sources materially in excess of the fees contemplated to be paid, under the Credit Agreement Amendment.

 

SECTION 5.20              Section 16 of the Exchange Act . Prior to the Closing, the Board of Directors of each of Buyer and the Company, or an appropriate committee of non-employee directors thereof, shall adopt a resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission so that the disposition of Common Stock, RSUs or Options and the acquisition of Buyer Common Stock, in each case, pursuant to this Agreement by any officer or director of the Company who is a covered Person of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (“ Section 16 ”) or by any Person who is expected to become a covered Person of Buyer for purposes of Section 16, as applicable, shall be an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16.

 

SECTION 5.21           Company Statement . On the Stock Purchase Closing Date, the Company shall cause the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to deliver to Buyer a statement which certifies (i) the amount of Indebtedness as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date, and which certifies such amount true, correct and complete, (ii) the amount of Company Cash as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date, and which certifies such amount as being true, correct and complete, (iii) the amount of the Company’s Approved Transaction Expenses as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date and that the Company and its Subsidiaries have not incurred any other Transaction Expenses that remain unpaid as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date , and (iv) that, since December 31, 2013, the Company has not declared, set aside or made any payment or distribution of property (or cash) with respect to any security of the Company or its Subsidiaries or purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including any warrants, options or other rights to acquire any securities) except for the redemption by Sagittarius in 2014 of certain senior subordinated notes of Sagittarius, the payment of interest with respect to the Notes and such senior subordinated notes of Sagittarius and the redemptions by the Company set forth on Schedule 3.5(d) .

 

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SECTION 5.22           Indebtedness Certificate . On the Stock Purchase Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Buyer a statement certifying the amount of Indebtedness owing under the Credit Agreement by the Company and its controlled Affiliates as of the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Stock Purchase Closing Date, as reflected in a statement provided to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from the Credit Agreement Agent.

 

SECTION 5.23           Certain Amendments .

 

(a)              Without the prior written consent of the Company, Buyer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, authorize, approve or enter into any amendment to, waive any provision of or terminate, any of the Common Stock Purchase Agreements or the Escrow Agreements or authorize any release of the funds escrowed under the Escrow Agreements other than to fund the cash portion of the merger consideration.

 

(b)              Without the prior written consent of the Company, Buyer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, authorize or approve any reduction in the per share exercise price at which any shares of Buyer Common Stock may be purchased upon the exercise of any warrant to purchase shares of Buyer Common Stock.

 

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

SECTION 6.1               Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer and Merger Sub . The obligations of Buyer and Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Merger Closing Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by Buyer in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

 

(a)              the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Article III , disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct as of the Merger Closing Date as if made on and as of the Merger Closing Date (or, if given as of a specific date, at and as of such date), except (x) for changes permitted by this Agreement or (y) where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not have (and would not reasonably be expected to have) a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company; and Buyer shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, confirming the foregoing;

 

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(b)              the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations, covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing; and Buyer shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, confirming the foregoing;

 

(c)              there shall not be in effect any Order by a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions;

 

(d)             the required vote of the stockholders of Buyer with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the Transactions shall have been obtained in accordance with the DGCL, Buyer’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.;

 

(e)              the waiting period applicable to the Transactions under the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws shall have expired or early termination shall have been granted;

 

(f)               since the date hereof, there shall not have been any event or circumstance which shall have resulted in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company and no change or event shall have occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in such a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g)              the closing of the Levy Subscription and the Levy Stock Purchase shall have occurred in accordance with the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

(h)              the Credit Agreement Amendment shall have become effective and shall be effective on the Merger Closing Date;

 

(i)                the Company shall have caused F&C Restaurant and Sagittarius to repay all Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Company owed under the Notes upon the Stock Purchase Closing Date;

 

(j)                all Warrant Holders shall have exchanged all Warrants for Common Stock in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

(k)              the required vote of the stockholders of the Company with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the Transactions shall have been obtained in accordance with the DGCL and the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended; and

 

(l)                the Company shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate, dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Merger Closing Date, prepared in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c), duly executed by a responsible officer of the Company, certifying that the ownership interests of the Company are not “United States real property interests” within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

 

SECTION 6.2               Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Company . The obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Merger Closing Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by the Company in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

 

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(a)              the representations and warranties of Buyer and Merger Sub contained in Article IV , disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct as of the Merger Closing Date as if made on and as of the Merger Closing Date (or, if given as of a specific date, at and as of such date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer or to impair in any material respect the ability of Buyer or Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement or prevent or materially delay consummation of the Transactions; and the Company shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of each of Buyer and Merger Sub, confirming the foregoing;

 

(b)              Buyer and Merger Sub each shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations, covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Buyer or Merger Sub at or prior to the Closing; and the Company shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of each of Buyer and Merger Sub, confirming the foregoing;

 

(c)              there shall not be in effect any Order by a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions;

 

(d)             the required vote of the stockholders of Buyer with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the Transactions shall have been obtained in accordance with the DGCL, Buyer’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.;

 

(e)              the waiting period applicable to the Transactions under the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Laws shall have expired or early termination shall have been granted;

 

(f)               since the date hereof, there shall not have been any event or circumstance which shall have resulted in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to Buyer and no change or event shall have occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in such a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g)              the closing of the Levy Subscription and the Levy Stock Purchase shall have occurred in accordance with the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

(h)              the Credit Agreement Amendment shall have become effective and shall be effective on the Merger Closing Date;

 

(i)                the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2013, by and among Buyer, Buyer Sponsor and the other Persons party thereto, shall have been terminated, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall have ceased, and shall be of no further force and effect; and the Company shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the foregoing;

 

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(j)                Buyer shall have delivered to the Exchange Agent certificates representing the Per Share Equity Consideration to be delivered in respect of each share of Common Stock held by an Original Stockholder, Levy Newco or Levy Newco II;

 

(k)              Buyer shall have delivered to the Company certificates representing the merger consideration payable in Buyer Common Stock to be delivered in respect of each share of Common Stock underlying an Option or RSU held by an Optionholder or an RSU Holder;

 

(l)                the required vote of the stockholders of the Company with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the Transactions shall have been obtained in accordance with the DGCL and the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended; and

 

(m)            the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued in the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, subject to official notice of issuance.

 

SECTION 6.3               Frustration of Closing Conditions . None of the Company, Merger Sub or Buyer may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 , as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s failure to use its best efforts to comply with any provision of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VII

SURVIVAL

 

SECTION 7.1               Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The representations, warranties and covenants of the parties hereto contained herein shall not survive the Closing, except for those covenants contained herein that by their terms apply or are to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing. There are no remedies available to the parties hereto with respect to any breach of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties to this Agreement after the Closing, except for covenants to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, no party shall, in any event, be liable to the other party for any consequential, special or punitive damages (except to the extent of third party claims therefor).

 

ARTICLE VIII

TERMINATION

 

SECTION 8.1               Termination of Agreement . This Agreement may be terminated and the Transactions may be abandoned any time prior to the Closing as follows:

 

(a)              by the Company or Buyer on or after September 30, 2015, if the Closing shall not have occurred by the close of business on such date; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(a)  shall not be available to the Company or Buyer, as applicable, if the principal reason the Closing shall not have occurred by such time is the breach by such party (including Merger Sub, in the case of Buyer) of any of its obligations under this Agreement;

 

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(b)              by mutual written consent of the Company and Buyer;

 

(c)              by the Company or Buyer if there shall be in effect a final nonappealable Order of a Governmental Body of competent jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions, it being agreed that the parties hereto shall promptly appeal any adverse determination which is not nonappealable (and pursue such appeal with reasonable diligence); provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(c)  shall not be available to the Company or Buyer, as applicable, if the issuance of such final nonappealable Order was primarily due to the breach by such party (including Merger Sub, in the case of Buyer) of its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(d)             by Buyer if (i) Buyer is not then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, and (ii) any of the conditions set forth in Section 6.1(a) or Section 6.1(b) is incapable of fulfillment (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing), or if the breach giving rise to the failure of any such conditions to be satisfied is incurable;

 

(e)              by the Company if (i) the Company is not then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, and (ii) any of the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a)  or Section 6.2(b) is incapable of fulfillment (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing), or if the breach giving rise to the failure of any such conditions to be satisfied is incurable; or

 

(f)               by Buyer or the Company upon the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, provided that (i) the Company may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(f) if the Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated as a result of the Company’s breach thereof and (ii) Buyer may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(f) if the Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated as a result of Levy Newco’s or Levy Newco II’s breach thereof.

 

SECTION 8.2               Procedure Upon Termination . In the event of termination of this Agreement by Buyer or the Company, or both, pursuant to Section 8.1 , written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party, and this Agreement shall terminate, and the Transactions shall be abandoned, without further action by the parties.

 

SECTION 8.3               Effect of Termination . If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 8.1 , this Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no liability on the part of any party (or any stockholder, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of such party) to the other parties hereto; provided , however , that, subject to the terms of this Agreement, if such termination shall result from the failure of any party to perform an agreement or covenant contained herein, such party shall not be relieved of any liability as a result of such failure or breach; provided , further , that the provisions of Section 5.8 , this Section 8.3 , Article I and Article IX and the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive any such termination.

 

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ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 9.1               Payment of Sales, Use or Similar Taxes . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Surviving Corporation shall timely pay or cause to be paid all sales, use, transfer, intangible, recordation, documentary stamp or similar Taxes or charges, of any nature whatsoever, applicable to, or resulting from, the Transactions.

 

SECTION 9.2               Expenses . Except as provided in Section 9.1 , each party to this Agreement shall bear its respective fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Transactions (including legal, accounting, financial advisor and other professional fees, collectively, “ Transaction Expenses ”), provided , that the Surviving Corporation shall pay and be solely responsible for the Approved Transaction Expenses.

 

SECTION 9.3               Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits hereto), the Confidentiality Agreement, and each other agreement, document, instrument or certificate contemplated hereby or to be executed in connection with the Transactions, represent the entire understanding and agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede all prior agreements among the parties respecting the Transactions. The parties hereto have voluntarily agreed to define their rights, liabilities and obligations respecting the Transactions exclusively in contract pursuant to the express terms and provisions of this Agreement and the other agreements, documents, instruments and certificates contemplated hereby, and the parties hereto expressly disclaim that they are owed any duties or are entitled to any remedies not expressly set forth in this Agreement or any of the agreements, documents, instruments or certificates contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 9.4               Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement can be amended, supplemented or changed, and any provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by Buyer and the Company; provided that the observance of any provision of this Agreement may be waived in writing by the party that will lose the benefit of such provision as a result of such waiver; provided , further , that, after receipt of the Stockholder Written Consent, if any such amendment or waiver shall by applicable Law require further approval of the Stockholders, the effectiveness of such amendment or waiver shall be subject to the approval of the Stockholders; and provided , further , that Sections 5.7 , 5.11 , 5.13 , 5.15 , 5.16 and 9.14 , each of which provisions is intended to be for the benefit of the Persons referred to therein and may be enforced by any such Person, and any related defined terms, may not be amended without the prior written consent of such Persons. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section 9.4 and Sections 9.5 , 9.6(b) , 9.9 and 9.11 (and any provision of this Agreement to the extent an amendment, modification or supplementation of such provision would modify the substance of such Sections) may not be amended, modified or supplemented in a manner that adversely affects the rights of the Debt Financing Sources without the prior written consent of the Debt Financing Sources.

 

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SECTION 9.5               Governing Law . All matters relating to the interpretation, construction, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, including all claims (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the Transactions (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement), shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic Laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any claim, suit controversy, dispute, action or proceeding, whether in law or in equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, to which any of the Debt Financing Sources is a party arising out of, or in any way relating to, the Transactions contemplated hereby, including to any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Credit Agreement Amendment, shall be governed by, and constructed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 9.6               Jurisdiction and Venue .

 

(a)              Any litigation against any party to this Agreement arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (unless the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, in which case, in any state or federal court within the State of Delaware located in New Castle County) (together with the appellate courts thereof, the “ Chosen Courts ”) and each of the parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts for the purpose of any such litigation. Each party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees not to assert (i) any objection which it may ever have to the laying of venue of any such litigation in any Chosen Court, (ii) any claim that any such litigation brought in any Chosen Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum and (iii) any claim that any Chosen Court does not have jurisdiction with respect to such litigation. To the extent that service of process by mail is permitted by applicable Law, each party irrevocably consents to the service of process in any such litigation in such courts by the mailing of such process by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to such party at its address for notices provided for herein.

 

(b)              Each of the parties hereto (i) agrees that it will not bring or support any claim, suit, action, proceeding, cross-claim or third-party claim against the Debt Financing Sources in any way relating to this Agreement or any of the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Credit Agreement Amendment or the performance thereof, in any forum other than any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction within the State of New York located in New York County, and any appellate court thereof, and each of the parties hereto submits for itself and its property with respect to any such action to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and (ii) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which such party may have to the laying of venue of, and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of, any such claim, suit, action or proceeding in any such court. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, each party hereto agrees that none of the Debt Financing Sources shall have any liability or obligation to any party hereto relating to this Agreement or any of the Transactions contemplated hereby, whether at law or equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that nothing herein shall limit the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ rights and the Debt Financing Sources’ obligations under the Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement Amendment.

 

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SECTION 9.7               Notices . All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) when sent by facsimile (with written confirmation of transmission) or (iii) one (1) Business Day following the day sent by overnight courier (with written confirmation of receipt), in each case to the parties at the following addresses and facsimile numbers (or to such other address or facsimile number as a party may have specified by notice given to the other parties pursuant to this provision):

 

If to the Company prior to the Closing, to:

 

Del Taco Holdings, Inc.
25521 Commercentre Drive, Suite 200
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Attn: Jack T. Tang
Fax: 949-616-5002

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to :

 

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10004

Attn: Robert C. Schwenkel, Esq.

David L. Shaw, Esq.

Fax: 212-859-4000

 

If to Buyer or Merger Sub and, post-Closing, the Company, to:

 

Levy Acquisition Corp.
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3500

Chicago, IL 60611

Attn: Lawrence Levy
Fax: 312-245-2916

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to :

 

McDermott Will & Emery LLP
227 West Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60606-5096

Attn: Stanley H. Meadows

Scott M. Williams

Fax: 312-984-7700

 

SECTION 9.8               Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms or provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the Transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the Transactions are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

SECTION 9.9               Binding Effect; Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as contemplated by Section 2.6 (with respect to the Stockholders’ and the Warrant Holders’ rights to receive the merger consideration described therein), Section 2.8 (with respect to the Optionholders’ right to receive the Option Amount and the RSU Holders’ right to receive the RSU Settlement Amount), and Sections 5.7 , 5.11 , 5.13 , 5.15 , 5.16 , 9.4 and 9.14 (each of which provisions is intended to be for the benefit of the Persons referred to therein and may be enforced by any such Person), and except for rights of the Debt Financing Sources, each of which is an intended third party beneficiary of the rights set forth in Sections 9.4 , 9.5 , 9.6(b) , this Section 9.9 and Section 9.11 , nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any Person not a party to this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, prior to the Closing, the Company shall have the right to enforce the rights of the Original Stockholders, the Warrant Holders, the Optionholders and the RSU Holders to pursue damages in the event of Buyer’s or Merger Sub’s breach of this Agreement. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by any party, directly or indirectly (by operation of law or otherwise), without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment without the required consents shall be void.

 

SECTION 9.10           Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. A signature delivered by facsimile or by electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance thereof shall be deemed to be an original signature.

 

SECTION 9.11           Waiver of Jury Trial . Each party hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any Proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement, including any Proceeding involving the Debt Financing Sources, any Company Documents, any Buyer Documents, any Merger Sub Documents or any Transaction. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the Company Documents, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 9.11 .

 

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SECTION 9.12           Performance . The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that monetary damages or legal remedies, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. Therefore, it is accordingly agreed that, in addition to any other remedies, each party shall be entitled to equitable relief, including an injunction or injunctions, to prevent or restrain any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by any other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of, or to enforce compliance with, the covenants and obligations of any other party, in the Chosen Courts, and appropriate injunctive relief (including any Order sought by the Company to cause Buyer to perform its covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement) may be applied for and granted in connection therewith. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives: (i) any defenses in any action for specific performance, including the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate; and (ii) any requirement to post a bond or other security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

 

SECTION 9.13              Trust Account Waiver . The Company acknowledges that Buyer is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving Buyer and one or more businesses or assets (a “ Business Combination ”). The Company further acknowledges that, as described in the prospectus dated November 13, 2013 (the “ Prospectus ”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of Buyer’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of Buyer’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in the Trust Account for the benefit of Buyer, certain of its public stockholders and the underwriters of Buyer’s initial public offering. As described in the Prospectus, except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to Buyer to pay its franchise and income tax obligations, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only (i) to Buyer in limited amounts from time to time in order to permit Buyer to pay its operating expenses; (ii) if Buyer completes the transactions which constitute a Business Combination, as defined in the Prospectus, then to those Persons and in such amounts as described in the Prospectus; and (iii) if Buyer fails to complete a Business Combination within the allotted time period and liquidates, subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement, to Buyer in limited amounts to permit Buyer to pay the costs and expenses of its liquidation and dissolution, and then to Buyer’s public stockholders (as such term is defined in the agreement governing the Trust Account). For and in consideration of Buyer entering into this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, Affiliates and stockholders, hereby irrevocable waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they have or may have in the future in or to any monies in the Trust Account and agree not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom as a result of, or arising out of, this Agreement and any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Buyer; provided that (x) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit the Company’s right to pursue a claim against Buyer for legal relief against monies or other assets held outside the Trust Account or for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the consummation of the Transactions (including a claim for Buyer to specifically perform its obligations under this Agreement and cause the disbursement of the balance of the cash remaining in the Trust Account (after giving effect to the Buyer Stockholder Redemption) to the Sellers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Trust Agreement) so long as such claim would not affect Buyer’s ability to fulfill its obligation to effectuate the Buyer Stockholder Redemption, and (y) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit any claims that the Company may have in the future against Buyer’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account (including any funds that have been released from the Trust Account and any assets that have been purchased or acquired with any such funds).

 

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SECTION 9.14           Legal Representation .

 

(a)              In any dispute or Proceeding arising after the Closing under or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other agreements contemplated hereby, the parties agree that any of the Original Stockholders, the Optionholders, the RSU Holders or the Warrant Holders shall have the right, at its election, to retain the firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (“ Fried Frank ”) to represent such Original Stockholder, Warrant Holder, Optionholder, or RSU Holder in such matter, and Buyer and the Company (on behalf of themselves, their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees and representatives and their respective successors and assigns) hereby irrevocably waive and consent to any such representation in any such matter.

 

(b)              Each of the parties further agrees that all communications among Fried Frank, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries and any Original Stockholder, Warrant Holder, Optionholder or RSU Holder related to this Agreement or any of the other agreements contemplated hereby, together with the attorney-client privilege, the expectation of client confidence and all other rights to any evidentiary privilege, belong to such Original Stockholder, Warrant Holder, Optionholder, or RSU Holder, as applicable, and shall not pass to or be claimed by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

(c)              If the Transactions are consummated, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have no right of access to or control over any of Fried Frank’s records related to such transactions, which shall become the property of (and be controlled by) the Original Stockholders, the Warrant Holders, the Optionholders, or the RSU Holders, as applicable, and (ii) it would be impracticable to remove from the records (including emails and other electronic files) of the Company and its Subsidiaries any privileged communications with or among Fried Frank, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries and any Original Stockholder, Warrant Holder, Optionholder or RSU Holder. The Company, its Subsidiaries, Buyer and Merger Sub agree not to access, review or otherwise use, examine or rely upon such privileged communications that may remain in the records of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and the parties agree that no attorney-client privilege, attorney work product or other privilege or protection is waived or intended to be waived by allowing such material to remain in the files of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

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(d)             Furthermore, in the event of a dispute between any Original Stockholders, Warrant Holders, Optionholders or RSU Holders, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, arising out of or relating to any matter in which Fried Frank acted for them both, none of the attorney-client privilege, the expectation of client confidence or any other rights to any evidentiary privilege will protect from disclosure to the Original Stockholders, the Warrant Holders, the Optionholders or the RSU Holders, as applicable, any information or documents developed or shared during the course of Fried Frank’s joint representation of the Original Stockholders, the Warrant Holders, the Optionholders and the RSU Holders and the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

** REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK **

 

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

 

  DEL TACO HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Steven L. Brake
    Name: Steven L. Brake
    Title: EVP, Chief Financial Officer
     
  LEVY ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
    Name: Steven C. Florsheim
    Title: Executive Vice President
     
  LEVY MERGER SUB, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
    Name: Steven C. Florsheim
    Title: Executive Vice President

  

Signature Page To Agreement and Plan of Merger

 

 
 

 

†The exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

LEVY ACquisition corp.

 

and

 

THE STOCKHOLDERS THAT ARE SIGNATORIES HERETO

 

 

Dated as of March 12, 2015

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 2
   
Section 1.1   Definitions. 2
Section 1.2   Interpretation. 8
   
ARTICLE II. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS 8
   
Section 2.1   Transfer Procedures. 8
Section 2.2   Securities Covered. 9
Section 2.3   After-Acquired Capital Stock. 9
Section 2.4   Lock-Up. 9
Section 2.5   Anti-Takeover Matters. 9
   
ARTICLE III. OTHER COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES 10
   
Section 3.1   Maintenance of Listing. 10
Section 3.2   Levy Newco Parties. 11
   
ARTICLE IV. REGISTRATION RIGHTS 11
   
Section 4.1   Required Registrations. 11
Section 4.2   Limitations on Required Registration. 12
Section 4.3   Incidental (Piggyback) Registration. 14
Section 4.4   Shelf Registration. 15
Section 4.5   Underwritten Block Trade. 17
Section 4.6   Designation of Underwriter. 18
Section 4.7   Registration Procedures. 18
Section 4.8   Expenses of Registration. 22
Section 4.9   Indemnification. 22
Section 4.10   Inclusion of Additional Shares in Required Registrations; Other Company Initiated Registrations. 26
Section 4.11   Rights Which May Be Granted to Other Persons. 26
Section 4.12   Rule 144 Requirements. 26
Section 4.13   Lockup Agreement. 26
Section 4.14   Effective Period of Registration. 27
Section 4.15   Changes in Common Stock. 27
Section 4.16   Opt-Out Requests. 27

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE V. MISCELLANEOUS 27
   
Section 5.1   Other Activities. 27
Section 5.2   Publicity. 28
Section 5.3   Specific Performance. 28
Section 5.4   Legends. 28
Section 5.5   Effectiveness and Term. 29
Section 5.6   Notices. 30
Section 5.7   Parties in Interest. 30
Section 5.8   Governing Law. 31
Section 5.9   Entire Agreement. 31
Section 5.10   Counterparts. 31
Section 5.11   Amendments. 31
Section 5.12   Severability. 31
Section 5.13   Effectiveness. 32

 

ii
 

 

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

This STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT is dated as of March 12, 2015, and is by and among Levy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “GSMP Parties” (collectively, the “ GSMP Parties ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “Charlesbank Parties” (collectively, the “ Charlesbank Parties ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “Leonard Green Parties” (collectively, the “ Leonard Green Parties ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “Levy Parties” (collectively, the “ Levy Parties ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “Walsh Parties” (collectively, the “ Walsh Parties ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “Levy Newco Parties” (collectively, the “ Levy Newco Parties ”), the parties listed on Schedule I under the heading “Other Stockholders” (collectively, the “ Other Stockholders ”), and each Person (as defined below) that becomes a party hereto after the date hereof. The GSMP Parties, the Charlesbank Parties, the Leonard Green Parties, the Levy Parties, the Walsh Parties, the Levy Newco Parties, the Other Stockholders and each other Person (except the Company) that becomes a party hereto or is otherwise bound by the provisions hereof are hereinafter referred to collectively as “ Stockholders ” or individually as a “ Stockholder .”

 

RECITALS

 

A. WHEREAS, Del Taco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Del Taco ”), the Rollover Investors (as defined below) and the other stockholders of Del Taco as of the date hereof are parties to that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2010;

 

B. WHEREAS, the Company, Levy Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Sponsor ”), Howard B. Bernick, Greg Flynn, Marc S. Simon and Craig J. Duchossois are parties to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2013 (the “ Original Registration Rights Agreement ”);

 

C. WHEREAS, on the date hereof, Del Taco, its stockholders and the Levy Newco Parties entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement (such agreement, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Stock Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Levy Newco Parties agreed to acquire shares of common stock of Del Taco, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

D. WHEREAS, on the date hereof, in connection with the proposed acquisition of shares of common stock of Del Taco by the Levy Newco Parties pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, Del Taco, its stockholders and the Levy Newco Parties entered into the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement of Del Taco (the “ Amended Stockholders Agreement ”), to become effective upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

E. WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Company, Levy Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“ Merger Sub ”), and Del Taco entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger (such agreement, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Merger Agreement ”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into Del Taco, with Del Taco surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the stockholders of Del Taco receiving shares of Common Stock (as defined below) of the Company (such merger, the “ Merger ), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

 
 

 

F. WHEREAS, upon completion of the Merger, (i) the Amended Stockholders Agreement of Del Taco and the Original Registration Rights Agreement will terminate pursuant to a Termination Agreement entered into between the Company and the parties thereto (the “ Termination Agreement ”) and (ii) this Agreement will become effective;

 

G. WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, certain investors (the “ Common Stock Investors ”) agreed to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company at a purchase price of $10 per share for aggregate cash consideration of $35,000,000 effective at the effective time of the Merger (the “ Merger Effective Time ”; and such investment, the “ Common Stock Investors’ Investment ”), and in connection therewith agreed to execute joinder signature pages hereto;

 

H. WHEREAS, immediately following the effectiveness of this Agreement, the parties hereto expect that each of the Stockholders will own of record that number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such Stockholder’s name on Schedule I ;

 

I. WHEREAS, as promptly as practicable following the Merger Effective Time, subject to the execution of a joinder signature page hereto by those of its members that, together with their respective Affiliates (as defined below), would hold at least 2% of the outstanding Common Stock thereafter, each of the Levy Newco Parties will distribute to its members all of the shares of Common Stock received by such Levy Newco Party pursuant to the Merger (collectively, the “ Distributions ”); and

 

J. WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into an agreement to provide for certain rights and obligations associated with ownership of Capital Stock (as defined below) and certain arrangements relating to the management of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements, covenants and provisions herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

Section 1.1 Definitions .

 

(a) The following definitions shall be applicable to the terms set forth below as used in this Agreement:

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person which directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, “ control ” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or otherwise (and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing).

 

2
 

 

Agreement ” means this Stockholders Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Amended Stockholders Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Available Cash ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company as constituted from time to time.

 

Capital Stock ” means any capital stock or other equity securities of the Company, including the Common Stock and the Common Stock Equivalents of the Company.

 

Charlesbank Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the federal securities laws.

 

Common Stock ” means (i) common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, (ii) any other class of common stock of the Company hereafter created and (iii) any other securities of the Company into which such Common Stock may be reclassified, exchanged or converted pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend, restructuring or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.

 

Common Stock Equivalents ” means, with respect to any Person, securities issued by such Person which are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other equity securities of such Person (including any option, warrant, or other right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire, or any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of capital stock or other equity securities of such Person).

 

Common Stock Investors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Common Stock Investors’ Investment ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Company’s Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).

 

Del Taco ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Demand Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

 

3
 

 

Demand Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

 

Distributions ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Founder Shares ” means the shares of Common Stock initially issued to the Sponsor in connection with the Company’s initial public offering.

 

Goldman Sachs ” means Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

GS Entity ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

 

GSMP Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Initiating Holders ” means the holders of Registrable Stock initially requesting registration of Registrable Stock pursuant to Section 4.1(a).

 

Investors’ Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).

 

Leonard Green Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Levy Family ” means Lawrence F. Levy, Steven C. Florsheim, Ari B. Levy, Levy Family Partners, LLC, the Steven Florsheim 2003 Investment Trust and the Ari Levy 2003 Investment Trust.

 

Levy Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Levy/Walsh Investors ” means, collectively, the Levy Parties and the Walsh Parties.

 

Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).

 

Majority Rollover Investors ” means, at any time, the Rollover Investors holding a majority of the shares of Common Stock held by the Rollover Investors at such time.

 

Market Standoff Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13.

 

Marketed Underwritten Offering ” means a Public Offering in which Common Stock is sold to an underwriter or underwriters on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public and which involves a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other substantial marketing effort by one or more underwriters that lasts more than two days.

 

Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Merger Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

4
 

 

Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Nasdaq ” means the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

Non-Rollover Investors ” means, collectively, the Levy/Walsh Investors and the Other Stockholders.

 

Opt-Out Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.

 

Original Registration Rights Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Other Securities ” means the Capital Stock of the Company other than the Registrable Stock.

 

Other Stockholders ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Permitted Transferee ” means (i) as to any Stockholder that is an entity, any Affiliate of such Stockholder, (ii) as to any Stockholder that is an individual, (x) any one or more members of a class consisting of the spouse, children and grandchildren of such Stockholder, (y) a trust or family limited partnership created for the sole benefit of such Stockholder or any one or more members of such class, or (z) upon the death or legal incompetence of such Stockholder, such Stockholder’s heirs, executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries, as applicable; provided , however , that in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y), such Stockholder (and not the transferee of such Stockholder) retains the exclusive power to exercise all rights under this Agreement with respect to the Transferred Capital Stock, or (iii) any stockholder, member or partner of any of the Rollover Investors or the Levy Parties upon a pro rata distribution by such Stockholder to its partners, stockholders, members or otherwise, upon the winding up, dissolution or liquidation of such Stockholder; provided , however , that in the case of the preceding clause (iii), such Stockholder (and not the stockholder, member or partner, as applicable, of such Stockholder) retains the exclusive power to exercise all rights under this Agreement with respect to the Transferred Capital Stock at all times prior to the dissolution of such Stockholder.

 

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

Priority Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b)(iii).

 

Prospective Sellers ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(a)(ii).

 

Public Offering ” means any offer for sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement (other than a Public Offering relating either to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase or similar plan or a transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act).

 

PW Acquisition ” means PW Acquisitions LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

5
 

 

Register ” refers to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act (and the terms “ registered ” and “ registration ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing).

 

Registrable Stock ” means (i) (x) any shares of Common Stock owned by any Stockholder or (y) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange, conversion or exercise of any Common Stock Equivalent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case owned now or in the future by any of the Stockholders, and (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to any of the Stockholders with respect to the Registrable Stock by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise and any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof. Each share of Registrable Stock shall continue to be Registrable Stock in the hands of each Permitted Transferee subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 2.1 and 2.4; provided , however , that each share of Registrable Stock shall cease to be Registrable Stock when (w) such shares have been sold to or through a broker, dealer or underwriter or pursuant to Rule 144, (x) such shares have been transferred not in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or to a transferee that is not a Permitted Transferee, (y) such shares have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration or other form of Registration Statement, or (z) the holder of such shares owns, together with its Affiliates and Permitted Transferees (other than any Permitted Transferee receiving Common Stock under clause (iii) of such definition of Permitted Transferee), shares representing less than 2% of the Common Stock outstanding, except that each share of Registrable Stock shall continue to be Registrable Stock in the hands of (A) any Rollover Investor or any of their Affiliates or Permitted Transferees (other than any Permitted Transferee receiving Common Stock under clause (iii) of such definition of Permitted Transferee) for purposes of exercising the rights of a Requesting Holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect to any Demand Registration of the Rollover Investors, (B) any member of the Levy Family or any of its Affiliates or Permitted Transferees (other than any Permitted Transferee receiving Common Stock under clause (iii) of such definition of Permitted Transferee) for purposes of exercising the rights of a Requesting Holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect to any Demand Registration of the Levy Family or PW Acquisition and (C) PW Acquisition or any of its Affiliates or Permitted Transferees (other than any Permitted Transferee receiving Common Stock under clause (iii) of such definition of Permitted Transferee) for purposes of exercising the rights of a Requesting Holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect to any Demand Registration of the Levy Family or PW Acquisition as long as they are a party to this Agreement.

 

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).

 

Registration Statement ” means a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 or any similar form of registration statement adopted by the Commission from and after the date hereof.

 

Requesting Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

 

Rollover Investors ” means, collectively, the GSMP Parties, the Charlesbank Parties and the Leonard Green Parties.

 

6
 

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Selling Entity ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(e).

 

Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7(e).

 

Selling Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).

 

Shelf Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

 

Shelf Registration ” means a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).

 

Short-Form Registration Statement ” means a registration statement on Form S-3 or any similar form of registration statement adopted by the Commission from and after the date hereof.

 

Sponsor ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Stock Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Stockholders ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person in which such first Person has a direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in excess of 50% of the stock or other equity interests the holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing body of such other Person.

 

Takeover Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

 

Termination Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Transfer ” means (i) as a noun, any voluntary or involuntary purchase, sale, gift, endorsement, assignment (including an assignment of voting rights), transfer, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, exchange or other disposition by any means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, whether voluntary, involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise (including, without limitation, any transfer pursuant to a divorce decree) and (ii) as a verb, any action or actions which result in such purchase, sale, gift, endorsement, assignment, transfer, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, exchange or other disposition, and shall include in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) any Transfer pursuant to Rule 144.

 

Underwritten Block Trade ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

 

Valid Business Reason ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).

 

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Walsh Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Warrants ” means the private placement warrants that were issued by Buyer in connection with its initial public offering.

 

(b) In addition to the foregoing, capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Section 1.1 shall have the meanings so given to such terms herein.

 

Section 1.2 Interpretation . The definitions in Section 1.1 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed to be references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder” and similar words refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting any term or provision of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II.
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

 

Section 2.1 Transfer Procedures . If any Stockholder wishes to Transfer any Capital Stock as permitted by this Agreement, such Stockholder shall comply with the following provisions of this Section 2.1.

 

(a) Unless there is in effect a registration statement or similar filing under the applicable federal and state securities laws covering the proposed Transfer or the Transfer will be conducted under Rule 144, such Stockholder shall give written notice to the Company of its intention to make such Transfer not less than five business days prior to the proposed effective date of such Transfer. Each such notice shall describe the manner and circumstances of the proposed Transfer in sufficient detail, including the name and address of each proposed transferee, the relationship of such proposed transferee to such Stockholder and the number of shares of Capital Stock proposed to be Transferred to such proposed transferee, and shall be accompanied by either (i) a written opinion of legal counsel (who may be internal counsel, but in all cases shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), which opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the legal counsel to the Company, or (ii) such other showing as may be reasonably satisfactory to the legal counsel to the Company, in each case that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration or qualification under the applicable federal and state securities laws, whereupon such Stockholder shall be entitled to Transfer its Capital Stock to the extent permitted by, and in compliance with the requirements of, this Agreement and in accordance with the terms of the written notice delivered by such Stockholder to the Company.

 

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(b) Each transferee of such Capital Stock that is a Permitted Transferee not already party to this Agreement shall, prior to and as a condition to the effectiveness of such Transfer, execute and deliver to the Company an instrument, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, and such other documentation deemed necessary by the Company to evidence such Permitted Transferee’s agreement to be bound by, and to comply with, this Agreement in the same capacity as the transferor of such Capital Stock. Upon becoming a party to this Agreement, a Permitted Transferee shall enjoy the same rights and be subject to the same obligations as the transferring Stockholder hereunder with respect to the Capital Stock Transferred to such Permitted Transferee, except as otherwise set forth herein.

 

Section 2.2 Securities Covered . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 2.4 shall apply to all Capital Stock now owned by any of the Stockholders or subsequently acquired solely as a consequence of any dividend, distribution, conversion, exchange or reclassification of or with respect to such Capital Stock, including, without limitation, pursuant to any corporate reorganization or any other form of recapitalization, restructuring or consolidation or merger or share split or share dividend, but shall not apply to any Capital Stock otherwise acquired by a Stockholder from any Person other than another Stockholder after the Merger Effective Time.

 

Section 2.3 After-Acquired Capital Stock . From and after the Merger Effective Time, no Rollover Investor shall acquire any Capital Stock or any right, title or interest therein or thereto, unless (a) such acquisition has been approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Board, or (b) such Capital Stock or such right, title or interest therein or thereto is acquired by such Rollover Investor from another Rollover Investor or its Permitted Transferee. For the avoidance of doubt, all determinations of the percentage of Common Stock held by the Rollover Investors shall include Common Stock received in the Merger but exclude any other Common Stock acquired by the Rollover Investors (other than from another Rollover Investor or its Permitted Transferee) from and after the Merger Effective Time.

 

Section 2.4 Lock-Up . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, from the Merger Effective Time:

 

(a) Until the date that is 12 months following the Merger Effective Time, or six months following the Merger Effective Time if the Rollover Investors no longer hold in the aggregate Common Stock representing at least 7.5% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Merger Effective Time, each of the Levy/Walsh Investors shall not Transfer any Capital Stock or any right, title or interest therein or thereto, unless such Transfer is to a Permitted Transferee in compliance with Section 2.1; and

 

(b) Until the date that is six months following the Merger Effective Time, each Other Stockholder shall not Transfer any Capital Stock or any right, title or interest therein or thereto, unless such Transfer (A) is to a Permitted Transferee in compliance with Section 2.1 or (B) is made in a Public Offering pursuant to Section 4.1(b).

 

Section 2.5 Anti-Takeover Matters .

 

(a) From the Merger Effective Time until the earlier of (x) such time as the Rollover Investors cease to hold in the aggregate Common Stock representing at least 7.5% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Merger Effective Time or (y) the second anniversary of the Merger Effective Time:

 

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(i) None of the Stockholders shall, directly or indirectly, in any manner, acting alone or in concert with others, (A) acquire, agree to acquire or make any proposal or offer to acquire any Capital Stock or any right, title or interest therein or thereto if such acquisition would result, directly or indirectly, in (1) any of the effects on the Company set forth in Rule 13e-3(a)(3)(iii) under the Exchange Act, or (2) the Company failing to meet any of the standards required to be met to continue the listing of the Capital Stock on Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules, or (B) make any Takeover Proposal (as defined below), whether solicited or unsolicited, (x) without the prior approval of a majority of the disinterested directors of the Board and (y) other than a Takeover Proposal in the form of a merger that will be conditioned upon and subject to receipt of prior approval of stockholders of the Company holding a majority of the Capital Stock held by the Company’s stockholders other than the Non-Rollover Investors and their Affiliates; and

 

(ii) All acquisitions of Capital Stock by any of the Stockholders shall be made only in compliance with all applicable securities laws, including Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act, if applicable.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Takeover Proposal ” means any proposal, contract or offer by any Person or Persons for (regardless how structured) (i) the acquisition of equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a merger, consolidation, dissolution, recapitalization, refinancing or otherwise that would result, directly or indirectly, in such Person or Persons holding more than 50% of the outstanding equity interests of the Company or such Subsidiary thereof, (ii) a transaction pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries issues or would issue, or such Person or Persons acquires or would acquire, equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof representing more than 50% of the outstanding equity interests of the Company or such Subsidiary thereof or (iii) a transaction pursuant to which such Person or Persons acquires or would acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof constituting more than 50% of the fair market value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

ARTICLE III.
OTHER COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

 

Section 3.1 Maintenance of Listing . From the Merger Effective Time until such time as the Rollover Investors cease to hold in the aggregate Capital Stock representing at least 7.5% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Merger Effective Time, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to continue the listing of the Capital Stock on Nasdaq, including by (a) timely filing all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and (b) continuing to meet the standards required to be met pursuant to Nasdaq listing rules to continue such listing.

 

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Section 3.2 Levy Newco Parties . From the Merger Effective Time, each of the Levy Newco Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the execution and delivery to the Company, as promptly as practicable, of a joinder signature page hereto by each member of the Levy Newco Parties that, together with such member’s Affiliates, would hold at least 2% of the outstanding Common Stock after effecting the Distributions and which is not already a signatory hereto. Subject to such prior execution and delivery of joinder signature pages hereto, the Levy Newco Parties shall declare and effect the Distributions. From the Merger Effective Time until such time as each such member of the Levy Newco Parties has so executed and delivered a joinder signature page hereto, the applicable Levy Newco Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such members to comply with the provisions of this Agreement that would have been applicable to such members had they so executed and delivered a joinder signature page hereto. Any such member of the Levy Newco Parties that becomes a party to this Agreement and is neither a Levy Party nor a Walsh Party shall be an Other Stockholder. Until such time as the Levy Newco Parties have effected the Distributions, the Levy Newco Parties shall be bound by, and comply with, as to all of the Capital Stock they hold, the most restrictive provisions hereof of Section 2.1 and Section 2.4 .

 

ARTICLE IV.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 4.1 Required Registrations .

 

(a) The Majority Rollover Investors or, subject to Section 2.4, the Levy Family and PW Acquisition may request in writing that the Company register under the Securities Act all or a portion of their Registrable Stock on a Registration Statement or file a prospectus supplement under the Short-Form Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration (as defined below) or offer Registrable Stock in a firm-commitment underwritten offering, stating the number of shares of Registrable Stock to be disposed of and the intended method of disposition of such shares; provided , however , that such request (i) shall cover the registration of Registrable Stock which would have an anticipated aggregate offering price (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of at least $20,000,000, based on the closing price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq on the date of such request, unless the registration is for the balance of the Registrable Stock then held by the Rollover Investors (and after the balance of the Registrable Stock is sold pursuant to such registration, such Rollover Investors shall have no further Demand Registrations (as defined below)), and (ii) shall not count as one of the permitted registrations on a Registration Statement until both (x) it has become effective and (y) at least 50% of the Registrable Stock requested to be included in such registration has been registered pursuant to such registration.

 

(b) Except to the extent provided in Section 4.4, all registrations requested pursuant to Section 4.1(a) are referred to herein as “ Demand Registrations ”. Upon receipt of the request of a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 4.1(a) that is a Marketed Underwritten Offering, the Company shall give prompt written notice thereof to all other holders of Registrable Stock (a “ Demand Notice ”). Subject to Section 4.2, the Company shall, with respect to any Demand Registration, use its reasonable best efforts to promptly file with the Commission the applicable registration statement to register under the Securities Act all shares of Registrable Stock specified in the requests of the Initiating Holders and, for any Demand Registration that is a Marketed Underwritten Offering, the requests (stating the number of shares of Registrable Stock to be disposed of and the intended method of disposition of such shares) of other holders of shares of Registrable Stock (such other holders, the “ Requesting Holders ”) given within 10 days after receipt of such Demand Notice from the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay giving any Demand Notice until after filing a registration statement, so long as all recipients of such Demand Notice have the same amount of time to determine whether or not to participate in an offering as they would have had if such Demand Notice had not been so delayed.

 

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Section 4.2 Limitations on Required Registration .

 

(a) The Company shall not be required to prepare and file pursuant to Section 4.1(a) more than (i) four Registration Statements, in the case of the Levy Family, (ii) one Registration Statement, in the case of PW Acquisition, or (iii) in the case of the Rollover Investors, five Registration Statements, provided , that (A) if the Available Cash is at least $40,000,000 but less than $60,000,000, then one of the Demand Registrations must be an Underwritten Block Trade, and (B) if the Available Cash is at least $60,000,000, then two of the Demand Registrations must be Underwritten Block Trades. A Demand Registration will be made, in each case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) at the request of the Majority Rollover Investors, the Levy Family or PW Acquisition, as applicable, and will only be deemed a Demand Registration once it actually becomes or is declared effective. Nothing contained in this Section 4.2(a) shall limit the Company’s obligation from time to time to prepare and file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 4.4. In the event that the Company fails to receive from the Common Stock Investors at or prior to the Merger Effective Time cash proceeds equal to the full amount of the Common Stock Investors’ Investment, then each of the dollar amounts in this Section 4.2(a) shall be increased by the amount of such shortfall.

 

(b) (i) Only Registrable Stock may be included in a registration, and, whenever a registration requested by Initiating Holders pursuant to Section 4.1(a) is for a firm-commitment underwritten offering, if the managing underwriter of the offering advises the Company in good faith that the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such underwritten offering exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Initiating Holders, the number of shares of Registrable Stock and Other Securities shall be reduced as follows: (i) first, among any holders of Other Securities, pro rata, based on the number of Other Securities held by each such holder; (ii) second, the Registrable Stock for which registration was proposed by the Company; and (iii) third, subject to Sections 2.4, 4.2(b)(ii) and 4.2(b)(iii), the Registrable Stock for which inclusion in such demand offering was requested by the Initiating Holders and the Requesting Holders, pro rata (if applicable), based on the number of shares of Registrable Stock held by each such Initiating Holder and Requesting Holder; provided , however , that in the event the number of shares of Registrable Stock that the Initiating Holders are able to include in the registration is reduced below 50% of the number of shares which the Initiating Holders intended to include in the registration (as set forth in such Initiating Holders’ request pursuant to Section 4.1(a)), such registration shall not be deemed a Demand Registration by such Initiating Holders and shall not count toward the limitations imposed by Section 4.2(a) or 4.8.

 

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(ii) If any holder of Registrable Stock disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, the underwriter and the Initiating Holders. The Registrable Stock so withdrawn shall also be withdrawn from registration; provided that if, by the withdrawal of such Registrable Stock, a greater number of shares of Registrable Stock held by other holders of Registrable Stock may be included in such registration (up to the maximum of any limitation imposed by the managing underwriter), then the Company shall offer to all holders of Registrable Stock who have included Registrable Stock in the registration the right to include additional Registrable Stock in the same proportion used in determining the limitation imposed by the provisions of this Section 4.2(b).

 

(iii) The first Demand Registration of the Rollover Investors pursuant to Section 4.1(a) that is not an Underwritten Block Trade (and which may also be a demand of a takedown from a Shelf Registration Statement) shall be a priority registration, in which (x) the Requesting Holders (other than any Rollover Investors and the Levy/Walsh Investors) shall be entitled to have only 10% of all Registrable Stock held by the Requesting Holders, and specified in the requests of the Requesting Holders timely given to the Company in accordance with Section 4.1(b), be included in such registration until the participating Rollover Investors shall receive net proceeds in such registration or offering of at least $30,000,000, after which the Initiating Holders and the Requesting Holders other than the Levy/Walsh Investors shall participate pro rata based on the number of shares of Registrable Stock requested to be included, and (y) the Levy/Walsh Investors shall not be entitled to have any Registrable Stock held by them included in such registration or transaction regardless of whether any of the Levy/Walsh Investors requested such inclusion pursuant to requests timely given to the Company in accordance with Section 4.1(b), and the Company shall not include in any such Registration Statement filed with the Commission any Registrable Stock specified in any request by the Levy/Walsh Investors as Requesting Holders (a “ Priority Registration ”). If the Available Cash is less than $40,000,000, then the Rollover Investors shall be entitled to an additional Priority Registration with respect to their second Demand Registration that is not an Underwritten Block Trade until the earlier of (A) the second anniversary of the Merger Effective Time, or (B) such time as the Rollover Investors cease to hold in the aggregate Capital Stock representing at least 15% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Merger Effective Time. In the event that the Company fails to receive from the Common Stock Investors at or prior to the Merger Effective Time cash proceeds equal to the full amount of the Common Stock Investors’ Investment, then the reference to $40,000,000 in this Section 4.2(b)(iii) shall be increased by the amount of such shortfall.

 

(c) The Company shall not be required to file a registration statement pursuant to Section 4.1 or assist in a takedown from a Shelf Registration related to an underwritten public offering or Underwritten Block Trade which could become effective or close within 120 days following the closing of an underwritten public offering of securities of the Company.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing but other than in connection with a registration under Section 4.4(a), if the Company shall furnish to the Initiating Holders and Requesting Holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Board, any registration of Registrable Stock should not be made or continued because it would (i) materially impede, delay or interfere with, or require premature disclosure of, any material financing, offering, acquisition, corporate reorganization, merger or segment reclassification or discontinuance of operations or other material transaction or matter involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any negotiations, discussions or pending proposals with respect thereto involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) would require disclosure of non-public material information, the disclosure of which would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Company (each, a “ Valid Business Reason ”), then (A) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement requested pursuant to Section 4.1 until such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, and (B) in case a registration statement has been filed pursuant to Section 4.1, the Company may cause such registration statement to be withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or supplementing such registration statement, in each case, for a reasonable period of time. The Company shall give written notice to all holders of Registrable Stock included in such registration statement of its determination to postpone, withdraw or postpone amending or supplementing a registration statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement or withdrawal no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof. If the Company gives notice of its determination to postpone, withdraw or postpone amending or supplementing a registration statement pursuant to this Section 4.2(d), the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to this Section 4.2(d) to and including the date when sellers of such Registrable Stock under such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein but other than in connection with a registration under Section 4.4(a), (i) the Company may not postpone, withdraw or postpone amending or supplementing a filing under this Section 4.2(d) due to a Valid Business Reason more than three times for a period of up to 120 days in the aggregate in any consecutive 12-month period, and (ii) any disclosure made under this Section 4.2 shall not be subject to an Opt-Out Request.

 

Section 4.3 Incidental (Piggyback) Registration .

 

(a) If the Company proposes to register any of its securities for sale for its own account in a Marketed Underwritten Offering (other than (a) a registration relating to the sale of securities to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase or similar plan, (b) a Rule 145 transaction or (c) a registration pursuant to Section 4.1), and such registration may include the registration of Registrable Stock, the Company shall each such time give written notice (the “ Company’s Piggyback Notice ”), at its expense, to all holders of Registrable Stock of its intention to do so at least 10 days prior to the filing of a registration statement with respect to such registration with the Commission. Subject to Section 2.4, if any holder of Registrable Stock desires to dispose of all or part of its Registrable Stock, it may request registration thereof in connection with the Company’s registration by delivering to the Company, within 10 days after receipt of the Company’s Piggyback Notice, written notice of such request (the “ Investors’ Piggyback Notice ”) stating the number of shares of Registrable Stock to be disposed of and the intended method of disposition thereof by such holder in the Public Offering. Subject to Section 4.3(b), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all shares of Registrable Stock specified in the Investors’ Piggyback Notice to be registered under the Securities Act so as to permit the sale or other disposition (in accordance with the intended method thereof as aforesaid) by such holder or holders of the shares of Registrable Stock in the Public Offering proposed by the Company, subject, however, to the limitations set forth in Section 4.3(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay giving any Company’s Piggyback Notice until after filing a registration statement, so long as all recipients of such Company’s Piggyback Notice have the same amount of time to determine whether or not to participate in an offering as they would have had if such Company’s Piggyback Notice had not been so delayed.

 

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(b) For any registration for which the Company is required to give a Company’s Piggyback Notice pursuant to Section 4.3(a), the Company shall have the right to limit the aggregate size of the offering or the number of shares to be included therein by the Requesting Holders if requested to do so in good faith by the managing underwriter of the offering because the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included in such underwritten offering exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Company. The holders of Registrable Stock shall have priority as to sales over the holders of Other Securities, and the Company shall cause the holders of Other Securities to withdraw their shares from such offering to the extent necessary to allow all requesting holders of Registrable Stock to include all of the shares so requested to be included within such registration. Whenever the number of shares which may be registered pursuant to Section 4.3(a) is still limited after the withdrawal of the holders of Other Securities, the Company shall have priority as to sales over the holders of Registrable Stock, and subject to the following sentence each holder of Registrable Stock hereby agrees that it shall withdraw its securities from such registration to the extent necessary to allow the Company to include all the shares which the Company desires to sell for its own account to be included within such registration. The holders of Registrable Stock given rights by Section 4.3(a) and participating in an offering pursuant to Section 4.3(a) shall share pro rata in the available portion of the registration in question, such sharing to be based upon the number of shares of Registrable Stock then held by each of such participating holders, respectively.

 

Section 4.4 Shelf Registration .

 

(a) General . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, so long as the Company remains eligible to file a Short-Form Registration Statement, as promptly as practicable after the Merger Effective Time but no later than 10 business days after the Merger Effective Time, the Company shall file a Shelf Registration for the sale of all of the Registrable Stock owned by holders of Registrable Stock, and any unregistered shares of Common Stock held by holders of Common Stock received in the Merger, holders of Common Stock received in the Distributions and holders of Founder Shares and all Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants regardless of whether they are a party to this Agreement, including all Capital Stock held by the individuals party to the Termination Agreement (collectively, the “ Shelf Holders ”), provided that the form and content of such Shelf Registration shall be subject to the prior review and approval of the Majority Rollover Investors, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Following the filing of such Shelf Registration, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration to become effective as promptly as practicable but no later than 90 days after the Merger Effective Time and remain effective until there is no longer any Registrable Stock that is not otherwise registered under a Registration Statement, which in any event shall remain in effect at least until such time as all Common Stock held by the individuals party to the Termination Agreement and registered or registrable on a future Shelf Registration (in the event of cutback) is freely transferable under Rule 144(i) without compliance with any condition other than the condition with respect to current public information. The “Plan of Distribution” section of such Short-Form Registration Statement shall permit all lawful means of disposition of Registrable Stock and the other Common Stock to be registered thereunder, including firm-commitment underwritten public offerings, block trades, agented transactions, sales directly into the market, purchases or sales by brokers and sales not involving a public offering (or, if the registration statement relating to such request would be required pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act to include any audited or unaudited consolidated or pro forma financial statements that are not then currently available, promptly after such financial statements are available). If the Commission will not permit the Company to include all unregistered shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants in a Shelf Registration (including the initial Shelf Registration), the Company will include as many unregistered shares of Common Stock as possible and exclude unregistered shares of Common Stock on a pro rata basis; provided , that , the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to include any unregistered shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants excluded from the initial Shelf Registration on a future Shelf Registration as promptly as practicable following such exclusion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a takedown of shares registered under the Shelf Registration that is not an underwritten offering shall not require any minimum anticipated aggregate offering price .

 

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(b) Piggyback . Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any offering of Registrable Stock under the Shelf Registration involving an underwritten public offering (other than an Underwritten Block Trade) that occurs or is scheduled to occur within 30 days of a proposed registered underwritten public offering of equity securities for the Company’s own account pursuant to Section 4.3, the Company shall not be required to cause such offering under the Shelf Registration to take the form of an underwritten public offering if it shall make available to the Requesting Holder the ability to include its Registrable Stock in such registration pursuant to Section 4.3.

 

(c) Limitations on Shelf Registrations . If the Board has a Valid Business Reason, (i) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement relating to a Shelf Registration until such Valid Business Reason no longer exists and (ii) in case a registration statement has been filed relating to a Shelf Registration, the Company may cause such registration statement to be withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or supplementing such registration statement or may suspend other required registration actions under this Agreement. The Company shall give written notice to all holders of Registrable Stock of its determination to postpone or withdraw a registration statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement or withdrawal no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may not postpone, withdraw or postpone amending or supplementing a filing under this Section 4.4(c) due to a Valid Business Reason more than three times for a period of up to 45 days in the aggregate in connection with the filing of the initial Shelf Registration and, for any other Shelf Registration, up to 90 days in the aggregate in any consecutive 12-month period.

 

(d) Not a Demand Registration . No Shelf Registration pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be deemed a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 4.1(a), provided , that any takedown of shares registered under the Shelf Registration in connection with an underwritten offering of Common Stock (including an Underwritten Block Trade) shall be deemed to be a Demand Registration by the Stockholder requesting such takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any takedown of shares registered under the Shelf Registration in connection with an offering of Common Stock (including a block trade or similar transaction) which is not underwritten shall not count as a Demand Registration.

 

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(e) New Shelf Registration . If any Short-Form Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration has been outstanding for at least three years, at the end of the third year the Company shall file a new Short-Form Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration of all of the Registrable Stock then held by the Rollover Investors. If any Short-Form Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration filed pursuant to this Section 4.4(e) ceases to be effective for any reason, the Company shall file a new Short-Form Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration of all of the Registrable Stock then held by the Rollover Investors. If the Company does not pay the filing fee covering the Registrable Stock held by the Rollover Investors at the time any Short-Form Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to this Section 4.4(e), the Company shall pay such fee at such time or times as the Registrable Stock is to be sold pursuant thereto.

 

Section 4.5 Underwritten Block Trade . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Majority Rollover Investors or, subject to Section 2.4, the Levy Family or PW Acquisition wishes to engage in an underwritten block trade or similar transaction or other transaction with a two-day (or shorter) marketing period (collectively, an “ Underwritten Block Trade ”) off of a Shelf Registration (either through filing an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement or through a takedown from an already existing and effective Shelf Registration), then the Majority Rollover Investors, the Levy Family or PW Acquisition, as applicable, must notify the Company of the Underwritten Block Trade on the day before such offering is to commence, and the Company shall as expeditiously as reasonably possible, but subject to Section 4.4(c), use its commercially reasonable best efforts to facilitate such Underwritten Block Trade (which may close as early as three business days after the date it commences); provided that the Majority Rollover Investors or, subject to Section 2.4, the Levy Family or PW Acquisition, as applicable, effecting such Underwritten Block Trade shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Underwritten Block Trade. In the event the Majority Rollover Investors or, subject to Section 2.4, the Levy Family or PW Acquisition requests such an Underwritten Block Trade, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no other holder of Registrable Stock shall have any right to notice of or to participate in such Underwritten Block Trade. Any Underwritten Block Trade under which any shares of Common Stock are sold will count as one Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, an Underwritten Block Trade shall not require any minimum anticipated aggregate offering price . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any block trade or similar transaction which is not underwritten shall not count as a Demand Registration.

 

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Section 4.6 Designation of Underwriter . In the case of any registration or offering initiated pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.1, 4.4 or 4.5 which is proposed to be effected pursuant to a firm-commitment underwriting, subject to the approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld ( provided , that the Company shall have the right to withhold approval of any one underwriter, and further provided , that the Company may not unreasonably withhold approval of any GS Entity as an underwriter), the holders of a majority of the Registrable Stock requested to be included in any such registration or offering shall have the right to designate the managing underwriter or underwriters, and all holders of Registrable Stock participating in the registration or offering shall sell their shares only pursuant to such underwriting.

 

Section 4.7 Registration Procedures .

 

(a) If and when the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to effect the registration of shares of Registrable Stock or the Shelf Registration, the Company shall:

 

(i) prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, with the Commission a registration statement (the form and substance of which shall be subject to the approval of the holders of a majority of the Capital Stock to be included in such registration) with respect to such shares and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective for the period described in Section 4.14; provided that, before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto or any free writing prospectus related thereto, the Company shall furnish to the counsel selected pursuant to Section 4.8(b) copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including all exhibits thereto), which documents shall be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such counsel, and, if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such registration statement and each prospectus included therein and such other opportunities to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act, including reasonable access to the Company’s books and records, officers, accountants and other advisors. Upon filing such documents, the Company shall promptly notify in writing such counsel of the receipt by the Company of any written comments by the Commission with respect to such registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto or any written request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing thereof or for additional information with respect thereto;

 

(ii) notify each selling Stockholder, including the Shelf Holders (solely with respect to the Shelf Registration), of the effectiveness of each registration statement filed hereunder and prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectuses used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective and current and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all shares covered by such registration statement, including such amendments and supplements as may be necessary to reflect the intended method of disposition from time to time of the holder or holders of the Capital Stock who have requested that any of their shares be sold or otherwise disposed of in connection with the registration (the selling Stockholders and the Shelf Holders (solely with respect to the Shelf Registration), the “ Prospective Sellers ”);

 

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(iii) furnish to each Prospective Seller such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, each prospectus, including preliminary prospectuses, each free writing prospectus used in connection therewith (including any prospectus supplements drafted by a selling Stockholder which must be approved in writing by the Company prior to its use), and such other documents as each Prospective Seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Stock owned by such Prospective Seller, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the Prospective Sellers and the underwriters or agents, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Stock covered by such prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto;

 

(iv) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the shares covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” or other applicable laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as each Prospective Seller shall reasonably request to enable such seller to consummate the public sale or other disposition of the shares owned by such seller, provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as an election thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

(v) upon written request when selling Registrable Stock pursuant to a firm-commitment underwritten offering, furnish to each Prospective Seller a signed counterpart, addressed to their underwriters, if any, of: (A) an opinion of counsel for the Company; and (B) a “comfort” letter signed by the independent public accountants of the Company who have certified the Company’s financial statements included in the registration statement, covering substantially the same matters with respect to the registration statement (and the prospectus included therein) and (in the case of the accountants’ “comfort” letter) with respect to the events subsequent to the date of the financial statements, as are customarily covered (at the time of such registration) in the opinions of issuers’ counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to the underwriters in connection with underwritten public offerings of securities;

 

(vi) cause all such Common Stock registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or other securities trading market on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

 

(vii) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Common Stock registered pursuant to this Agreement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

 

(viii) enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement) and take all such other customary actions as the holders of a majority of the Registrable Stock being sold reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Stock;

 

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(ix) make available for inspection by one representative of the holders of Registrable Stock being sold, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter, all reasonable financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the preparation of such registration statement;

 

(x) use its commercially reasonable best efforts to ensure that, at the time of pricing of any offering of Registrable Stock, the disclosure available to purchasers will include all of the information required by Sections 12(a)(2) and 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act;

 

(xi) promptly notify each Prospective Seller, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the occurrence of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any such Prospective Seller, the Company shall prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Stock, such prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made;

 

(xii) if at any time the information to be conveyed to a purchaser at the time of sale would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, promptly file with the Commission such amendments or supplements to such information as may be necessary so that the statements as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances, be misleading;

 

(xiii) permit any of the GSMP Parties which, in its sole and exclusive judgment, might be deemed to be an underwriter or a controlling Person of the Company, to reasonably participate in the preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the insertion therein of material related to such GSMP Party, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the reasonable judgment of such GSMP Party and its counsel should be included to comply with applicable laws; and

 

(xiv) promptly notify each Prospective Seller of Registrable Stock (x) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or (y) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a registration statement or any of the Registrable Stock for offer or sale in any jurisdiction.

 

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(b) Each Prospective Seller of Registrable Stock shall furnish to the Company such information as the Company may reasonably require from the Prospective Seller for inclusion in the registration statement (and the prospectus included therein).

 

(c) The Prospective Sellers shall not (until further notice) effect sales of the shares covered by the registration statement after receipt of facsimile or other written notice from the Company to suspend sales to permit the Company to correct or update a registration statement or prospectus.

 

(d) If any such registration statement or comparable statement under state “blue sky” laws refers to any of the GSMP Parties by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then each such GSMP Party shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such GSMP Party and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such GSMP Party of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such GSMP Party of the investment quality of the Company’s securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such GSMP Party will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such GSMP Party by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company, as advised by counsel, required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute or any state “blue sky” or securities law then in force, the deletion of the reference to such GSMP Party.

 

(e) The Company agrees that, if any of the Stockholders or any of their respective Affiliates (each a “ Selling Entity ”) could reasonably be deemed to be an “underwriter” as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, in connection with any registration of the Company’s securities of any Selling Entity pursuant to this agreement, and any amendment or supplement thereof (any such registration statement or amendment or supplement a “ Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement ”), then the Company (1) agrees that the indemnification and contribution provisions contained in Section 4.9 shall be applicable to the benefit of each Selling Entity in its role as an underwriter or deemed underwriter in addition to its capacity as a holder of Registrable Stock and (2) will cooperate with such Selling Entity in allowing such Selling Entity to conduct customary “underwriter’s due diligence” with respect to the Company and satisfy its obligations in respect thereof. In addition, at such Selling Entity’s request, the Company will furnish to such Selling Entity, on the date of the effectiveness of any Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as such Selling Entity may reasonably request, (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to such Selling Entity, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, including a standard “10b-5” opinion for such offering, addressed to such Selling Entity. The Company will also permit legal counsel to such Selling Entity to review and comment upon any such Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement at least five business days prior to its filing with the Commission and all amendments and supplements to any such Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the Commission and not file any Selling Entity Underwriter Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which such Selling Entity’s legal counsel reasonably objects.

 

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Section 4.8 Expenses of Registration .

 

(a) The Company shall pay all “Registration Expenses” (as that term is defined below) relating to the registrations under this Article IV. All Selling Expenses (as defined below) shall be borne by the participating sellers (including the Company if it shall be a participating seller) in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock sold by each, or in such other manner or proportion as the participating sellers (including the Company if it shall be a participating seller) may agree. For purposes of this Section 4.8(a), the term “ Registration Expenses ” shall mean, collectively, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s performance under this Article IV, including all registration and filing fees, exchange listing fees, printing, messenger and delivery expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent public accountants and any other accounting and legal fees, the fees and expenses of one counsel for the holders of Registrable Stock selected by a majority of the holders of Registrable Stock included in the applicable registration or offering, fees and expenses for complying with securities and “blue sky” laws, the expense of any special audits or “comfort letters” incident to or required in connection with any such registration or qualification, and reasonable expenses relating to the Company’s participation in a roadshow with respect to such offering as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, but shall exclude Selling Expenses. As used herein, the term “ Selling Expenses ” shall mean, collectively, underwriting discounts, selling commissions, brokerage fees, and the fees and expenses of counsel for each holder of Registrable Stock (other than the counsel selected by a majority of the holders of Registrable Stock included in the applicable registration or offering to represent all holders of Registrable Stock in such registration or offering).

 

(b) In connection with each Demand Registration, each piggyback registration and each takedown of a Shelf Registration, and any offering in connection therewith, the Company shall reimburse the holders of Registrable Stock included in such registration or offering for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the holders of Registrable Stock selected by a majority of the holders of Registrable Stock requested, subject to Section 2.4, to be included in such registration or offering.

 

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Section 4.9 Indemnification .

 

(a) In the event of any registration or offer and sale by the Company of any Common Stock of a Prospective Seller under the Securities Act, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless such Prospective Seller, its Affiliates, their respective stockholders, partners, members, directors, officers, employees, managers, and agents, each underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) that facilitates the sale of such Common Stock, and each controlling Person (within the meaning of the Securities Act), if any, of such Prospective Seller, other Person or underwriter, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (or actions in respect thereof) (collectively, “ Liabilities ”), joint or several, to which such Person or any of them may be subject under the Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar as such Liabilities arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of any material fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any summary prospectus issued in connection with any securities being registered, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any free writing prospectus used in connection with any offering, including any free writing prospectus used by the Company, any underwriter or the Prospective Seller, or any other document, (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, to make the statements therein not misleading, (iii) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, any state securities or “blue sky” law, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act or any state securities or “blue sky” law, or any other law, applicable to the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance of any shares of Common Stock, or (iv) any information provided by the Company, or at the instruction of the Company to any Person participating in the offering at the point of sale, which contains any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each such indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with investigating or defending any such Liability; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable to any indemnified Person in any such case to the extent that any such Liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or omission (or alleged untrue statement or omission) made in such registration statement, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus, final prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, free writing prospectus or any other document, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Prospective Seller specifically for use therein; and provided , further , however , that the Company shall not be liable for any Liability arising from any untrue or misleading statement or omission contained in any preliminary prospectus if such statement or omission is corrected in the final prospectus as required by the Securities Act. The indemnity provided for herein shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Prospective Seller, and shall survive the Transfer of such securities by such Prospective Seller.

 

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(b) The Company may require, as a condition to including any Common Stock of a Prospective Seller in any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 4.3 or Section 4.4, that the Company shall have received an undertaking (which shall include an agreement to Section 4.9(c) below) satisfactory to it from such Prospective Seller, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 4.9(a), to the extent permitted by applicable state or federal law) the Company, each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who shall sign such registration statement and each other Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act (except the indemnifying Prospective Seller, if such indemnifying Prospective Seller so controls the Company), with respect to (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any summary prospectus issued in connection with any securities being registered, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus used in connection with such offering, including any free writing prospectus used by the Company, any underwriter or the Prospective Seller, or any other document, (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any information provided to any Person containing any untrue statement or omission (or alleged untrue statement or omission) of any material fact required to be included in such information or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case if such statement or omission was made in reliance on and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Prospective Seller specifically for use in preparing any such registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus or other document, or in making any such filing or representation; provided that such Prospective Seller shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that, prior to the filing of any such registration statement or prospectus or amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, such Prospective Seller has furnished in writing to the Company information specifically for use in such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or free writing prospectus which corrected or made not misleading information previously furnished to the Company and such information was received by the Company in a reasonable time prior to the use of such prospectus. Unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by any such Prospective Seller to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees that the only information furnished or to be furnished to the Company for use in any such registration statement, preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus, are statements specifically relating to (i) the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by such Prospective Seller and its Affiliates as disclosed in the section of such document entitled “Selling Stockholders” or “Principal and Selling Stockholders” or other documents thereof and (ii) the name and address of such Prospective Seller. Each Prospective Seller hereunder shall promptly provide such indemnification upon request. The indemnity provided for herein shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party and shall survive any transfer of the Common Stock held by the indemnifying party. In no event shall a Prospective Seller’s obligation to indemnify any Person hereunder exceed the net proceeds from the sale of the Prospective Seller’s Common Stock in the registered offering.

 

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(c) If the indemnification provided for in Section 4.9(a) or Section 4.9(b) above is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any Liabilities referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Liabilities, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified parties on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or violations which resulted in such Liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Prospective Sellers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.9(c) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the Liabilities in respect thereof referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.9(c), no Prospective Seller shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds from the sale of the Prospective Seller’s Common Stock in the registered offering. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(d) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 4.9(a) or Section 4.9(b) above of written notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party promptly shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under such Section, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall relieve it from any liability which it may have had to any indemnified party hereunder only to the extent that it has been prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure or it has forfeited substantive rights or defenses by reason of such failure. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof at its own expense. The indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid by the indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party agrees to pay the same, (ii) the indemnifying party fails to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable time after receipt by the indemnifying party of notice of the institution of the action or (iii) the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and either (x) representation of such indemnified party and the indemnifying party by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct or (y) there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party.

 

(e) Upon the assumption by the indemnifying party of the defense of such action, and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 4.9 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time, (ii) the indemnifying party and its counsel do not actively and vigorously pursue the defense of such action, or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party.

 

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Section 4.10 Inclusion of Additional Shares in Required Registrations; Other Company Initiated Registrations . The Company shall not register securities for sale for its own account or for the account of any other Person in any registration requested by the holders of Registrable Stock pursuant to Section 4.1 unless permitted to do so by the written consent or required to do so by the written request of Stockholders holding at least a majority of the shares of Registrable Stock proposed to be included in such offering. The Company may not cause any other registration of securities for sale for its own account or for the account of any other Person to become effective within 120 days after the effective date of any registration requested by the holders of Registrable Stock pursuant to Section 4.1 except pursuant to registrations on Form S-8 or Form S-4 or any successors thereto.

 

Section 4.11 Rights Which May Be Granted to Other Persons . Except as herein provided, the Company shall not grant any Person registration rights without the prior written consent of the Majority Rollover Investors and the Levy Family, it being understood that, subject to Section 2.4 and the last sentence of Section 5.7, all holders of Founder Shares and Warrants, all holders of Common Stock received in the Merger and, following the Distributions, all members of the Levy Newco Parties shall be entitled to register their shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants in the Short-Form Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 4.4(a). As of the date hereof, the Company has not granted any Person any registration rights other than pursuant to the Original Registration Rights Agreement (which shall terminate at the Merger Effective Time), the holders of public warrants of the Company that were issued in connection with its initial public offering and this Agreement.

 

Section 4.12 Rule 144 Requirements . Immediately after the date on which a registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act becomes effective, the Company shall undertake to make publicly available, and available to the holders of Registrable Stock, such information as is necessary to enable the holders of Registrable Stock to make sales of Registrable Stock pursuant to Rule 144. The Company shall furnish to any holder of Registrable Stock, upon request, a written statement executed by the Company as to the steps it has taken to comply with the current public information requirements of Rule 144.

 

Section 4.13 Lockup Agreement . Each Stockholder hereby agrees that, in connection any underwritten public offering of Capital Stock under the Securities Act, if so requested by the Company or any representative of the managing underwriter, such Stockholder shall not sell or otherwise transfer (except for standard exceptions agreed by the representatives of the managing underwriter) any Registrable Stock or other Capital Stock during the period specified by the Board at the request of the managing underwriter (the “ Market Standoff Period ”), provided that (i) such Market Standoff Period is applicable on substantially similar terms to the Company and all the executive officers and directors of the Company and (ii) such Market Standoff Period does not exceed 90 days following the pricing date of such offering (plus customary lockup extension periods as reasonably determined by the managing underwriter, not to exceed 35 days) in connection with any public offering of the Company’s securities, except as part of such underwritten public offering. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such Market Standoff Period.

 

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Section 4.14 Effective Period of Registration . Once any registration effected by the Company pursuant to this Article IV becomes effective, the Company shall file all reports, financial statements and other documents necessary to keep such registration statement current and the registration in effect (a) with respect to an underwritten offering, until the earlier of (i) the sale of all securities offered for sale pursuant to the registration statement and (ii) 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement, or (b) with respect to a Shelf Registration, until the earlier of (i) the sale of all securities offered for sale pursuant to the registration statement and (ii) three years from the effective date of the registration statement.

 

Section 4.15 Changes in Common Stock . If, and as often as, there is any change in the Common Stock by way of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights and privileges granted hereby shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed. If the Company together with its underwriters determine that a stock split or reverse stock split is necessary or advisable in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, each Stockholder hereby covenants and agrees to vote such Stockholder’s shares of Capital Stock, and to take such other actions as are necessary, in order to approve and effectuate such stock split or reverse stock split; provided that such stock split or reverse stock split affects all Stockholders proportionately.

 

Section 4.16 Opt-Out Requests . Each Prospective Seller shall have the right, at any time and from time to time (including after receiving information regarding any potential Public Offering), to elect to not receive any notice that the Company or any other Prospective Seller otherwise are required to deliver pursuant to this Agreement by delivering to the Company a written statement signed by such Prospective Seller that it does not want to receive any notices hereunder (an “ Opt-Out Request ”); in which case and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement the Company and other Prospective Sellers shall not be required to, and shall not, deliver any notice or other information required to be provided to Prospective Sellers hereunder to the extent that the Company or such other Prospective Sellers reasonably expect would result in a Prospective Seller acquiring material non-public information within the meaning of Regulation FD promulgated under the Exchange Act. An Opt-Out Request may state a date on which it expires or, if no such date is specified, shall remain in effect indefinitely. A Prospective Seller who previously has given the Company an Opt-Out Request may revoke such request at any time, and there shall be no limit on the ability of a Prospective Seller to issue and revoke subsequent Opt-Out Requests; provided that each Prospective Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the administrative burden on the Company arising in connection with any such Opt-Out Requests. During the period in which the Opt-Out Request is in effect, the Prospective Seller making the Opt-Out Request shall not offer or sell shares of Common Stock under any Registration Statement or receive any notices with respect to proposed registrations or offerings of Common Stock.

 

ARTICLE V.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 5.1 Other Activities . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, none of the provisions of this Agreement shall in any way limit Goldman Sachs or any of its Affiliates (each, a “ GS Entity ”) from engaging in any brokerage, investment advisory, financial advisory, anti-raid advisory, principaling, merger advisory, financing, asset management, trading, market making, arbitrage, investment activity and other similar activities conducted in the ordinary course of their business.

 

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Section 5.2 Publicity .

 

(a) The Company agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the applicable GS Entity, in each instance, except to the extent required by Nasdaq listing rules or applicable law (i) use in advertising, publicity, or otherwise the name of Goldman Sachs, or any GS Entity, or any partner or employee of a GS Entity, nor any trade name, trademark, trade device, service mark, or symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof owned by Goldman Sachs or any of its Affiliates, or (ii) represent, directly or indirectly, that any product or any service provided by the Company has been approved or endorsed by Goldman Sachs or a GS Entity.

 

(b) The Company grants Goldman Sachs and each GS Entity permission to use the Company’s name and logo in its or any GS Entity’s marketing materials subject to the Company’s prior consent to its use which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Goldman Sachs or any such GS Entity, as applicable, shall include a trademark attribution notice giving notice of the Company’s ownership of its trademarks in the marketing materials in which the Company’s name and logo appear.

 

Section 5.3 Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would result in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not complied with or were otherwise breached. Therefore, the rights to, or obligations of, the parties hereto shall be enforceable in a court of equity by a decree of specific performance and appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection therewith. Such remedies, and all other remedies provided for in this Agreement, shall, however, be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies which any party may have under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 5.4 Legends . Immediately after the Merger Effective Time, each certificate for shares of Capital Stock to be issued in the name of any of the Stockholders shall have the following legends:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ ACT ”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND SAID LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREOF.”

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND VOTING AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE INITIAL HOLDER HEREOF, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT SHALL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

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The requirement that the first paragraph of the above legends be placed upon certificates evidencing any shares of Capital Stock issued to the Stockholders shall cease and terminate upon the earliest of the following events: (i) when such shares are Transferred in a Public Offering or (ii) when such shares are Transferred in any other transaction if the Transferring Stockholder delivers to the Company an opinion of its counsel, which counsel and opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such legends are no longer necessary in order to protect the Company against a violation by it of applicable federal and state securities laws upon any Transfer of such shares without registration thereunder. Upon the occurrence of any event requiring the removal of legends hereunder, the Company, upon the surrender of certificates containing such legends, shall, at its own expense, deliver to the holder of any such shares as to which the requirement for such legends shall have terminated, one or more new certificates evidencing such shares not bearing such legend.

 

Section 5.5 Effectiveness and Term .

 

(a) This Agreement shall become effective immediately following the Merger Effective Time. As promptly as practicable following the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Company shall update Schedule I to set forth opposite each Stockholder’s name on Schedule I the number of shares of Common Stock actually owned of record by such Stockholder as of the Merger Effective Time, and such updating of Schedule I shall not be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement. As promptly as practicable following the Distributions, the Company shall update Schedule I to set forth opposite each Stockholder’s name on Schedule I the number of shares of Common Stock actually owned of record by such Stockholder as of the effective date of such Distribution, and such updating of Schedule I shall not be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement. In the event that the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement shall terminate automatically, and shall cease to be of any force or effect, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall cease, without further action by any of the parties.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate, and all rights and obligations hereunder shall cease, upon the earlier of (a) mutual written agreement of the Rollover Investors and the Levy/Walsh Investors and (b) such time as none of the Rollover Investors or the Levy/Walsh Investors remains party hereto.

 

29
 

 

(c) Any Stockholder shall cease to be a party hereto at such time as such Stockholder, together with its Affiliates and Permitted Transferees (other than any Permitted Transferee receiving Common Stock under clause (iii) of such definition of Permitted Transferee) that are Stockholders, ceases to hold in the aggregate Capital Stock representing at least 2% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately following the Merger Effective Time; provided , that (x) each Rollover Investor and each of its Affiliates and Permitted Transferees shall continue to be a party hereto as long as such Person holds Common Stock for purposes of exercising the rights of a Requesting Holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect to any Demand Registration of the Rollover Investors, (y) each member of the Levy Family and its Affiliates and Permitted Transferees shall continue to be a party hereto as long as such Person holds Common Stock for purposes of exercising the rights of a Requesting Holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect to any Demand Registration of the Levy Family or PW Acquisition and (z) PW Acquisition and each of its Affiliates and Permitted Transferees shall continue to be a party hereto as long as such Person holds Common Stock for purposes of exercising the rights of a Requesting Holder pursuant to Section 4.1(b) with respect to any Demand Registration of the Levy Family or PW Acquisition.

 

Section 5.6 Notices . All notices, offers, acceptances, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail to the Prospective Sellers at their addresses on the Company’s records, and to the Company at the Company’s principal place of business. Any party hereto may change his or its address for notice by giving notice thereof in the manner herein above provided.

 

Section 5.7 Parties in Interest . All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties executing this Agreement shall bind such parties and shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not in and of itself permit the assignment of the rights and obligations hereunder or thereunder; and provided , further , however , that no transferee of any Stockholder shall receive the rights specifically attributed to the GSMP Parties, the Charlesbank Parties, the Leonard Green Parties, the Levy Parties or the Walsh Parties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Rollover Investors, PW Acquisition and the Levy Family, except in the case of a Transfer of Capital Stock solely between or among any of the Rollover Investors and their Affiliates. Other than Sections 4.7(e), 4.9, 5.1 and 5.2 (and as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 5.7), nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any covenants, conditions or provisions contained herein, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise. Each Selling Entity shall be a third party beneficiary of the provisions of Sections 4.7(e) and shall be entitled to enforce such provisions directly. Each GS Entity shall be a third party beneficiary of the provisions of Sections 5.1 and 5.2 and shall be entitled to enforce such provisions directly. Each indemnified party described in Section 4.9(a) shall be a third party beneficiary of the provisions of Section 4.9 and shall be entitled to enforce such provisions directly. Shelf Holders who are not Stockholders shall be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement as it relates to the registration and sale of securities by them under Section 4.4 and shall be entitled to enforce their rights as Shelf Holders as if such Persons were a party hereto, including any rights to indemnification set forth in Section 4.9 hereof as it relates to the Shelf Registration. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Person that, together with its Affiliates, would hold at least 2% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding after effecting the Distributions shall be entitled to any rights under this Agreement, as a Shelf Holder or otherwise, unless such Person is or becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section  2.1(b).

 

30
 

 

Section 5.8 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws provisions.

 

Section 5.9 Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitute the sole and entire agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 5.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. A signature delivered by facsimile or by electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance thereof shall be deemed to be an original signature.

 

Section 5.11 Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended or modified, and no provisions hereof may be waived, without the written consent of the Levy Family, PW Acquisition and the Majority Rollover Investors; provided , however , that (a) each of the Levy Parties, the Walsh Parties and the Other Stockholders that receives Common Stock as a result of the Distributions shall become a party hereto, if they hold over 2% of the outstanding Common Stock, by executing and delivering to the Company a joinder signature page and the Company adding such Person’s Capital Stock holdings to Schedule I hereto and (b) other Persons who are Permitted Transferees of the Stockholders may become a party hereto by executing and delivering to the Company a joinder signature page and by the Company adding such Person’s Capital Stock holdings to Schedule II hereto; provided , further , however , that no amendment, alteration or modification to (or waiver of the observance of any term of) (i) this Agreement that would adversely affect the rights or obligations of any group of similarly situated Stockholders or Shelf Holders can be effected without the consent of a majority in interest of such Stockholders or, to the extent such amendment, alteration or modification adversely affects the rights of Shelf Holders, a majority in interest of the Shelf Holders, and (ii) this Agreement that would adversely and disproportionately affect the rights or obligations of any Stockholder or Shelf Holder as compared to other similarly situated Stockholders or Shelf Holders, as applicable, can be effected without the consent of such Stockholder or Shelf Holder, as applicable.

 

31
 

 

Section 5.12 Severability . Each provision of this Agreement shall be treated as a separate and independent clause, and the unenforceability of any one clause shall in no way impair the enforceability of any of the other clauses herein. If one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity, subject or otherwise so as to be unenforceable at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing it or them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall then apply.

 

Section 5.13 Effectiveness . No Stockholder shall have any rights under this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any other Stockholder shall have any obligations under this Agreement to such Stockholder, unless and until such Stockholder has executed and delivered this Agreement or a counterpart signature page hereto. The failure of any one or more Stockholders to execute and deliver this Agreement or a counterpart signature page hereto shall not invalidate this Agreement or any of the rights and obligations of the Company and of those Stockholders that have executed and delivered this Agreement or a counterpart signature page hereto as among such parties that have so executed and delivered this Agreement or a counterpart signature page hereto.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

32
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement under seal as of the date first above written.

 

 

COMPANY:   LEVY ACQUISITION CORP.
         
         
    By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
    Name: Steven C. Florsheim
        Title: Executive Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

GSMP Parties:   GSMP 2006 Onshore US, Ltd.
         
         
    By:   /s/ Oliver Thym
  Name: Oliver Thym
        Title: Vice President
         
         
    GSMP 2006 Offshore US, Ltd.
         
         
         
    By:   /s/ Oliver Thym
        Name: Oliver Thym
        Title: Vice President
         
         
    GSMP 2006 Institutional US, Ltd.
         
          
    By:   /s/ Oliver Thym
        Name: Oliver Thym
        Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

CHARLESBANK PARTIES:   CHARLESBANK EQUITY FUND V, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             
    By:   Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, its General Partner
             
             
        By:   /s/ Andrew S. Janower
      Name: Andrew S. Janower
            Title: Authorized Signatory
             
             
        By:   /s/ Tim R. Palmer
            Name: Tim R. Palmer
            Title: Authorized Signatory
             
             
    CHARLESBANK EQUITY COINVESTMENT FUND V, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             
    By:   Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, its General Partner
             
             
        By:   /s/ Andrew S. Janower
            Name: Andrew S. Janower
            Title: Authorized Signatory
             
             
        By:   /s/ Tim R. Palmer
            Name: Tim R. Palmer
            Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

    CB OFFSHORE EQUITY FUND V, LP
             
    By:   Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, its General Partner
             
    By:   /s/ Andrew S. Janower
            Name: Andrew S. Janower
            Title: Authorized Signatory
             
             
        By:   /s/ Tim R. Palmer
            Name: Tim R. Palmer
            Title: Authorized Signatory
             
             
    CHARLESBANK COINVESTMENT PARTNERS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
             
    By:   Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC, its General Partner
             
             
        By:   /s/ Andrew S. Janower
            Name: Andrew S. Janower
            Title: Authorized Signatory
             
             
        By:   /s/ Tim R. Palmer
            Name: Tim R. Palmer
            Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

LEONARD GREEN PARTIES:   GREEN EQUITY INVESTORS IV, L.P.
             
    By:   GEI Capital IV, LLC, its General Partner
             
             
    By:   /s/ Timothy J. Flynn
            Name: Timothy J. Flynn
            Title: Senior Vice President
             
             
    SAG BRANDS COINVEST, LLC
             
    By:   Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., its Manager
             
    By:   LGP Management, Inc., its General Partner
             
             
        By:   /s/ Timothy J. Flynn
            Name: Timothy J. Flynn
            Title: Partner

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

LEVY PARTIES:   LEVY ACQUISITION SPONSOR, LLC
         
         
  By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
        Name: Steven C. Florsheim
        Title: Vice President
         
         
    LFP EPIC INVESTOR, LLC
         
         
    By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
        Name: Steven C. Florsheim
        Title: Authorized Signatory
         
         
    LEVY FAMILY PARTNERS LLC
         
         
    By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
        Name: Steven C. Florsheim
        Title: Manager
         
         
    /s/ Lawrence F. Levy
    LAWRENCE F. LEVY
         
         
    /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
    STEVEN C. FLORSHEIM
         
         
    /s/ Ari B. Levy
    ARI B. LEVY

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

    STEVEN FLORSHEIM 2003 INVESTMENT TRUST
         
         
    By:   /s/ Claire P. Murphy
    Name: Claire P. Murphy
        Title: Trustee
         
         
    ARI LEVY 2003 INVESTMENT TRUST
         
         
    By:   /s/ Claire P. Murphy
        Name: Claire P. Murphy
        Title: Trustee

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

WALSH PARTIES:   PW ACQUISITIONS LP
         
         
    By:    
    Name:
        Title:
          
         
     
    PATRICK WALSH

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

LEVY NEWCO PARTIES:   LEVY EPIC ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
         
         
  By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
        Name: Steven C. Florsheim
        Title: Executive Vice President
         
         
    LEVY EPIC ACQUISITION COMPANY II, LLC
         
         
    By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
        Name: Steven C. Florsheim
        Title: Executive Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

OTHER STOCKHOLDERS:   LIME PARTNERS, LLC
         
         
  By:   /s/ Eileen Aptman
        Name: Eileen Aptman
        Title: Manager
         
         
    BELFER INVESTMENT PARTNERS L.P.
         
         
    By:   /s/ Laurence D. Belfer
        Name: Laurence D. Belfer
        Title: Manager of the GP

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

OTHER STOCKHOLDERS:   DEL TACO SERIES, A SERIES OF PLEASANT LAKE OPPORTUNITIES FUND LP
         
         
  By:   /s/ Gerald Aquino
        Name: Gerald Aquino
        Title: CFO 

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders Agreement of Levy Acquisition Corp.]
 

 

†The exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Common Stock Purchase Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), is entered into on March 11, 2015, between Levy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and Del Taco Series, a series of Pleasant Lake Opportunities Fund LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Purchaser ”).

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, (i) certain parties plan to enter into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“ Stock Purchase Agreement ”) by and between Levy Epic Acquisition Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Levy Newco ”), Levy Epic Acquisition Company II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Levy Newco II ”), Del Taco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ DTH ”) and the stockholders of DTH identified therein and (ii) the Company plans to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“ Merger Agreement ”) by and between the Company, Levy Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ Merger Sub ”) and DTH;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall acquire shares of common stock of DTH (the “ DTH Stock ”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “ Merger Closing ”), Merger Sub will be merged with and into DTH (the “ Merger ”);

 

WHEREAS, as a part of the Merger, Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall receive shares of common stock in the Company (“ LAC Common Stock ”) in exchange for their shares of DTH Stock;

 

WHEREAS, immediately following the Merger Closing, each of Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall be dissolved and the respective members (the “ Step One Purchasers ”) of each entity will receive LAC Common Stock previously held by each of Levy Newco and Levy Newco II in connection therewith; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth certain agreements with respect to the sale and purchase of shares of LAC Common Stock, upon the Merger Closing.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations, warranties and the covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                   Purchase and Sale of LAC Common Stock.

 

(a)                Purchase and Sale . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective at the Merger Closing:

 

(i)                  Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company and the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to Purchaser 2,500,000 shares of LAC Common Stock (the “ Purchased Shares ”) for an aggregate purchase price of Twenty-Five Million dollars ($25,000,000) (the “ Purchase Price ”).

 

 
 

 

(b)                Procedures . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement:

 

(i)                  Payment of Purchase Price . Purchaser shall pay or cause to be paid on the date hereof, the full amount of the Purchase Price, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to one or more accounts designated by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent under and as provided for in the Escrow Agreement executed by Purchaser and the Company on the date hereof (the “ Escrow Agreement ”).

 

(ii)                Certificates . At the Merger Closing, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing all of the Purchased Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder.

 

(iii)              Further Assurances . At the Merger Closing, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take such additional actions as the parties reasonably may deem to be practical and necessary in order to consummate the purchase and sale of the Purchased Shares as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(iv)              Legends . Each certificate evidencing the Purchased Shares and delivered to Purchaser in accordance herewith shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with legends in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND SAID LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREOF.”

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND VOTING AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE INITIAL HOLDER HEREOF, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT SHALL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

(c)                 Stockholders’ Agreement . As of the date hereof, but effective as of the Merger Closing, the Company, Purchaser and certain other stockholders shall enter into the stockholders’ agreement approved in form by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II and applicable to the LAC Common Stock for the period following Merger Closing (the “ Stockholders’ Agreement ”) that provides, at a minimum, for the following: (A) “piggyback” registration rights for Purchaser and the Purchased Shares that are pari passu with the most favorable rights applicable to any Step One Purchaser and (B) transfer restrictions applicable to Purchaser that are pari passu with the least restrictive provisions applicable to any Step One Purchaser, including Purchaser.

 

 
 

 

2.                   Representations and Warranties.

 

(a)                Representations and Warranties of Purchaser . Purchaser represents and warrants to the Company, as follows:

 

(i)                  Organization and Good Standing . Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing in its state of organization.

 

(ii)                Power and Authority; Enforceability . This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity. Purchaser has full entity power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. Purchaser has taken all actions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Purchaser.

 

(iii)              Investment Representations .

 

(1)                Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”).

 

(2)                Purchaser is a “qualified purchaser” with the meaning of Section 2(a)(51)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ Investment Company Act ”) by virtue of the fact (A) if it is a company, partnership, trust or other entity that, but for the exception provided in Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act, would be an investment company and was in existence prior to April 30, 1996, all of the pre-April 30, 1996 beneficial owners of the outstanding securities of the Purchaser have consented for the Investor to be treated as a “qualified purchaser, and (B) that it is:

 

a.                    A natural person who owns individually or jointly with his or her spouse not less than $5,000,000 in “Investments” (as defined in Rule 2a51-1(b) under the Investment Company Act;

 

b.                   A “family company” (i.e., any entity of any kind, including a trust) that owns not less than $5,000,000 in Investments and that is exclusively owned directly or indirectly by or for (or, in the case of a trust, the beneficiaries of which are) 2 or more natural persons who are related as siblings or spouse (including former spouses), or direct lineal descendants by birth, adoption, spouses of such persons, the estates of such persons, or foundations, charitable organizations or trusts established by or for the benefit of such persons;

 

c.                    A trust not covered by Section 2(a)(iii)(2)(b) above that was not formed for the purpose of acquiring interests in the Company, and as to which its trustee or other person authorized to make its decisions, and each settlor or other person who has contributed assets it, is a person described in Sections 2(a)(iii)(2)(a) or 2(a)(iii)(2)(b) above or Section 2(a)(iii)(2)(d) below;

 

 
 

 

d.                   Either (x) a person (i.e., either a natural person or an entity) acting for its own account, or for the accounts of other qualified purchasers, that in the aggregate owns and invests on a discretionary basis not less than $25,000,000 in Investments or (y) a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in paragraph (a) of Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act) meeting the requirements of Rule 2a51-1(g) under the Investment Company Act; or

 

e.                    A company all of the securities of which are beneficially owned by “qualified purchasers” as described in clauses Sections 2(a)(iii)(2)(a), 2(a)(iii)(2)(b), 2(a)(iii)(2)(c) or 2(a)(iii)(2)(d) above.

 

(3)                Purchaser has received, has thoroughly read, is familiar with and understands the contents of this Agreement.

 

(4)                Purchaser hereby acknowledges that an investment in the Purchased Shares involves certain significant risks. Purchaser acknowledges that there is a substantial risk that it will lose all or a portion of its investment and that it is financially capable of bearing the risk of such investment for an indefinite period of time. Purchaser has no need for liquidity in its investment in the Purchased Shares for the foreseeable future and is able to bear the risk of that investment for an indefinite period. Purchaser’s present financial condition is such that Purchaser is under no present or contemplated future need to dispose of any portion of the Purchased Shares purchased hereby to satisfy any existing or contemplated undertaking, need or indebtedness.

 

(5)                Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchased Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities act, and are being sold on the basis of exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities acts. Reliance on such exemptions, where applicable, is predicated in part on the accuracy of Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth herein. Purchaser acknowledges and hereby agrees that the Purchased Shares will not be transferable under any circumstances unless Purchased Shares are registered in accordance with federal and state securities laws or there exists and Purchaser complies with an available exemption under such laws. Accordingly, Purchaser hereby acknowledges that there can be no assurance that it will be able to liquidate its investment in the Company.

 

(6)                There are substantial risk factors pertaining to an investment in the Company. Purchaser acknowledges that it has read the information set forth above regarding certain of such risks and is familiar with the nature and scope of all such risks, including, without limitation, risks arising from the fact that the Company is an entity with limited operating history and financial resources; and Purchaser is fully able to bear the economic risks of such investment for an indefinite period, and can afford a complete loss thereof.

 

 
 

 

(7)                Purchaser has been given the opportunity to (i) ask questions of and receive answers from the Company and its designated representatives concerning the terms and conditions of the purchase of the Purchased Shares, the Company and the business and financial condition of the Company and (ii) obtain any additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to assist Purchaser in evaluating the advisability of the purchase of the Purchased Shares and an investment in the Company. Purchaser further represents and warrants that, prior to signing this Agreement, it has asked such questions, received such answers and obtained such information as it has deemed necessary or advisable to evaluate the merits and risks of the purchase of the Purchased Shares and an investment in the Company. Purchaser is not relying on any oral representation made by any person as to the Company or its operations, financial condition or prospects.

 

(8)                Purchaser understands that no federal, state or other governmental authority has made any recommendation, findings or determination relating to the merits of an investment in the Company.

 

(9)                Purchaser acknowledges that neither the Company, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the Company, the Purchased Shares or otherwise, other than the representations and warranties set forth herein.

 

(10)            Purchaser acknowledges its obligations under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the treatment of non-public information relating to the Company.

 

(b)                Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

 

(i)                  Organization . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(ii)                Power and Authority; Enforceability . This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity. The Company has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The Company has taken all actions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company.

 

(iii)              No Violation; Necessary Approvals . Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, nor the consummation or performance by the Company of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, will: (A) with or without notice or lapse of time or both, constitute, create or result in a breach or violation of, default under, loss of benefit or right under, termination, cancellation, suspension or modification of, or acceleration of performance of any obligation required under any (I) law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, ordinance, rule, regulation, executive order or other similar authority (“Law”) enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by any legislature, agency, bureau, branch, department, division, commission, court, tribunal or other similar recognized organization or body of any federal, state, county, municipal, local or foreign government or other similar recognized organization or body exercising similar powers or authority (each a, “ Governmental Authority ”), (II) order, ruling, decision, award, judgment, injunction or other similar determination or finding by, before or under the supervision of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator (collectively, “ Order ”), (III) contract or agreement, (IV) permit, license, certificate, waiver, filing, notice or authorization (collectively, “ Permit ”) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or any of its assets are subject, or (V) any provision of the Company’s organizational documents as in effect at the Merger Closing, (B) result in the imposition of any lien, claim or encumbrance upon any assets owned by the Company; (C) require any consent, approval, notification, waiver, or other similar action under any contract or agreement or organizational document to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; or (D) require any Permit under any Law or Order other than required filings, if any, with the Commission; or E) trigger any rights of first refusal, preemptive or preferential purchase or similar rights with respect to any of the Purchased Shares.

 

 
 

 

(iv)              Authorization of the Shares . The Purchased Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, the Purchased Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will be free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances, other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder, (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (iii) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of the Purchaser.

 

3.                   Conditions to Close .

 

(a)                Closing Conditions . The obligation of Purchaser to purchase shares of LAC Common Stock under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Merger Closing, of each of the following conditions, any of which, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, may be waived by Purchaser:

 

(i)                  the Merger Closing shall have occurred concurrently with the purchase of the Purchased Shares;

 

(ii)                all representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Merger Closing, and consummation of the Merger Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Company that all the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the Merger Closing;

 

(iii)              no Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect and has the effect of making consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

 
 

 

(iv)              the Company shall have delivered the Purchased Shares to Purchaser; and

 

(v)                Pleasant Lake Offshore Master Fund LP shall have consummated its investment in Levy Epic Acquisition Company II, LLC and the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement shall have been consummated.

 

4.                   Termination and Transferability.

 

(a)                Termination .

 

(i)                  This Agreement shall terminate at any time prior to the Merger Closing: (A) by mutual written consent of the Company and Purchaser; or (B) automatically upon any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement or the Merger Agreement prior to the Merger Closing. This Agreement shall also terminate if any of the closing conditions set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement are not satisfied at the Merger Closing and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated at the Merger Closing. The Company shall promptly notify Purchaser of the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement or the Merger Agreement promptly after the termination of either such agreement.

 

(ii)                In the event of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4, this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of Purchaser or the Company and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, managers, members, or stockholders and all rights and obligations of each party shall cease; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 4 shall relieve either party from liabilities or damages arising out of any fraud or willful breach by such party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement. Further upon such termination, the Company agrees to return, cause the return, or allow for the return of all funds provided by Purchaser in advance of the Merger Closing in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

(b)                Transferability . Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Purchased Shares are subject to restrictions on transferability as set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement and that the Purchased Shares may not be transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders’ Agreement.

 

5.                   Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                Survival of Representations and Warranties . All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Merger Closing.

 

(b)                Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with any documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto or referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

 
 

 

(c)                 Successors . Except as set forth in Section 5(d) below, all of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

(d)                Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this letter shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a party hereto; provided that DTH shall be an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement entitled to enforce its provisions directly.

 

(e)                 Assignments . Except as otherwise provided herein, Purchaser may not assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the Company. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 5(e) shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee.

 

(f)                 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(g)                Headings . The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(h)                Governing Law . This Agreement, the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its choice of laws principles.

 

(i)                  Waiver of Jury Trial . The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(j)                  Amendments . This Agreement and the Escrow Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto and DTH.

 

(k)                Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party hereto or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties hereto agree that the governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator making such determination will have the power to modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.

 

 
 

 

(l)                  Expenses . Each party hereto will bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants.

 

(m)              Construction . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign Law will be deemed also to refer to Law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

(n)                Waiver . No waiver by any party hereto of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent occurrence.

 

(o)                Confidentiality . Except as may be required by law, regulation or applicable stock exchange listing requirements or, unless and until the Merger is publicly announced, the parties hereto shall keep confidential and shall not publicly disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that Purchaser may disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement to its directors, officers, employees, members, agents, investors and potential investors who have a need to know such information and are advised of the obligations of this Section 5(o).

 

(p)                Trust Account Waiver . Purchaser acknowledges that the Company is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses or assets (a “ Business Combination ”). Purchaser further acknowledges that, as described in the Company’s prospectus dated November 13, 2013 (the “Prospectus”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of the Company’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “ Trust Account ”) for the benefit of the Company, certain of its public stockholders and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering. As described in the Prospectus, except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its franchise and income tax obligations, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only (i) to the Company in limited amounts from time to time in order to permit the Company to pay its operating expenses; (ii) if the Company completes the transactions which constitute a Business Combination, as defined in the Prospectus, then to those persons and in such amounts as described in the Prospectus; and (iii) if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the allotted time period and liquidates, subject to the terms of the trust agreement governing the Trust Account, to the Company in limited amounts to permit the Company to pay the costs and expenses of its liquidation and dissolution, and then to the Company’s public stockholders (as such term is defined in the agreement governing the Trust Account). For and in consideration of the Company entering into this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, affiliates and stockholders, hereby irrevocable waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they have or may have in the future in or to any monies in the Trust Account and agree not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom as a result of, or arising out of, this Agreement and any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company.

 

 
 

 

(q)                Voting . Purchaser agrees (i) to vote any public shares of the Company’s common stock that it may acquire prior to the consummation of the Merger in favor of the Merger and (ii) not to seek redemption of such shares in connection with the Merger.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  LEVY ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By:   /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
  Name: Steven C. Florsheim
  Title: Executive Vice President
     
  PURCHASER:
     
  DEL TACO SERIES, A SERIES OF PLEASANT LAKE OPPORTUNITIES FUND LP
     
  By:    /s/ Gerald Aquino
  Name: Gerald Aquino
  Title: CFO

 

[Signature Page to Common Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Common Stock Purchase Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), is entered into on March 11, 2015, between Levy Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Lime Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Lime Partners ”) and Belfer Investment Partners L.P. (“ Belfer ” and together with Lime Partners, each a “ Purchaser ” and collectively, the “ Purchasers ”).

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, (i) certain parties plan to enter into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“ Stock Purchase Agreement ”) by and between Levy Epic Acquisition Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Levy Newco ”), Levy Epic Acquisition Company II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Levy Newco II ”), Del Taco Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ DTH ”) and the stockholders of DTH identified therein and (ii) the Company plans to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“ Merger Agreement ”) by and between the Company, Levy Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ Merger Sub ”) and DTH;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall acquire shares of common stock of DTH (the “ DTH Stock ”);

 

WHEREAS, upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “ Merger Closing ”), Merger Sub will be merged with and into DTH (the “ Merger ”);

 

WHEREAS, as a part of the Merger, Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall receive shares of common stock in the Company (“ LAC Common Stock ”) in exchange for their shares of DTH Stock;

 

WHEREAS, immediately following the Merger Closing, each of Levy Newco and Levy Newco II shall be dissolved and the respective members (the “ Step One Purchasers ”) of each entity will receive LAC Common Stock previously held by each of Levy Newco and Levy Newco II in connection therewith; and

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth certain agreements with respect to the sale and purchase of shares of LAC Common Stock, upon the Merger Closing.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations, warranties and the covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                   Purchase and Sale of LAC Common Stock.

 

(a)                Purchase and Sale . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, effective at the Merger Closing:

 

 
 

 

(i)                  Each Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company and the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Purchasers the amount of shares of LAC Common Stock set forth on Schedule A hereto with respect to each Purchaser (collectively, the “ Purchased Shares ”), for an aggregate purchase price of Ten Million dollars ($10,000,000) (the “ Purchase Price ”), the relevant portions of which shall be paid by each of the Purchasers in the amounts set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name on Schedule A hereto.

 

(b)                Procedures . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement:

 

(i)                  Payment of Purchase Price . Purchasers shall pay or cause to be paid on the date hereof, their respective portions of the full amount of the Purchase Price, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to one or more accounts designated by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent under and as provided for in the Escrow Agreement executed by Purchasers and the Company on the date hereof (the “ Escrow Agreement ”).

 

(ii)                Certificates . At the Merger Closing, the Company shall deliver to Purchasers a certificate or certificates representing all of the Purchased Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder.

 

(iii)              Further Assurances . At the Merger Closing, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take such additional actions as the parties reasonably may deem to be practical and necessary in order to consummate the purchase and sale of the Purchased Shares as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(iv)              Legends . Each certificate evidencing the Purchased Shares and delivered to Purchasers in accordance herewith shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with legends in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND SAID LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS THEREOF.”

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND VOTING AND CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE INITIAL HOLDER HEREOF, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT SHALL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

(c)                 Stockholders’ Agreement . As of the date hereof, but effective as of the Merger Closing, the Company, Purchasers and certain other stockholders shall enter into the stockholders’ agreement approved in form by Levy Newco and Levy Newco II and applicable to the LAC Common Stock for the period following Merger Closing (the “ Stockholders’ Agreement ”) that provides, at a minimum, for the following: (A) “piggyback” registration rights for Purchasers and the Purchased Shares that are pari passu with the most favorable rights applicable to any Step One Purchaser and (B) transfer restrictions applicable to Purchasers that are pari passu with the least restrictive provisions applicable to any Step One Purchaser, including each of the Purchasers.

 

 
 

 

2.                   Representations and Warranties.

 

(a)                Representations and Warranties of Purchasers . Each of the Purchasers represents and warrants to the Company, as follows:

 

(i)                  Organization and Good Standing . Such Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing in its state of organization.

 

(ii)                Power and Authority; Enforceability . This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity. Such Purchaser has full entity power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. Such Purchaser has taken all actions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Purchaser.

 

(iii)              Investment Representations .

 

(1)                Such Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”).

 

(2)                Purchaser is a “qualified purchaser” with the meaning of Section 2(a)(51)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “ Investment Company Act ”) by virtue of the fact (A) if it is a company, partnership, trust or other entity that, but for the exception provided in Section 3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act, would be an investment company and was in existence prior to April 30, 1996, all of the pre-April 30, 1996 beneficial owners of the outstanding securities of such Purchaser have consented for the Investor to be treated as a “qualified purchaser, and (B) that it is:

 

a.                    A natural person who owns individually or jointly with his or her spouse not less than $5,000,000 in “Investments” (as defined in Rule 2a51-1(b) under the Investment Company Act;

 

b.                   A “family company” (i.e., any entity of any kind, including a trust) that owns not less than $5,000,000 in Investments and that is exclusively owned directly or indirectly by or for (or, in the case of a trust, the beneficiaries of which are) 2 or more natural persons who are related as siblings or spouse (including former spouses), or direct lineal descendants by birth, adoption, spouses of such persons, the estates of such persons, or foundations, charitable organizations or trusts established by or for the benefit of such persons;

 

 
 

 

c.                    A trust not covered by Section 2(a)(iii)(2)(b) above that was not formed for the purpose of acquiring interests in the Company, and as to which its trustee or other person authorized to make its decisions, and each settlor or other person who has contributed assets it, is a person described in Sections 2(a)(iii)(2)(a) or 2(a)(iii)(2)(b) above or Section 2(a)(iii)(2)(d) below;

 

d.                   Either (x) a person (i.e., either a natural person or an entity) acting for its own account, or for the accounts of other qualified purchasers, that in the aggregate owns and invests on a discretionary basis not less than $25,000,000 in Investments or (y) a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in paragraph (a) of Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act) meeting the requirements of Rule 2a51-1(g) under the Investment Company Act; or

 

e.                    A company all of the securities of which are beneficially owned by “qualified purchasers” as described in clauses Sections 2(a)(iii)(2)(a), 2(a)(iii)(2)(b), 2(a)(iii)(2)(c) or 2(a)(iii)(2)(d) above.

 

(3)                Such Purchaser has received, has thoroughly read, is familiar with and understands the contents of this Agreement.

 

(4)                Such Purchaser hereby acknowledges that an investment in its portion of the Purchased Shares involves certain significant risks. Such Purchaser acknowledges that there is a substantial risk that it will lose all or a portion of its investment and that it is financially capable of bearing the risk of such investment for an indefinite period of time. Such Purchaser has no need for liquidity in its investment in its portion of the Purchased Shares for the foreseeable future and is able to bear the risk of that investment for an indefinite period. Such Purchaser’s present financial condition is such that such Purchaser is under no present or contemplated future need to dispose of any portion of the Purchased Shares purchased hereby to satisfy any existing or contemplated undertaking, need or indebtedness.

 

(5)                Such Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchased Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any state securities act, and are being sold on the basis of exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities acts. Reliance on such exemptions, where applicable, is predicated in part on the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representations and warranties set forth herein. Such Purchaser acknowledges and hereby agrees that its portion of the Purchased Shares will not be transferable under any circumstances unless such Purchased Shares are registered in accordance with federal and state securities laws or there exists and such Purchaser complies with an available exemption under such laws. Accordingly, such Purchaser hereby acknowledges that there can be no assurance that it will be able to liquidate its investment in the Company.

 

(6)                There are substantial risk factors pertaining to an investment in the Company. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has read the information set forth above regarding certain of such risks and is familiar with the nature and scope of all such risks, including, without limitation, risks arising from the fact that the Company is an entity with limited operating history and financial resources; and such Purchaser is fully able to bear the economic risks of such investment for an indefinite period, and can afford a complete loss thereof.

 

 
 

 

(7)                Such Purchaser has been given the opportunity to (i) ask questions of and receive answers from the Company and its designated representatives concerning the terms and conditions of the purchase of its portion of the Purchased Shares, the Company and the business and financial condition of the Company and (ii) obtain any additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to assist such Purchaser in evaluating the advisability of the purchase of its portion of the Purchased Shares and an investment in the Company. Such Purchaser further represents and warrants that, prior to signing this Agreement, it has asked such questions, received such answers and obtained such information as it has deemed necessary or advisable to evaluate the merits and risks of the purchase of its portion of the Purchased Shares and an investment in the Company. Such Purchaser is not relying on any oral representation made by any person as to the Company or its operations, financial condition or prospects.

 

(8)                Such Purchaser understands that no federal, state or other governmental authority has made any recommendation, findings or determination relating to the merits of an investment in the Company.

 

(9)                Such Purchaser acknowledges that neither the Company, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the Company, the Purchased Shares or otherwise, other than the representations and warranties set forth herein.

 

(10)            Such Purchaser acknowledges its obligations under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to the treatment of non-public information relating to the Company.

 

(b)                Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to Purchasers as follows:

 

(i)                  Organization . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

(ii)                Power and Authority; Enforceability . This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting or relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity. The Company has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The Company has taken all actions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company.

 

 
 

 

(iii)              No Violation; Necessary Approvals . Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, nor the consummation or performance by the Company of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, will: (A) with or without notice or lapse of time or both, constitute, create or result in a breach or violation of, default under, loss of benefit or right under, termination, cancellation, suspension or modification of, or acceleration of performance of any obligation required under any (I) law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, ordinance, rule, regulation, executive order or other similar authority (“Law”) enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by any legislature, agency, bureau, branch, department, division, commission, court, tribunal or other similar recognized organization or body of any federal, state, county, municipal, local or foreign government or other similar recognized organization or body exercising similar powers or authority (each a, “ Governmental Authority ”), (II) order, ruling, decision, award, judgment, injunction or other similar determination or finding by, before or under the supervision of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator (collectively, “ Order ”), (III) contract or agreement, (IV) permit, license, certificate, waiver, filing, notice or authorization (collectively, “ Permit ”) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or any of its assets are subject, or (V) any provision of the Company’s organizational documents as in effect at the Merger Closing, (B) result in the imposition of any lien, claim or encumbrance upon any assets owned by the Company; (C) require any consent, approval, notification, waiver, or other similar action under any contract or agreement or organizational document to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; or (D) require any Permit under any Law or Order other than required filings, if any, with the Commission; or E) trigger any rights of first refusal, preemptive or preferential purchase or similar rights with respect to any of the Purchased Shares.

 

(iv)              Authorization of the Shares . The Purchased Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, the Purchased Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will be free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances, other than (i) transfer restrictions hereunder, (ii) transfer restrictions under federal and state securities laws, and (iii) liens, claims or encumbrances imposed due to the actions of the Purchasers.

 

3.                   Conditions to Close .

 

(a)                Closing Conditions . The obligation of Purchasers to purchase shares of LAC Common Stock under this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Merger Closing, of each of the following conditions, any of which, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, may be waived by either Purchaser:

 

(i)                  the Merger Closing shall have occurred concurrently with the purchase of the Purchased Shares;

 

(ii)                all representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Merger Closing, and consummation of the Merger Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Company that all the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the Merger Closing;

 

 
 

 

(iii)              no Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which is then in effect and has the effect of making consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(iv)              the Company shall have delivered the Purchased Shares to Purchasers; and

 

(v)                Each Purchaser shall have consummated its investment in Levy Epic Acquisition Company II, LLC and the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement shall have been consummated.

 

4.                   Termination and Transferability.

 

(a)                Termination .

 

(i)                  This Agreement shall terminate at any time prior to the Merger Closing: (A) by mutual written consent of the Company and Purchasers; or (B) automatically upon any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement or the Merger Agreement prior to the Merger Closing. This Agreement shall also terminate if any of the closing conditions set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement are not satisfied at the Merger Closing and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated at the Merger Closing. The Company shall promptly notify Purchasers of the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement or the Merger Agreement promptly after the termination of either such agreement.

 

(ii)                In the event of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4, this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of Purchasers or the Company and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, managers, members, or stockholders and all rights and obligations of each party shall cease; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 4 shall relieve either party from liabilities or damages arising out of any fraud or willful breach by such party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement. Further upon such termination, the Company agrees to return, cause the return, or allow for the return of all funds provided by Purchasers in advance of the Merger Closing in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

(b)                Transferability . Each Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Purchased Shares are subject to restrictions on transferability as set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement and that the Purchased Shares may not be transferred or otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the terms of the Stockholders’ Agreement.

 

5.                   Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                Survival of Representations and Warranties . All of the representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Merger Closing.

 

 
 

 

(b)                Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with any documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto or referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c)                 Successors . Except as set forth in Section 5(d) below, all of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties, and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

(d)                Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this letter shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a party hereto; provided that DTH shall be an intended third party beneficiary of this Agreement entitled to enforce its provisions directly.

 

(e)                 Assignments . Except as otherwise provided herein, neither Purchaser may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the Company. Any purported assignment in violation of this Section 5(e) shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee.

 

(f)                 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(g)                Headings . The section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(h)                Governing Law . This Agreement, the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its choice of laws principles.

 

(i)                  Waiver of Jury Trial . The parties hereto hereby waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any litigation pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(j)                  Amendments . This Agreement and the Escrow Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto and DTH.

 

(k)                Severability . The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof; provided that if any provision of this Agreement, as applied to any party hereto or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the parties hereto agree that the governmental authority, arbitrator, or mediator making such determination will have the power to modify the provision in a manner consistent with its objectives such that it is enforceable, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision will then be enforceable and will be enforced.

 

 
 

 

(l)                  Expenses . Each party hereto will bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants.

 

(m)              Construction . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign Law will be deemed also to refer to Law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The parties hereto intend that each representation, warranty, and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If any party hereto has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which such party hereto has not breached will not detract from or mitigate the fact that such party hereto is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant.

 

(n)                Waiver . No waiver by any party hereto of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent occurrence.

 

(o)                Confidentiality . Except as may be required by law, regulation or applicable stock exchange listing requirements or, unless and until the Merger is publicly announced, the parties hereto shall keep confidential and shall not publicly disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that each Purchaser may disclose the existence and terms of this Agreement to its directors, officers, employees, members, agents, investors and potential investors who have a need to know such information and are advised of the obligations of this Section 5(o).

 

(p)                Trust Account Waiver . Each Purchaser acknowledges that the Company is a blank check company with the powers and privileges to effect a merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses or assets (a “ Business Combination ”). Each Purchaser further acknowledges that, as described in the Company’s prospectus dated November 13, 2013 (the “Prospectus”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of the Company’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “ Trust Account ”) for the benefit of the Company, certain of its public stockholders and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering. As described in the Prospectus, except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its franchise and income tax obligations, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only (i) to the Company in limited amounts from time to time in order to permit the Company to pay its operating expenses; (ii) if the Company completes the transactions which constitute a Business Combination, as defined in the Prospectus, then to those persons and in such amounts as described in the Prospectus; and (iii) if the Company fails to complete a Business Combination within the allotted time period and liquidates, subject to the terms of the trust agreement governing the Trust Account, to the Company in limited amounts to permit the Company to pay the costs and expenses of its liquidation and dissolution, and then to the Company’s public stockholders (as such term is defined in the agreement governing the Trust Account). For and in consideration of the Company entering into this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Purchaser, on behalf of itself and its directors, officers, affiliates and stockholders, hereby irrevocable waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they have or may have in the future in or to any monies in the Trust Account and agree not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom as a result of, or arising out of, this Agreement and any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company.

 

 
 

 

(q)                Voting . Each Purchaser agrees (i) to vote any public shares of the Company’s common stock that it may acquire prior to the consummation of the Merger in favor of the Merger and (ii) not to seek redemption of such shares in connection with the Merger.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

  COMPANY:
     
  LEVY ACQUISITION CORP.
     
  By:    /s/ Steven C. Florsheim
  Name: Steven C. Florsheim
  Title: Executive Vice President
     
  PURCHASERS:
     
  BELFER INVESTMENT PARTNERS L.p.
     
  By:     /s/ Laurence D. Belfer
  Name: Laurence D. Belfer
  Title: Manager of the GP
     
  LIME PARTNERS, LLC
     
  By:    /s/ Eileen Aptman
  Name: Eileen Aptman
  Title: Manager

 

[Signature Page to Common Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

 
 

 

†The exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Investor Presentation March 2015

 
 

 

This Investor Presentation (the “Investor Presentation”) is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to purchase any equity, debt or other financial instruments of Del Taco Holdings, Inc . (“ Del Taco” or the "Company") or Levy Acquisition Corporation (“Levy”) or any of Del Taco’s or Levy’s affiliates' securities (as such term is defined under the U . S . Federal Securities Laws) . This Investor Presentation has been prepared to assist interested parties in making their own evaluation with respect to the proposed business combination of Del Taco and Levy and for no other purpose . The information contained herein does not purport to be all - inclusive . The data contained herein is derived from

 
 

various internal and external sources . No representation is made as to the reasonableness of the assumptions made within or the accuracy or completeness of any projections, modelling or back - testing or any other information contained herein . All levels, prices and spreads are historical and do not represent current market levels, prices or spreads, some or all of which may have changed since the issuance of this document . Any data on past performance, modeling or back - testing contained herein is no indication as to future performance . Del Taco and Levy assume no obligation to update the information in this Investor Presentation . Forward - Looking Statements This Investor Presentation includes financial forecasts, projections, and other forward - looking statements regarding Del Taco, its business and prospects that, unless other indicated, were provided by Del Taco to Levy, and are within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 . Forward - looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “plan”, “outlook”, “target”, and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters . Such forward - looking statements with respect to revenues, earnings, performance, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the businesses of Levy, Del Taco and the combined company after completion of the proposed business combination are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties . Accordingly , actual results and performance may materially differ from results or performance expressed or implied by the forward - looking statements . These factors include, but are not limited to : ( 1 ) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger for the business combination (the “Business Combination Agreement”) ; ( 2 ) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Levy, Del Taco or others following announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and transactions contemplated therein ; ( 3 ) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of the Levy or other conditions to closing in the Business Combination Agreement ; ( 4 ) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein ; ( 5 ) the ability of Del Taco to meet its financial and strategic goals, due to, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitability, maintain relationships with suppliers and obtain adequate supply of products and retain its key employees ; ( 6 ) costs related to the proposed business combination ; ( 7 ) changes in applicable laws or regulations ; ( 8 ) the possibility that Del Taco may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors ; and ( 9 ) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) by Levy . You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward - looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and Levy and Del Taco undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward - looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise . Financial Presentation This presentation includes non - GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA . EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) plus depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA ”) . Non - GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), measures such as net income, operating income, net cash flows provided by operating activities or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance . Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income (loss) before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization and items that we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance . A reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for Fiscal 2013 and 2012 is set forth in the Appendix on page 28 . Furthermore, “Enterprise value” represents total enterprise value, which is calculated as equity value plus debt outstanding minus cash . For purposes of calculating Enterprise value, we have assumed that post Step 2 the enterprise value ( 1 ) will be $ 558 million . Disclaimer (1) Includes all estimated fees & expenses and founders shares . Excludes founder share earnout of 0.975 million shares that are subject to forfeiture . 1

Del Taco believes that these non - GAAP measures of financial results provide useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to Del Taco’s financial condition and results of operations . Del Taco’s management uses these non - GAAP measures to compare Del Taco’s performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses, for purposes of determining management incentive compensation, and for budgeting and planning purposes . These measures are used in monthly financial reports prepared for management and Del Taco’s board of directors . Del Taco believes that the use of these non - GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing

 
 

Del Taco’s financial measure with other similar companies, many of which present similar non - GAAP financial measures to investors . Management of Del Taco does not consider these non - GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP . The principal limitation of these non - GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Del Taco’s financial statements . In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management about which expenses and income are excluded or included in determining these non - GAAP financial measures . In order to compensate for these limitations, management presents non - GAAP financial measures in connection with GAAP results . You should review Del Taco’s audited financial statements, which will be presented in Levy’s preliminary proxy statement to be filed with the SEC, and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Del Taco’s business . The delivery of this this Investor Presentation does not at any time imply that there has been no change in the operations, financial condition, prospects, creditworthiness and status or affairs of Levy or Del Taco since the date shown on this document . Levy and Del Taco do not accept any liability whatsoever for any losses arising from the use of this document or reliance on the information contained herein . Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute investment, legal, tax, financial, accounting or other advice . Additional Information In connection with the proposed business combination between Del Taco and Levy, Levy intends to file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement and will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to Levy stockholders . This presentation does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination . It is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the proposed business combination . Levy stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement and any amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with Levy’s solicitation of proxies for the special meeting to be held to approve the transactions contemplated by the proposed business combination because these materials will contain important information about Del Taco, Levy and the proposed transactions . The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to Levy stockholders as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed business combination when it becomes available . Stockholders will also be able to obtain a copy of the preliminary proxy statement and definitive proxy statement once they are available, without charge, at the SEC’s website at http : //sec . gov or by directing a request to : Levy Acquisition Corp . , 444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3500 , Chicago, IL 60611 , attention : Sophia Stratton . This presentation shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination . Participants in the Solicitation Levy and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to Levy’s stockholders with respect to the transaction . A list of the names of those directors and officers and a description of their interests in Levy is contained in Levy’s proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on November 21 , 2014 , and will also be contained in the preliminary proxy statement for the proposed business combination when it is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission . Disclaimer (Continued) 2

Today’s Presenters Management Background Paul J.B. Murphy , III President & CEO ▪ Joined Del Taco in 2009 ▪ Former CEO & President of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group ▪ More than 30 years of restaurant experience with a focus on limited service chains and a proven track record for brand growth, strategic planning and operations Larry Levy Chairman of the Board ▪ Co - Founder and Former Chairman of Levy Restaurants, an international food service organization with over $ 1.0 billion in annual revenue ▪ Founder and Managing Partner of Levy Family Partners that has made over 200 investments (including 30 in the restaurant/hospitality industry) Steven L. Brake EVP & CFO ▪ Joined Del Taco in 2003 and was promoted to CFO in 2010 ▪ Previously worked at both Arthur Andersen and KPMG

 
 

LLP John D. Cappasola , Jr . EVP & Chief Brand Officer ▪ Joined Del Taco in 2008 and was promoted to Chief Brand Officer in 2011 ▪ Previously spent 16 years with Blockbuster in strategic marketing and concept development, field marketing and various operational roles Ari Levy President & Chief Investment Officer of LAC ▪ Managing Partner of Levy Family Partners ▪ Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Lakeview Investment Group, a multi - strategy hedge fund 3

Larry Levy: Proven Leader & Experienced Restaurateur Larry Levy Co - Founded Levy Restaurants in 1978 and Grew It from a Single Chicago Delicatessen into an International Food Service Company that Generates over $ 1 Billion Dollars in Revenue . Operational and Investing Experience  Deep restaurant and real estate experience focused on : ─ Guiding strategic decisions and growth ─ Credibly and creatively enhancing marketing strategy ─ Nurturing company culture ─ Leveraging vast global network to further develop strategic relationships Proven Ability as a Value Added Partner Food Service 4

 
 

Levy Acquisition Corp. to Merge with Del Taco  On March 11, 2015, Levy Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:“LEVY”) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Del Taco through the merger of a subsidiary into Del Taco. LEVY will continue to be listed on NASDAQ post business combination  Acquisition has been structured to de - risk closing by means of a two - step transaction: ─ Step 1: A $120 million investment by the Levy family and strategic investors for an approximate 46% equity ownership in Del Taco at a $500 million enterprise value before transaction fees & expenses ─ Step 2: LEVY will simultaneously enter into a definitive merger agreement for consideration reflecting the same valuation as the Step 1 investment ─ Private Placement: Concurrent with the merger of Del Taco with a subsidiary of LEVY there will be a

 
 

private placement of an additional $35 million of unregistered shares at $10.00 per share, which implies an enterprise value (1) of $558 million or less than 9.0x EV / 2015E Adjusted EBITDA (2) (1) Includes all estimated fees & expenses and founders shares . Excludes founder share earnout of 0.975 million shares that are subject to forfeiture . (2) Adjusted EBITDA represents a non - GAAP measure of financial results and reflects net income (loss) before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization and items that we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance . 5

Agenda ▪ Investment Highlights ▪ Financial Overview ▪ Transaction Overview ▪ Appendix 6

 
 

 
 

Investment Highlights ▪ Leading Mexican QSR Chain with Loyal Following ▪ Successful New Brand Strategy “Combined Solutions” in Early Stages ▪ Our Position: We Start with Fresh & Serve with Value ▪ Our Food: Un Freshing Believable® ▪ Our Menu: Diverse Menu Targets Broad Consumer Base ▪ Our Price: High Quality Food at a Tremendous Value ▪ Significant Whitespace for Growth in Both Core and New Markets ▪ Attractive Financial Profile ▪ Proven & Experienced Management Team Delivering Results 7

Del Taco at a Glance (1) Based on unit count. ▪ #2 Mexican QSR concept in the U.S. (1) ▪ Regional icon on West Coast ▪ Differentiated menu showcases a mix of Mexican - inspired cuisine and American classics Our Concept Positioned for Growth ▪ Attractive balance of traffic and check growth driving sales momentum ▪ Strong unit economics ▪ Optimized balance sheet FY2014E Key Statistics ▪ System - wide sales of $656 million ▪ 304 Company / 243 Franchised Restaurants ▪ $1.2 million System - wide Average Unit Volume ▪ $ 6.49 System - wide Average Check ▪ 10 consecutive quarters of Company - owned SSS Growth Regional Icon with Whitespace for Growth Significant Same Store Sales (“SSS”) Momentum 1.5 % 0.9 % 0.4 % 2.0 % 0.4 % 3.8 % 4.6 % 4.9 % 5.6 % 5.9 % 0.8% (0.2

 
 

%) (1.7%) (0.1%) (1.3%) 2.7% 3.9% 4.6% 5.6% 5.6% Q3 2012 Q4 2012 Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Company-owned Franchised Implemented Combined Solutions 243 122 39 1 3 7 3 34 6 28 22 5 12 2 2 6 1 2 5 1 2 Company - owned: 304 Franchised: 242 (1 ) (1) Excludes one franchised restaurant in Guam. 8

Brand Positioning: We Start with Fresh & Serve with Value Del Taco Combines the Best Attributes from both QSR and Fast Casual. We call this QSR+ Quick Service: Speed of Service and Value Proposition Fast Casual High Quality Food and Dining Experience Strong Value Proposition Convenience & Speed Drive - Thru Option 24 - Hour Service Model Working Kitchen Fresh Ingredients High Quality Food Differentiated Service QSR Fast Casual QSR + 9

Mexican QSR System - wide Units (2) Attractive Positioning in the Growing Mexican Category System wide Sales ($millions) $7,800 $656 $658 $330 $192 $303 $93 $78 5,769 546 405 402 174 174 156 129 Source : Industry data provided by Technomic Top 500 report . (1) Represents Del Taco’s U.S. footprint. Excludes 1 franchised restaurant in Guam. (2) Del Taco, Taco Bell, Taco John’s, El Pollo Loco, Taco Bueno and Taco Cabana unit counts / system - wide sales are as of the end of calendar year 2014. Remaining Mexican QSR chains are from the Technomic Top 500 2014 report reflecting 2013 results. (1) Value / Affordability Quality Positioned at the Intersection of Quality & Value  Mexican limited service restaurants (“LSR”) sales are outperforming the broader restaurant industry  D

 
 

el Taco has a differentiated QSR + positioning with advantages over Taco Bell and Chipotle ─ Exceeds QSR standards by offering a high quality, fresh made - to - order menu ─ Advantages over Fast Casual concepts with superior convenience, speed and value proposition ($Billions) $16.9 $18.0 $18.9 2012 2013 2014E Top 500 LSR Mexican Sales $223.1 $231.0 $237.5 2012 2013 2014E Top 500 Total LSR Sales Favorable Industry Tailwinds 10

Significant Unit Growth Opportunity Source: Public company filings. (1) Based on internal analysis and research conducted by third parties . (2) Excludes 1 franchised restaurant in Guam. Percentage of Domestic Potential Unit Growth Remaining 92% 83% 82% 73% 68% 60% 56% 28% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1,600 Unit Potential 2,000 2,500 2,300 2,000 4,000 8,000 20,000 # of States 16 16 32 5 47 44 40 50 Units 126 546 (2) 425 405 641 1,755 8,082 5,769 (1) 11

 
 

 

Source: Public company filings. Note: Weighted QSR average includes Burger King, Jack in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s, Popeye’s, Sonic, Taco Bell and Wendy’s . Weighted averaged based on unit count. Accelerating Financial Performance Across the System 1.5% 0.9% 0.4% 2.0% 0.4% 3.8% 4.6% 4.9% 5.6% 5.9% 0.8% (0.2%) (1.7%) (0.1%) (1.3%) 2.7% 3.9% 4.6% 5.6% 5.6% Q3 2012 Q4 2012 Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Company-operated Franchised Weighted QSR Average Same Store Sales Momentum Driven by Attractive Balance of Growth in Traffic and Check 12

 
 

Accelerating Operations Improvements Best Practice Improvement Fresh Value Pricing Platform New Engagement Platform & Advertising Campaign Guest Experience Measurement Menu and New Product Development Ambience Shake - Up Reimaged Stores with New Fresh Image Create a dramatically better guest experience Elevate the brand promise through new positioning, products and branded platforms Foundation of Our Model: Combined Solutions Holistic Strategy Implemented in April 2013 that was Designed to Leverage Brand Strengths & Align Guest Experiences with an Elevated Brand Promise 13

 
 

Our Food: Fresh and High Quality  High quality food made - to - order from a working kitchen ─ Marinated chicken freshly grilled in restaurant ─ 100% real cheddar cheese grated fresh daily ─ Whole pinto beans slow cooked in our kitchens ─ Salsa made from scratch with fresh tomatoes and cilantro 14

 
 

Priced at a Discount to Both QSR and Fast Casual Competitors… $10.93 $10.17 $7.20 $6.83 $6.49 Sources: Average check data is from public company filings (JACK) and NPD (CMG and Taco Bell). Our Price: Compelling Value Proposition Average Check 1

 
 

 
 

High Quality Food at a Tremendous Value Source : Self - conducted survey of Los Angeles restaurant prices as of February 2015 and are subject to change. Freshly grilled chicken, seasoned black beans, diced onions, fresh cilantro, and handmade pico de gallo, served over Fresca Lime rice Pollo Asado Grilled Chicken Bowl Chicken Cantina Bowl Menu Item Descriptio n Price $4.00 Fire - grilled chicken , lettuce , guacamole, pico de gallo , avocado ranch dressing, cheddar cheese and cool sour cream, all served with Latin rice and black beans Chicken Burrito Bowl $5.51 $6.70 Freshly grilled chicken, choice of cilantro - lime rice, pinto or black beans , salsa, cheese and sour cream Grilled Chicken Taco Chicken Soft Taco Freshly grilled, marinated chicken, savory secret sauce, crisp lettuce, and freshly hand - grated cheddar cheese, in a warm flour tortilla Menu Item Descriptio n Price $1.00 A warm, soft flour tortilla filled with shredded chicken, topped with crisp lettuce and real cheddar cheese Chicken Burrito $1.79 $6.70 Flour tortilla, choice of cilantro - lime rice, pinto or black beans, grilled chicken, salsa and cheese or sour cream Epic Chicken Chipotle Ranch Marinated grilled chicken, fresca lime rice, tangy chipotle and cool ranch sauces, crisp bacon, freshly - grated cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, tangy guacamole and handmade pico de gallo salsa $4.99 2

Our Menu: Something for All Budgets and Dining Occasions Tiered Menu Strategy Designed to Drive Traffic and Grow Average Check  Caters to diverse preferences and budgets, capturing a broad consumer base irrespective of macroeconomic climate  Leverages branded platforms to provide consumers with strong variety while enabling pricing flexibility and margin growth  Each tier provides great value (price, flavor, quality, abundance) and targets specific guest segments Compelling Value to Consumers Product Innovation Platforms Buck & Under® Leverages Price Variety to Drive Traffic and Build Check Profit Growth Mid - Tier Leverages Variety and Targets Occasions to Grow Check Premium Leverages Freshness and Quality to Drive New Growth 3

 
 

Advertising Campaign: Un Freshing Believable® High Quality Food Fresh Ingredients Working Kitchen Value Affordability Speed & Convenience Changing the Conversation Surrounding Del Taco from Price Value to Quality… We Start with Fresh… …And Serve with Value “I’ve been going to Del Taco for years and I didn’t know they prepared the food fresh, on site… unbelievable .” - Food for Fueler “A freshly prepared bean and cheese burrito for $0.69, that’s unbelievable .” - Fast Food Fanatic “A 42 pound block of cheese, shredded throughout the day? Unbelievable .” - Fast Food Fanatic Latent Strengths Known Strengths In the Restaurant… On the Packaging… And in External Marketing Crunchtada  Pa ckaging     Featured  #Crunchtada  to  fur ther  con s umer  enga g ement   Crunchtada  Pa ckaging     Featured  #Crunchtada  to

 
 

 fur ther  con s umer  enga g ement   Featured #CrunChtada to Further Consumer engagement 4

Creating a Better Guest Experience  We significantly improved overall guest satisfaction and generated higher likelihood to return and recommend scores among targeted guest segments through operations - focused Combined Solutions elements Best Practice Improvement Accelerating Operations Improvement Guest Experience Measurement Dramatic Top Box Improveme nt Guest Top Box Rating Improvement 5

 
 

 

 

 
 

Brand Messaging Supported by Substantially Reimaged System  Ambience Shake - Up: High impact restaurant reimage program focused on critical guest - facing elements ─ Exterior refresh and interior upgrades signaled change and communicated Fresh, Quality and Value  100% of Company - owned restaurants completed by Summer 2013 and 85% of system - wide restaurants reimaged to date Revitalized Exteriors Visual “Freshness Cues” More Inviting Dining Space 6

Financial Overview 7

 
 

Historical Financial Summary $345.6 $356.3 $380.8 $14.5 $14.7 $15.2 $360.1 $371.0 $396.0 2012 2013 2014E Franchise Revenue and Sublease Income Company Restaurant Sales Total Revenue ($millions) $59.6 $64.8 $71.2 17.2% 18.2% 18.7% 2012 2013 2014E Restaurant Contribution and Margin ($millions) $52.0 $55.6 $58.8 14.4% 15.0% 14.9% 2012 2013 2014E Adjusted EBITDA (1) and Margin ($millions) SSS % (C0 / FR) 0.0% / (0.3%) 1.8% / 0.2% 5.3% / 5.2% (1) Adjusted EBITDA represents a non - GAAP measure of financial results and reflects net income (loss) before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization and items that we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance. Please refer to the Appendix for Fiscal 2013 and 2012 reconciliation schedules. (2) Estimated adjusted 2014

 
 

EBITDA is preliminary. A reconciliation of actual adjusted 2014 EBITDA will be included in the forthc omi ng proxy expected to be filed with the SEC in March 2015. (3) Defined as (Adjusted EBITDA – Capex) / Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA (1) Less Capex and % Conversion (3) ($millions) $21.9 $33.3 $41.4 42.2% 59.9% 70.4% 2012 2013 2014E (2) (2) 8

Transaction Overview 9

 
 

Transaction Overview: Designed to De - Risk Merger Transaction Summary  Completion of Step 1 expected in mid - to - late March  Preliminary proxy statement expected to be filed with SEC in mid - to - late March  Shareholder Vote and Completion of Step 2 expected in June 2015 Timing  Del Taco has signed a definitive merger agreement to merge with a subsidiary of Levy Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:“LEVY”). The merged company will retain Del Taco’s name  Transaction is uniquely structured to de - risk the closing by means of a two - step transaction Step 1: Recapitalization of Del Taco Step 2: Public Merger Resulting in Del Taco Becoming Publicly Traded  Del Taco will merge with a subsidiary of LEVY at the same valuation as the Levy Syndicate investment  Upon closing of the merger, private investors will

 
 

invest an additional $35 million at $10.00 per share into the merged company, which will be used to fund the cash portion of the merger consideration . At $10.00 per share, the transaction implies an enterprise value (1) of $558 million or less than 9.0x 2015 Adj. EBITDA for the merged company  Our $150 million of cash in Trust, after redemptions, will be used according to the following waterfall: 1 st : Pay Step 2 transaction fees and expenses (estimated to be $22 million) 2 nd : Acquire up to $60 million of incremental shares of Del Taco from current Del Taco shareholders 3 rd : General corporate purposes including potential further pay down of senior debt  The Levy Family and a group of strategic investors (“Levy Syndicate”) will privately invest $120 million in Del Taco as part of the Step 1 recapitalization  This investment will be exchanged for common stock in LEVY valued at $10.00 per share at the closing of the merger. The Levy Syndicate will receive 100% stock proceeds and are not accepting any cash consideration in the merger  The majority of Step 1 proceeds, including $35 million of additional senior debt, will be used to retire approximately $111 million 13% PIK Subordinated Notes and help strengthen Del Taco’s balance sheet. The remaining portion of the Levy Syndicate investment will be used to acquire common stock from current shareholders of Del Taco (1) Includes all estimated fees & expenses and founders shares. Excludes founder share earnout of 0.975 million shares that are s ubj ect to forfeiture. 10

 
 

Illustrative Transaction Terms Step 1 - Sources and Uses (Estimated) Capitalization (1) (Estimated) Pro Forma Ownership (1) (Estimated) 8.5% 11.2% 31.0% 9.3% 40.0% Levy Family Existing Del Taco Shareholders Step 1 Investors Private Placement Investors LAC Public Shareholders (5) (1) Excludes founder share earnout of 0.975 million shares that are subject to forfeiture. (2) Includes 1.4 million of founders shares. (3) Includes 1.4 million of founders shares. (4) Does not include founders shares. (5) Assumes share price of $10.00 for shares outstanding . Step 2 - Sources and Uses (Estimated) Sources of Funds ($millions) LAC Cash in Trust $150 Additional New Investor Equity 35 Issuance of New Unregistered Shares 197 Total Sources of Funds $382 Uses of Funds ($millions) Estimated Cash for Redemptions $0 Step 2 Fees & Expenses 22 Reduce Seller Roll-over Equity 95 Potential Term Loan Paydown 68 Exchanging Del Taco Holdings for LAC 197 Total Uses of Funds $382 Shares (millions) Dollar Value ($millions) Levy Family 3.2 32 Existing Del Taco Shareholders 4.2 42 Step 1 Investors 11.6 116 Private Placement Investors 3.5 35 LAC Public Shareholders 15.0 150 Total Equity 37.5 $375 Revolver and Term Loan, Net of cash $165 Capital Leases 18 Total Debt $183 Total Capitalization $558 (2) (3) Sources of Funds ($millions) Rollover Term Loan, Net of Cash $198 Revolver 10 Term Loan Add-on 25 New Investor Equity 120 Seller Rollover Equity 137 Rollover Capital Leases 18 Total Sources of Funds $508 Uses of Funds ($millions) Rollover Term Loan, Net of Cash $198 Rollover Capital Leases 18 Pay-off Subordinated Debt 111 Purchase Shares of Del Taco (Seller Cash-out) 29 Remaining Equity Value Rollover 137 Estimated Tax Withholding on Vested Management Equity 7 Step 1 Fees & Expenses 8 Total Uses of Funds $508 (4) (2) (3) (4) 11

Comparable Company Analysis EV / 2015E Adjusted EBITDA <9.0x 20.1x 17.7x 17.5x 16.5x 14.5x 13.3x 12.4x 114.1x 40.6x 34.7x 10.6x 18.8x 13.1x 11.6x 0.0x 15.0x 30.0x 45.0x 60.0x 75.0x Primary Median: 16.5x High Growth Fast Casual Median: 37.7x Other QSR Median: 13.1x 120.0x Sources: Capital IQ and equity research estimates as of March 11, 2015. 12

 
 

Appendix 13

 
 

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation ($Thousands) Fiscal Year Ended 2013 2012 Net Loss $(6,539) $(8,222) Non - GAAP adjustments: Provision for income taxes 80 1,940 Interest expense, net 35,613 38,291 Depreciation and amortization 19,851 17,699 EBITDA $49,005 $49,708 Stock based compensation expense (1) 1,290 3,087 Loss on Disposal of Assets (2) 209 35 Restaurant Closure Charges, net (3) 298 716 Debt Modification Costs (4) 4,178 - Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability (5) 33 (2,634) Pre - opening Costs (6) 596 1,080 Adjusted EBITDA $55,609 $51,992 (1) Includes non - cash, stock - based compensation. (2) Loss on disposal of assets includes the loss on disposal of assets related to retirements and replacement or write - off of leaseh old improvements or equipment. (3) Includes cost

 

s related to closing restaurants. (4) Includes costs associated with our debt refinancing in April 2013. (5) Relates to our fair value adjustments to the outstanding warrants issued to GSMP . (6) Pre - opening costs consist of costs directly associated with the opening of new restaurants and incurred prior to opening, includ ing restaurant labor, supplies, rent expense and other related pre - opening costs. These are generally incurred over the three to five months prior to opening . 14

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release

 

Del Taco Holdings, Inc. and Levy Acquisition Corp.

Announce Execution of Merger Agreement

In Business Combination, Del Taco to List on NASDAQ

 

Restaurateur Larry Levy to Assume Chairmanship of Merged Company

 

Del Taco Executive Management Team to Continue Leading Company

 

Companies to Conduct Joint Investor Conference Call Today at 12:00 p.m. ET

 

 

Lake Forest, CA and Chicago, IL. March 12, 2015 – Del Taco Holdings, Inc. (“Del Taco” or the “Company”), the second largest Mexican-American QSR chain by units in the United States, operating restaurants under the name Del Taco®, and Levy Acquisition Corp. (“LAC”) (NASDAQ CM: LEVY, LEVYW, and LEVYU) announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Del Taco will become the sole direct subsidiary of LAC (the “Merger”). Immediately following the Merger, LAC intends to change its name to Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. and will continue to trade on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

 

Prior to the Merger, Restaurateur Larry Levy’s family and other new investors (“LLI”) will make a private investment of $120 million in the equity of Del Taco. Upon the closing of LLI’s equity investment and prior to Del Taco’s Merger with LAC, Mr. Levy will become Chairman of the Del Taco Board of Directors and partner with management to oversee the Company’s growth and brand building. The LLI purchase price is based on a $500 million enterprise value for Del Taco, excluding transaction costs.

 

At the Merger, a subsidiary of LAC will merge into Del Taco so that Del Taco becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of LAC. LAC will acquire Del Taco at the same implied enterprise value as that reflected in LLI’s purchase price. The completion of the proposed business combination is subject to LAC stockholder approval and a limited number of other closing conditions. LAC expects the Merger will be completed in June 2015.

 

 

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Larry Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LAC, commented, “We have been searching to acquire a growing restaurant brand for over a year and when we focused on the iconic Del Taco, we knew it was perfect. The Del Taco brand is well known in Southern California, where it originated in 1964. Del Taco and its franchisees now operate approximately 550 Mexican-American restaurants in 16 states, with the largest concentration of stores in the Pacific Southwest. Del Taco owns just over 300 of the stores with the balance of its system owned and operated by franchisees. I loved the food immediately and quickly understood why Del Taco is considered one of the classic cult brands and has such a loyal following. Del Taco’s menu has fresh, high quality items consisting of classic Mexican-inspired dishes such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas and nachos alongside traditional American favorites including hamburgers and crinkle-cut fries at a great value. To me, it offers the quality and freshness found at Fast Casual concepts but with an average check price that is more typical of a QSR.”

 

Paul Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Del Taco, said, “We are very excited to be partnering with Larry Levy and LAC. We have always offered the food people crave at a great value but in the last few years we changed the conversation to showcase our working kitchen, our fresh ingredients, and the amount of food preparation that takes place in every store every day – from grilling fresh marinated chicken and chopping vegetables to grating cheese from 40-pound blocks of Cheddar and slow-cooking whole pinto beans from scratch. The results to date have surpassed our expectations with growing average unit volumes and substantial margin improvement. In Del Taco’s Company-owned stores, we have posted 10 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales driven by balanced traffic and check growth.”

 

Del Taco Brand Highlights

 

Ø Second largest US-based Mexican-American QSR chain by number of units, with 547 restaurants across 16 states as of December 30 th , 2014, with a balance of Company-operated and franchised restaurants.
Ø Differentiated QSR+ positioning, delivering speed, convenience and price points typical of QSR with a high quality, fresh menu, and working kitchen typical of Fast Casual.
Ø Long-term growth opportunity with significant white space both in established and emerging markets with a potential long-term footprint of 2,000 restaurants.
Ø 2014 system-wide sales of $656.1 million (5.4% year-over-year growth).
Ø 2014 system-wide same store sales of 5.2% driven by both traffic and check growth.
Ø 2014 System-wide average unit volume (“AUV”) of $1.2 million.
Ø Implementation of Del Taco’s Combined Solutions strategy in 2013 included a system-wide reimage program, which has helped to reposition the brand, contributing to the acceleration of same store sales.

 

 

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Del Taco Management Team

 

The Del Taco management team, headed by Paul J.B. Murphy, III, President and Chief Executive Officer, Steven L. Brake, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, John D. Cappasola, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer; and David Pear, Senior Vice President, Operations, is expected to continue to lead Del Taco following the consummation of the business combination agreement with LAC and will be provided long-term performance-based incentives to ensure tenure and strategic alignment of interests with public stockholders.

 

LAC Leadership Team

 

Restaurant industry veteran Larry Levy is expected to serve as the Chairman of Del Taco’s Board of Directors beginning in March.  Mr. Levy co-founded Levy Restaurants in 1978 and grew it from a single Chicago delicatessen into an international food service company that generates over one billion dollars in revenue today. He sold Levy Restaurants in two stages, in 2000 and 2006. He is a recognized leader in the hospitality, sports/events catering, and restaurant industries with an excellent reputation in the culinary and hospitality spheres. Mr. Levy founded Levy Family Partners LLC in 2003, a family investment business run alongside two of his sons, Ari Levy and Steve Florsheim. Since inception, Levy Family Partners has made over 200 investments, with more than half in the restaurant, hotel, resort and real estate areas. Notable restaurant operations include Blaze Pizza and Pollo Campero.

 

Summary of Merger

 

Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, Del Taco is commencing a two-step process that will culminate in a business combination with LAC.

 

In the first step (“Step One”), the Levy family, together with a group of investors brought together by Larry Levy and his team, will purchase $120 million of common equity of Del Taco and Del Taco will increase senior debt by $35.1 million through the use of an Incremental Term Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility under the existing Credit Agreement agented by GE Capital. Under the terms of the investment, the proceeds of the equity infusion and the additional senior debt will be used to retire Del Taco’s subsidiaries’ existing $111 million Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 and 2022, to acquire approximately $29 million of the existing equity in Del Taco from its current stockholders and to pay transaction expenses. LLI will own approximately 46% of the Company following Step One. Mr. Levy will become the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Del Taco upon the closing of this Step One investment and Ari Levy, the President of LAC, and Steve Florsheim, LAC’s Chief Acquisition Officer, will join the Del Taco Board. Both Ari Levy and Mr. Florsheim are themselves restaurant industry veterans and possess extensive experience both in investing and operating companies. Step One of the Business Combination is anticipated to close in March 2015.

 

 

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In the second step of the transaction (“Step Two”), a subsidiary of LAC will merge into Del Taco. LAC will pay a per share price (in cash to certain Del Taco stockholders and in stock to all Del Taco stockholders) reflecting the same $500 million valuation to be used at Step One. Concurrent with the Merger, two private investors have agreed to purchase $35 million of unregistered LAC stock for $10.00 per share, which implies an enterprise value of $558 million for the combined business, or less than 9 times its 2015 estimated Adjusted EBITDA (including estimated fees and expenses and the impact of LAC founder shares, other than those subject to an earn out). After redemptions by LAC’s public stockholders, the balance of the approximately $150 million in cash held in LAC’s trust account together with the $35 million in private placement proceeds will be used to pay up to $95 million to original stockholders of Del Taco as merger considera tion and to pay transaction expenses. Any additional cash in the trust account will remain on the combined company’s balance sheet and may be used to further reduce senior debt.

 

Prior to closing the Merger, LAC will provide its current stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of common stock for approximately $10 per share. LAC expects to file its preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in March 2015.

 

Assuming no redemptions by LAC’s public stockholders, at the closing of the Merger, LAC’s ownership will include 8.5% owned by Larry Levy’s fa mily; 31.0% owned by other members of the Step 1 LLI group; 9.3% owned by the private placement shareholders; 40.0% owned by the LAC public shareholders; and 11.2% owned by the original Del Taco shareholders, including management. These percentages do not reflect founder earn-out shares of LAC that are subject to forfeiture. The merger is expected to close in June 2015.

 

The description of the transaction contained herein is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the definitive merger agreement relating to the transaction, a copy of which will be filed by LAC as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Advisors

 

Jefferies LLC acted as M&A Advisor to LAC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as Equity Capital Markets Advisor to LAC; and McDermott, Will & Emery, LLP and Sperling & Slater, PC acted as legal counsel to LAC. William Blair & Co. rendered a fairness opinion to LAC’s Board of Directors. Piper Jaffray and Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as M&A Advisor to Del Taco, and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acted as legal counsel to Del Taco.

 

Investor Conference Call Information

 

LAC and Del Taco will host a joint investor conference call to discuss the business combination today, Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

 

 

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Hosting the conference call will be Larry Levy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LAC; Ari Levy, President and Chief Investment Officer of LAC; Paul Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Del Taco; Steven Brake, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Del Taco; and John Cappasola, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of Del Taco.

 

Interested parties may listen to the call via telephone by dialing 1-877-407-0789, or for international callers, 1-201-689-8562. A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 (confirmation code: 13603905), or for international callers, 1-858-384-5517 (confirmation code: 13603905).

 

Additional information about the business combination will be included by LAC as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the conference call. Interested parties should visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov .

 

The conference call webcast and a related investor presentation with more detailed information regarding the business combination transaction will be available at www.levyacquisitioncorp.com . The investor presentation will also be filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

About Levy Acquisition Corp.

 

Levy Acquisition Cor p. is a blank check company formed in October 2013 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. In November 2013, LAC consummated its initial public offering of 15 million units, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. Aggregate proceeds of $150,000,000 from the IPO were placed in trust pending completion of LAC’s initial business combination.

 

About Del Taco Holdings, Inc.

 

The Del Taco brand was founded in Southern California in 1964. By 1978, Del Taco had opened its 100 th location and reached 5 states. Del Taco and its franchisees now operate approximately 550 restaurants in 16 states, serving more than 3 million guests each week. Del Taco owns just over 300 of the stores in its system with the balance owned and operated by franchisees. Del Taco has announced development deals with franchisees to build stores in Chicago and New Jersey, in addition to the states where it currently operates.

 

For more information, please visit www.deltaco.com .

 

 

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Note Regarding Del Taco Financial Information

 

The financial information and data of Del Taco contained in this press release is derived from Del Taco’s unaudited financial statements and data. The fina ncial results described above are only estimates. Del Taco is continuing to prepare its financial statements for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 30, 2014. Additionally, the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2014 will be subject to audit and as a result are subject to adjustment and change.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In addition to historical information, this release may contain a number of “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning Del Taco’s possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of regulation. These statements are based on LAC’s or Del Taco’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside LAC’s or Del Taco’s management’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to, (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger for the proposed business combination (the "Business Combination Agreement"); (2) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of LAC or other conditions to closing in the Business Combination Agreement; (3) the ability to meet NASDAQ’s listing standards following the Merger; (4) the risk that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Del Taco as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (5) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (6) costs related to the proposed business combination; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; and (8) the possibility that Del Taco may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

 

Forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date of this release. Neither LAC nor Del Taco undertakes any obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in LAC’s reports filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Company’s website at www.levyacquisitioncorp.com .

 

 

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Additional Information about the Merger and Where to Find It

 

LAC intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a preliminary proxy statement of Levy Acquisition Corp. in connection with the proposed business combination and will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the business combination. It is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect to the proposed business combination. LAC stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, the amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with LAC’s solicitation of proxies for the special meeting to be held to approve the business combination, as these materials will contain important information about Del Taco Holdings, Inc. and Levy Acquisition Corp. and the proposed business combination. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders of Levy Acquisition Corp. as of a record date to be established for voting on the business combination. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement, without charge, once available, at the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov , or by directing a request to: Levy Acquisition Corp., 444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3500, Chicago, IL 60611, attention: Sophia Stratton.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

Levy Acquisition Corp. and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to LAC’s stockholders with respect to the transaction. A list of the names of those directors and officers and a description of their interests in LAC is contained in LAC’s proxy statement that was filed with the SEC on November 21, 2014, and will also be contained in the proxy statement for the proposed business combination when available.

 

### #### ###

 

Media Contacts:

Liz DiTrapano / Christine Beggan of ICR

(646) 277-1226 / (203) 682-8329

 

Investor Relations Contacts:

Raphael Gross / Alexis Tessier of ICR

(203) 682-8253 / (310) 954-1107

 

 

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