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

September 28, 2009

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

TIM HORTONS INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Canada   001-32843   Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission file number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

874 Sinclair Road, Oakville, ON, Canada L6K 2Y1

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(905) 845-6511

(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 filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Explanatory Note

As disclosed below, the Registrant became the successor to Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ THI USA ”), on September 28, 2009. This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed for the purpose of establishing the Registrant as the successor issuer pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and to timely disclose events required to be disclosed on Form 8-K with respect to THI USA prior to and including September 28, 2009 and the Registrant as of September 28, 2009.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On September 28, 2009, THI USA completed the reorganization (the “ Reorganization ”) of the corporate structure of the group of companies controlled by THI USA, pursuant to which Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (“ Registrant ” or “ New THI ”), became the publicly held parent company of such group of companies. In connection with the Reorganization, which was effective at 12:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on September 28, 2009, THI USA merged (the “ Merger ”) with and into its wholly-owned subsidiary, THI Mergeco Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Mergeco ”), with THI USA surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of New THI, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”), dated as of August 6, 2009, among THI USA, New THI and Mergeco. In connection with the Merger, each outstanding share of THI USA common stock automatically converted into one common share of New THI (“ New THI Common Shares ”). In addition, the preferred share purchase rights associated with the THI USA common stock expired and one Share Purchase Right (as defined below) was issued with each New THI Common Share in the Merger. The New THI Common Shares (and the associated Share Purchase Rights) will trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“ NYSE ”) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (“ TSX ”) under the symbol “THI,” the same symbol that the THI USA common stock traded under prior to the Merger. The issuance of New THI Common Shares (and the associated Share Purchase Rights) was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), pursuant to New THI’s registration statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-160286) (the “ Registration Statement ”), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2009. The proxy statement/prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement contains additional information about the Reorganization and Merger.

Upon completion of the Merger, New THI acquired ownership of THI USA and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Exchange Act, New THI is the successor issuer to THI USA and the New THI Common Shares and the associated Share Purchase Rights are deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. The Merger Agreement is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

In connection with the Reorganization and the Merger, the Senior Facilities Credit Agreement among The TDL Group Corp., THI USA and certain lenders and agents named therein, dated as of February 28, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Senior Facility Credit


Agreement among The TDL Group Corp., THI USA and certain lenders and agents named therein (the “ Credit Agreement ”), was amended and restated pursuant to the terms of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2009 (“ Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ”), to reflect certain modifications to the Credit Agreement as a result of the Reorganization, including the addition of the Registrant and its subsidiary, Tim Hortons USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as borrowers thereunder (with required modifications to relevant provisions to give effect thereto), amendments to the guarantee structure and other amendments. As a result of the amendments, as of September 28, 2009, all borrowings or other payment obligations that are or deemed to be outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement from and after September 28, 2009 are guaranteed respectively by the Registrant and/or certain of its subsidiaries.

As was the case under the Credit Agreement, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides, in relevant part, for a senior bank facility that matures on February 28, 2011 and consists of: a $300.0 million term loan; a $200.0 million Canadian revolving credit facility (which includes $15.0 million overdraft availability and $25.0 million letter of credit facility); and a US$100.0 million U.S. revolving credit facility (which includes a US$10.0 million letter of credit facility). In connection with the foregoing, certain documents relating to the $130.0 million of interest rate swaps entered into by THI USA in March 2006 and June 2007 were modified as well to give effect to the Reorganization and revised guarantee structure reflected in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

Except as disclosed above, there were no other modifications to the Credit Agreement reflected in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that would be material to the Registrant and its subsidiaries. The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

As disclosed above, the New THI Common Shares (and the associated Share Purchase Rights) will trade on the NYSE and TSX under the same symbol that the THI USA common stock traded under prior to the Merger. On September 22, 2009, in anticipation of all outstanding shares of THI USA common stock being converted into New THI Common Shares (and associated Share Purchase Rights) in the Merger, THI USA requested that the NYSE file with the Commission, a Form 25 to remove THI USA’s common stock and associated preferred share purchase rights from listing on the NYSE on September 28, 2009. Following the filing of the Form 25 by the NYSE, New THI expects to file a Form 15 with the Commission to terminate the registration of THI USA’s common stock and associated preferred share purchase rights. In addition, arrangements have been made with the TSX to delist THI USA’s common stock and associated preferred share purchase rights from the TSX immediately prior to the listing of New THI Common Shares (and associated Share Purchase Rights) on the TSX. The new listing of New THI Common Shares on the NYSE and the TSX will be effective on and as of September 28, 2009.


Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

In connection with the Reorganization and the Merger, the Rights Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2006 (the “ Rights Agreement ”), between THI USA and Computershare Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent, was amended pursuant to the terms of that certain Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated September 27, 2009 (the “ First Amendment ”) to, among other things, change the definition of “Final Expiration Date” to 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on September 28, 2009. As a result of this amendment, the Rights (as defined in the Rights Agreement) expired in connection with the Merger.

In connection with the Reorganization and the Merger, the Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement (the “ Shareholder Rights Plan ”), dated August 6, 2009, between New THI and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, was entered into to provide holders of New THI Common Shares, and the Board of Directors of New THI, with the time necessary to ensure that, in the event of a take-over bid (the Canadian term for a tender offer) for New THI, alternatives to the bid which may be in the best interests of New THI are identified and fully explored. The Shareholder Rights Plan provides that one right to purchase a common share (a “ Share Purchase Right ”) will be issued in respect of each of the outstanding New THI Common Shares to holders as of September 28, 2009, as well as in respect of each New THI Common Share issued after such date and prior to the Separation Time (as defined in the Shareholder Rights Plan). The description of Shareholder Rights Plan contained in the section titled “Description of Share Capital of New THI” in the proxy statements/prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement is incorporated by reference herein.

After giving effect to the Merger, as of September 28, 2009, there are 180,996,877 shares of New THI Common Shares (and the associated Share Purchase Rights) issued and outstanding. The description of New THI Common Shares and Share Purchase Rights contained in the section titled “Description of Share Capital of New THI” in the proxy statements/prospectus that forms a part of the Registration Statement is incorporated by reference herein. This description is filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and incorporation by reference into New THI’s registration statements filed under the Securities Act.

The foregoing descriptions of the First Amendment and the Shareholder Rights Agreement are qualified in their entirety by the full text of such agreements, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, and 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the foregoing description of the share capital of New THI is qualified in its entirety by reference to New THI’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and By-law No.1 and the Shareholder Rights Plan, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

The information included under Items 2.01 and 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 5.01 by reference.


Item 5.02 Departures of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers.

As of September 28, 2009, each of the officers and directors of THI USA immediately prior to the Merger had been appointed to the same position(s) with the Registrant. In addition, upon the completion of the Merger, the directors and officers of Mergeco immediately prior to the completion of the Merger became the directors and officers of THI USA, and will hold such positions until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until earlier of their death, resignation or removal.

In connection with the appointments described above and/or completion of the Merger, New THI has entered into or will enter into new indemnification agreements with its directors, executive officers and with certain other officers, employees and others (including directors, officers and employees of its subsidiaries). The indemnification agreements generally require that New THI indemnify and hold an indemnitee harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law for liabilities arising out of the indemnitee’s association with New THI or another entity where he or she acts or acted as a director or officer or in a similar capacity at New THI’s request, if the indemnitee acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of New THI or other entity, as the case may be and, with respect to a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by monetary penalty, if the indemnitee had no reasonable grounds to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements also provide for the advancement of defense expenses by New THI. The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of indemnification agreement which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

In connection with the completion of the Merger and pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, THI USA’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws were amended and restated in their entirety, effective as of September 28, 2009, so that they contain the same terms (except with respect to the name of the corporation and the amount of authorized capital and common stock) as the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Mergeco as in effect immediately prior to the completion of the Merger. Copies of THI USA’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.3 and 3.4 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

In connection with the Reorganization and the Merger, the stock compensation plans, employee benefit plans and executive employment (change in control) agreements attached hereto as Exhibits 10.3 through 10.14 were amended and assumed by New THI.

On September 28, 2009, New THI announced the completion of the public company reorganization. The full text of New THI’s press release issued today is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  99 Exhibits .

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit Title

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 6, 2009, by and among the Registrant, THI Mergeco Inc. and Tim Hortons Inc. (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009).
  3.1    Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended.
  3.2    By-Law No. 1 of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Annex C of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009).
  3.3    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of THI USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
  3.4    By-laws of THI USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
  4.1    Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated September 27, 2009, between Tim Hortons Inc. and Computershare Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent.
  4.2    Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement, dated August 6, 2009, between the Registrant and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Annex D of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009).
10.1    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2009, among the Registrant, The TDL Group Corp., Tim Hortons USA, Inc. and certain lenders and agents named therein.
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.3    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and Paul D. House.
10.4    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and Donald B. Schroeder.
10.5    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and each of Cynthia J. Devine, William A. Moir and Roland M. Walton, respectively.
10.6    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and David F. Clanachan.


10.7    2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective September 28, 2009.
10.8    Executive Annual Performance Plan, as amended and restated effective September 28, 2009.
10.9    The TDL Group Corp. Amended and Restated Personal Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan effective September 28, 2009.
10.10    Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan effective September 28, 2009.
10.11    Equity Plan Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated September 25, 2009, by and between Tim Hortons Inc. and the Registrant.
10.12    Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Tim Hortons Inc. U.S. Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, dated September 25, 2009, by and between Tim Hortons Inc. and Tim Hortons USA, Inc.
10.13    Form of Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Canadian) for awards granted on or after September 28, 2009.
10.14    Form of Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (U.S.) for awards granted on or after September 28, 2009.
99.1    Pages 40 to 48 of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009, containing the section entitled “Description of Share Capital of New THI.”
99.2    Press release issued by New THI dated September 28, 2009 regarding the completion of the public company reorganization.
99.3    New THI’s Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 is included in this filing in the form attached as Exhibit 99.3.

 


SIGNATURES

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

 

    T IM H ORTONS I NC .
Date: September 28, 2009     By:  

/s/ J ILL E. A EBKER

    Name:   Jill E. Aebker
    Title:   Associate General Counsel and Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit Title

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 6, 2009, by and among the Registrant, THI Mergeco Inc. and Tim Hortons Inc. (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009).
  3.1    Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended.
  3.2    By-Law No. 1 of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Annex C of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009).
  3.3    Certificate of Incorporation of THI USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
  3.4    By-laws of THI USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
  4.1    Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated September 27, 2009, between Tim Hortons Inc. and Computershare Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent.
  4.2    Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement, dated August 6, 2009, between the Registrant and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Annex D of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009).
10.1    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2009, among the Registrant, The TDL Group Corp., Tim Hortons USA, Inc. and certain lenders and agents named therein.
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.3    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and Paul D. House.
10.4    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and Donald B. Schroeder.
10.5    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and each of Cynthia J. Devine, William A. Moir and Roland M. Walton, respectively.
10.6    Form of Employment Agreement by and among The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and David F. Clanachan.


10.7    2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective September 28, 2009.
10.8    Executive Annual Performance Plan, as amended and restated effective September 28, 2009.
10.9    The TDL Group Corp. Amended and Restated Personal Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan effective September 28, 2009.
10.10    Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan effective September 28, 2009.
10.11    Equity Plan Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated September 25, 2009, by and between Tim Hortons Inc. and the Registrant.
10.12    Assignment, Assumption and Amendment of Tim Hortons Inc. U.S. Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, dated September 25, 2009, by and between Tim Hortons Inc. and Tim Hortons USA, Inc.
10.13    Form of Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Canadian) for awards granted on or after September 28, 2009.
10.14    Form of Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (U.S.) for awards granted on or after September 28, 2009.
99.1    Pages 40 to 48 of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc. filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009, containing the section entitled “Description of Share Capital of New THI.”
99.2    Press release issued by New THI dated September 28, 2009 regarding the public company reorganization.
99.3    New THI’s Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 is included in this filing in the form attached as Exhibit 99.3.

 

EXHIBIT 3.1

 

LOGO   

            Industrie Canada

Certificate

of Amendment

  

                    Certificat

                    de modification

Canada Business

Corporations Act

  

                    Loi canadienne sur

                    les sociétés par actions

 

 

  Tim Hortons Inc.    452095-5  
 

 

     

 

 
  Name of corporation-Dénomination de la société       Corporation number-Numéro de la société  
  I hereby certify that the articles of the above-named corporation were amended:       Je certifie que les statuts de la société susmentionnée ont été modifiés:  
  a)    under section 13 of the Canada Business Corporations Act in accordance with the attached notice;      ¨                a)    en vertu de l’article 13 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , conformément à l’avis ci-joint;  
  b)    under section 27 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment designating a series of shares;      ¨                b)    en vertu de l’article 27 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel qu’il est indiqué dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes désignant une série d’actions;  
  c)    under section 179 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of amendment;      x                c)    en vertu de l’article 179 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel qu’il est indiqué dans les clauses modificatrices ci-jointes;  
  d)    under section 191 of the Canada Business Corporations Act as set out in the attached articles of reorganization;      ¨           d)    en vertu de l’article 191 de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions , tel qu’il est indiqué dans les clauses de réorganisation ci-jointes;  

 

 

/s/    Richard G. Shaw

    

September 15, 2009 / le 15 septembre 2009

 

 
  Richard G. Shaw      Date of Amendment - Date de modification  
  Director - Directeur       

LOGO


LOGO    Industrie Canada    ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION    RAPPORT DE LA TRANSACTION
      REPORT    ÉLECTRONIQUE
                Canada Business    Loi canadienne sur les      
                Corporations Act    sociétés par actions    ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT    CLAUSES MODIFICATRICES
      (SECTIONS 27 OR 177)    (ARTICLES 27 OU 177)

 

Processing Type - Mode de traitement:             E-Commerce/Commerce-É

 

       
1.       Name of Corporation - Dénomination de la société    2.        Corporation No. - N ° de la société
 
   Tim Hortons Inc.        

                            452095-5

 

 

 

 

 

 
3.       The articles of the above-named corporation are amended as follows:

  Les statuts de la société mentionnée ci-dessus sont modifiés de la façon suivante:

to increase the minimum number of directors from three (3) to nine (9), such that the minimum number of directors shall be nine (9) and maximum number of directors shall be fifteen (15).

 

 

Date

    

 

Name - Nom

  

 

Signature

  

 

Capacity of - en qualité

2009-09-15

 

    

JILL E. AEBKER

 

  

/s/    Jill E. Aebker

 

  

AUTHORIZED OFFICER

 

Page 1 of 1

LOGO


LOGO    Industrie Canada

 

Certificate

of Incorporation

  

Certificat

de constitution

Canada Business

Corporations Act

  

Loi canadienne sur

les sociétés par actions

 

Tim Hortons Inc.

 

 

Name of corporation-Dénomination de la société

I hereby certify that the above-named corporation, the articles of incorporation of which are attached, was incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

 

452095-5

 

 

Corporation number-Numéro de la société

Je certifie que la société susmentionnée, dont les statuts constitutifs sont joints, a été constituée en société en vertu de la Loi canadienne sur les sociétés par actions.


 

  /s/ Richard G. Shaw      June 23, 2009 / le 23 juin 2009
 

Richard G. Shaw

Director - Directeur

     Date of Incorporation - Date de constitution

LOGO

 

1


LOGO

 

1 --   Name of the Corporation    Dénomination sociale de la société
  Tim Hortons Inc.   
2 --   The province or territory in Canada where the registered office is situated (do not indicate the full address)    La province ou le territoire au Canada où est situé le siège social (n’indiquez pas l’adresse complète)
  Ontario   
3 --   The classes and any maximum number of shares that the corporation is authorized to issue    Catégories et tout nombre maximal d’actions que la société est autorisée à émettre
  See the provisions of the attached “Schedule I”, forming an integral part of these articles of incorporation.
4 --   Restrictions, if any, on share transfers    Restrictions sur le transfert des actions, s’il y a lieu
  None.   
5 --   Minimum and maximum number of directors (for a fixed number of directors, please indicate the same number in both boxes)    Nombre minimal et maximal d’administrateurs (pour un nombre fixe, veuillez indiquer le même nombre dans les deux cases)
  Minimum:      3    Maximum:    15       Minimal :         Maximal :        
                        
6 --   Restrictions, if any, on the business the corporation may carry on    Limites imposées à l’activité commerciale de la société, s’il y a lieu
  None.      
7 --   Other provisions, if any    Autres dispositions, s’il y a lieu
  See the provisions of the attached “Schedule II”, forming an integral part of these articles of incorporation.
8 --   Incorporator’s Declaration: I hereby certify that I am authorized to sign and submit this form.    Déclaration des fondateurs : J’atteste que je suis autorisé à signer et à soumettre le présent formulaire.
    Print Name(s) - Nom(s) en lettres moulées    Signature
     
  Sonia Davis    /s/ Sonia Davis
     
      
     
      
     
      
Note:

Misrepresentation constitutes an offence and, on summary conviction, a person is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both (subsection 250(1) of the CBCA).

  

Nota :

Faire une fausse déclaration constitue une infraction et son auteur, sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire, est passible d’une amende maximale de 5 000 $ ou d’un emprisonnement maximal de six mois, ou de ces deux peines (paragraphe 250(1) de la LCSA).

 

LOGO

IC 3419 (2008/09), Page 1

 

2


SCHEDULE I

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF

TIM HORTONS INC.

Canada Business Corporations Act

The classes and any maximum number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue are as follows:

An unlimited number of common shares, one (1) Class A preferred share and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series.

 

1. The common shares shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

 

  (a) Voting Rights.     Each holder of common shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation and to vote thereat, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares (other than common shares) or specified series of shares are entitled to vote. At all meetings for which notice must be given to the holders of the common shares, each holder of common shares shall be entitled to one vote in respect of each common share held by such holder.

 

  (b) Dividends .    The holders of the common shares shall be entitled, subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class of shares of the Corporation, to receive any dividend or other distributions (whether payable in cash, property or shares in the capital of the Corporation) declared by the Corporation, and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

  (c) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding-up .    The holders of the common shares shall be entitled, subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class of shares of the Corporation, and after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, to receive the remaining property of the Corporation on a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or on any other return of capital or distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, rateably in proportion to the number of common shares held by them.

 

2. The Class A preferred share shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

 

  (a) Definitions .      With respect to the Class A preferred share, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below:

 

  (i) Act ” means the Canada Business Corporations Act .

 

  (ii) Redemption Amount ” in respect of the Class A preferred share means US$100.

 

  (iii) Redemption Price ” in respect of the Class A preferred share means the Redemption Amount, less the aggregate of any amounts distributed, from time to time, as a reduction in capital in respect of such Class A preferred share, together with all dividends declared thereon and unpaid up to the date of liquidation, dissolution or winding up or the date of redemption, as the case may be.

 

3


  (b) Dividends.     The holder of the Class A preferred share shall be entitled, subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class of shares of the Corporation, to receive and the Corporation shall pay thereon, as and when declared by the board of directors in its discretion out of moneys of the Corporation properly applicable to the payment of dividends, non-cumulative dividends in such amount or in such form at such rate as the directors may from time to time determine.

 

       Payment of dividends (less any tax required to be withheld by the Corporation) shall, subject as hereinafter provided, be payable in Canadian dollars.

 

       Except with the consent in writing of the holder of the Class A preferred share outstanding, no dividends shall at any time be declared and paid, or declared and set aside for payment, on the preferred shares, the common shares or any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Class A preferred share, in any year, unless the full amount of the dividends declared for such year on the Class A preferred share then issued and outstanding shall have been paid, or provided for, at the date of such declaration and payment or setting aside of dividends on the common shares or other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Class A preferred share.

 

       The holder of the Class A preferred share shall not be entitled to any dividends other than or in excess of the cash dividends hereinbefore provided for.

 

  (c) Voting Rights .    The holder of the Class A preferred share shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of shareholders of the Corporation and to vote thereat, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares (other than the Class A preferred share) or specified series of shares are entitled to vote. At all meetings for which notice must be given to the holder of the Class A preferred share, the holder of Class A preferred share shall be entitled to one vote in respect of the Class A preferred share held by such holder.

 

  (d) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding-up.     In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other return of capital or distribution of assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, and after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holder of the Class A preferred share shall be entitled to receive in respect of such share, before any distribution of any part of the assets of the Corporation among the holders of the preferred shares, the common shares and any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Class A preferred share, an amount equal to the Redemption Price. After payment to the holder of the Class A preferred share of the amount so payable to such holder as herein provided, the holder of the Class A preferred share shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the property or assets of the Corporation.

 

  (e) Redemption at the Option of the Corporation.     Subject to the Act, the Corporation shall, at its option, be entitled to redeem at any time or times all or any part of the Class A preferred share registered in the name of any holder on the books of the Corporation with or without the consent of such holder by giving notice in writing to such holder, unless such notice is waived by the holder, specifying:

 

  (i) that the Corporation desires to redeem the Class A preferred share registered in the name of such holder;

 

  (ii) the Redemption Price;

 

  (iii) the business day (in this paragraph referred to as the “Redemption Date”) on which the Corporation desires to redeem the Class A preferred share. The Redemption Date shall be the date on which the notice is given by the Corporation or such other date as the Corporation and such holder may agree; and

 

4


  (iv) the place of redemption.

 

       Subject to the Act, the Corporation shall, on the Redemption Date redeem such Class A preferred share by paying to such holder an amount equal to the aggregate Redemption Price for the Class A preferred share so called for redemption (less any tax required to be withheld by the Corporation). Payment of the aggregate Redemption Price for the Class A preferred share to be redeemed shall be payable in U.S. dollars. From and after the Redemption Date, such Class A preferred share so called for redemption shall be redeemed and cease to be entitled to dividends or other distributions and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights as holder of the Class A preferred share in respect thereof unless payment of the Redemption Price is not made on the Redemption Date, in which case the rights of the holder of the Class A preferred share shall remain unaffected until payment in full of the Redemption Price.

 

  (f) Redemption at the Option of the Holder.     Subject to the Act, the holder of the Class A preferred share shall be entitled to require the Corporation to redeem at any time or times the Class A preferred share registered in the name of such holder on the books of the Corporation upon providing a request in writing (in this paragraph referred to as a “Retraction Demand”), unless such request is waived by the Corporation, specifying:

 

  (i) that the holder desires to have the Class A preferred share redeemed by the Corporation; and

 

  (ii) the business day (in this paragraph referred to as the “ Retraction Date ”) on which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem such Class A preferred share. The Retraction Date shall be the date on which the Retraction Demand is tendered to the Corporation or such other date as the holder and the Corporation may agree.

 

       Subject to the Act, the Corporation shall, on the Retraction Date redeem the Class A preferred share required to be redeemed by paying to such holder an amount equal to the aggregate Redemption Price for the Class A preferred share so called for redemption (less any tax required to be withheld by the Corporation). The Class A preferred share shall thereupon be redeemed. Payment of the aggregate Redemption Price for the Class A preferred share to be redeemed shall be payable in U.S. dollars. From and after the Retraction Date, such Class A preferred share shall cease to be entitled to dividends or other distributions and the holder thereof shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights as the holder of the Class A preferred share in respect thereof unless payment of the Redemption Price is not made on the Retraction Date, in which case the rights of the holder of the Class A preferred share shall remain unaffected until payment in full of the Redemption Price.

 

  (g) Restriction on Dividends and Other Distributions.     Except with the consent in writing of the holder of the Class A preferred share outstanding, no dividends shall at any time be declared and paid, or declared and set aside for payment, and no other distributions shall at any time be made on or in respect of the common shares, or any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Class A Shares, if the payment or setting aside for payment of such dividend or the making of such distribution would impair the ability of the Corporation to redeem the Class A preferred share pursuant to either paragraph (e) or (f), as the case may be, on the Redemption Date or the Retraction Date established in such paragraphs.

 

3. The preferred shares shall have attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:

 

  (a) Series .    The directors of the Corporation may issue the preferred shares at any time and from time to time in one or more series.

 

5


  (b) Terms of Each Series .    Before the first shares of a particular series are issued, the board of directors of the Corporation shall fix the number of shares in such series and shall determine, subject to any limitations set out in these articles of incorporation, the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of such series including, without limitation, any right to receive dividends and distributions (which shall rank in priority to dividends and distributions payable to any holders of common shares and which may be cumulative, non-cumulative or partially cumulative and variable or fixed), the rate or rates, amount or method or methods of calculation of preferential dividends and whether such rate or rates, amount or method or methods of calculation shall be subject to change or adjustment in the future, the currency or currencies of payment, the date or dates and place or places of payment thereof and the date or dates from which such preferential dividends shall accrue, the rights of redemption (if any) and the redemption price and other terms and conditions of redemption, the rights of retraction (if any) and the prices and other terms and conditions of any rights of retraction and whether any additional rights of retraction may be provided to such holders in the future, the voting rights and the conversion or exchange rights (if any) and any sinking fund, purchase fund or other provisions attaching thereto.

 

  (c) First Shares of Each Series .    Before the issue of the first shares of a series, the board of directors of the Corporation shall send to the Director (as defined in the Canada Business Corporations Act ) articles of amendment containing a description of such series including the designations, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions determined by the directors.

 

  (d) Ranking of Preferred Shares .    No rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attaching to a series of preferred shares shall confer upon a series a priority over any other series of preferred shares in respect of the payment of dividends or any distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation.

 

       The preferred shares of each series shall rank on a parity with the preferred shares of every other series with respect to priority in the payment of dividends, the return of capital and in the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other return of capital or distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.

 

  (e) Priority .    The preferred shares shall be entitled to priority over the common shares of the Corporation and over any other shares of any other class of the Corporation ranking junior to the preferred shares with respect to priority in the payment of dividends, the return of capital and the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among the shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.

 

  (f) Other Preferences .    The preferred shares of any series may also be given such other preferences, not inconsistent with the provisions hereof over the common shares and over any other shares of the Corporation ranking junior to preferred shares as may be determined in the case of such series of preferred shares in accordance with paragraph (b) above.

 

  (g)

Participation .    If any cumulative dividends or declared non-cumulative dividends or amounts payable on a return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation in respect of a series of preferred shares are not paid in full, the preferred shares of all series shall participate rateably in respect of such dividends in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such shares if all such dividends were declared and paid in full, and rateably in respect of any repayment of capital in accordance with the sums that would be payable on such repayment of capital if all sums so payable were paid in full; provided , however , that in the event of there being insufficient assets to satisfy in full all such claims as aforesaid, the claims of the holders of the

 

6


 

preferred shares with respect to repayment of capital shall first be paid and satisfied and any assets remaining thereafter shall be applied towards the payment and satisfaction of claims in respect of dividends.

 

  (h) Voting Rights .    Subject to the provisions of the Act and paragraph (j) below, the preferred shares shall have no voting rights as a class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of a particular series of preferred shares may provide that the preferred shares of such series shall have voting rights.

 

  (i) Conversion Right .    The preferred shares of any series may be made convertible into or exchangeable for common shares or any other class or series of shares of the Corporation.

 

  (j) Variation of Rights .    The provisions attaching to the preferred shares as a class may be amended or repealed at any time with such approval as may then be required by law to be given by the holders of the preferred shares as a class.

 

7


SCHEDULE II

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF

TIM HORTONS INC.

Canada Business Corporations Act

Other provisions:

 

1. A meeting of shareholders of the Corporation may be held at such place in Canada or the United States of America as shall be determined by the board of directors of the Corporation.

 

2. The directors may appoint from time to time one or more additional directors within the limits provided in the Canada Business Corporations Act .

 

3. The directors may from time to time determine the number of directors of the Corporation.

 

4. Where a vacancy occurs in the board of directors of the Corporation for any reason, including an increase in the number of directors, and a quorum of directors remains, the directors remaining in office may appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of the vacant seat.

 

5.

The board of directors of the Corporation shall submit a by-law, or an amendment or a repeal of a by-law to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, and the shareholders may, by ordinary resolution, confirm, reject or amend the by-law, amendment or repeal; provided, however, that unless two-thirds of the directors recommend approval, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66  2 / 3 % of the voting power of all then outstanding common shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to confirm, reject or amend any by-law, or an amendment or repeal of a by-law inconsistent with the purpose and intent of Article II, Article III, Article IV, Article VIII and Section 9.18 of the then current by-laws of the Corporation.

 

8

EXHIBIT 3.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

THI USA INC.

ARTICLE I

The name of the corporation is THI USA Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”).

ARTICLE IV

A. Classes of Stock . This corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation has authority to issue is Two Hundred Fifty Million and Two (250,000,002) shares, consisting of two classes: Two Hundred Fifty Million (250,000,000) shares shall be Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, and Two (2) shares shall be Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share.

B. Rights, Preferences and Restrictions of Preferred Stock . The Preferred Stock authorized by this Certificate of Incorporation may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions granted to and imposed on the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock, which series shall consist of Two (2) shares (the “Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock”), are as set forth below in this Article IV(B).

1. Dividends . The holders of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of this corporation legally available therefor, such noncumulative dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, holders of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends. No rights or interest shall accrue to the holders of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock by reason of the fact that this corporation shall fail to declare or pay dividends on the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock in any calendar year or any fiscal year of this corporation, whether or not the earnings of this corporation in any calendar year or fiscal year were sufficient to pay such dividends in whole or in part. This corporation shall not


declare or pay (or set aside for payment) any dividend or distribution on the Common Stock, in any year, unless at the date of such declaration or payment any dividend or distribution on the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock that has been declared for such year has been paid in full out of assets legally available therefor.

2. Liquidation Rights .

(A) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of this corporation, either voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation Event”), the holder(s) of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any payment or distribution (or any aside for any payment or distribution) of any of the assets of this corporation to the holders of Common Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to the Redemption Price (as defined below) for each outstanding share of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock. If upon the occurrence of such event, the assets and funds thus distributed among the holders of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment to such holders of the full aforesaid preferential amount, then the entire assets and funds of this corporation legally available for distribution shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock.

(B) Upon completion of the payment or distribution required by subsection (A) of this Section 2, the holders of the Common Stock shall receive all of the remaining assets of this corporation on a pro rata basis according to the number of shares of Common Stock held by each holder thereof, or as otherwise provided for in this Certificate of Incorporation.

3. Voting Rights . Each holder of shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share thereof held. Subject to the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, each holder of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall have full voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of Common Stock, and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of this corporation (as in effect at the time in question) and applicable law, and shall be entitled to vote, together with the holders of Common Stock, with respect to any question upon which holders of Common Stock have the right to vote, except as may be otherwise provided by applicable law. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or as required by law, the holders of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock and the holders of Common Stock shall vote together and not as separate classes.

4. Conversion . The holders of shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock shall not have any conversion rights or obligations.

5. Redemption .

(A) This corporation may, to the extent of its assets legally available therefor on a date (the “Redemption Date”) at any time after the shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock are issued by this corporation (the “Issuance Date”), redeem from each holder of shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock, that number of shares of such series then held by such holder as of the Redemption Date, at a price per share equal to the

 

2


sum of (i) one hundred dollars ($100.00), subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization affecting such shares, less the aggregate amount of all dividends paid thereon through and including the Redemption Date, and (ii) all dividends declared but unpaid (collectively, the “Redemption Price”). This corporation shall provide notice of redemption, specifying the manner and place of redemption and the Redemption Price (a “Redemption Notice”) to each holder of record of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock of this corporation at the address for such holder last shown on the records of this corporation, on or before the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless the holders of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock and this corporation agree otherwise, the Redemption Date shall be the date on which the Redemption Notice is given to said holders.

(B) At any time on or after the Issuance Date, any holder of an outstanding share of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock may elect to have such share redeemed by this corporation. In such event, this corporation shall redeem such share, out of funds legally available therefor, at a price equal to the Redemption Price. Any election by a holder of an outstanding share of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock pursuant to this Subsection (B) shall be made by written notice (the “Retraction Notice”) to this corporation on or before the elected redemption date (the “Retraction Date”); provided, however, that, unless the electing holder and this corporation agree otherwise, the Retraction Date shall be the date on which the Retraction Notice is given to the corporation.

(C) The aggregate Redemption Price shall be payable in cash in immediately available funds to the respective holders of record of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock on the Redemption Date or Retraction Date, as the case may be, less any taxes required to be withheld from the payment of the Redemption Price by this corporation.

(D) If the funds of this corporation legally available to redeem shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock on the Redemption Date or Retraction Date, as the case may be, are insufficient to redeem the total number of such shares required to be redeemed on such date, this corporation shall (i) take any action necessary or appropriate, to the extent reasonably within its control, to remove promptly any impediments to its ability to redeem the total number of shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock required to be so redeemed, including, without limitation, to the extent permissible under applicable law, reducing the stated capital of this corporation or causing a revaluation of the assets of this corporation under Section 154 of the General Corporation Law to create sufficient surplus to make such redemption (provided that this corporation shall not be required to incur indebtedness to make such redemption), and (ii) in any event, use any funds that are legally available to redeem the maximum possible number of such shares from the holders of such shares to be redeemed in proportion to the respective number of such shares that otherwise would have been redeemed if all such shares had been redeemed in full. At any time thereafter when additional funds of this corporation are legally available to redeem such shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock, this corporation shall as soon as practicable use such funds to redeem the balance of the shares that this corporation became obligated to redeem on the Redemption Date or Retraction Date, as the case may be, (but which it has not yet redeemed) at such Redemption Price.

 

3


(E) If any shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock are not redeemed on the Redemption Date or Retraction Date, as the case may be, for any reason, other than pursuant to Subsection (F) below, all such unredeemed shares shall remain outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, and this corporation shall pay interest, out of funds legally available therefor, from and after the date that is ten (10) days after the Redemption Date or Retraction Date, as the case may be, on the Redemption Price applicable to such unredeemed shares at an aggregate per annum rate equal to eight percent (8%), with such interest to accrue daily in arrears and to be compounded quarterly; provided, however, that in no event shall such interest exceed the maximum permitted rate of interest under applicable law (the “Maximum Permitted Rate”). In the event that fulfillment of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation results in such rate of interest being in excess of the Maximum Permitted Rate, the amount of interest required to be paid hereunder shall automatically be reduced to eliminate such excess; provided, however, that any subsequent increase in the Maximum Permitted Rate shall be retroactively effective to the applicable Redemption Date or Retraction Date, as the case may be, to the extent permitted by law.

(F) If on the Redemption Date or Retraction Date, the Redemption Price payable upon redemption of the shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock to be redeemed on such Redemption Date or Retraction Date is paid or tendered for payment, then notwithstanding that the certificates evidencing any of the shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall not have been surrendered, all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith after the Redemption Date terminate, except for the right of the holders to receive the Redemption Price without interest upon surrender of their certificate or certificates therefor (or affidavit of loss and indemnity with respect thereto).

6. Redeemed Shares . Any shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock which are redeemed or otherwise acquired by this corporation or any of its subsidiaries in the manner set forth in Section 5 above shall be automatically and immediately canceled and shall not be reissued, sold or transferred as shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock. Neither this corporation nor any of its subsidiaries may exercise any voting or other rights granted to the holders of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock.

7. No Reissuance of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock . No share or shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock acquired by this corporation by reason of purchase, conversion or otherwise shall be reissued, and all such shares shall be cancelled, retired and eliminated from the shares which this corporation shall be authorized to issue.

8. Restrictions and Limitations . At any time when any shares of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock are outstanding, this corporation shall not, without first obtaining the written consent, or affirmative vote at a meeting of the stockholders of this corporation, of the holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding shares of the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock, consenting or voting (as the case may be) separately as a single class:

(A) amend its Certificate of Incorporation in any manner that would alter or change the powers, preferences or rights, and the qualifications, limitations and

 

4


restrictions, of the holders of Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely;

(B) reclassify any outstanding shares of securities of this corporation into shares having powers, preferences and rights superior to the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock;

(C) authorize or issue any other equity security, including any other security convertible into or exercisable for any equity security having powers, preferences and rights superior to the Redeemable and Retractable Preferred Stock as to dividend rights, liquidation or redemption;

(D) declare or pay any dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares of its own Common Stock) on or declare or make any other distribution, purchase, redemption or acquisition (other than redemptions pursuant to Section 6), directly or indirectly, on account of any shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock now or hereafter outstanding; or

(E) permit any subsidiary of this corporation to perform any of the actions described in Subsections (A) through (D) above.

C. Common Stock . The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to and imposed on the Common Stock are as set forth below in this Section (C) of Article IV.

1. Dividend Rights . Subject to the prior and superior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior and superior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of this corporation legally available therefor, such noncumulative dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

2. Liquidation Rights . Upon the occurrence of a Liquidation Event, the assets of this corporation shall be distributed as provided in Section (B)(2) of Article IV hereof.

3. Redemption . The Common Stock is not redeemable.

4. Voting Rights . The holder of each share of Common Stock shall have the right to one (1) vote for each such share, and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of this corporation, and shall be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by law.

ARTICLE V

The Board of Directors of the corporation shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation.

ARTICLE VI

Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the corporation shall so provide.

 

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ARTICLE VII

A. Limitation of Personal Liability . To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director of the corporation shall be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, if the General Corporation Law is hereafter amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law, as so amended.

Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of such an inconsistent provision.

B. Indemnification .

1. Each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation or, while a director or officer of the corporation, is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Covered Person in connection with such proceeding, and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided , however , that, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the corporation shall indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred by this Section (B) of Article VII shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the corporation the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition.

2. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Section (B) of Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any Covered Person may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Certificate, the By-Laws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

3. Any repeal or amendment of this Section (B) of Article VII by the stockholders of the corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of

 

6


this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section (B) of Article VII, will, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

4. This Section (B) of Article VII shall not limit the right of the corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons.

ARTICLE VIII

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the corporation under the provisions of §291 of Title 8 of the General Corporation Law or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under §279 of Title 8 of the General Corporation Law order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the corporation, as the case may be, and also on the corporation.

 

7

EXHIBIT 3.4

BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware corporation)


BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         PAGE

Article I - STOCKHOLDERS

   1

Section 1.1:

  Annual Meetings    1

Section 1.2:

  Special Meetings    1

Section 1.3:

  Notice of Meetings    1

Section 1.4:

  Adjournments    1

Section 1.5:

  Quorum    1

Section 1.6:

  Organization    2

Section 1.7:

  Voting; Proxies    2

Section 1.8:

  Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record    2

Section 1.9:

  List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote    3

Section 1.10:

  Action by Written Consent of Stockholders    3

Section 1.11:

  Inspectors of Elections    4

Article II - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   5

Section 2.1:

  Number; Qualifications    5

Section 2.2:

  Election; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies    5

Section 2.3:

  Regular Meetings    5


BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

 

Section 2.4:

  Special Meetings    5

Section 2.5:

  Telephonic Meetings Permitted    5

Section 2.6:

  Quorum; Vote Required for Action    6

Section 2.7:

  Organization    6

Section 2.8:

  Written Action by Directors    6

Section 2.9:

  Powers    6

Section 2.10:

  Compensation of Directors    6

Article III - COMMITTEES

   6

Section 3.1:

  Committees    6

Section 3.2:

  Committee Rules    7

Article IV - OFFICERS

   7

Section 4.1:

  Generally    7

Section 4.2:

  Chief Executive Officer    7

Section 4.3:

  Chairperson of the Board    8

Section 4.4:

  President    8

Section 4.5:

  Vice President    8

Section 4.6:

  Chief Financial Officer    8

Section 4.7:

  Treasurer    9

Section 4.8:

  Secretary    9

Section 4.9:

  Delegation of Authority    9

Section 4.10:

  Removal    9

 

-ii-


BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

 

Article V - STOCK

   9

Section 5.1:

  Certificates    9

Section 5.2:

  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificate    9

Section 5.3:

  Other Regulations    9

Article VI - INDEMNIFICATION

   10

Section 6.1:

  Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents    10

Section 6.2:

  Expenses    10

Section 6.3:

  Enforcement    11

Section 6.4:

  Non-Exclusivity of Rights    11

Section 6.5:

  Survival of Rights    11

Section 6.6:

  Insurance    11

Section 6.7:

  Amendments    12

Section 6.8:

  Savings Clause    12

Section 6.9:

  Certain Definitions    12

Article VII - NOTICES

   13

Section 7.1:

  Notice    13

Section 7.2:

  Waiver of Notice    13

Article VIII - INTERESTED DIRECTORS

   13

Section 8.1:

  Interested Directors; Quorum    13

 

-iii-


BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware Corporation)

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

 

Article IX - MISCELLANEOUS

   14

Section 9.1:

  Fiscal Year    14

Section 9.2:

  Seal    14

Section 9.3:

  Form of Records    14

Section 9.4:

  Reliance Upon Books and Records    14

Section 9.5:

  Certificate of Incorporation Governs    14

Section 9.6:

  Severability    14

Article X - AMENDMENT

   15

Section 10.1:

  Amendments    15

 

-iv-


BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

ARTICLE I

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1.1 : Annual Meetings . An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors shall each year fix. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

Section 1.2 : Special Meetings . Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors. Special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons.

Section 1.3 : Notice of Meetings . Written notice of all meetings of stockholders shall be given stating the place, date and time of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, such notice shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.

Section 1.4 : Adjournments . Any meeting of stockholders may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or another place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, date and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided , however , that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, then a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 1.5 : Quorum . At each meeting of stockholders the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except if otherwise required by applicable law. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairperson of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting may adjourn the meeting. Shares of the Corporation’s stock belonging to the Corporation (or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such


other corporation are held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation), shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any other corporation to vote any shares of the Corporation’s stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

Section 1.6 : Organization . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by such person as the Board of Directors may designate, or, in the absence of such a person, the Chairperson of the Board, or, in the absence of such person, the President of the Corporation, or, in the absence of such person, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. Such person shall be chairperson of the meeting and, subject to Section 1.11 hereof, shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seems to him or her to be in order. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 1.7 : Voting; Proxies . Unless otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.8 of these Bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of stock held by such stockholder. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Such a proxy may be prepared, transmitted and delivered in any manner permitted by applicable law. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot unless such is demanded at the meeting before voting begins by a stockholder or stockholders holding shares representing at least one percent (1%) of the votes entitled to vote at such meeting, or by such stockholder’s or stockholders’ proxy; provided, however, that an election of directors shall be by written ballot if demand is so made by any stockholder at the meeting before voting begins. If a vote is to be taken by written ballot, then each such ballot shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as the chairperson of the meeting deems appropriate. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, every matter other than the election of directors shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon that are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and are voted for or against the matter.

Section 1.8 : Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, then the record date shall be as

 

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provided by applicable law. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

Section 1.9 : List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present at the meeting.

Section 1.10 : Action by Written Consent of Stockholders .

(a) Procedure . Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Written stockholder consents shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, to its principal place of business or to any officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. No written consent shall be effective to take the action set forth therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided above, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action set forth therein are delivered to the Corporation in the manner provided above.

(b) Notice of Consent . Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action by stockholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent of the stockholders shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented thereto in writing and, in the case of a Certificate Action (as defined below), if the Delaware General Corporation Law so requires, such notice shall be given prior to filing of the certificate in question. If the action which is consented to requires the filing of a certificate under the Delaware General Corporation Law (a “ Certificate Action ”), then if the Delaware General Corporation Law so requires, the certificate so filed shall state that written stockholder consent has been given in accordance with Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and that written notice of the taking of corporate action by stockholders without a meeting as described herein has been given as provided in such section.

 

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Section 1.11 : Inspectors of Elections .

(a) Applicability . Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the following provisions of this Section 1.11 shall apply only if and when the Corporation has a class of voting stock that is: (i) listed on a national securities exchange; (ii) authorized for quotation on an interdealer quotation system of a registered national securities association; or (iii) held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders; in all other cases, observance of the provisions of this Section 1.11 shall be optional, and at the discretion of the Corporation.

(b) Appointment . The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.

(c) Inspector’s Oath . Each inspector of election, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.

(d) Duties of Inspectors . At a meeting of stockholders, the inspectors of election shall (i) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each share, (ii) determine the shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots, (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period of time a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors.

(e) Opening and Closing of Polls . The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced by the inspectors at the meeting. No ballot, proxies or votes, nor any revocations thereof or changes thereto, shall be accepted by the inspectors after the closing of the polls unless the Court of Chancery upon application by a stockholder shall determine otherwise.

(f) Determinations . In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots, the inspectors shall be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes submitted with those proxies, any information provided in connection with proxies in accordance with Section 212(c)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, ballots and the regular books and records of the Corporation, except that the inspectors may consider other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar persons which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of record. If the inspectors consider other reliable information for the limited purpose permitted herein, the inspectors at the time they make their certification of their determinations pursuant to this Section 1.11 shall specify the precise information considered by them, including the person or

 

4


persons from whom they obtained the information, when the information was obtained, the means by which the information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors’ belief that such information is accurate and reliable.

ARTICLE II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 2.1 : Number; Qualifications . The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members. The initial number of directors shall be one (1), and thereafter shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. No decrease in the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

Section 2.2 : Election; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . The Board of Directors shall initially consist of the person or persons elected by the incorporator or named in the Corporation’s initial Certificate of Incorporation. Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Subject to the rights of any holders of Preferred Stock then outstanding: (i) any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors and (ii) any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors for any cause, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors to be elected by all stockholders having the right to vote as a single class, may be filled by the stockholders, by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.

Section 2.3 : Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such times as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Notice of regular meetings need not be given if the date, times and places thereof are fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.4 : Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairperson of the Board, the President or a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office and may be held at any time, date or place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the person or persons calling the meeting shall fix. Notice of the time, date and place of such meeting shall be given, orally or in writing, by the person or persons calling the meeting to all directors at least four (4) days before the meeting if the notice is mailed, or at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting if such notice is given by telephone, hand delivery, telegram, telex, mailgram, facsimile or similar communication method. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

Section 2.5 : Telephonic Meetings Permitted . Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee of the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant

 

5


to conference telephone or similar communications equipment shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.6 : Quorum; Vote Required for Action . At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the total number of authorized directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation, or required by law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.7 : Organization . Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board, or in his or her absence by the President, or in his or her absence by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in his or her absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 2.8 : Written Action by Directors . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee, respectively.

Section 2.9: Powers . The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.

Section 2.10 : Compensation of Directors . Directors, as such, may receive, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, fees and other compensation for their services as directors, including without limitation their services as members of committees of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III

COMMITTEES

Section 3.1 : Committees . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting of such committee who are not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation ( except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing

 

6


for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by the Board of Directors as provided in subsection (a) of Section 151 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, fix the designations and any of the preferences or rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Corporation, or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation, or fix the number of shares of any series of stock or authorize the increase or decrease of the shares of any series), adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation under Sections 251 or 252 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the Bylaws of the Corporation; and unless the resolution of the Board of Directors expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend, authorize the issuance of stock or adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Section 3.2 : Committee Rules . Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board of Directors conducts its business pursuant to Article II of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.1 : Generally . The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer and/or a President, a Chief Financial Officer and a Secretary, and such other officers, including a Chairperson of the Board of Directors and/or Treasurer, as may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors. All officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may empower the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation to appoint officers other than the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.2 : Chief Executive Officer . Subject to the control of the Board of Directors and such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors, the powers and duties of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation are:

(a) To act as the general manager and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, to have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation;

(b) To preside at all meetings of the stockholders;

 

7


(c) To call meetings of the stockholders to be held at such times and, subject to the limitations prescribed by law or by these Bylaws, at such places as he or she shall deem proper; and

(d) To affix the signature of the Corporation to all deeds, conveyances, mortgages, guarantees, leases, obligations, bonds, certificates and other papers and instruments in writing which have been authorized by the Board of Directors or which, in the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, should be executed on behalf of the Corporation; to sign certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation; and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, to have general charge of the property of the Corporation and to supervise and control all officers, agents and employees of the Corporation.

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation unless the Board of Directors shall designate another officer to be the Chief Executive Officer. If there is no President, and the Board of Directors has not designated any other officer to be the Chief Executive Officer, then the Chairperson of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4.3 : Chairperson of the Board . The Chairperson of the Board shall have the power to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and duties as provided in these bylaws and as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.4 : President . The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation unless the Board of Directors shall have designated another officer as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws and to the direction of the Board of Directors, and subject to the supervisory powers of the Chief Executive Officer (if the Chief Executive Officer is an officer other than the President), and subject to such supervisory powers and authority as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairperson of the Board and/or to any other officer, the President shall have the responsibility for the general management the control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and the general supervision and direction of all of the officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (other than the Chief Executive Officer, if the Chief Executive Officer is an officer other than the President) and shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of President or that are delegated to the President by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.5 : Vice President . Each Vice President shall have all such powers and duties as are commonly incident to the office of Vice President, or that are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. A Vice President may be designated by the Board to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer in the event of the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or disability.

Section 4.6 : Chief Financial Officer . Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and the President, the Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief financial officer.

 

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Section 4.7 : Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies and securities of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall make such disbursements of the funds of the Corporation as are authorized and shall render from time to time an account of all such transactions. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as are commonly incident to the office of Treasurer, or as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.8 : Secretary . The Secretary shall issue or cause to be issued all authorized notices for, and shall keep, or cause to be kept, minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall have charge of the corporate minute books and similar records and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are commonly incident to the office of Secretary, or as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.9 : Delegation of Authority . The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 4.10 : Removal . Any officer of the Corporation shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 5.1 : Certificates . Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.

Section 5.2 : Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate previously issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the Corporation and/or to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it, against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 5.3 : Other Regulations . The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of stock certificates shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

 

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ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.1 : Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agent . The Corporation shall indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law; provided , however , that the Corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and officers; and, provided , further , that the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under Section 6.3. The Corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except executive officers to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

Section 6.2 : Expenses . The Corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer, of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or officer in connection with such proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay said amounts if it should be determined ultimately that such person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Bylaw or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to Section 6.4 of this Bylaw, no advance shall be made by the Corporation to an officer of the Corporation (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the Corporation, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, or (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.

 

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Section 6.3 : Enforcement . Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and officers under this Bylaw shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the Corporation and the director or officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Bylaw to a director or officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within ninety (90) days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting his claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an officer of the Corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the Corporation) for advances, the Corporation shall be entitled to raise a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 6.4 : Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law.

Section 6.5 : Survival of Rights . The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or other agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 6.6 : Insurance . To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Corporation or any other applicable law, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Bylaw.

 

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Section 6.7 : Amendments . Any repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the Corporation.

Section 6.8 : Saving Clause . If this Bylaw or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Bylaw that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Article VI shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall indemnify each director and officer to the full extent under applicable law.

Section 6.9 : Certain Definitions . For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:

The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

The term the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Bylaw with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the Corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the Corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee

 

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benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Bylaw.

ARTICLE VII

NOTICES

Section 7.1 : Notice . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given pursuant to these Bylaws shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery (including use of a delivery service), by depositing such notice in the mail, postage prepaid, or by sending such notice by prepaid telegram, telex, overnight express courier, mailgram or facsimile. Any such notice shall be addressed to the person to whom notice is to be given at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. The notice shall be deemed given (i) in the case of hand delivery, when received by the person to whom notice is to be given or by any person accepting such notice on behalf of such person, (ii) in the case of delivery by mail, upon deposit in the mail, (iii) in the case of delivery by overnight express courier, on the first business day after such notice is dispatched, and (iv) in the case of delivery via telegram, telex, mailgram, or facsimile, when dispatched.

Section 7.2 : Waiver of Notice . Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of these bylaws, a written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice.

ARTICLE VIII

INTERESTED DIRECTORS

Section 8.1 : Interested Directors; Quorum . No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee thereof that authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his, her or their votes are counted for such purpose, if: (i) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; (ii) the material facts as to his, her or their relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved

 

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in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 : Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 9.2 : Seal . The Board of Directors may provide for a corporate seal, which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall otherwise be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 9.3 : Form of Records . Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, magnetic tape, diskettes, photographs, microphotographs or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.

Section 9.4 : Reliance Upon Books and Records . A member of the Board of Directors, or a member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 9.5 : Certificate of Incorporation Governs . In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation shall govern.

Section 9.6 : Severability . If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, then such provision shall nonetheless be enforced to the maximum extent possible consistent with such holding and the remaining provisions of these Bylaws (including without limitation, all portions of any section of these Bylaws containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation, that are not themselves invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation) shall remain in full force and effect.

 

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ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT

Section 10.1 : Amendments . Stockholders of the Corporation holding a majority of the Corporation’s outstanding voting stock shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws. To the extent provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws of the Corporation, except insofar as Bylaws adopted by the stockholders shall otherwise provide.

 

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CERTIFICATION OF BYLAWS

OF

THI USA INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS:

I, Jill E. Aebker, certify that I am the Secretary of THI USA Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” ), that I am duly authorized to make and deliver this certification, that the attached Bylaws are a true and correct copy of the Bylaws of the Company in effect as of the date of this certificate.

Dated: September 28, 2009

 

/s/ JILL E. AEBKER
Jill E. Aebker, Secretary

EXHIBIT 4.1

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of September 27, 2009 (this “ Amendment No. 1 ”), to the Rights Agreement (“ Rights Agreement ”), dated as of February 28, 2006, between Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Computershare Investor Services, LLC (the “ Rights Agent ”). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment No. 1 but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Rights Agreement.

WHEREAS , the Company and the Rights Agent entered into the Rights Agreement specifying the terms of the Rights (as defined therein);

WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 27 of the Rights Agreement, prior to the Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent, shall, if directed by the Board of Directors of the Company, supplement or amend any provision of the Rights Agreement, without the approval of any holders of Common Stock;

WHEREAS , the Company and the Rights Agent desire to amend the Rights Agreement in accordance with Section 27 of the Rights Agreement as set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements set forth in the Rights Agreement and this Amendment No. 1, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1. Section 7(a) of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety:

“Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights .

(a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein), in whole or in part, at any time after the Distribution Date, upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office of the Rights Agent, together with payment of the Purchase Price for each one ten-thousandth of a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earliest of (i) 12:00 a.m. Eastern time on September 28, 2009 (the “ Final Expiration Date ”), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the “ Redemption Date ”), or (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof.”

 

  2. The Exhibits to the Rights Agreement shall be deemed restated to reflect this Amendment No. 1, mutatis mutandis .

 

  3. The term “Agreement” as used in the Rights Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Rights Agreement as amended hereby.


  4. This Amendment No. 1 shall be effective upon execution by the parties hereto and, except as set forth herein, the Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall be otherwise unaffected hereby. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each of the Company and the Rights Agent hereby acknowledges and agrees that at 12:00 A.M., Eastern time on the Final Expiration Date (as amended hereby), the Rights Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

 

  5. This Amendment No. 1 shall be deemed to be a contract under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such state applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such state.

 

  6. This Amendment No. 1 may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[The Remainder of the Page Intentionally Left Blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

Attest:     TIM HORTONS INC.
By:   / S / J ILL E. A EBKER     By:   / S / D ONALD B. S CHROEDER
 

Name: Jill E. Aebker

Title: Associate General Counsel and Secretary

     

Name: Donald B. Schroeder

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Attest:     COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC
By:   / S / D AVID J. D IETRICH     By:   / S / M ICHAEL J. L ANG
 

Name: David J. Dietrich

Title: Relationship Manager

     

Name: Michael J. Lang

Title: Senior Vice President

EXHIBIT 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR FACILITIES CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

September 28, 2009

among

TIM HORTONS INC. and

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

as Canadian Borrowers

and

TIM HORTONS USA INC.

as U.S. Borrower

and

THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO

as Lenders

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., TORONTO BRANCH and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

as Canadian Co-Administrative Agents

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as U.S. Administrative Agent

and

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

as Syndication Agent

and

BANK OF MONTREAL and THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK

as Co-Documentation Agents

and

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES CANADA INC. and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners


AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of September 28, 2009 and is entered into among TIM HORTONS INC. and THE TDL GROUP CORP., as Canadian Borrowers, TIM HORTONS USA INC., as U.S. Borrower, the Lenders from time to time parties hereto as Lenders, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., TORONTO BRANCH and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Canadian Co-Administrative Agents, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent, and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Issuing Banks.

RECITALS

A. The TDL Group Corp., a Nova Scotia company (the “ Canadian Subsidiary Borrower ”), as Canadian borrower, Tim Hortons Canada Holdings ULC (formerly, Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware company), as U.S. borrower (the “ Former Parent ” and, together with the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower, the “ Original Borrowers ”), the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Canadian co-administrative agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. administrative agent, and The Bank of Nova Scotia and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as issuing banks, are parties to a senior facilities credit agreement dated as of February 28, 2006 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “ Original Credit Agreement ”).

B. The Borrowers notified the Administrative Agents in March 2009 of the Proposed Reorganization and requested that the Original Credit Agreement be amended and restated to reflect certain modifications to the Original Credit Agreement as a result of the completion of the Proposed Reorganization.

C. Pursuant to the Amendment and Restatement Agreement, each of the Restatement Required Lenders (i) agreed under the Amendment and Restatement Agreement to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement in the form of this Agreement, and (ii) authorized the Administrative Agents to enter into this Agreement on behalf of such Restatement Required Lender on the Restatement Effective Date.

D. The parties hereto wish to effect the amendment and restatement of the Original Credit Agreement as set forth herein.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR Loan ” means a Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon the Alternate Base Rate.

ABR Borrowing ” means a Borrowing comprised of one or more ABR Loans.

Acceptance Fee ” means a fee payable by a Canadian Borrower to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of a Canadian Lender in Canadian Dollars with respect to the acceptance of a B/A or the making of a B/A Equivalent Loan, calculated on the face amount of the B/A or the B/A Equivalent Loan at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin from time to time in effect on the basis of the actual number of days in the applicable Contract Period (including the date of acceptance and excluding


the date of maturity) and a year of 365 days, (it being agreed that the Applicable Margin in respect of a B/A Equivalent Loan is equivalent to the Applicable Margin otherwise applicable to the B/A Borrowing which has been replaced by the making of such B/A Equivalent Loan pursuant to Section 2.11 (h)).

Acquisition ” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated after the Closing Date, by which any Credit Party directly or indirectly, by means of a take-over bid, tender offer, amalgamation, merger, purchase of assets or otherwise (a) acquires any business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person engaged in any business, (b) acquires control of securities of a Person engaged in an business representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing position if the business affairs of such Person are managed by a board of directors or other governing body, (c) acquires control of more than 50% of the ownership interest in any Person engaged in any business that is not managed by a board of directors or other governing body, or (d) otherwise acquires Control of a Person engaged in a business.

Administrative Agent ” means either the Canadian Administrative Agent or the U.S. Administrative Agent, as applicable, and “ Administrative Agents ” means both of them.

Advertising Entity ” means (i) Tims National Advertising Program, Inc. and Tim Hortons Advertising and Promotion Fund (Canada) Inc. or any successor thereto which performs substantially the same function, and (ii) any other Person acceptable to the Required Lenders which performs substantially the same function (and only that function) as the Persons listed in paragraph (i).

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by an Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with, such Person.

Agreement ” means this amended and restated credit agreement, as the same may from time to time be further amended, restated, modified or supplemented.

Alternate Base Rate ” means, on any day, the greater of (i) the U.S. Prime Rate in effect on such day, and (ii) one-half of one percent (0.50%) plus the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect for such day (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/16th of 1%). For purposes of this Agreement, any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the U.S. Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective date of such change in the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the U.S. Prime Rate, as the case may be. If for any reason the U.S. Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding, absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, including but not limited to the inability of the U.S. Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient bids or publications in accordance with the terms hereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be the U.S. Prime Rate until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist.

Amendment and Restatement Agreement ” means that certain agreement dated as of April 30, 2009 among the Administrative Agents, the Restatement Required Lenders and the Original Borrowers regarding the amendment and restatement of the Original Credit Agreement on the terms set forth herein as a result of the Proposed Reorganization.

Applicable Lender ” means, with respect to any Borrowing of (i) Canadian Revolving Loans, each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender; (ii) U.S. Revolving Loans, each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender; and (iii) Term Loans, each Term Credit Lender.

 

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Applicable Leverage Ratio ” means, at any time, the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA at such time.

Applicable Margin ” means, on any date, the applicable rate per annum, expressed as a percentage, set out in the relevant column and row of the table below, determined by reference to the Applicable Leverage Ratio until the Parent Borrower has obtained ratings of its Rated Debt from at least two (2) of S&P, Moody’s and DBRS, following which the Applicable Margin will be determined by reference to the ratings on such date for the Rated Debt.

 

Applicable Leverage Ratio

  

Rating

   Facility Fee     LIBO/BA
Applicable
Margin

Under Revolving
Credit
    BA Applicable
Margin

Under Canadian
Term Credit
 

Less than 0.75:1.00

   > Baa1 or BBB+    0.08   0.42   0.50

Equal to or greater than 0.75:1.00 but less than 1.25:1.00

   Baa2 or BBB    0.125   0.50   0.625

Equal to or greater than 1.25:1.00 but less than 1.75:1.00

   Baa3 or BBB-    0.15   0.60   0.75

Equal to or greater than 1.75:1.00 but less than 2.25:1.00

   Ba1 or BB+    0.175   0.70   0.875

Equal to or greater than 2.25: 1.00

   < Ba1 or BB+    0.25   1.00   1.25

For so long as the Applicable Margins are determined by reference to the Applicable Leverage Ratio, the Applicable Margins will change (to the extent necessary, if any) on each date on which the financial statements and certificate of the Parent Borrower are delivered to the Administrative Agents pursuant to Section 5.1 to reflect any change in the Applicable Leverage Ratio effective as of the date of such financial statements, based upon the financial statements for the immediately preceding Rolling Period, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the first Business Day thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Parent Borrower fails to deliver financial statements and the certificate of the Parent Borrower as required by Section 5.1 on or before the date required pursuant to Section 5.1 (without regard to grace periods), the Applicable Margins will be the highest margins provided for in the above grid from the date such financial statements are due pursuant to Section 5.1 (without regard to grace periods) through the date the Administrative Agents receive all financial statements and certificates that are then due pursuant to Section 5.1. At any time when the Applicable Margin is determined by reference to the debt ratings for the Rated Debt, (i) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established for the Rated Debt shall fall within different categories, the Applicable Margin shall be based on the higher of the two applicable ratings, unless one of the two ratings is two or more categories lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Margin shall be determined by reference to the category next above that of the lower of the two ratings; and (ii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established for the Rated Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of Moody’s, S&P or DBRS), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished to the Administrative Agents and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1 or otherwise. Each change in the Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date

 

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immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided that no such change shall affect the Applicable Margin for any outstanding Bankers’ Acceptance until the end of the then-current Contract Period for such Bankers’ Acceptance. If the rating system of Moody’s, S&P or DBRS shall change, or if any such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrowers and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Margins shall be determined by reference to the Applicable Leverage Ratio of the Parent Borrower. If at any time after the time when the Applicable Margin is determined by reference to the debt ratings for the Rated Debt, the Parent Borrower ceases to have ratings of its Rated Debt from at least two (2) of S&P, Moody’s and DBRS, the Applicable Margin shall be determined by reference to the Applicable Leverage Ratio.

Applicable Percentage ” means (i) with respect to any Canadian Revolving Credit Lender, the percentage of the total Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment; (ii) with respect to any U.S. Revolving Credit Lender, the percentage of the total U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment; (iii) with respect to any Term Credit Lender, the percentage of the total Term Credit Commitments represented by such Lender’s Term Credit Commitment, and (iv) with respect to all Lenders, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitments. If any Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages in respect of the terminated or expired Commitments shall be determined based upon the amount of Revolving Credit Exposure and Term Credit Exposure (as applicable) outstanding, giving effect to any assignments.

Approved Fund ” means (a) a CLO, and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund which invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans or similar extensions of credit and is advised or managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.4), and accepted by the U.S. Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit C or any other form approved by the U.S. Administrative Agent.

Authorization ” means, with respect to any Person, any authorization, order, permit, approval, grant, licence, consent, right, franchise, privilege, certificate, judgment, writ, injunction, award, determination, direction, decree, by-law, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Person, whether or not having the force of Law.

B/A Borrowing ” means a Borrowing comprised of one or more Bankers’ Acceptances or, as applicable, B/A Equivalent Loans. For greater certainty, unless the context requires otherwise, all provisions of this Agreement which are applicable to Bankers’ Acceptances are also applicable, mutatis mutandis , to B/A Equivalent Loans.

B/A Equivalent Loan ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.11(h).

B/A Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of the aggregate outstanding amounts of all outstanding B/As. The B/A Exposure of any Canadian Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total B/A Exposure under the Canadian Revolving Credit at such time, and the B/A Exposure of any Term Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total B/A Exposure under the Term Credit at such time.

 

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Bankers’ Acceptance ” and “ B/A ” mean an instrument denominated in Canadian Dollars, drawn by the Canadian Borrower and accepted by a Canadian Revolving Lender or a Term Lender in accordance with this Agreement, and includes a “depository note” within the meaning of the Depository Bills and Notes Act (Canada) and a bill of exchange within the meaning of the Bills of Exchange Act (Canada).

Base Rate ” means, on any day, the annual rate of interest equal to the greater of (i) the annual rate of interest announced by The Bank of Nova Scotia and in effect as its base rate at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario on such day for determining interest rates on U.S. Dollar-denominated commercial loans made in Canada, and (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%.

Base Rate Borrowing ” means a Borrowing comprised of one or more Base Rate Loans.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Canadian Revolving Credit Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate.

Benefit Plans ” means any benefit plan, other than a Pension Plan, in respect of which any Credit Party makes or has made payments in respect of, on behalf of, or for the benefit of its employees.

BIA ” means the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).

Borrower ” means either of the Canadian Borrowers or the U.S. Borrower, as applicable, and “ Borrowers ” shall mean, collectively, the Canadian Borrowers and the U.S. Borrower.

Borrowing ” means any availment of any of the Credits, and includes any Loan, the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or any amendment thereto or renewal or extension thereof) and a rollover or conversion of any outstanding Loan.

Borrowing Request ” means, (i) in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit, a request by the Canadian Borrower for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3 substantially in the form of Exhibit B1; (ii) in respect of the Term Credit, a request by the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3 substantially in the form of Exhibit B2; and (iii) in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit, a request by the U.S. Borrower for a Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.3 substantially in the form of Exhibit B3.

Business Day ” means any day that is not (i) a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Toronto, Ontario are authorized or required by applicable Law to remain closed, or (ii) in the case of any U.S. Dollar-denominated Borrowing, any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by applicable Law to remain closed, or (iii) in the case of any LIBO Rate Loan, any other day on which commercial banks in London, England are authorized or required by applicable Law to remain closed.

Canadian Administrative Agent ” means, (i) in respect of any matter relating to the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit (including the receipt and disbursement of payments and payment-related notices under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit), The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as co-Canadian administrative agent in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit and the Term Credit for the Lenders hereunder, or any successor Canadian Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.9; and (ii) in respect of any matter under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit other than those matters set out in paragraph (i) above relating to the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, in its capacity as co-Canadian administrative agent in respect of the

 

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Canadian Revolving Credit and the Term Credit for the Lenders hereunder, or any successor Canadian Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.9.

Canadian Borrower ” means, (i) in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit, either the Parent Borrower or the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower, as applicable, and (ii) in respect of the Term Credit, the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower, and “ Canadian Borrowers ” means both the Parent Borrower and the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower.

Canadian $ Equivalent ” means, on any day, the amount of Canadian Dollars that the Canadian Administrative Agent could purchase, in accordance with its normal practice, with a specified amount of U.S. Dollars based on the Bank of Canada noon spot rate on such date.

Canadian Dollars ” and “ Cdn.$ ” refer to lawful money of Canada.

Canadian Issuing Bank ” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as the issuer of Canadian Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.18(i). The Canadian Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Canadian Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the Canadian Issuing Bank, in which case the term “ Canadian Issuing Bank ” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Canadian Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

Canadian LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by a Canadian Issuing Bank pursuant to a Canadian Letter of Credit.

Canadian LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit at such time, plus (b) the aggregate amount of all Canadian LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Canadian Borrower at such time. The Canadian LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Canadian LC Exposure at such time.

Canadian Lender ” means a Lender in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit, the Term Credit, or both.

Canadian Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued in Canadian Dollars or U.S. Dollars under the Canadian Revolving Credit pursuant to this Agreement.

Canadian Prime Borrowing ” means a Borrowing comprised of one or more Canadian Prime Loans.

Canadian Prime Loan ” means a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon the Canadian Prime Rate.

Canadian Prime Rate ” means, on any day, the annual rate of interest (rounded upwards, if not in an increment of 1/16th of 1%, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greater of (i) the annual rate of interest announced by The Bank of Nova Scotia and in effect as its prime rate at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario on such day for determining interest rates on Canadian Dollar-denominated commercial loans in Canada, and (ii) the annual rate of interest equal to the sum of (A) the one-month CDOR Rate in effect on such day, plus (B) 0.75%.

Canadian Resident Lender ” means, in respect of a particular Loan, (i) a Lender which holds such Loan and which is resident in Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and (ii) a Lender which is an “authorized foreign bank”, as defined in section 2 of the Bank Act (Canada) and in

 

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section 248(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and which holds the Loan as part of its “Canadian banking business”, as defined in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Canadian Revolving Credit ” means the revolving credit facility (initially Cdn.$200,000,000 (or U.S. $ Equivalent)) established pursuant to the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments of the Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders.

Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(a).

Canadian Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Loans and its Canadian LC Exposure and Canadian Swingline Exposure at such time.

Canadian Revolving Credit Lender ” means any Lender having a Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder and/or a Canadian Revolving Loan outstanding hereunder.

Canadian Revolving Loan ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(a).

Canadian Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is incorporated or organized in Canada.

Canadian Subsidiary Borrower ” has the meaning set out in the recitals hereto.

Canadian Subsidiary Borrower Guarantee ” means the guarantee by the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower of the obligations of the Parent Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit F.

Canadian Swingline Commitment Amount ” means Cdn.$25,000,000 or the U.S.$ Equivalent thereof.

Canadian Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Canadian Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Canadian Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Canadian Swingline Exposure at such time.

Canadian Swingline Lender ” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as lender of Canadian Swingline Loans hereunder, and any successor thereto.

Canadian Swingline Loan ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.19.

Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

CDOR Rate ” means, on any day and for any period, an annual rate of interest equal to the average rate applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances for the applicable period appearing on the “Reuters Screen CDOR Page” (as defined in the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. 2000 definitions, as modified and amended from time to time), rounded to the nearest 1/100 th of 1% (with .005% being rounded up), at approximately 10:00 a.m., on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day, provided that if such rate does not appear on the

 

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Reuters Screen CDOR Page on such day as contemplated, then the CDOR Rate on such day shall be calculated as the average of the rates for such period applicable to Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances quoted by the banks listed in Schedule I of the Bank Act (Canada) as of 10:00 a.m., on such day or, if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day.

Change of Control ” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group of Persons acting jointly or otherwise in concert of Equity Securities representing more than 30% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of the Parent Borrower, (b) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months, the occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Parent Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Parent Borrower, nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated, or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Parent Borrower by any Person or group of Persons acting jointly or otherwise in concert.

Change in Law ” means (i) the adoption of any new Law after the Closing Date, (ii) any change in any existing Law or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date, or (iii) compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.13(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date.

CLO ” means any Person (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and is administered or managed by a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender.

Closing Date ” means February 28, 2006.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (a federal statute of the United States of America), as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time, and any rule or regulation issued thereunder.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment(s) of such Lender to make Canadian Revolving Loans, U.S. Revolving Loans and/or Term Loans hereunder as, in the case of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments or U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments, such commitment may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.6 and/or 2.9, and as such commitments may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.4 and as such commitments may be increased under the Commitment Increase Right. The initial amount(s) of each Lender’s Commitment(s) is set out in Schedule A, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment(s), as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of (i) the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments is Cdn.$200,000,000 or the U.S. Dollar equivalent thereof; (ii) the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments is U.S. $100,000,000; and (iii) the Term Credit Commitments is Cdn.$300,000,000.

Commitment Increase Right ” means the right of the Borrowers to request increases in the Commitments in accordance with Section 2.1(d).

Commitment Letter ” means that certain Senior Credit Facilities commitment letter dated as of February 6, 2006 among the Original Borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as U.S. Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Canadian

 

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Co-Agents, and J.P. Morgan Securities Canada Inc., and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Lead Arrangers with respect to the Credits.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means Consolidated Net Income for the previous four Fiscal Quarters plus (to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income) (i) provisions for federal, state, provincial and local income taxes accrued; (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense; (iii) depreciation and amortization; (iv) extraordinary or non-recurring non-cash losses incurred other than in the ordinary course of business; and minus (to the extent added in calculating Consolidated Net Income) (v) extraordinary or non-recurring non-cash gains realized other than in the normal course of business, all in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis.

Consolidated EBITDAR ” means, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA plus Consolidated Rent Expense, all as calculated for the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis.

Consolidated Fixed Charges ” means, with reference to any period, the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense (which includes capitalized interest and the interest component of capitalized leases); plus (ii) Consolidated Rent Expense.

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including capitalized interest and the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations) of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with reference to any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Rent Expense ” means, with reference to any period, all payments under operating leases and synthetic leases of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, all calculated on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Tangible Net Worth ” means, for the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the consolidated stockholders equity of the Parent Borrower, less  all goodwill and all items which are defined as intangibles under GAAP.

Consolidated Total Debt ” means, without duplication, all Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including current maturities of such obligations, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Contract Period ” means the term of a B/A Borrowing selected by the Canadian Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3 (a) (iv) commencing on the date of such B/A Borrowing and expiring on a Business Day which shall be either one month, two months, three months or, if available, as determined by the Canadian Administrative Agent in good faith, six months thereafter (or such other terms as may be requested by the Canadian Borrower and approved unanimously by the Lenders); provided that (i) subject to subparagraph (ii) below, each such period which ends on a day that is not a Business Day shall automatically be extended until the next following Business Day, unless such extension results in the Contract Period expiring in a later month than the month in which it would otherwise expire, in which case such period shall be shortened so that it expires on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which it would otherwise expire, and (ii) no Contract Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

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Control ” means, in respect of a particular Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Controlled Group ” means all members of a controlled group of corporations or other business entities and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

Cover ”, when required by this Agreement for LC Exposure or Bankers’ Acceptances, shall be effected by paying to the applicable Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, to be held by the applicable Administrative Agent in a collateral account maintained by such Administrative Agent at its Payment Office and collaterally assigned as security, an amount equal to, as applicable, the maximum amount of LC Exposure available for drawing at such time, or the face amount of all Bankers’ Acceptances outstanding at such time. Such amount shall be retained by the applicable Administrative Agent in such collateral account until such time as the applicable Letters of Credit and Bankers’ Acceptances shall have expired or matured and Reimbursement Obligations, if any, with respect thereto shall have been fully satisfied; provided that if any such Reimbursement Obligations are not satisfied when due hereunder, the applicable Administrative Agent may apply any amounts in such collateral account against such Reimbursement Obligations.

Credit Party ” means the Borrowers and each Guarantor. For greater certainty, “ Credit Party ” shall not include (i) any Immaterial Subsidiary which has not been designated as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.10; (ii) any Advertising Entity; or (iii) any FIN-46 Entity.

Credits ” means, collectively, the Canadian Revolving Credit, the U.S. Revolving Credit and the Term Credit, and “ Credit ” means any one of the Credits.

Currency Due ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17.

DBRS ” shall mean Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited, or its successor.

Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which, upon notice, lapse of time or both, would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Disclosed Matters ” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule B.

Discount Proceeds ” means, for any B/A (or, as applicable, any B/A Equivalent Loan), an amount (rounded to the nearest whole cent, and with one-half of one cent being rounded up) calculated on the applicable date of Borrowing by multiplying:

 

  (i) the face amount of the B/A (or, as applicable, the undiscounted amount of the B/A Equivalent Loan); by

 

  (ii) the quotient of one divided by the sum of one plus the product of:

 

  (A) the Discount Rate (expressed as a decimal) applicable to such B/A (or as applicable, such B/A Equivalent Loan), multiplied by

 

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  (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Contract Period of the B/A (or, as applicable, the B/A Equivalent Loan) and the denominator of which is 365,

with such quotient being rounded up or down to the nearest fifth decimal place, and with .000005 being rounded up.

Discount Rate ” means, with respect to either a B/A for a particular Contract Period being purchased by a Canadian Lender on any day or a B/A Equivalent Loan being made by a Lender on any day, (i) for any Canadian Lender which is a Schedule I chartered bank under the Bank Act (Canada), the CDOR Rate on such day for such Contract Period; and (ii) for any other Lender, the lesser of (a) the CDOR Rate on such day for such Contract Period, plus 0.10%, and (b) the percentage discount rate (which will be expressed in terms of the CDOR Rate or a spread over the CDOR Rate) quoted by such Canadian Lender as the percentage discount rate at which such Canadian Lender would, in accordance with its normal practices, at or about 10:00 a.m. on such date, be prepared to purchase bankers’ acceptances or make B/A Equivalent Loans having a face amount and term comparable to the face amount and term of such B/A or B/A Equivalent Loan.

Effective Date ” means February 28, 2006.

Environmental Laws ” means all federal, provincial, local or foreign laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgements, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the generation, use, handling, collection, treatment, storage, transportation, recovery, recycling, release, threatened release or disposal of any Hazardous Material, or to health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Credit Party directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Laws, (b) the generation, use, handling, collection, treatment, storage, transportation, recovery, recycling or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment, or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Securities ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in, or other equivalents (however designated and whether voting and non-voting) of, such Person’s capital, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued after the Closing Date, including any interest in a partnership, limited partnership or other similar Person and any beneficial interest in a trust, and any and all rights, warrants, debt securities, options or other rights exchangeable for or convertible into any of the foregoing.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (a federal statute of the United States of America), as amended from time to time.

Event of Default ” has the meaning set out in Section 7.1.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to any Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its taxable income or net income, or capital taxes (including the large corporations tax imposed under Part I.3 of the Income Tax Act) imposed on (or measured by) its taxable capital, and any substantially similar taxes imposed by Canada, the United States

 

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or by any other jurisdiction under the Laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or in which its applicable lending office is located; (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar taxes imposed by any other jurisdiction in which any Borrower is located; (c) any taxes for which no payment is required from the applicable Borrower pursuant to Section 9.4(f); and (d) any income or withholding taxes imposed on a Lender for its failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change of Law) to comply with Section 2.15(e), and (e) any income or withholding taxes imposed on payments to, or for the benefit of, any Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrowers under Section 2.20) on the date such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office); provided, however , that clauses (d) and (e) shall not apply to (i) Taxes imposed on payments to a Lender for a portion of a Loan that such Lender acquired by assignment to the extent that, immediately prior to the assignment, the party that assigned such portion of the Loan was entitled to additional payments under Section 2.15(a) for such Taxes (or indemnity under Section 2.15(c) for such Taxes); (ii) Taxes imposed on payments to a Lender for any portion of a Loan that such Lender acquired by assignment after or during a continuation of a Default; or (iii) Taxes imposed on a Lender that designates a new lending office to the extent that, immediately prior to such designation, such Lender was entitled to additional payments under Section 2.15(a) with respect to such withholding Taxes (or indemnity under Section 2.15(c) for such income Taxes).

Facility Fees ” means the facility fees payable by the Canadian Borrowers or the U.S. Borrower pursuant to Section 2.10.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the per annum rate equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Board of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the U.S. Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

Fee Letters ” means the letters dated on or about the date of the Commitment Letter among the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agents and the Original Borrowers relating to the payment of certain fees.

FIN-46 Entity ” means any franchisee of any Borrower, any franchisee of any Subsidiary, and any other Person, in each case if such franchisee or other Person is required to be consolidated by the Parent Borrower in accordance with FIN-46 accounting principles under GAAP, but would not otherwise be consolidated by the Parent Borrower in accordance with GAAP.

Fiscal Quarter ” means any fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower, and “ Fiscal Year ” means any fiscal year of the Parent Borrower. The Fiscal Year of the Parent Borrower ends on the Sunday which is closest to December 31 in each year. The first Fiscal Quarter of the Parent Borrower ends on the date which is 13 weeks after the end of the most recently completed Fiscal Year; the second Fiscal Quarter of the Parent Borrower ends on the date which is 13 weeks after the end of the most recently completed first Fiscal Quarter; and the third Fiscal Quarter of the Parent Borrower ends on the date which is 13 weeks after the end of the most recently completed second Fiscal Quarter.

Foreign Canadian Lender ” means any Canadian Lender that is not a Canadian Resident Lender.

Former Parent ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

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GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

Governmental Authority ” means the Government of Canada, the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether provincial, state, territorial or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank, fiscal or monetary authority or other authority regulating financial institutions, and any other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government, including the Bank Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices of the Bank of International Settlements.

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (in this definition, the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (in this definition, the “ primary credit party ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof (whether in the form of a loan, advance, stock purchase, capital contribution or otherwise), (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital solvency, or any other balance sheet, income statement or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary credit party so as to enable the primary credit party to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guarantee issued to support such Indebtedness or other obligation, and “ Guarantees ” shall mean each Guarantee provided by a Guarantor under this Agreement.

Guarantor ” means (a) each of the entities listed on Schedule D; (b) each future Material Subsidiary of the Borrowers required to provide a guarantee pursuant to Section 5.10; and (c) at any given time, each Immaterial Subsidiary of the Borrowers designated at such time by a Borrower to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 5.10, unless the Borrowers shall have revoked the designation of such Person as a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.10.

Hazardous Materials ” means any substance, product, liquid, waste, pollutant, chemical, contaminant, insecticide, pesticide, gaseous or solid matter, organic or inorganic matter, fuel, micro-organism, ray, odour, radiation, energy, vector, plasma, constituent or material which (a) is or becomes listed, regulated or addressed under any Environmental Laws, or (b) is, or is deemed to be, alone or in any combination, hazardous, hazardous waste, toxic, a pollutant, a deleterious substance, a contaminant or a source of pollution or contamination under any Environmental Laws, including asbestos, petroleum and polychlorinated biphenyls, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Laws.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower which represents less than 5% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Parent Borrower, and which, together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, represents less than 10% of the consolidated gross revenues of the Parent Borrower, and which has not been designated as a Guarantor by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 5.10, or has been de-designated as a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.10.

Income Tax Act ” means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended from time to time.

 

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Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication: (a) its liabilities for borrowed money, including bankers’ acceptances, and its redemption obligations in respect of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock; (b) its liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by such Person (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business but including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to any such property); (c) all liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of capital leases; (d) all liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien with respect to any property owned by such Person (whether or not it has assumed or otherwise become liable for such liabilities); (e) all its liabilities in respect of letters of credit or instruments serving a similar function issued or accepted for its account by banks and other financial institutions (whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money); (f) the net marked-to-market liability of such Persons under Swap Agreements, other than the Swap Agreements listed in Schedule E; and (g) any Receivables Facility Attributed Indebtedness, and (h) any Guarantee by such Person with respect to liabilities of another Person of a type described in any of clauses (a) through (f) hereof.

Indemnified Taxes ” means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.3(b).

Interest Payment Date ” means, (a) in the case of any Loan other than a LIBO Rate Loan, each Quarterly Date in each calendar year, and (b) in the case of a LIBO Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period relating to such LIBO Rate Loan, provided that if an Interest Period for any LIBO Rate Loan is of a duration exceeding three months, then “ Interest Payment Date ” shall also include each date which occurs at each three-month interval after the first day of such Interest Period.

Intercreditor Agreement ” means the intercreditor agreement dated as of February 28, 2006 among the Administrative Agents and the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated, modified or supplemented.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to a LIBO Rate Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one month, two months, three months or, subject to availability, six months thereafter, as the applicable Borrower may elect; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the immediately succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) no Interest Period for a Borrowing under any Credit shall extend beyond any date that any principal payment or prepayment is scheduled to be due under such Credit unless the aggregate principal amount of (A) Canadian Prime Borrowings, ABR Borrowings and Base Rate Borrowings under such Credit, and (B) B/A Borrowings and LIBO Rate Borrowings under such Credit which have Interest Periods or Contract Periods which will expire on or before such date, less the aggregate amount of any other principal payments or prepayments due under such Credit during such Interest Period, is equal to or in excess of the amount of such principal payment or prepayment, and (iv) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a converted or continued Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Investment ” means, as applied to any Person (the “ investor ”), any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by the investor of, or a beneficial interest in, Equity Securities of any other Person,

 

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including any exchange of Equity Securities for Indebtedness, or any direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for moving, travel, tax equalization for expatriate employees, and other similar type expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by the investor to any other Person, including all Indebtedness and accounts receivable owing to the investor from such other Person that did not arise from sales or services rendered to such other Person in the ordinary course of the investor’s business, or any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition of bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, any other Person. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment minus any amounts (a) realized upon the disposition of assets comprising an Investment (including the value of any liabilities assumed by any Person other than a Credit Party in connection with such disposition), (b) constituting repayments of Investments that are loans or advances or (c) constituting cash returns of principal or capital thereon (including any dividend, redemption or repurchase of equity that is accounted for, in accordance with GAAP, as a return of principal or capital).

Issuing Bank ” shall mean either the Canadian Issuing Bank or the U.S. Issuing Bank, as applicable, and “ Issuing Banks ” means both of them.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17.

Laws ” means all federal, provincial, state, municipal, foreign and international statutes, acts, codes, ordinances, decrees, treaties, rules, regulations, municipal by-laws, judicial or arbitral or administrative or ministerial or departmental or regulatory judgments, orders, decisions, rulings or awards or any provisions of the foregoing, including general principles of common and civil law and equity, and all policies, practices and guidelines of any Governmental Authority binding on or affecting the Person referred to in the context in which such word is used (including, in the case of tax matters, any accepted practice or application or official interpretation of any relevant taxation authority); and “ Law ” means any one or more of the foregoing.

LC Commitment Amount ” means, in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit, up to Cdn.$25,000,000 or the U.S. $ Equivalent thereof, and, in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit, up to U.S.$10,000,000.

LC Disbursement ” means either a Canadian LC Disbursement or a U.S. LC Disbursement, or both, as applicable.

LC Exposure ” means either Canadian LC Exposure or U.S. LC Exposure, or both, as applicable.

Lead Arrangers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities Canada Inc. and The Bank of Nova Scotia, in their capacity as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners hereunder.

Lender Affiliate ” means, (a) with respect to any Lender, (i) an Affiliate of such Lender, or (ii) a CLO and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund which invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed as lenders on Schedule A and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “ Lenders ” includes the Swingline Lenders and the Issuing Banks.

 

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Letter of Credit ” or “ LC ” means either a Canadian Letter of Credit or a U.S. Letter of Credit, or both, as applicable.

LIBO Rate Borrowing ” means a Borrowing comprised of one or more LIBO Rate Loans.

LIBO Rate Loan ” means a Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars which bears interest at a rate based upon the LIBO Rate.

LIBO Rate ” means, for any Interest Period, the rate for U.S. Dollar borrowings appearing on page 3750 of the Telerate Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such Service providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as determined by the applicable Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to U.S. Dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for U.S. Dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which U.S. Dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the applicable Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

Lien ” means, (a) with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothec, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge, security interest, royalty interest, adverse claim, defect of title or right of set off in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease, title retention agreement or consignment agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to any asset, (c) any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such assets, (d) any netting arrangement, defeasance arrangement or reciprocal fee arrangement (other than customary netting arrangements pursuant to any Swap Agreement), and (e) any other arrangement having the effect of providing security.

Loan ” means any loan made by the Lenders to a Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, and includes any B/A accepted (and any B/A Equivalent Loan purchased) by any Lender hereunder.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Parent Guarantee, the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower Guarantee, the U.S. Borrower Guarantee, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Borrowing Requests and the Fee Letters, together with any other document, instrument or agreement (other than participation, agency or similar agreements among the Lenders or between any Lender and any other bank or creditor with respect to any indebtedness or obligations of any Credit Party (as applicable) hereunder or thereunder) entered into in connection with this Agreement on the Closing Date or thereafter, as such documents, instruments or agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

Margin Stock ” has the meaning provided in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

Material Adverse Change ” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or condition, financial or otherwise, of the (i) Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii)

 

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the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agents and the Lenders thereunder (other than any termination thereof in accordance with its terms).

Material Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) of any one or more Credit Parties in an aggregate principal amount exceeding Cdn.$25,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in any other currency.

Material Subsidiary ” means (a) a Subsidiary which is not an Immaterial Subsidiary, and (b) any Subsidiary not included in paragraph (a) of this definition which the Borrowers designate, by written notice to the Administrative Agents, to be a Material Subsidiary. The Borrowers may revoke any Material Subsidiary designation made by the Borrowers pursuant to paragraph (b) of this definition, by written notice to the Administrative Agents, provided that no Default or Event of Default (i) has occurred and is continuing at the time of such revocation of such designation, other than a Default or Event of Default that would cease to exist as a result of such revocation, or (ii) would result from such revocation of such designation.

Maturity Date ” means February 28, 2011 (or, if such date is not a Business Day, the next Business Day thereafter).

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or its successor.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA and to which the Parent Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group is obligated to make contributions.

Operating Property ” means any retail restaurant, warehouse, distribution center, office, land or other facility or real property owned or used by any Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that any parcel of land (including all facilities and improvements thereon) which is owned by any Borrower or any Subsidiary and no part of which is used by any Borrower or any Subsidiary and no part of which is under construction or development for use by any Borrower or any Subsidiary shall not constitute Operating Property until such time as any such use, construction or development begins.

Original Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Original Borrowers ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Overdraft Availability ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.19(d).

Parent Borrower ” means Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the federal laws of Canada.

Parent Guarantee ” means the guarantee by the Parent Borrower of the obligations of the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and the U.S. Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E.

Participant ” has the meaning set out in Section 9.4.

Payment Office ” means the applicable Administrative Agent’s office located at the address and to the attention of the individual set out on Schedule A hereto (or such other office or individual as such Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing to the other parties hereto).

 

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Pension Plan ” means any pension plan in respect of which any Credit Party makes or has made contributions in respect of its employees.

Permitted Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(i).

Permitted Investments ” means (i) short-term obligations of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States of America, the Government of Canada or any province or territory thereof, and treasury futures issued by the United States of America, the Government of Canada or any agency or instrumentality thereof, (ii) commercial paper rated A-1 or better by S&P, or P-1 or better by Moody’s, or R-1 low or better by DBRS, (iii) demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business, (iv) certificates of deposit issued by and time deposits with commercial banks (whether domestic or foreign) having capital and surplus in excess of U.S.$100,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency), (v) bankers acceptances, (vi) variable rate demand notes, (vii) repurchase agreements entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iv) above which are secured by securities of the type described in clause (i) above, (viii) short-term municipal put option bonds, and (ix) money-market funds, provided that substantially all of the assets of such funds are comprised of securities otherwise described in this definition; provided in each case that the same provides for payment of both principal and interest (and not principal alone or interest alone) and is not subject to any contingency regarding the payment of principal or interest.

Permitted Liens ” means Liens permitted under Section 6.2.

Permitted Receivables Financing ” means any financing by any Credit Party of Receivables in any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by any Credit Party pursuant to which the applicable Credit Party sells, conveys or otherwise transfers to another Person (other than a Credit Party), any Receivables (whether now existing or hereafter acquired) or interests therein of the applicable Credit Party and any Related Property, provided that (i) the board of directors of the Parent Borrower shall have determined in good faith that such Permitted Receivables Financing is economically fair and reasonable to the Credit Parties, (ii) all sales of Receivables and Related Property to the Receivables purchaser are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Parent Borrower); and (iii) such Permitted Receivables Financing does not provide for recourse by the purchaser or any other party against any Credit Party, other than customary indemnification obligations arising as a result of any misrepresentation relating to eligibility of Receivables sold, conveyed or otherwise transferred under such Permitted Receivables Financing.

Person ” includes any natural person, corporation, company, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated organization, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

PPSA ” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario), as amended from time to time.

Proposed Reorganization ” means the transaction for which the stockholders of the Former Parent have approved a merger transaction that will result in such stockholders owning common shares of the Parent Borrower rather than common stock of the Former Parent. Upon completion of the merger, the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries will continue to conduct substantially the same business that the Former Parent and its Subsidiaries conducted. In addition to the merger transaction, the reorganization will also consist of additional intercompany actions and transactions taken immediately following the merger related to the Parent Borrower’s corporate structure that will involve both the creation and liquidation of certain Subsidiaries.

 

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Purchase Money Lien ” means a Lien taken or reserved in personal property to secure payment of all or part of its purchase price, provided that such Lien (i) secures an amount not exceeding the lesser of the purchase price of such personal property and the fair market value of such personal property at the time such Lien is taken or reserved, (ii) extends only to such personal property and its proceeds, and (iii) is granted prior to or within 30 days after the purchase of such personal property.

Quarterly Date ” means the first Business Day of each of the months of January, April, July and October.

Rated Debt ” means the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long term debt of the Parent Borrower which is rated by Moody’s, S&P and/or DBRS.

Receivable ” means the indebtedness and payment obligations of any Person to any Credit Party or acquired by any Credit Party (including obligations constituting an account or general intangible or evidenced by a note, instrument, contract, security agreement, chattel paper or other evidence of indebtedness or security) arising from a sale of merchandise or the provision of services by such Credit Party or the Person from which such indebtedness and payment obligation were acquired by such Credit Party, including (a) any right to payment for goods sold or for services rendered and (b) the right to payment of any interest, sales taxes, finance charges, returned check or late charges and other obligations of such Person with respect thereto.

Receivable Facility Attributed Indebtedness ” means the amount of obligations outstanding under any Permitted Receivables Financing on any date of determination that would be characterized as principal if such Permitted Receivables Financing were structured as a secured lending transaction rather than as a purchase, excluding any obligations outstanding that arise in connection with transfers of loan obligations owing to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries by franchisees and other related assets that are treated as true sales of financial assets under FASB Statement No. 140, as in effect from time to time.

Registers ” has the meaning set out in Section 9.4(c).

Reimbursement Obligations ” means, at any date, the obligations of any Borrower then outstanding in respect of the Letters of Credit, to reimburse the applicable Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank for the amount paid by such Issuing Bank in respect of any drawings under the Letters of Credit.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Related Property ” shall mean, with respect to each Receivable, (a) all of the interest of the applicable Credit Party in the goods, if any, sold and delivered to an account debtor relating to the sale which gave rise to such Receivable, (b) all other security interests or Liens, and the interest of the applicable Credit Party in the property subject thereto, from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, together with all financing statements describing any collateral securing such Receivable, (c) all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable, in the case of clauses (b) and (c), whether pursuant to the contract related to such Receivable or otherwise or pursuant to any obligations evidenced by a note, instrument, contract, security agreement, chattel paper or other evidence of indebtedness or security and the proceeds thereof, and (d) all other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Receivables.

 

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Release ” is to be broadly interpreted and shall include an actual or potential discharge, deposit, spill, leak, pumping, pouring, emission, emptying, injection, escape, leaching, seepage or disposal of a Hazardous Materials which is or may be in breach of any Environmental Laws.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures, Term Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures, Term Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time.

Responsible Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the chairman, the president, any vice president, the chief executive officer or the chief operating officer, and, in respect of financial or accounting matters, any chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.

Restatement Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions precedent specified in Section 4.1 to the effectiveness of this Agreement have been satisfied or waived by the Administrative Agents.

Restatement Required Lenders ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

Restricted Payment ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any payment by such Person (i) of any dividends on any of its Equity Securities, or (ii) on account of, or for the purpose of setting apart any property for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any of its Equity Securities or any Equity Securities of any other Credit Party, Immaterial Subsidiary, Advertising Entity or FIN-46 Entity, or any warrants, options or rights to acquire any such Equity Securities, or the making by such Person of any other distribution in respect of any of such Equity Securities, or (iii) of any principal of or interest or premium on or of any amount in respect of a sinking or analogous fund or defeasance fund for any Indebtedness of any Credit Party, ranking in right of payment subordinate to any liability of such Credit Party under the Loan Documents; provided , however, that notwithstanding anything set forth above to the contrary, any payment (including repayments and reimbursements) made by, to be made by, or which is contemplated or required to be made by any Borrower or any Subsidiary to Wendy’s or any Affiliate of Wendy’s under any of the following agreements (executed copies of which have been provided to the Lenders prior to the date hereof and were, in each case, executed by the parties thereto in connection with that certain initial public offering of Equity Securities by the Former Borrower on March 29, 2006) shall not be considered “Restricted Payments”: Tax Sharing Agreement by and between Wendy’s and the Former Parent, Registration Rights Agreement by and between Wendy’s and the Former Parent, Master Separation Agreement by and between Wendy’s and the Former Parent, and Shared Services Agreement by and between Wendy’s and the Former Parent (in each case as such agreement may be assigned by the Former Parent to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Proposed Reorganization, collectively referred to hereinafter as the “ Separation Agreements ”).

Revolving Credit ” means either the Canadian Revolving Credit or the U.S. Revolving Credit, as applicable, and “ Revolving Credits ” means both of them.

Revolving Credit Commitment ” means either a Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment or a U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable, and “ Revolving Credit Commitments ” means both of them.

Revolving Credit Exposure ” means either Canadian Revolving Credit Exposure or U.S. Revolving Credit Exposure, as applicable, and “ Revolving Credit Exposures ” means both of them.

 

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Revolving Credit Lender ” means either a Canadian Revolving Credit Lender or a U.S. Revolving Credit Lender, as applicable, and “ Revolving Credit Lenders ” means both of them.

Revolving Loan ” means either a Canadian Revolving Loan or a U.S. Revolving Loan, as applicable, and “ Revolving Loans ” means both of them.

Rolling Period ” means, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending January 1, 2006, each Fiscal Quarter taken together with the three immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters.

Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means any arrangement with any Person (other than a Credit Party) providing for the leasing by a Credit Party of property (except a lease for a temporary period not to exceed three years by the end of which it is intended that the use of such property by the lessee will be discontinued), which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Credit Party to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

Single Employer Plan ” means a U.S. Pension Plan maintained by the Parent Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group for employees of the Parent Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group.

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any other Person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other Person (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise controlled by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower or the U.S. Borrower, as applicable; provided that no Advertising Entity and no FIN-46 Entity shall be a Subsidiary.

Subsidiary Guarantees ” means the amended and restated guarantees by (a) the U.S. Subsidiaries in support of the obligations of the U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the form of which is attached as Exhibit H hereto, and (b) the Canadian Subsidiaries in support of the obligations of the Canadian Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the form of which is attached as Exhibit I hereto. For the purposes of Section 9.2(b)(vii), each of the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower Guarantee and the U.S. Borrower Guarantee shall be deemed to be a “Subsidiary Guarantee”.

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Credit Parties shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

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Swingline Exposure ” means either the Canadian Swingline Exposure or the U.S. Swingline Exposure, as applicable, and “ Swingline Exposures ” means both.

Swingline Commitment Amount ” means either the Canadian Swingline Commitment Amount or the U.S. Swingline Commitment Amount, as applicable, and “ Swingline Commitment Amounts ” means both.

Swingline Lender ” means either the Canadian Swingline Lender or the U.S. Swingline Lender, as applicable.

Swingline Loan ” means either a Canadian Swingline Loan or a U.S. Swingline Loan, as applicable.

Taxes ” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts and other assessments, including all income, sales, use, goods and services, value added, capital, capital gains, alternative, net worth, transfer, profits, withholding, payroll, employer health, excise, real property and personal property taxes, and any other taxes, customs duties, fees, assessments, or similar charges in the nature of a tax, including Canada Pension Plan and provincial pension plan contributions, unemployment insurance payments and workers’ compensation premiums, together with any installments with respect thereto, and any interest, fines and penalties with respect thereto, imposed by any Governmental Authority (including federal, state, provincial, municipal and foreign Governmental Authorities), and whether disputed or not.

Term Credit ” means the Cdn.$300,000,000 term credit established pursuant to the Term Credit Commitments of the Term Credit Lenders.

Term Credit Commitment ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(c).

Term Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans advanced by such Lender.

Term Credit Lender ” means any Lender having a Term Credit Commitment hereunder and/or a Term Loan outstanding hereunder.

Term Loan ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(c).

Transactions ” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.

Type ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Canadian Prime Rate, the Base Rate, the Alternate Base Rate, the LIBO Rate, or the CDOR Rate or whether such Borrowing takes the form of an LC.

U.S. Administrative Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit for the Lenders hereunder, or any successor U.S. Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.9.

U.S. Borrower ” means Tim Hortons USA Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

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U.S. Borrower Guarantee ” means the guarantee by the U.S. Borrower of the obligations of each of the Parent Borrower and the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the form of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit G.

U.S. Dollars ” and “ U.S.$ ” refer to lawful money of the United States of America.

U.S.$ Equivalent ” means, on any day, the amount of U.S. Dollars that the U.S. Administrative Agent could purchase, in accordance with its normal practice, with a specified amount of Canadian Dollars based on the Bank of Canada noon spot rate on such day.

U.S. Issuing Bank ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the issuer of U.S. Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.18(i). The U.S. Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more U.S. Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of the U.S. Issuing Bank, in which case the term “ U.S. Issuing Bank ” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to U.S. Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

U.S. LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by a U.S. Issuing Bank pursuant to a U.S. Letter of Credit.

U.S. LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit at such time, plus (b) the aggregate amount of all U.S. LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the U.S. Borrower at such time. The U.S. LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total U.S. LC Exposure at such time.

U.S. Lender ” means a Lender in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit.

U.S. Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit issued in U.S. Dollars under the U.S. Revolving Credit pursuant to this Agreement.

U.S. Pension Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code as to which the Parent Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group may have any liability.

U.S. Prime Rate ” means, on any day, the annual rate of interest announced by the U.S. Administrative Agent and in effect as its prime rate at its principal office in New York City on such day for determining interest rates on U.S. Dollar-denominated commercial loans made in the United States of America.

U.S. Revolving Credit ” means the revolving credit facility (initially U.S.$100,000,000) established pursuant to the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments of the U.S. Revolving Credit Lenders.

U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(b).

U.S. Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Loans and its U.S. LC Exposure and U.S. Swingline Exposure at such time.

U.S. Revolving Credit Lender ” means any Lender having a U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder and/or a U.S. Revolving Loan outstanding hereunder.

 

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U.S. Revolving Loan ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.1(b).

U.S. Subsidiary ” means a subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is incorporated or organized in the United States of America.

U.S. Swingline Commitment Amount ” means U.S. $10,000,000.

U.S. Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all U.S. Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The U.S. Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total U.S. Swingline Exposure at such time.

U.S. Swingline Lender ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of U.S. Swingline Loans hereunder, and any successors thereto.

U.S. Swingline Loan ” has the meaning set out in Section 2.19.

Unfunded Liabilities ” means the amount (if any) by which the present value of all vested accrued benefits under all Single Employer Plans exceeds the fair market value of all such Single Employer Plan assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Single Employer Plans using the actuarial assumptions used for ongoing Single Employer Plan funding purposes.

Wendy’s ” shall mean Wendy’s International, Inc., an Ohio corporation.

Wendy’s Note ” shall mean the demand promissory note in the principal amount (as of the Closing Date) of U.S. $960,000,000 evidencing indebtedness owing by the Former Parent to Wendy’s, which note was repaid in full on April 26, 2006.

wholly-owned subsidiary ” of a Person means any subsidiary of such Person of which securities (except for directors’ qualifying shares) or other ownership interests representing 100% of the equity or 100% of the ordinary voting power or 100% of the general partnership or membership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person.

1.2 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by class ( e.g ., a “U.S. Revolving Loan”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “LIBO Rate Loan”) or by class and Type ( e.g ., a “U.S. LIBO Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by class ( e.g ., a “U.S. Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type ( e.g ., a “LIBO Rate Borrowing”) or by class and Type ( e.g ., a “U.S. LIBO Rate Revolving Borrowing”).

1.3 Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The word “or” is disjunctive; the word “and” is conjunctive. The word “shall” is mandatory; the word “may” is permissive. The words “to the knowledge of” means, when modifying a representation, warranty or other statement of any Person, that the fact or situation described therein is known by the Person (or, in the case or a Person other than a natural Person, known by the Responsible Officer of that Person) making the representation, warranty or other statement, or with the exercise of reasonable due diligence under the circumstances (in accordance with the standard of what a reasonable Person in similar circumstances would have done) would have

 

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been known by the Person (or, in the case of a Person other than a natural Person, would have been known by such Responsible Officer of that Person). Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set out herein), (b) any reference herein to any statute or any section thereof shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, be deemed to be a reference to such statute or section as amended, restated or re-enacted from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. Any reference herein to an action, document or other matter or thing being “satisfactory to the Lenders”, “to the Lenders’ satisfaction” or similar phrases, shall mean that such action, document, matter or thing must be satisfactory to Lenders constituting the Required Lenders, unless it is described in clauses (i) to and including (vii) of Section 9.2(b) hereof, in which case it must be satisfactory to each Lender whose consent is required under the applicable clause.

1.4 Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Parent Borrower notifies the U.S. Administrative Agent that the Parent Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the U.S. Administrative Agent notifies the Parent Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. For the purposes of calculating Consolidated Total Debt and Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, and notwithstanding any provision of GAAP to the contrary, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Advertising Entities and the FIN 46 Entities shall be disregarded provided that any Indebtedness of the Advertising Entities or the FIN 46 Entities is non-recourse to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

1.5 Time. All time references herein shall, unless otherwise specified, be references to local time in Toronto, Ontario. Time is of the essence of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

1.6 Permitted Liens. Any reference in any of the Loan Documents to a Permitted Lien is not intended to subordinate or postpone, and shall not be interpreted as subordinating or postponing, or as any agreement to subordinate or postpone, any Lien created by any of the Loan Documents to any Permitted Lien.

1.7 Limitation Regarding Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require a Borrower or any Subsidiary to cause any Person who is not a Subsidiary of such Person to do anything or to refrain from doing anything hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE CREDITS

2.1 Commitments.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender commits to make Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars or U.S. Dollars (each such Loan made under this Section 2.1(a), a “ Canadian Revolving Loan ”) to the Canadian Borrowers from time to time during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Maturity Date (each such commitment, as it may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.6 and/or 2.9, and as it may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.4, and as such commitments may be increased under the Commitment Increase Right, a “ Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment ”) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth beside such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments”, or as it may appear in the applicable Assignment and Assumption, provided that any Canadian Revolving Loans made by any Lender as requested by the Canadian Borrower will not result in (i) such Canadian Revolving Credit Lender’s Canadian Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Canadian Revolving Credit Lender’s Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, or (ii) the sum of the total Canadian Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Canadian Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Canadian Revolving Loans in the manner provided in Section 2.2(b)(i) by giving notice in the manner required by Section 2.3. All Canadian Revolving Loans outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Effective Date shall be deemed to be Canadian Revolving Loans owed by the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and allocated among the Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages as of the Restatement Effective Date.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender commits to make Loans denominated in U.S. Dollars (each such Loan made under this Section 2.1(b), a “ U.S. Revolving Loan ”) to the U.S. Borrower from time to time during the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Maturity Date (each such commitment, as it may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.6 and/or 2.9, and as it may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.4, and as such commitments may be increased under the Commitment Increase Right, a “ U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment ”) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth beside such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments”, or as it may appear in the applicable Assignment and Assumption, provided that any U.S. Revolving Loans made by any Lender as requested by the U.S. Borrower will not result in (i) such U.S. Revolving Credit Lender’s U.S. Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such U.S. Revolving Credit Lender’s U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment, or (ii) the sum of the total U.S. Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the U.S. Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow U.S. Revolving Loans in the manner provided in Section 2.2(b)(ii) by giving notice in the manner required by Section 2.3. All U.S. Revolving Loans outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Effective Date shall be deemed to be U.S. Revolving Loans owed by the U.S. Borrower and allocated among the U.S. Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages as of the Restatement Effective Date.

(c) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Credit Lender commits to make Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars (each such Loan made under this Section 2.1(c), a “ Term Loan ”) to the Canadian Borrower in one drawdown to be made on the Effective Date (each such commitment, a “ Term Credit Commitment ”) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth beside such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “Term Credit Commitment” or as it

 

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may appear in the applicable Assignment and Assumption. The Term Credit Commitments are not revolving credit commitments, and any amount repaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed. The Canadian Borrower may borrow the Term Loans in the manner provided in Section 2.2.(b)(iii) by giving notice in the manner required by Section 2.3. All Term Loans outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Effective Date shall be deemed to be Terms Loans owed by the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and allocated among the Term Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages as of the Restatement Effective Date.

(d) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time after the Effective Date, provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that the Parent Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.11 both before and immediately after giving effect to the requested Commitment increase, the Borrowers shall have the right (the “ Commitment Increase Right ”) to request that the Lenders or any other Persons increase the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments by an aggregate of up to Cdn. $100,000,000 (subject to a minimum increase of Cdn.$10,000,000) and increase the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments by an aggregate of up to U.S. $50,000,000 (subject to a minimum increase of U.S.$10,000,000). Each Lender shall have the option to provide its Applicable Percentage of any increase made under this Section 2.1(d). Any Lender which does not advise the applicable Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent, within 15 days of the applicable Commitment increase request, that such Lender will provide its Applicable Percentage of such Commitment increase request will be deemed to have declined to provide its Applicable Percentage of such Commitment increase request.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) in exercising the Commitment Increase Right, the Borrowers shall not require the consent of any Lender other than any Lender providing all or part of the requested Commitment increase, and (ii) no Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any requested Commitment increase unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion.

(f) Any such Commitment increase shall be documented pursuant to an amendment agreement satisfactory to the Administrative Agents and executed by the Borrowers, the Persons providing the requested Commitment increase and the Administrative Agents.

2.2 Loans and Borrowings.

(a) Each Canadian Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Canadian Revolving Loans made by the Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments. Each U.S. Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of U.S. Revolving Loans made by the U.S. Revolving Credit Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments. The Term Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Term Loans made by the Term Credit Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Term Credit Commitments. Each Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.19. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Subject to Section 2.16:

 

  i)

each Canadian Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of Canadian Prime Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, B/A Equivalent Loans, Base Rate Loans or LIBO Rate Loans as the Canadian Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender

 

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may at its option make any LIBO Rate Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that a Lender may only exercise such option if it shall not result in any increased costs or withholding tax obligations for the Canadian Borrower or affect the obligation of the Canadian Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

  ii) each U.S. Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or LIBO Rate Loans as the U.S. Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender may at its option make any LIBO Rate Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not result in any increased costs for the U.S. Borrower or affect the obligation of the U.S. Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

 

  iii) the Term Loan Borrowing shall be available to the Canadian Borrower in a single advance on the Closing Date to be comprised entirely of Canadian Prime Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, or B/A Equivalent Loans as the Canadian Borrower may request in accordance herewith.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any LIBO Rate Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in the currency of the Borrowing, and not less than $5,000,000 in the currency of the Borrowing. At the time that each Canadian Prime Revolving Borrowing or Base Rate Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in the currency of the Borrowing and not less than $5,000,000 in the currency of the Borrowing; provided that a Canadian Prime Revolving Borrowing or a Base Rate Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total applicable Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in the currency of the Borrowing and not less than $5,000,000 in the currency of the Borrowing. Borrowings of more than one Type and class may be outstanding at the same time.

2.3 Requests for Borrowings.

(a) To request a Borrowing, the applicable Borrower shall notify the applicable Administrative Agent of such request by written Borrowing Request (A) in the case of a LIBO Rate Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (B) in the case of a B/A Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m. two Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, or (C) in the case of a Canadian Prime Borrowing, a Base Rate Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of a Canadian Prime Borrowing, a Base Rate Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement may be given not later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such borrowing request shall be irrevocable. The applicable Administrative Agent and each Lender are entitled to rely and act upon any borrowing request or written Borrowing Request given or purportedly given by the applicable Borrower, and each Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the authenticity and validity of any such request or resulting transaction once the applicable Administrative Agent or any Lender has advanced funds, accepted a B/A or made a B/A Equivalent Loan based on such borrowing request or written Borrowing Request. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information:

 

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  (i) the aggregate amount and currency of each requested Borrowing, and whether such Borrowing will consist of Canadian Revolving Loans, U.S. Revolving Loans, Term Loans, Canadian Swingline Loans or U.S. Swingline Loans;

 

  (ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

  (iii) whether such Borrowing is to be a Canadian Prime Borrowing, a B/A Borrowing, a Base Rate Borrowing, a LIBO Rate Borrowing, an ABR Borrowing or a Letter of Credit;

 

  (iv) in the case of a LIBO Rate Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “ Interest Period ”, and in the case of a B/A Borrowing, the initial Contract Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “ Contract Period ”; and

 

  (v) the location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply herewith.

(b) If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be: (i) in respect of a Canadian Revolving Loan, a Canadian Prime Borrowing (if denominated in Canadian Dollars) or a Base Rate Borrowing (if denominated in U. S. Dollars); (ii) in respect of a U.S. Revolving Loan, an ABR Borrowing; and (iii) in respect of a Term Loan, a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing. If no currency is specified, the Borrowing shall be denominated in Canadian Dollars if the requested Borrowing is a Canadian Revolving Loan or a Term Loan or in U.S. Dollars if the requested Borrowing is a U.S. Revolving Loan. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested LIBO Rate Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If no Contract Period is specified with respect to any requested B/A Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected a Contract Period of 30 days’ duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.3, the applicable Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

(c) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the applicable Borrower may elect to convert a Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of (i) a LIBO Rate Borrowing, may elect a new Interest Period therefor, or (ii) a B/A Borrowing, may elect a new Contract Period therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.3(c). The applicable Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section 2.3(c) shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued. To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.3(c), a Borrower shall notify the applicable Administrative Agent of such election by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.3(a) if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such request shall be irrevocable. In addition to the information specified in Section 2.3(b), each written Borrowing Request shall specify the Borrowing to which such request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing. For greater certainty, if a Borrowing is being converted from a Borrowing in one currency to a Borrowing in another currency, the conversion will be effected by way of repayment of the original Borrowing and re-advance of the new Borrowing, and not merely by way of book entry.

 

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(d) In the absence of a timely and proper election with regard to (i) LIBO Rate Borrowings, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such LIBO Rate Borrowings to Base Rate Borrowings if such LIBO Rate Borrowings were made under the Canadian Revolving Credit or to ABR Rate Borrowings if such LIBO Rate Borrowings were made under the U.S. Revolving Credit, in each case on the last day of the Interest Period of the relevant LIBO Rate Borrowings, and (ii) B/A Borrowings, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such B/A Borrowings to Canadian Prime Borrowings on the last day of the Contract Period of the relevant B/A Borrowings.

2.4 Funding of Borrowings.

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, to the account of the applicable Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders, provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.19. The applicable Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the applicable Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of such Borrower maintained with such Administrative Agent and designated by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, or to such other account with another financial institution as may be designated by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request (which Borrowing Request may, for greater certainty, refer to standing instructions provided in writing by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agents from time to time); provided that Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.18 shall be remitted by the applicable Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

(b) Unless the applicable Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to such Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, such Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.4(a) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the applicable Administrative Agent, then such Administrative Agent shall seek repayment of such corresponding amount from the applicable Lender with interest thereon for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the applicable Borrower to but excluding the date of payment by such Lender to such Administrative Agent, at the rate of interest customary for interbank compensation in such currency. If such Lender pays such amount to the applicable Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. If the Administrative Agent makes such Lender’s share of such Borrowing available to the applicable Borrower, and if such Lender’s share of such Borrowing is not made available to the applicable Administrative Agent by such Lender within one (1) Business Day after such date, the applicable Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon as set forth in this Section 2.4(b) from the applicable Borrower.

2.5 Interest and Acceptance Fees.

(a) The Loans comprising each Canadian Prime Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be) at a rate per annum equal to the Canadian Prime Rate from time to time in effect. The Loans comprising each Base Rate Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be) at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate from time to time in effect. The Loans comprising each LIBO Rate Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the relevant Interest Period over a year of 360 days) at the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such LIBO Rate Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin. The

 

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Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate from time to time in effect; provided that, to the extent that clause (ii) of the definition of Alternate Base Rate contemplates that the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined by reference to the Federal Funds Effective Rate, any such determination shall be made on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.

(b) The Loans comprising each B/A Borrowing shall be subject to the Acceptance Fee which shall be payable as set out in Section 2.11.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amount of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable by any Borrower hereunder shall not be paid when due, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan, or (ii) in the case of any amount not constituting principal of a Loan, at a rate equal to 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to, in the case of Canadian Dollar amounts, Canadian Prime Loans, or in the case of U.S. Dollar amounts, Base Rate Loans (in respect of amounts owing under the Canadian Revolving Credit) or ABR Loans (in respect of amounts owing under the U.S. Revolving Credit).

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan (other than B/A Borrowings) shall be payable in arrears on (i) each applicable Interest Payment Date, and (ii) in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the applicable Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that interest accrued under paragraph (c) above shall be payable on demand. In addition, in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). Any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall bear interest for one day. The applicable Canadian Prime Rate, Base Rate, LIBO Rate or Discount Rate shall be determined by the applicable Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(f) For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada) and disclosure thereunder, whenever any interest or any fee to be paid hereunder or in connection herewith is to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day or 365-day year, the yearly rate of interest to which the rate used in such calculation is equivalent is the rate so used multiplied by the actual number of days in the calendar year in which the same is to be ascertained and divided by 360 or 365, as applicable. The rates of interest under this Agreement are nominal rates, and not effective rates or yields. The principle of deemed reinvestment of interest does not apply to any interest calculation under this Agreement.

(g) If any provision of this Agreement would oblige a Borrower to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to any Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by law or would result in a receipt by that Lender of “interest” at a “criminal rate” (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then, notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by Law or so result in a receipt by that Lender of “interest” at a “criminal rate”, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary (but only to the extent necessary), as follows:

 

  (i) first, by reducing the amount or rate of interest or the amount or rate of any Acceptance Fee required to be paid to the affected Lender under Section 2.5; and

 

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  (ii) thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, costs, expenses, premiums and other amounts required to be paid to the affected Lender which would constitute interest for purposes of section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada).

2.6 Termination and Reduction of Commitments.

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments, the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments and the Term Credit Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

(b) The Canadian Borrower may, upon three (3) Business Days prior written notice to the Canadian Administrative Agent, permanently cancel any unused portion of the Canadian Revolving Credit, without penalty. The U.S. Borrower may, upon three (3) Business Days prior written notice to the U.S. Administrative Agent, permanently cancel any unused portion of the U.S. Revolving Credit, without penalty. The applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the receipt by such Administrative Agent of any such notice. Any such cancellation shall be applied ratably in respect of the applicable Revolving Credit Commitments of each Revolving Credit Lender. Each notice delivered by a Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.6(b) shall be irrevocable.

2.7 Repayment of Loans.

(a) (A) The applicable Canadian Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay: (i) to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Canadian Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the Canadian Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Canadian Swingline Loan outstanding on the Maturity Date and (B) the U.S. Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay: (i) to the U.S. Administrative Agent for the account of each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each U.S. Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the U.S. Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each U.S. Swingline Loan outstanding on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date that is five (5) days after such U.S. Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a U.S. Revolving Borrowing is made, the U.S. Borrower shall repay all U.S. Swingline Loans then outstanding.

(b) The Canadian Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of each Term Credit Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan on the Maturity Date .

2.8 Evidence of Debt.

(a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each extension of credit made by such Lender hereunder, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(b) Each Administrative Agent shall maintain, with respect to its applicable Borrower, accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Borrowing made hereunder, the class and Type thereof and, in the cases of Bankers’ Acceptances or LIBO Rate Loans, the relevant Contract Period or Interest Period, applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the applicable Borrower to each Lender hereunder, and (iii) the amount of any sum received by such Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

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(c) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to Sections 2.8(a) and (b) shall be conclusive evidence (absent manifest error) of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or any Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Borrowings in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the records maintained by an Administrative Agent and any Lender, the records maintained by the applicable Administrative Agent shall govern.

(d) Any Lender may request that Loans (other than B/As) made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the applicable Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the applicable Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.4) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

2.9 Prepayments.

(a) Voluntary Prepayments . The Canadian Borrower may, at its option, at any time and from time to time, prepay the Term Loans or the Revolving Loans, without penalty or premium, (but subject to payment of any amounts payable under Section 2.14), in whole or in part, upon giving three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Canadian Administrative Agent; provided , however , that the Canadian Borrower may not prepay any B/A Borrowing but may defease any B/A Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.11. Such notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Canadian Prime Loans, Bankers’ Acceptances, B/A Equivalent Loans, Base Rate Loans or LIBO Rate Loans, or any combination thereof, and, in each case if a combination thereof, the principal amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, the Canadian Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Applicable Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with any amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 and accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid in accordance with Section 2.5(d). Each voluntary prepayment of the Term Loan shall be in a minimum principal amount of Cdn . $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of Cdn.$1,000,000; each voluntary prepayment of any Canadian Dollar-denominated Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum principal amount of Cdn . $5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of Cdn.$1,000,000; and each voluntary prepayment of any U.S. Dollar-denominated Revolving Loan (whether under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the U.S. Revolving Credit) shall be in a minimum principal amount of U.S.$5,000,000 and in an integral multiple of U.S.$1,000,000.

(b) Currency Fluctuations . If, at any time, the Canadian $ Equivalent of the Loans made by any Canadian Lender to the Canadian Borrower plus, to the extent not already included therein, its LC Exposure and its Swingline Exposure under the Canadian Revolving Credit exceeds the Commitment of such Canadian Lender under such Canadian Revolving Credit (any such excess being referred to in this Section as an “ Excess Amount ), then the applicable Canadian Borrower will repay to the Canadian Administrative Agent, for the account of each applicable Canadian Lender, an amount equal to the Excess Amount with respect to such Canadian Lender.

(c) Notice by Borrower . Each notice provided by a Borrower hereunder in respect of any prepayment hereunder shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Each partial voluntary prepayment of any Borrowing under the Term Credit shall be permanent.

 

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2.10 Fees.

(a) The Canadian Subsidiary Borrower shall pay to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of and distribution to each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a facility fee for the period commencing on the Effective Date to and including the Maturity Date (or such earlier date as the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments shall have been terminated entirely) computed at a rate per annum as set out in the definition of Applicable Margin (in the column of the table therein titled “Facility Fee”) on the average daily amount of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments whether or not used. The facility fees on the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments shall be payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date, commencing on the first Quarterly Date to occur after the Effective Date, and on the date on which the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments terminate. The U.S. Borrower shall pay to the U.S. Administrative Agent for the account of and distribution to each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a facility fee for the period commencing on the Effective Date to and including the Maturity Date (or such earlier date as the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments shall have been terminated entirely) computed at a rate per annum as set out in the definition of Applicable Margin (in the column of the table therein titled “Facility Fee”) on the average daily amount of the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments, whether or not used. The facility fees on the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments shall be payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date, commencing on the first Quarterly Date to occur after the Effective Date, and on the date on which the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments terminate. All facility fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). If any Revolving Credit Exposure remains after the Revolving Credit Commitments of the applicable class terminate, facility fees shall continue to accrue and be payable in respect of such Revolving Credit Exposure so long as such Revolving Credit Exposure remains outstanding.

(b) (A) The applicable Canadian Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Canadian Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same interest rate as the Applicable Margin for LIBO Rate Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s Canadian LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any Canadian LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Canadian Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Issuing Bank on the average daily amount of the Canadian LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any Canadian LC Exposure, as well as the Canadian Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Canadian Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder; and (B) the U.S. Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the U.S. Administrative Agent for the account of each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in U.S. Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same interest rate as the Applicable Margin for LIBO Rate Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s U.S. LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any U.S. LC Exposure, and (ii) to the U.S. Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate or rates per annum separately agreed upon between the U.S. Borrower and the U.S. Issuing Bank on the average daily amount of the U.S. LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC

 

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Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any U.S. LC Exposure, as well as the U.S. Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any U.S. Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees shall be payable on each Quarterly Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees in respect of the Canadian Revolving Commitments shall be payable on the date on which the Canadian Revolving Commitments terminate and all such fees in respect of the U.S. Revolving Commitments shall be payable on the date on which the U.S. Revolving Commitments terminate, and any such fees accruing after the date on which the applicable Revolving Credit Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.10(b) shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All such participation fees and fronting fees under the Canadian Revolving Credit shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be, and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All such participation fees and fronting fees under the U.S. Revolving Credit shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c) The U.S. Borrower and the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower agree to pay to the applicable Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times as set forth in the applicable Fee Letters.

(d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the applicable Administrative Agent (or to the applicable Issuing Bank, where appropriate) for distribution, in the case of facility and participation fees, to the applicable Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable except in the case of manifest error in the calculation of any fee payment.

2.11 Bankers’ Acceptances.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Canadian Borrower may request a Borrowing by presenting drafts for acceptance and purchase as B/As by the Canadian Lenders.

(b) No Contract Period with respect to a B/A to be accepted and purchased under the Canadian Revolving Credit and no Contract Period with respect to a B/A to be accepted and purchased under the Term Credit shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

(c) To facilitate availment of B/A Borrowings, each Canadian Borrower hereby appoints each Canadian Lender as its attorney to sign and endorse on its behalf (in accordance with a Borrowing Request relating to a B/A Borrowing), in handwriting or by facsimile or mechanical signature as and when deemed necessary by such Canadian Lender, blank forms of B/As in the form requested by such Canadian Lender. In this respect, it is each Canadian Lender’s responsibility to maintain an adequate supply of blank forms of B/As for acceptance under this Agreement. Each Canadian Borrower recognizes and agrees that all B/As signed and/or endorsed by a Canadian Lender on behalf of the Canadian Borrower shall bind the Canadian Borrower as fully and effectually as if signed in the handwriting of and duly issued by the proper signing officers of the Canadian Borrower. Each Canadian Lender is hereby authorized (in accordance with a Borrowing Request relating to a B/A Borrowing) to issue such B/As endorsed in blank in such face amounts as may be determined by such Canadian Lender; provided that the aggregate amount thereof is equal to the aggregate amount of B/As required to be accepted and purchased by such Canadian Lender. No Canadian Lender shall be liable for any damage, loss or other claim arising by reason of any loss or improper use of any such instrument except the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Canadian Lender or its officers, employees, agents or representatives. Each Canadian Lender shall maintain a record with respect to B/As (i) received by it in blank hereunder, (ii) voided by it

 

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for any reason, (iii) accepted and purchased by it hereunder, and (iv) cancelled at their respective maturities. On request by or on behalf of the Canadian Borrower, a Canadian Lender shall cancel all forms of B/A which have been pre-signed or pre-endorsed on behalf of the Canadian Borrower and which are held by such Canadian Lender and are not required to be issued in accordance with the Canadian Borrower’s irrevocable notice. Alternatively, each Canadian Borrower agrees that, at the request of the Canadian Administrative Agent, the Canadian Borrower shall deliver to the Canadian Administrative Agent a “depository note” which complies with the requirements of the Depository Bills and Notes Act (Canada), and consents to the deposit of any such depository note in the book-based debt clearance system maintained by the Canadian Depository for Securities.

(d) Drafts of the Canadian Borrower to be accepted as B/As hereunder shall be signed as set out in this Section 2.11. Notwithstanding that any person whose signature appears on any B/A may no longer be an authorized signatory for any Canadian Lender or the Canadian Borrower at the date of issuance of a B/A, such signature shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes as if such authority had remained in force at the time of such issuance and any such B/A so signed shall be binding on the Canadian Borrower.

(e) Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request specifying a Borrowing by way of B/As, the Canadian Administrative Agent shall so advise the Canadian Lenders and shall advise each Canadian Lender of the aggregate face amount of the B/As to be accepted by it and the applicable Contract Period (which shall be identical for all Lenders). In the case of B/A Borrowings under the Canadian Revolving Credit, the aggregate face amount of the B/As to be accepted by the Canadian Lenders shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of Cdn.$5,000,000 and shall be a whole multiple of Cdn.$1,000,000, and such face amount shall be in the Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders’ pro rata portions of the Canadian Borrowing, provided that the Canadian Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, increase or reduce any Canadian Revolving Credit Lender’s portion of such B/A Borrowing to the nearest Cdn.$100,000 without reducing the overall Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments. In the case of B/A Borrowings under the Term Credit, the aggregate face amount of the B/As to be accepted by the Term Credit Lenders shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of Cdn.$5,000,000 and shall be a whole multiple of Cdn.$1,000,000, and such face amount shall be in the Term Credit Lenders’ pro rata portions of such Borrowing, provided that the Canadian Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, increase or reduce any Term Credit Lender’s portion of such B/A Borrowing to the nearest Cdn.$100,000 without reducing the overall Term Credit Commitments.

(f) Upon acceptance of a B/A by a Canadian Lender, such Canadian Lender shall purchase, or arrange for the purchase of, each B/A from the Canadian Borrower at the Discount Rate for such Canadian Lender applicable to such B/A accepted by it and provide to the Canadian Administrative Agent the Discount Proceeds for the account of the Canadian Borrower. The Acceptance Fee payable by the Canadian Borrower to a Canadian Lender under Section 2.5 in respect of each B/A accepted by such Canadian Lender shall be set off against the Discount Proceeds payable by such Canadian Lender under this Section 2.11.

(g) Each Canadian Lender may at any time and from time to time hold, sell, rediscount or otherwise dispose of any or all B/As accepted and purchased by it.

(h) If a Canadian Lender is not a chartered bank under the Bank Act (Canada) or if a Canadian Lender notifies the Canadian Administrative Agent in writing that it is otherwise unable to accept Bankers’ Acceptances, such Canadian Lender will, instead of accepting and purchasing Bankers’ Acceptances, make a Loan (a “ B/A Equivalent Loan ”) to the Canadian Borrower in the amount and for the same term as the draft which such Canadian Lender would otherwise have been required to accept and purchase hereunder. Each such Canadian Lender will provide to the Canadian Administrative Agent the

 

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Discount Proceeds of such B/A Equivalent Loan for the account of the Canadian Borrower. Each such B/A Equivalent Loan will bear interest at the same rate which would result if such Canadian Lender had accepted (and been paid an Acceptance Fee) and purchased (on a discounted basis) a Bankers’ Acceptance for the relevant Contract Period (it being the intention of the parties that each such B/A Equivalent Loan shall have the same economic consequences for the Canadian Lenders and the Canadian Borrower as the Bankers’ Acceptance which such B/A Equivalent Loan replaces). All such interest shall be paid in advance on the date such B/A Loan is made, and will be deducted from the principal amount of such B/A Equivalent Loan in the same manner in which the Discount Proceeds of a Bankers’ Acceptance would be deducted from the face amount of the Bankers’ Acceptance. Subject to repayment requirements, on the last day of the relevant Contract Period for such B/A Equivalent Loan, the Canadian Borrower shall be entitled to convert each such B/A Equivalent Loan into another type of Loan, or to roll over each such B/A Equivalent Loan into another B/A Equivalent Loan, all in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.

(i) With respect to each B/A Borrowing, at or before 11:00 a.m. two Business Days before the last day of the Contract Period of such B/A Borrowing, the Canadian Borrower shall notify the Canadian Administrative Agent if the Canadian Borrower intends to issue B/As on such last day of the Contract Period to provide for the payment of such maturing B/A Borrowing. If the Canadian Borrower fails to notify the Canadian Administrative Agent of its intention to issue B/As on such last day of the Contract Period, the Canadian Borrower shall provide payment to the Canadian Administrative Agent on behalf of the Canadian Lenders of an amount equal to the aggregate face amount of such B/A Borrowing on the last day of the Contract Period of thereof. If the Canadian Borrower fails to make such payment, such maturing B/As shall be deemed to have been converted on the last day of the Contract Period into a Canadian Prime Loan in an amount equal to the face amount of such B/As.

(j) The Canadian Borrower waives presentment for payment and any other defence to payment of any amounts due to a Canadian Lender in respect of a B/A accepted and purchased by it pursuant to this Agreement which might exist solely by reason of such B/A being held, at the maturity thereof, by such Canadian Lender in its own right, and the Canadian Borrower agrees not to claim any days of grace if such Canadian Lender, as holder, sues the Canadian Borrower on the B/A for payment of the amount payable by the Canadian Borrower thereunder. On the last day of the Contract Period of a B/A, or such earlier date as may be required or permitted pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the Canadian Borrower shall pay the Canadian Administrative Agent for the account of the Canadian Lenders that have accepted and purchased such B/A the full face amount of such B/A and, after such payment, the Canadian Borrower shall have no further liability in respect of such B/A and such Canadian Lenders shall be entitled to all benefits of, and be responsible for all payments due to third parties under, such B/A.

(k) If a Canadian Lender grants a participation in a portion of its rights under this Agreement to a Participant under Section 9.4(e), then, in respect of any B/A Borrowing, a portion thereof may, at the option of such Canadian Lender, be by way of Bankers’ Acceptance accepted by such Participant. In such event, the Canadian Borrower shall upon request of the Canadian Administrative Agent or the applicable Canadian Lender granting the participation execute and deliver a form of Bankers’ Acceptance undertaking in favour of such Participant for delivery to such participant.

(l) Except as required by any Canadian Lender upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, no B/A Borrowing may be repaid by the Canadian Borrower prior to the expiry date of the Contract Period applicable to such B/A Borrowing; provided, however, that the Canadian Borrower may defease any B/A Borrowing by depositing with the Canadian Administrative Agent an amount that is sufficient to repay the full face amount of such B/A Borrowing on the expiry date of the Contract Period applicable to such B/A Borrowing.

 

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(m) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Canadian Borrower receives written notice from the Canadian Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with B/A Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total applicable B/A/ Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this Section 2.11(m), the Canadian Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Canadian Administrative Agent, in the name of the Canadian Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders and the Term Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the applicable B/A Exposure as of such date; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 7.1 (h), (i) or (j). Such deposit shall be held by the Canadian Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Canadian Borrower under this Agreement. The Canadian Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Canadian Administrative Agent and at the Canadian Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Canadian Borrower for the B/A Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Canadian Revolving Lenders and the Term Lenders with B/A Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total applicable B/A Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Canadian Borrower under this Agreement. If the Canadian Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, and all Events of Default shall have been subsequently cured or waived, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Canadian Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

2.12 Alternate Rate of Interest . If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a LIBO Rate Borrowing:

(a) the applicable Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

(b) the applicable Administrative Agent is advised by a majority in interest of the Lenders participating in such Borrowing that the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the applicable Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the applicable Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until such Administrative Agent notifies the applicable Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a LIBO Rate Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a LIBO Rate Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing (in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit) or an ABR Borrowing (in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit).

2.13 Increased Costs; Illegality .

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

 

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  (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender; or

 

  (ii) impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement (including the imposition on any Lender of, or any change to, any charge, other than Taxes, with respect to its LIBO Rate Loans or any Letter of Credit or participation therein, or its obligation to make LIBO Rate Loans or any Letter of Credit);

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or any Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then upon request of such Lender the applicable Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy) and such Lender’s desired return on capital, then from time to time the applicable Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender as specified in Sections 2.13 (a) or (b), together with a brief description of the Change of Law, shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower, and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. In preparing any such certificate, a Lender shall be entitled to use averages and to make reasonable estimates, and shall not be required to “match contracts” or to isolate particular transactions. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that no Borrower shall be required to compensate any Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.13 for any increased costs or reduction incurred more than 90 days prior to the date such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the applicable Borrower in writing of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reduction and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further, that if such adoption or such change giving rise to such increased costs or reduction is retroactive, such 90-day period shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect.

(e) In the event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be reasonably exercised and shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) at any time that the making or continuance of any LIBO Rate Loan has become unlawful or materially

 

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restricted as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Change in Law, or by any applicable guideline or order (whether or not having the force of law and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful), then, in any such event, such Lender shall give prompt notice (by telephone and confirmed in writing) to the applicable Borrower and to the applicable Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice such Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to the other Lenders). Upon the giving of the notice to the applicable Borrower referred to in this Section 2.13(e), such Borrower’s right to request (by continuation, conversion or otherwise), and such Lender’s obligation to make, LIBO Rate Loans shall be immediately suspended, and thereafter any requested Borrowing of LIBO Rate Loans shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan (in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit) or an ABR Loan (in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit), and if the affected LIBO Rate Loan or Loans are then outstanding, the applicable Borrower shall immediately, or if permitted by applicable Law, no later than the date permitted thereby, upon at least one Business Day prior written notice to the applicable Administrative Agent and the affected Lender, convert each such LIBO Rate Loan into a Base Rate Loan or ABR Loan, as applicable, provided that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated the same pursuant to this Section 2.13(e).

2.14 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the failure by a Borrower to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered by a Borrower pursuant hereto, or (b) the payment or conversion of any B/A Borrowing or LIBO Rate Loan other than on the last day of a Contract Period or Interest Period, as applicable (including as a result of an Event of Default), or (c) the assignment of any Loan (including the assignment of any LIBO Rate Loan) other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by a Borrower pursuant to Section 2.20, then, in any such event, the applicable Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a LIBO Rate Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period and the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for U.S. Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Such Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

2.15 Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of a Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes; provided that if a Borrower shall be required to deduct or withhold any Indemnified Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that, after making all required deductions or withholdings (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.15), the applicable Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made, (ii) the applicable Borrower shall make such deduction or withholding, and (iii) the applicable Borrower shall pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law the full amount deducted or withheld.

 

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(b) In addition to the payments by the applicable Borrower required by Section 2.15(a), such Borrower shall pay any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c) Each Borrower shall indemnify each applicable Administrative Agent, Lender and Issuing Bank, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by such Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.15) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto (other than penalties, interest and expenses caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be), whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability, delivered to such Borrower by a Lender or Issuing Bank (or by the applicable Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error).

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by a Borrower to a Governmental Authority, such Borrower shall deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to such Administrative Agent.

(e) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction or withholding tax under the Law of the jurisdiction in which the applicable Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the applicable Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable Law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Law or otherwise as reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate.

(f) If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes, as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which a Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.15, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amount paid, by the Borrower under this Section 2.15 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided , that the applicable Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the applicable Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the applicable Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event that the applicable Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This Section 2.15(f) shall not be construed to require any Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which is deems confidential) to the Borrowers or any other Person. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of any Lender to arrange its affairs in whatsoever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no Lender shall be under any obligation to claim relief for tax purposes on its corporate profits or otherwise, or to claim such relief in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or to disclose details of its affairs.

 

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2.16 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

(a) Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, amounts payable under any indemnity contained herein, or otherwise hereunder) prior to 12:00 noon, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the applicable Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to such Administrative Agent at the applicable Payment Office, except that payments pursuant to any of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.3 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The applicable Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension, provided that, in the case of any payment with respect to a LIBO Rate Loan, the date for payment shall be advanced to the next preceding Business Day if the next succeeding Business Day is in a subsequent calendar month. All payments under this Section 2.16 in respect of LIBO Rate Loans, Base Rate Loans and ABR Loans, in respect of fees payable in respect of the U.S. Revolving Credit, in respect of U.S. Dollar-denominated LCs and in respect of indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations invoiced in U.S. Dollars shall, in each case, be made in U.S. Dollars. All other payments under this Section 2.16 shall be made in Canadian Dollars. Each Borrower hereby authorizes the applicable Administrative Agent to debit the general operating bank account of such Borrower which is maintained with such Administrative Agent to effect any payment due to the Lenders or such Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement. Any resulting overdraft in such account shall be payable by such Borrower to such Administrative Agent in same day funds.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to an Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans, Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and Term Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) this Section 2.16(c) shall not apply to any payment made by a Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to a Borrower

 

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or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the applicable Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to such Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or an Issuing Bank hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, such Administrative Agent may assume that the applicable Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each applicable Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the applicable Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to applicable Administrative Agent, at the rate of interest customary for interbank compensation for such currency.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.16(d), then the applicable Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by such Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Section 2.16(d) until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

2.17 Currency Indemnity . If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court in any jurisdiction with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it becomes necessary to convert into a particular currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) any amount due under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document in any currency other than the Judgment Currency (the “ Currency Due ”), then conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day before the day on which judgment is given. For this purpose, (A), in respect of any amount due in Canadian Dollars, “rate of exchange” means the average of the rates at which the Canadian Administrative Agent is able, on the relevant date, to purchase the Currency Due with the Judgment Currency in accordance with their normal practice at its head office in Toronto, Ontario; and (B) in respect of any amount due in U.S. Dollars, “rate of exchange” means the average of the rates at which the U.S. Administrative Agent is able, on the relevant date, to purchase the Currency Due with the Judgment Currency in accordance with their normal practice at its head office in New York, New York. In the event that there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment is given and the date of receipt by the applicable Administrative Agent of the amount due, the applicable Borrower will, on the date of receipt by such Administrative Agent, pay such additional amounts, if any, or be entitled to receive reimbursement of such amount, if any, as may be necessary to ensure that the amount received by such Administrative Agent on such date is the amount in the Judgment Currency which when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of receipt by such Administrative Agent is the amount then due under this Agreement or such other Loan Document in the Currency Due. If the amount of the Currency Due which the applicable Administrative Agent is so able to purchase is less than the amount of the Currency Due originally due to it, the applicable Borrower shall indemnify and save such Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from and against all loss or damage arising as a result of such deficiency. This indemnity shall constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other

 

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obligations contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by an Administrative Agent from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or under any judgment or order.

2.18 Letters of Credit.

(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, (i) the Canadian Borrower may request the issuance of Canadian Letters of Credit denominated in either Canadian Dollars or U.S. Dollars as an availment of the Canadian Revolving Credit Commitment, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Canadian Administrative Agent and the Canadian Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time up to the Maturity Date; and (ii) the U.S. Borrower may request the issuance of U.S. Letters of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars as an availment of the U.S. Revolving Credit Commitment, in a form reasonably acceptable to the U.S. Administrative Agent and the U.S. Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time up to the Maturity Date. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by a Borrower to, or entered into by a Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall govern. All Canadian Letters of Credit issued and outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Effective Date shall be deemed to be issued and outstanding under this Agreement for the account of the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and allocated among the Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages as of the Restatement Effective Date. All U.S. Letters of Credit issued and outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Effective Date shall be deemed to be issued and outstanding under this Agreement for the account of the U.S. Borrower and allocated among the U.S. Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages as of the Restatement Effective Date.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension, Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), a Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the applicable Administrative Agent (at least five Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension or such lesser period as agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank, it being understood that The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as Canadian Issuing Bank, requires only one Business Day advance notice in respect of such matters) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 2.18(c)), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit, and in respect of a Canadian Letter of Credit, whether such Letter of Credit should be denominated in Canadian Dollars or U.S. Dollars. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the applicable Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit, such Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (i) the aggregate applicable LC Exposure shall not exceed the applicable LC Commitment Amount (or, in respect of a Canadian Letter of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars, the U.S. $ Equivalent thereof), and (ii) the aggregate applicable Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the total applicable Revolving Credit Commitments (or, in respect of a Canadian Letter of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars, the U.S. $ Equivalent thereof).

 

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(c) Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date; provided that any Letter of Credit may provide for annual successive one-year renewals thereof so long as no such Letter of Credit expires beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above.

(d) Participations . By the issuance of (A) a Canadian Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Canadian Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Canadian Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the Canadian Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender, and each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender hereby acquires from the Canadian Issuing Bank, a participation in such Canadian Letter of Credit equal to such Canadian Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Canadian Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Canadian Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Canadian Administrative Agent, for the account of the Canadian Issuing Bank, such Canadian Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Canadian Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Canadian Borrower on the date due as provided in Section 2.18(e), or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Canadian Borrower for any reason; and (B) a U.S. Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a U.S. Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the U.S. Issuing Bank or the Lenders, the U.S. Issuing Bank hereby grants to each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender, and each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender hereby acquires from the U.S. Issuing Bank, a participation in such U.S. Letter of Credit equal to such U.S. Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such U.S. Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each U.S. Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the U.S. Administrative Agent, for the account of the U.S. Issuing Bank, such U.S. Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the U.S. Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the U.S. Borrower on the date due as provided in Section 2.18(e), or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the U.S. Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this Section 2.18(d) in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the applicable Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if such Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by such Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, on (i) the Business Day that such Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that such Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that the applicable Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set out herein, request in accordance with Section 2.3 that such payment be financed (subject to availability in respect of the relevant Credit) with a Canadian Prime Borrowing, a Base Rate Borrowing, an ABR Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the applicable Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Canadian Prime Borrowing, Base Rate Borrowing, ABR Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing. If such Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the

 

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applicable Administrative Agent shall notify each applicable Revolving Credit Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from such Borrower in respect thereof and such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each such Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the applicable Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the applicable Borrower, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from such Revolving Credit Lenders. Promptly following receipt by an Administrative Agent of any payment from a Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.18(e), such Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Credit Lenders have made payments pursuant to this Section 2.18(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Credit Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of Canadian Prime Borrowings, Base Rate Borrowings, or Swingline Borrowings as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the applicable Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f) Obligations Absolute . Each Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in Section 2.18(e) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.18, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of set-off against, the applicable Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither an Administrative Agent, the Revolving Credit Lenders nor an Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the applicable Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse such Issuing Bank from liability to the applicable Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by each Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable Law) suffered by such Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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(g) Disbursement Procedures . Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the applicable Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve such Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h) Interim Interest . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the applicable Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that such Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate then applicable to Canadian Prime Loans (if in Canadian Dollars), at the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans (if in U.S. Dollars under the Canadian Revolving Credit) or at the rate then applicable to ABR Loans (if in U.S. Dollars under the U.S. Revolving Credit); provided that, if such Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to Section 2.18(e), then Section 2.5(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.18(h) shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to this Section 2.18(h) to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Credit Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i) Replacement of an Issuing Bank . An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the applicable Borrower, the applicable Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The applicable Administrative Agent shall notify the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the applicable Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter, and (ii) references herein to the term “ Issuing Bank ” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(j) Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that a Borrower receives notice from an Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total applicable LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this Section 2.19(j), such Borrower shall deposit in an account with the applicable Administrative Agent, in the name of such Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders, an amount in cash equal to (and in the same currency or currencies as) the applicable LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to such Borrower described in Section 7.1 (h), (i) or (j). Such deposit shall be held by the applicable Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of such Borrower under this Agreement. Such Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of such Administrative Agent and at the applicable Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear

 

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interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the applicable Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the applicable Borrower for the applicable LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total applicable LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of such Borrower under this Agreement. If such Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to such Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

2.19 Swingline Loans.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, (A) the Canadian Swingline Lender agrees to make Canadian Dollar or U.S. Dollar denominated Loans (each such Loan, a “ Canadian Swingline Loan ”) to the Canadian Borrower from time to time up to the Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Canadian Swingline Loans exceeding the Canadian Swingline Commitment Amount, or (ii) the aggregate of the Canadian Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Canadian Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the Canadian Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Canadian Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, the Canadian Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Canadian Swingline Loans; and (B) the U.S. Swingline Lender agrees to make U.S. Dollar denominated Loans (each such Loan, a “ U.S. Swingline Loan ”) to the U.S. Borrower from time to time up to the Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding U.S. Swingline Loans exceeding the U.S. Swingline Commitment Amount, or (ii) the aggregate of the U.S. Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total U.S. Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the U.S. Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a U.S. Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set out herein, the U.S. Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow U.S. Swingline Loans.

(b) To request a Swingline Loan, the applicable Borrower shall notify the applicable Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 2:00 p.m., on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), currency and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. Such Administrative Agent will promptly advise the applicable Swingline Lender of any such notice received from a Borrower. The applicable Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the applicable Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of such Borrower with such Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.18(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., on the requested date of such Swingline Loan. Swingline Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to a Canadian Prime Borrowing (if in Canadian Dollars), at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to a Base Rate Loan (if in U.S. Dollars under the Canadian Revolving Credit), or at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to an ABR Loan (if in U.S. Dollars under the U.S. Revolving Credit). Interest shall be payable on such dates, not more frequent than monthly, as may be specified by the applicable Swingline Lender and in any event on the Maturity Date. The applicable Swingline Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the applicable Borrower for such interest. The interest payable on Swingline Loans is solely for the account of the applicable Swingline Lender (subject to Section 2.19(c) below).

 

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(c) A Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the applicable Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., on any Business Day require the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans of that Swingline Lender outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which such Revolving Credit Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, such Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each applicable Revolving Credit Lender, specifying in such notice such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the applicable Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Swingline Lender, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.19 is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each applicable Revolving Credit Lender shall comply with its obligation under this Section 2.19 by wire transfer of immediately available funds with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Credit Lenders. Such Administrative Agent shall notify the applicable Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this Section 2.19, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the applicable Administrative Agent and not to the applicable Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by such Swingline Lender from the applicable Borrower (or other party on behalf of such Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the applicable Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the applicable Administrative Agent. Any such amounts received by such Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by such Administrative Agent to the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the applicable Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve a Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(d) Notwithstanding Sections 2.19(a), (b) and (c), but subject to the written request of the Canadian Borrower and the written agreement of the Canadian Swingline Lender, up to Cdn.$15,000,000 or the Equivalent Amount in US Dollars of the Canadian Swingline Commitment Amount (the “ Overdraft Availability ”) may be utilized by the Canadian Borrower by incurring overdrafts in its Canadian Dollar or US Dollar accounts with the Canadian Swingline Lender, which shall be deemed to be, as applicable, Canadian Prime Loans or Base Rate Loans. At any time when the right to Overdraft Availability is in effect, the amount otherwise available to be borrowed under the Canadian Revolving Credit Facility shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Overdraft Availability. Within the overall limit set forth above, the Canadian Borrower and the Canadian Swingline Lender may agree in writing from time to time to increase or decrease the Overdraft Availability.

2.20 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The applicable Borrower hereby agrees to pay

 

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all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, then the applicable Borrower may, at its sole expense (including the processing and recording fee contemplated by Section 9.4(b)) and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the applicable Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.4), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be, another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the applicable Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the applicable Administrative Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, the applicable Issuing Bank and applicable Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the applicable Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the applicable Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Administrative Agents and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, to make any Loans hereunder and to issue any Letters of Credit hereunder, each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agents and each Lender that each statement set forth in this Article 3 is true and correct on the Restatement Effective Date, and, subject to the last sentence of Section 4.2, will be true and correct on the date each Borrowing is requested and made hereunder:

3.1 Organization; Powers . Each Credit Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

3.2 Authorization; Enforceability . The Transactions are within the corporate powers of each Credit Party and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, shareholder action. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party (as applicable) and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of each Credit Party (as applicable), enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

3.3 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except as disclosed in Schedule 3.3, (b) will not violate any applicable Law or the charter, by-laws or other

 

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organizational documents of any Credit Party or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any material indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding upon any Credit Party or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Credit Party, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Credit Party, except for any Lien arising in favour of an Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, under the Loan Documents.

3.4 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) The Parent Borrower has furnished to the Lenders the consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, retained earnings and changes in financial position of the Former Parent as of and for the Fiscal Years ended December 31, 2006, December 30, 2007 and December 28, 2008, reported on by its auditors. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Former Parent as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Intentionally Deleted.

(c) All written information (including that disclosed in all financial statements) pertaining to the Credit Parties (other than projections) (in this Section 3.4(c), the “ Information ”) that has been or will be made available to the Lenders or any Administrative Agent by any Borrower, taken as a whole, is or will be, as of the date furnished, complete and correct in all material respects and does not or will not, as of the date furnished, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made. The projections that have been or will be made available to the Lenders or any Administrative Agent by any Borrower have been or will be prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions.

3.5 Litigation and Contingent Obligations . Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.5, and except for environmental-related matters (which are dealt with in Section 3.19), there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened against or affecting any of the Credit Parties (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters), or (ii) that involve this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the Transactions. Other than any contingent obligation which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrowers have no contingent obligations not provided for or disclosed in the financial statements and notes thereto referred to in Section 5.1.

3.6 Compliance with Laws . Each Credit Party is in compliance with all Laws applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Credit Party has violated or failed to obtain any Authorization necessary to the ownership of any of its property or assets or the conduct of its business, which violation or failure could reasonably be expected to have (in the event that such a violation or failure were asserted by any Person through appropriate action) a Material Adverse Effect.

3.7 ERISA . The Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans do not in the aggregate exceed an amount which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower nor any other member of the Controlled Group has incurred, or is reasonably expected to incur, any withdrawal liability to Multiemployer Plans in excess of an amount which could reasonably be expected to have a

 

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Material Adverse Effect. Each Single Employer Plan complies in all material respects with all applicable requirements of law and regulations, except to the extent that any failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Reportable Event specified in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has occurred with respect to any Single Employer Plan, no Borrower nor any other member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn from any Multiemployer Plan or initiated steps to do so, and no steps have been taken to reorganize or terminate any Single Employer Plan except, in each case, to the extent that such action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.8 Taxes . Each Credit Party has filed or caused to be filed all material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid, caused to be paid or made provisions or disclosures in accordance with GAAP for all material Taxes required to have been paid by it (including all instalments with respect to the current period) and has made adequate provision and disclosures in accordance with GAAP for Taxes for the current period.

3.9 Titles to Real Property . The owned and leased real property of the Credit Parties are free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens.

3.10 Titles to Personal Property . The personal property of the Credit Parties is free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens.

3.11 Canadian Pension Plans . The Canadian Pension Plans are duly registered under the Income Tax Act (if required to be so registered) and any other applicable Laws which require registration, have been administered in accordance with the Income Tax Act and such other applicable Laws and no event has occurred which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such registered status, except to the extent that any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All material obligations of each of the Credit Parties (including fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations) required to be performed in connection with the Pension Plans and the funding agreements therefor have been performed on a timely basis, except to the extent that any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding disputes concerning the assets of the Pension Plans or the Benefit Plans. All contributions or premiums required to be made or paid by each of the Credit Parties to the Pension Plans or the Benefit Plans have been made on a timely basis in accordance with the terms of such plans and all applicable Laws, except to the extent that any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There have been no improper withdrawals or applications of the assets of the Pension Plans or the Benefit Plans.

3.12 Intentionally Deleted.

3.13 Defaults. No Credit Party is in default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default (in any respect that would have a Material Adverse Effect) under any material loan or credit agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement or other instrument or agreement evidencing or pertaining to any Indebtedness of any Credit Party, or under any material agreement or instrument to which a Credit Party is a party or by which any Credit Party is bound.

3.14 Investment Company Act. No Credit Party is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (a federal statute of the United States of America), as amended.

3.15 Subsidiaries . As of the Restatement Effective Date, Schedule 3.15 correctly sets forth, for each Subsidiary, the (i) names, (ii) form of legal entity, (iii) percentage of Equity Securities owned by the

 

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Credit Parties (and specifying such owner), (iv) jurisdictions of organization, and (v) whether such Subsidiary is an Immaterial Subsidiary. All such Equity Securities so owned are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal, provincial or foreign securities and other Laws, and are free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

3.16 Insurance . The Credit Parties maintain, or there is maintained by Wendy’s on behalf of the Credit Parties, insurance policies and coverage in compliance with Section 5.9.

3.17 Solvency . No Credit Party is an “insolvent person” within the meaning of the BIA. Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Restatement Effective Date and immediately following the making of each Loan made on the Restatement Effective Date and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of such Loans and to all rights of reimbursement, contribution and subrogation, (a) the fair value of the assets of each Credit Party, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Credit Party will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) each Credit Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) each Credit Party will not have reasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and it proposed to be conducted following the Restatement Effective Date.

3.18 Public Utility Holding Company Act . No Credit Party is a “holding company” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company”, or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company”, within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (a federal statute of the United States), as amended.

3.19 Environmental Matters . No Credit Party has received any written notice to the effect that its operations are not in material compliance with any of the requirements of applicable Environmental Laws or are the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, which non-compliance or remedial action could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.20 Intellectual Property Rights . Each Borrower and each Subsidiary owns, licenses or has the right to use the trademarks and trade names which are reasonably necessary for the conduct of its business.

3.21 Regulation U . No Borrower nor any Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate of buying or carrying Margin Stock, and Margin Stock constitutes less than 25% of the value of those assets of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are subject to any limitation on sale, pledge, or other restriction hereunder.

3.22 Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions . No Borrower is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” within the meaning of 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101 of an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is subject to Title I of ERISA or any plan (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code), and neither the execution of this Agreement nor the making of Loans hereunder gives rise to a prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

3.23 Material Guarantors . As at the Restatement Effective Date, each Material Subsidiary which is (a) a Canadian Subsidiary has executed and delivered a Subsidiary Guarantee to the Canadian

 

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Administrative Agent, and (b) a U.S. Subsidiary has executed and delivered a Subsidiary Guarantee to the U.S. Administrative Agent.

3.24 Reorganization. The Proposed Reorganization shall have been commenced and consummated on the Restatement Effective Date in accordance with applicable law.

ARTICLE 4

CONDITIONS

4.1 Restatement Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.2):

(a) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement . The Administrative Agents (or their counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of each party hereto, or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agents (which may include facsimile transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that each such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) Legal Opinions . The Administrative Agents shall have received favourable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agents and the Lenders and dated the Restatement Effective Date) from counsel to the Credit Parties covering the Credit Parties, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or the Transactions in form and substance substantially similar to the opinions delivered to the Administrative Agents on the Closing Date under the Original Credit Agreement or, at the request of a Credit Party, as may otherwise be acceptable to the Administrative Agents (together with copies of all factual certificates and legal opinions delivered to such counsel in connection with such opinions upon which counsel has relied). The Administrative Agents agree that in-house counsel to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may deliver written opinions with respect to corporate existence and good standing, due authorization, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and “no conflict” of charter documents and by-laws for each Credit Party to the extent that in-house counsel is qualified, as of the Restatement Effective Date, to practise law in the jurisdiction of incorporation or formation of such Credit Party. Each Borrower hereby requests each such counsel to deliver such opinions and supporting materials. All opinions and certificates referred to in this Section 4.1(b) shall be addressed to the Administrative Agents and the Lenders and dated the Restatement Effective Date.

(c) Corporate Certificates . The Administrative Agents shall have received:

 

  (i) certified copies of the resolutions of the board of directors, shareholders or other similar action of each Credit Party, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date (or such other date as is acceptable to the Administrative Agents), and approving, as appropriate, the Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all other documents, if any, to which such Credit Party is a party and evidencing corporate authorization with respect to such documents; and

 

  (ii)

a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Credit Party, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date (or such other date as is acceptable to the Administrative Agents), and certifying (A) the name, title and true signature of each officer of such Person authorized to execute this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) the name, title and true signature of each officer of such Person authorized to provide the certifications required pursuant to this Agreement, including certifications required pursuant to Section

 

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5.1 and Borrowing Requests, and (C) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of each Credit Party, as amended to such date, and a recent certificate of status, certificate of compliance, good standing certificate or analogous certificate.

(d) Closing Conditions Certificate . The Administrative Agents shall have received a certificate, dated the Restatement Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, confirming compliance with the financial covenants set out in Section 5.11 and with the conditions set out in Section 4.2(a) and (b).

(e) Fees . The Administrative Agents, the Lenders, and the Lead Arrangers shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all legal fees and other out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

(f) Intentionally Deleted .

(g) Execution and Delivery of Documentation . Each Credit Party shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered all documents required hereunder, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agents, acting reasonably. The Administrative Agents shall have received and be satisfied with the results of all personal property and bankruptcy searches conducted by the Borrowers and their counsel with respect to the Credit Parties in all jurisdictions selected by the Administrative Agents and its counsel.

(h) Guarantees . The Administrative Agents shall have received executed copies of the (i) Parent Guarantee dated as of the Restatement Effective Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit E, (ii) Canadian Subsidiary Borrower Guarantee dated as of the Restatement Effective Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit F, (iii) U.S. Borrower Guarantee dated as of the Restatement Effective Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit G, and (iv) Subsidiary Guarantees, in each case dated as of the Restatement Effective Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit H and/or Exhibit I, as applicable.

(i) Regulatory Approval; Consents; Waivers . The Administrative Agents and the Lenders shall be satisfied, acting reasonably, that all material Authorizations required in connection with the Transactions contemplated hereby have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and that all consents and waivers required to consummate the Transactions have been obtained, to the extent that consummation of the Transactions would otherwise be restricted or prohibited under the terms of any material contract, in each case without the imposition of any burdensome provisions.

(j) Delivery of Financial Statements . The Administrative Agents and the Lenders shall have received the audited consolidated balance sheets, statements of income and retained earnings and statements of changes in financial position of the Former Parent for the Fiscal Years ended December 31, 2006, December 30, 2007 and December 28, 2008.

(k) Intentionally Deleted .

(l) Indebtedness . The Transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not have caused any event or condition to occur which has resulted, or which will result, in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to

 

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require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, or which will result in the creation of any Liens under any Indebtedness.

(m) Intentionally Deleted.

(n) Intentionally Deleted.

(o) Intercreditor Agreement . The Intercreditor Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

(p) Other Documentation . The Administrative Agents and the Lenders shall have received such documents as they may reasonably request in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act, and the Administrative Agents shall have received such other documents and instruments as are customary for transactions of this type or as they may reasonably request.

(q) Proposed Reorganization . The Administrative Agents shall have received (i) a certificate of a senior officer of the Parent Borrower certifying that the Proposed Reorganization has been consummated and is effective, and (ii) copies of all such documents and instruments related thereto as the Administrative Agents may request, acting reasonably.

4.2 Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of each Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit (including on the occasions of the initial Borrowings hereunder), is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) the representations and warranties of the Borrowers set out in this Agreement, other than the representation and warranty in Section 3.4(b), shall be true and correct on and as of the date of each such Borrowing as if made on such date except to the extent that (i) any change to the representations and warranties has been disclosed to the Administrative Agents and accepted by the Required Lenders, or (ii) any representation and warranty is stated to be made as of a particular time;

(b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) the applicable Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request in the manner and within the time period required by Section 2.3.

Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the accuracy of the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. This requirement does not apply on the conversion or rollover of an existing Borrowing provided that the aggregate outstanding Borrowings will not be increased as a consequence thereof.

ARTICLE 5

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

From (and including) the Restatement Effective Date until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrowers covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

 

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5.1 Financial Statements and Other Information . The Parent Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agents and each Lender:

(a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, retained earnings and statements of cash flow of the Parent Borrower as of the end of and for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by PriceWaterhouseCoopers or other independent auditors of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Borrower on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, retained earnings and statements of cash flow of the Parent Borrower as of the end of and for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, except that the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Advertising Entities and the FIN 46 Entities shall be disregarded provided that any Indebtedness of the Advertising Entities or the FIN 46 Entities is non-recourse to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries;

(b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, retained earnings and statement of cash flow of the Parent Borrower as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year which includes such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year, all certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Borrower on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments; and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, retained earnings and statement of cash flow of the Parent Borrower as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year which includes such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year, all certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Borrower on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, except that the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Advertising Entities and the FIN 46 Entities shall be disregarded provided that any Indebtedness of the Advertising Entities or the FIN 46 Entities is non-recourse to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries;

(c) concurrently with the financial statements required pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) and (b) above, a certificate of the Parent Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower (i) stating that a review of such financial statements during the period covered thereby and of the activities of the Credit Parties has been made under such Responsible Officer’s supervision with a view to determining whether the Credit Parties have fulfilled all of their obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists as of such date of certification; or, if there shall be a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and status thereof and the Borrowers’ proposed response thereto, (iii) demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance (including showing all financial covenant and other material calculations) as at the end of the most recently completed Fiscal Year or the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter, with the financial covenants in Section 5.11 and the baskets in the last sentence of Section 6.1 and in Sections 6.2(v), 6.4 (c) and 6.5(i), (iv) listing the Credit Parties as at the end of the most recently

 

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completed Fiscal Year, and (v) containing or accompanied by such financial or other details, information and material as the Administrative Agents may reasonably request to evidence such compliance;

(d) promptly after the filing of any registration statement or annual, quarterly, monthly or other regular report or any special report on Form 8-K which the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries files with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America, including any certification or other filing required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations related thereto, a written notice that such materials have been filed electronically, and information as to where they may be found in electronic format;

(e) promptly after the filing thereof, copies of all other material reports, proxy statements and other material documents filed by any Credit Party with any securities commission, stock exchange or similar entity, and all other written materials distributed out of the ordinary course by the Parent Borrower to its shareholders, in each case which relate to matters in which any Lender or Administrative Agent, in such capacities, can reasonably be expected to have an interest, which copies and materials may be furnished either by (i) delivering to the Administrative Agents such copies or materials, or (ii) providing to the Administrative Agents a written notice that such materials have been filed electronically, and information as to where they may be found in electronic format;

(f) promptly after any Credit Party learns of the receipt or occurrence of any of the following, a certificate of the Parent Borrower, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower, specifying (i) any official notice of any violation, possible violation, non-compliance or possible non-compliance, or claim made by any Governmental Authority pertaining to all or any part of the properties of any Credit Party which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, together with a detailed statement specifying the nature thereof and the steps being taken to cure such Default or Event of Default, or (iii) any change to any of the ratings assigned by any rating agency to the Rated Debt of the Parent Borrower; and

(g) promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of the institution of or any material adverse development in any action, suit or proceeding or any governmental investigation or any arbitration before any court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority or official against any Credit Party or any material property thereof which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.2 Existence; Conduct of Business . Each Borrower will, and will cause each other Credit Party to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence (except as permitted in Section 6.3), and except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect any and all rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business.

5.3 Payment of Tax Obligations . Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay when due its Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.4 Maintenance of Properties . Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition,

 

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ordinary wear and tear excepted, except (i) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) as otherwise permitted by Section 6.3 or Section 6.5.

5.5 Books and Records; Inspection Rights . Each Borrower will, and will cause of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which entries in accordance with GAAP are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Each Borrower will, and will cause each other Credit Party to, permit any representatives designated by either Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours as the U.S. Administrative Agent may reasonably request and having due regard for, and with minimal disruptions of, the ongoing business of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries; provided that (i) all such visits, inspections and inquiries shall be co-ordinated through the U.S. Administrative Agent, and (ii) unless a Default shall have occurred and be continuing, no Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be responsible for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agents, any Lender, or their representatives in connection with such inspection or visit.

5.6 Compliance with Laws . Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all Laws of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7 Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit . The proceeds of the Term Loans have been used, directly or indirectly, solely to enable the Former Parent to make a principal payment of up to Cdn.$500,000,000 (or the U.S.$ Equivalent thereof) on account of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Wendy’s Note. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans will be used for working capital, commercial paper back-up, Permitted Acquisitions and other general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries. Letters of Credit will be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

5.8 Further Assurances . Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, cure promptly any defects in the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, including this Agreement. Upon request, each Borrower will, at its expense, as promptly as practical, execute and deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent, all such other and further documents, agreements and instruments (and cause each other Credit Party to take such action) as reasonably requested by such Administrative Agent in compliance with or performance of the covenants and agreements of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any of the Loan Documents.

5.9 Insurance . Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to their respective properties and business against such liabilities, casualties, risks and contingencies and in such types (including business interruption insurance) and amounts as is customary in the case of Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses and similarly situated and in accordance with any requirement of any Governmental Authority.

5.10 Additional Subsidiary Guarantees . If, as at the end of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter, (a) the aggregate consolidated revenues of all Immaterial Subsidiaries exceeds 10% of the consolidated revenues of the Parent Borrower, the Parent Borrower shall within 30 days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter designate, by written notice to the Administrative Agents, one or more Immaterial Subsidiaries to become Guarantors, to the extent necessary to ensure that the aggregate consolidated revenues of all Immaterial Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors represents less than 10% of the

 

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consolidated revenues of the Parent Borrower, or (b) a Subsidiary which was previously an Immaterial Subsidiary has become a Material Subsidiary, the Parent Borrower shall, within 30 days of the end of such Fiscal Quarter, designate by written notice to the Administrative Agents such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor. The Borrowers may, at any time prior to the Maturity Date, designate different Immaterial Subsidiaries to be Guarantors and revoke any designation of an Immaterial Subsidiary as a Guarantor, provided that no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of revocation and at all times the aggregate consolidated revenues of all Immaterial Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors shall represent less than 10% of the consolidated revenues of the Parent Borrower. Subject to the preceding sentence, nothing in this Section 5.10 shall prevent the Borrowers from revoking the designation of an Immaterial Subsidiary as a Guarantor, even if such Immaterial Subsidiary was previously a Material Subsidiary. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the Advertising Entities and the FIN 46 Entities shall not be required to provide a guarantee. The Borrowers shall designate any newly acquired Material Subsidiary as a Guarantor hereunder, and may revoke any designation of an Immaterial Subsidiary as a Guarantor in order to dispose of such Immaterial Subsidiary, provided that such acquisition or disposition is otherwise in compliance herewith. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 5.10, no Subsidiary of Tim Hortons Delaware Limited Partnership other than a U.S. Subsidiary is required to provide, directly or indirectly within the meaning of Section 956 of the Code, a Guarantee in respect of the obligations of the U.S. Borrower hereunder. For greater certainly, nothing in the immediately preceding sentence shall in any way affect any of the obligations of the Guarantors to deliver on the Restatement Effective Date the Guarantees set out in Schedule D. Any Canadian Subsidiary which is designated as a Guarantor at any time after the Restatement Effective Date shall enter into and deliver to the Canadian Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Guarantee substantially in the form entered into by the Canadian Subsidiaries on the Restatement Effective Date. Any U.S. Subsidiary which is designated as a Guarantor at any time after the Restatement Effective Date shall enter into and deliver to the U.S. Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Guarantee substantially in the form entered into by the U.S. Subsidiaries on the Restatement Effective Date.

5.11 Financial Covenants . The Parent Borrower will comply with the following financial covenants:

(a) Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA: The Parent Borrower will not permit, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter to Consolidated EBITDA for the Rolling Period then ended, to exceed 2.50:1.00 in respect of any Fiscal Quarter.

(b) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries will not permit, as at the end of each Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the Rolling Period then ended, to be less than 2.75:1.00 in respect of any Fiscal Quarter.

(c) For the purpose of determining compliance with this Section 5.11, (i) Consolidated EBITDA , Consolidated EBITDAR and Consolidated Fixed Charges shall include the historical financial results of any acquired Person which becomes a Subsidiary or acquired business as if the acquisition occurred at the beginning of the testing period and shall give effect, on a pro forma basis, to the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in connection with the acquisition, (ii) Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated EBITDAR and Consolidated Fixed Charges shall exclude the historical financial results of any disposed Person which ceases to be a Subsidiary or disposed business as if the disposition occurred at the beginning of the testing period, and (iii) notwithstanding any provisions of GAAP to the contrary, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Advertising Entities and the FIN 46 Entities shall be disregarded, provided that any Indebtedness of the Advertising Entities or the FIN 46 Entities is non-recourse to the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

 

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5.12 Ownership of Guarantors. The Parent Borrower will ensure that the U.S. Borrower, the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and each Guarantor is at all times a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.

ARTICLE 6

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

From (and including) the Restatement Effective Date until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrowers covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

6.1 Indebtedness. The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) any Indebtedness created hereunder;

(b) Intentionally Deleted;

(c) any other unsecured Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set out in Schedule 6.1, and any extensions, renewals or replacements of any such Indebtedness on substantially on the same terms and conditions or otherwise on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Required Lenders, acting reasonably;

(d) any Indebtedness of a Borrower or a Subsidiary to another Borrower or Subsidiary;

(e) any Guarantee by a Borrower or a Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any other Borrower or Subsidiary which is otherwise permitted hereunder;

(f) Indebtedness secured by Purchase Money Liens, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) shall not exceed the amount permitted under Section 6.2(k) at any time;

(g) Capital Lease Obligations;

(h) subject to the last sentence of this Section 6.1, any other unsecured Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Subsidiary ranking pari passu with the Indebtedness hereunder, provided that the Parent Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.11 both before and immediately after the incurrence of any such Indebtedness and no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(i) subject to the last sentence of this Section 6.1, any other secured Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness permitted by this clause(i) shall not exceed the amount permitted by Section 6.2(v); and provided further that the Parent Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.11 both before and immediately after the incurrence of any such Indebtedness and no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

In addition, the Borrowers will not permit any Immaterial Subsidiary which is not a Guarantor to incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except (a) any Indebtedness of an Immaterial Subsidiary to any other Immaterial Subsidiary or to a Credit Party, and (b) Indebtedness in an aggregate amount, for all Immaterial Subsidiaries which are not Guarantors, not exceeding Cdn.$25,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency), provided that the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with the

 

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financial covenants in Section 5.11 both before and immediately after the incurrence of any such Indebtedness and no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

6.2 Liens. Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien in, of or on the property of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except:

(a) the interest of a lessor under a capital lease or otherwise securing Capital Lease Obligations;

(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date and described in Schedule 6.2;

(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on its property if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;

(d) Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’ carriers’, materialmen’s, processors’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not more than sixty (60) days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;

(e) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation;

(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety, indemnity and appeal and release bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(g) easements, reservations, rights-of-way, restrictions, survey exceptions, encroachments, covenants, minor defects, irregularities and other similar encumbrances as to real property of any Borrower or any Subsidiary which customarily exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly situated and which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the conduct of the business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary conducted at the property subject thereto;

(h) Liens existing on property or assets at the time of acquisition thereof after the Effective Date by a Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that (i) such Liens existed at the time of such acquisition and were not created in anticipation thereof, and (ii) any such Lien does not encumber any other property or assets (other than additions thereto and property in replacement or substitution thereof);

(i) Liens existing on property or assets of a Person which becomes a Subsidiary after the Effective Date; provided that (i) such Liens existed at the time such Person became a Subsidiary and were not created in anticipation thereof, and (ii) any such Lien does not encumber any other property or assets (other than additions thereto and property in replacement or substitution thereof);

(j) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any court or other Governmental Authority or in connection with arbitration proceedings, if appropriate legal proceedings are being diligently prosecuted and shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired, in an aggregate amount not to exceed, when taken

 

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together with all Liens securing bonds to stay judgments or in connection with appeals as permitted by Section 6.2(f), Cdn.$25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(k) Purchase Money Liens (including Liens to which any property is subject at the time of acquisition thereof) securing purchase money Indebtedness (other than Capital Leases) incurred by any Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date to finance the acquisition or construction of assets used in its business, if (i) at the time of such incurrence, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such incurrence, (ii) such Indebtedness has a scheduled maturity and is not due on demand, (iii) such Indebtedness does not exceed the lower of the fair market value or the cost of the applicable fixed assets on the date acquired and (iv) such Indebtedness does not exceed Cdn.$50,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time; provided that such Liens shall not apply to any property of any Borrower or any Subsidiary other than that financed (including improvements thereto);

(l) the title of a lessor in or to property subject to an operating lease or subject to a Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

(m) Liens (if any) from time to time securing the obligations hereunder;

(n) municipal and zoning ordinances, which are not violated in any material respect by the existing improvements and the present use made by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of real property;

(o) customary rights of set off, revocation, refund or chargeback under deposit agreements or under applicable law of banks or other financial institutions where any Borrower or any Subsidiary maintains deposits in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement;

(p) Liens arising from the granting of a license to any person in the ordinary course of business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(q) Liens attaching solely to cash earnest money deposits made by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into by it in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

(r) Liens deemed to exist in connection with repurchase agreements and other similar Investments to the extent such Investments are permitted under Section 6.4;

(s) Liens arising by operation of law on insurance policies and proceeds thereof to secure premiums thereunder;

(t) Liens arising in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing;

(u) Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses, provided that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness so secured prior to such extension, renewal or replacement and that such extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to all or a part of the assets which secured the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and construction on such real property); and

(v) other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, as determined as of the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter (but without regard to the proviso in the definition of “Consolidated Tangible Net Worth”) at any time.

 

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In addition to the foregoing, (i) no Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall become a party to any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument, or take any other action, which would prohibit the creation of a Lien on any of its properties or other assets in favor of the applicable Administrative Agent for the benefit of itself and the Lenders as collateral for the obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument may prohibit the creation of a Lien in favor of the applicable Administrative Agent for the benefit of itself and the Lenders to the extent that and for so long as such Lien is not required to be shared with the applicable Administrative Agent and the Lenders on an equal and ratable basis pursuant to the immediately succeeding clause (ii) ; and (ii) no Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien securing Indebtedness for borrowed money aggregating in excess of Cdn.$25,000,000 (other than any Liens permitted by the provisions of 6.2(a) through (u) above) upon any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless the obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are secured by such Lien equally and ratably with any and all other such Indebtedness secured thereby for so long as any such other Indebtedness shall be so secured. For the purposes of this Section 6.2, the following agreements, and the transactions and arrangements contemplated thereby, shall not constitute, or be considered to have created a Lien: (i) the mirror netting service agreement dated February 1, 2007 by and among The TDL Group Corp. (f/k/a The TDL Group Ltd.), The TDL Group, TDL Group Co., Wentim, Ltd., and certain other Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as the same may be amended (a) to add additional Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower as parties thereto, or (b) in such other manner as shall not affect, in a material way, the nature of the transactions contemplated by such agreement; and (ii) the cash management agreement dated May 15, 2003 by and between the Canadian Subsidiary Borrower and The TDL Group Co., as the same may be amended (a) to add additional Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower as parties thereto, or (b) in such other manner as shall not affect, in a material way, the nature of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

6.3 Merger; Dissolution.

(a) Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or amalgamate or consolidate with it, or except to the extent not restricted by Section 6.4 or 6.5, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or all or substantially all of the Equity Securities of any Subsidiary (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, unless (i) the resulting, successor or acquiring corporation or the Person which otherwise acquires all of such Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s consolidated business or property shall assume, by a writing satisfactory in form and substance to the U.S. Administrative Agent, all of the obligations of such Borrower or Subsidiary under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including all covenants herein and therein contained, in which case such resulting, successor or acquiring corporation (or other Person) shall succeed to and be substituted for such Borrower or Subsidiary; and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of such Borrower or Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by such Borrower or Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided that any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the board of directors of the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Credit Parties and the U.S. Administrative Agent determines that such liquidation or dissolution is not disadvantageous to the Lenders. Where an Immaterial Subsidiary or Subsidiary is transferring assets and/or liabilities to a Subsidiary, Immaterial Subsidiary, Material Subsidiary, Credit Party or Guarantor as part of a corporate simplification and/or restructure transaction pursuant to which no assets leave the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, no consent or determination by the U.S. Administrative Agent shall be required for each such individual transaction pursuant to the immediately

 

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preceding sentence. The Borrowers agree to fully comply with Section 5.10 contemporaneously with any such corporate simplification and/or restructure transaction.

(b) Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, engage to any material extent in any material business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries on the Restatement Effective Date and businesses reasonably related thereto.

6.4 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. Each Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Investment or to become or remain a partner in any partnership or joint venture, or to make any Acquisition of any Person, except:

(a) Permitted Investments;

(b) Investments by a Borrower or any Subsidiary in a Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(c) Investments in Advertising Entities, provided that the aggregate amount of Investments in Advertising Entities made during the period from the Closing Date to the Maturity Date shall not exceed Cdn.$50,000,000;

(d) other Investments in existence on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 6.4;

(e) Investments consisting of (a) intercompany asset dispositions to the extent permitted by Section 6.5(b) and (b) intercompany loans and advances permitted by Section 6.1;

(f) Investments in trade receivables or received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

(g) Investments consisting of deposit accounts maintained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(h) Investments consisting of partnership or other equity interests in any partnership, joint venture or other Person so long as such partnership, joint venture or Person is in a line of business that does not violate the terms or provisions of Section 6.3(b);

(i) Acquisitions meeting the following requirements or otherwise approved by the Required Lenders (each such Acquisition constituting a “ Permitted Acquisition ”):

(A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Acquisition or the incurrence of any Indebtedness in connection therewith and, both before and immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition, all of the representations and warranties contained herein shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than the representation and warranty in Section 3.4(b)), unless such representation and warranty is made as of a specific date, in which case, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date; and

(B) the Acquisition is consummated pursuant to a negotiated acquisition agreement on a non-hostile basis and approved by the target company’s board of directors (and shareholders, if necessary) prior to the consummation of the Acquisition; and

(C) the business being acquired shall be in a line of business permitted under Section 6.3(b).

 

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6.5 Sale of Assets. Each Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, lease, sell or otherwise dispose of its Operating Property to any other Person, except:

(a) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(b) a disposition of assets by a Borrower or a Subsidiary to any Credit Party, or a disposition of assets by a Subsidiary which is not a Credit Party to another Subsidiary which is not a Credit Party;

(c) a disposition, in the ordinary course of business of a Borrower or Subsidiary, of obsolete property or property no longer used in the business of the Credit Parties;

(d) a disposition of assets by a Borrower or any other Credit Party to a Subsidiary which is not a Credit Party, provided that the assets so disposed do not constitute all or substantially all of the assets of the disposing Borrower or other Credit Party or, when the net sale proceeds are aggregated with the net sale proceeds of all other such dispositions (other than dispositions permitted by Section 6.5(h)) during the twelve-month period ending with the month in which any such disposition occurs, more than 15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, as determined as at the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter;

(e) a lease, sale or other disposition of restaurants (including the lease, sale or other disposition of real property) to franchisees of a Borrower or a Subsidiary or to a joint venture or partnership of which a Borrower or a Subsidiary holds an equity or partnership interest;

(f) a disposition of assets pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of any Permitted Receivables Financing, provided that the aggregate amount of Receivables sold pursuant to Permitted Receivables Financings in any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $50,000,000;

(g) sales of loans made by a Borrower or a Subsidiary to franchisees to the extent such loans are permitted by Section 6.4;

(h) leases, sales or other dispositions of its property prior to January 1, 2006; and

(i) leases, sales or other dispositions of its property (including Sale/Leaseback Transactions) that, together with the net sale proceeds of all other Operating Property of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries previously leased, sold or disposed of (other than dispositions otherwise permitted by this Section 6.5) as permitted by this Section 6.5(i) during the twelve-month period ending with the month in which any such lease, sale or other disposition occurs, do not constitute more than 15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, as determined as at the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter.

In addition, the Parent Borrower will ensure that the book value of all tangible assets of the Credit Parties which are not Operating Property and which are leased, sold or otherwise disposed of in any Fiscal Year will not exceed an amount equal to 5% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth determined as at the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter.

6.6 Restricted Payments. Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, declare, pay or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (a) the Parent Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Securities payable solely in additional Equity Securities of the Parent Borrower, (b) any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, (c) the Parent Borrower may make Restricted Payments that are required to pay federal and state income or franchise Taxes due and payable with respect to the income of the Parent Borrower, and (d) the Parent Borrower may make Restricted Payments if, at the time of and

 

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immediately after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment, the Parent Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants in Section 5.11 and no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

6.7 Transactions with Affiliates. Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of their Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favourable to such Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between any Borrower and any Subsidiary, or between Subsidiaries, and in any such case not involving any of their other Affiliates, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.6 or any transaction contemplated by the Separation Agreements, and (d) any asset disposition permitted by Section 6.5(d).

6.8 Restrictive Agreements. Each Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause to become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on its ability (a) to pay dividends or make any other distribution on its stock or other ownership interests; provided that this clause (a) shall not prevent the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries from agreeing to any such encumbrance or restriction of their ability to pay dividends or make any other distribution on their stock or other ownership interests to any Person which is not a Credit Party, (b) to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Borrower or any Subsidiary, (c) to make loans or advances or other Investments in any Borrower or any Subsidiary or (d) to sell, transfer or otherwise convey any of its property to any Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case, other than (i) restrictions imposed by this Agreement, (ii) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of assets, capital stock or other equity interests pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the assets, capital stock or other equity interests that is to be sold and such sale shall be permitted hereunder, (iii) restrictions imposed by applicable law, (iv) restrictions imposed by the holder of a Lien permitted by Section 6.2 solely on the transfer of assets subject thereto, (v) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary of such Borrower pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness issued or incurred by such Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of such Borrower or was acquired by such Borrower and outstanding on such date, or (vi) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary non-assignment provisions in leases or licenses, to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease or license, as applicable.

6.9 Fiscal Periods. The Parent Borrower will not change the manner in which it determines the end of its Fiscal Quarters or its Fiscal Year (as set forth in the definitions of such terms in Section 1.1).

ARTICLE 7

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1 Events of Default. If any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) above) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days after the same shall have become due and payable;

 

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(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect when made or deemed to be made, and if the circumstances giving rise to such incorrect representation and warranty are capable of rectification, such circumstances are not rectified in a manner which renders such representation no longer incorrect within 10 days after the applicable Credit Party becomes aware of the incorrect representation and warranty;

(d) any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.1(f)(ii) (notice of Default or Event of Default), 5.2 (Borrower’s existence), 5.7 (use of proceeds), 5.11 (financial covenants) or in Article 6;

(e) any Credit Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clauses (a), (b) or (d) above) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the U.S. Administrative Agent to the Borrowers (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);

(f) any Credit Party shall fail to make any payment whether of principal or interest, and regardless of amount, in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable and, in the case of any failure to pay any amount other than principal, such failure continues after the applicable grace period if any, specified in the agreement relating to such Material Indebtedness;

(g) any event or condition occurs (including any “amortization event”, “termination event” or other similar event under any Receivables Purchase Facility) that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this Section 7.1(g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness so long as the proceeds of such sale or transfer are sufficient to, and are applied to, reduce such secured Indebtedness;

(h) any Credit Party:

 

  (i) becomes insolvent, or generally does not or becomes unable to pay its debts or meet its liabilities as the same become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or declares any general moratorium on its indebtedness, or proposes a compromise or arrangement between it and any class of its creditors;

 

  (ii) commits an act of bankruptcy or makes an assignment of its property for the general benefit of its creditors or makes a proposal (or files a notice of its intention to do so);

 

  (iii)

institutes any proceeding seeking to adjudicate it an insolvent, or seeking liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment, protection, moratorium, relief, stay of proceedings of creditors generally (or any class of creditors), or composition of it or its debts or any other relief, under any federal, provincial or foreign Law now or hereafter in effect

 

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relating to bankruptcy, winding-up, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, plans of arrangement or relief or protection of debtors (including the BIA, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and any applicable corporations legislation) or at common law or in equity, or files an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding;

 

  (iv) applies for the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, interim receiver, receiver/manager, sequestrator, conservator, custodian, administrator, trustee, liquidator or other similar official for it or any substantial part of its property; or

 

  (v) takes any action, corporate or otherwise, to approve, effect, consent to or authorize any of the actions described in this Section 7.1(h) or in Section 7.1(i), or otherwise acts in furtherance thereof or fails to act in a timely and appropriate manner in defense thereof;

(i) any petition is filed, application made or other proceeding instituted against or in respect of any Credit Party:

 

  (i) seeking to adjudicate it an insolvent;

 

  (ii) seeking a receiving order against it;

 

  (iii) seeking liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment, protection, moratorium, relief, stay of proceedings of creditors generally (or any class of creditors), or composition of it or its debts or any other relief under any federal, provincial or foreign Law now or hereafter in effect relating to bankruptcy, winding-up, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, plans of arrangement or relief or protection of debtors (including the BIA, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and any applicable corporations legislation) or at common law or in equity; or

 

  (iv) seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, interim receiver, receiver/manager, sequestrator, conservator, custodian, administrator, trustee, liquidator or other similar official for it or any substantial part of its property;

and such petition, application or proceeding continues undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of sixty (60) days after the institution thereof, provided that if an order, decree or judgment is granted or entered (whether or not entered or subject to appeal) against such Credit Party thereunder in the interim, such grace period will cease to apply, and provided further that if such Credit Party files an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, such grace period will cease to apply;

(j) any other event occurs which, under the Laws of any applicable jurisdiction, has an effect equivalent to any of the events referred to in either of Sections 7.1(h) or (i);

(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in a cumulative amount in excess of Cdn.$25,000,000 (or its then equivalent in any other currency) in the aggregate is rendered against any one or more of the Credit Parties and they have not (i) provided for its discharge in accordance with its

 

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terms within 30 days from the date of entry thereof, or (ii) procured a stay of execution thereof within 30 days from the date of entry thereof and within such period, or such longer period during which execution of such judgment has not been stayed, appealed such judgment and caused the execution thereof to be stayed during such appeal, provided that if enforcement and/or realization proceedings are lawfully commenced in respect thereof in the interim, such grace period will cease to apply;

(l) any property of any Credit Party having a fair market value in excess of Cdn.$25,000,000 (or its then equivalent in any other currency) in the aggregate is seized (including by way of execution, attachment, garnishment, levy or distraint), or any Lien thereon securing Indebtedness in excess of Cdn.$25,000,000 (or its then equivalent in any other currency) is enforced, or such property has become subject to any charging order or equitable execution of a Governmental Authority, or any writ of execution or distress warrant exists in respect of any Credit Party or the property of any of them, or any sheriff or other Person becomes lawfully entitled by operation of law or otherwise to seize or distrain upon such property and in any case such seizure, enforcement, execution, attachment, garnishment, distraint, charging order or equitable execution, or other seizure or right, continues in effect and is not released or discharged for more than 30 days or such longer period during which entitlement to the use of such property continues with the such Credit Party, and such Credit Party is contesting the same in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, provided that if the property is removed from the use of such Credit Party, or is sold, in the interim, such grace period will cease to apply;

(m) this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any material obligation or other provision hereof or thereof at any time for any reason is declared to be void or voidable or is repudiated, or the validity, binding effect, legality or enforceability hereof or thereof is at any time contested by any Credit Party;

(n) a Change of Control shall occur from and after the Restatement Effective Date;

(o) the Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans shall exceed in the aggregate an amount which, if required to be paid, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or any Reportable Event shall occur in connection with any Single Employer Plan which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p) the Parent Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred withdrawal liability to such Multiemployer Plan in an amount which, when aggregated with all other amounts required to be paid to Multiemployer Plans by the Parent Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group as withdrawal liability (determined as of the date of such notification), could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(q) the Parent Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, if as a result of such reorganization or termination the aggregate annual contributions of the Parent Borrower and the other members of the Controlled Group (taken as a whole) to all Multiemployer Plans which are then in reorganization or being terminated have been or will be increased, in the aggregate, over the amounts contributed to such Multiemployer Plans for the respective plan years of such Multiemployer Plans immediately preceding the plan year in which the reorganization or termination occurs by an amount which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to a Borrower described in clause (h), (i) or (j) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the U.S. Administrative

 

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Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrowers, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind except as set out earlier in this paragraph, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h), (i) or (j) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, and Cover for any outstanding Bankers Acceptances and Letters of Credit, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.

ARTICLE 8

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS

8.1 Appointment of Administrative Agents. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby designates JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as U.S. Administrative Agent and The Bank of Nova Scotia as Co-Canadian Administrative Agent with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch to act as herein specified and as specified in the other Loan Documents. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agents to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of the Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Administrative Agents by the terms thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees. The powers, duties and responsibilities of the Canadian Administrative Agent shall be allocated on the basis that (i) in respect of any matter relating to the making of a Loan under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit (including the receipt and disbursement of payments and payment-related notices under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit), The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as co-Canadian administrative agent in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit and the Term Credit for the Lenders hereunder (or any successor Canadian Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.9) shall be responsible for such matter; and (ii) in respect of any matter under the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit other than those matters set out in paragraph (i) above relating to the Canadian Revolving Credit or the Term Credit, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, in its capacity as co-Canadian administrative agent in respect of the Canadian Revolving Credit and the Term Credit for the Lenders hereunder (or any successor Canadian Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.9) shall be responsible for such matter.

8.2 Limitation of Duties of Administrative Agents. The Administrative Agents shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set out with respect to the Administrative Agents in this Agreement and as specified in the other Loan Documents. No Administrative Agent, nor any of their respective Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or omitted by it as such hereunder or in connection herewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct. The duties of the Administrative Agents shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; the Administrative Agents shall not have, by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender or any Issuing Bank. Nothing in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Administrative Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set out herein. The Administrative Agents shall be under no duty to take any discretionary action permitted to be taken by it pursuant to this

 

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Agreement or the other Loan Documents unless it is requested in writing to do so by the Required Lenders.

8.3 Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agents.

(a) Independent Investigation . Independently, and without reliance upon the Administrative Agents, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Credit Parties in connection with the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Credit Parties, and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agents shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender or any Issuing Bank with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the consummation of the Transactions or at any time or times thereafter.

(b) Administrative Agents Not Responsible . The Administrative Agents shall not be responsible to any Lender or any Issuing Bank for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility, priority or sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the financial condition of the Credit Parties or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or the financial condition of the Credit Parties, or the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default.

8.4 Certain Rights of the Administrative Agents. If any Administrative Agents shall request instructions from the Lenders or the Required Lenders (as the case may be) with respect to any act or action (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, such Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless and until such Administrative Agent shall have received written instructions from the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, and such Administrative Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Administrative Agent as a result of such Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders, or, to the extent required by Section 9.2, all of the Lenders.

8.5 Reliance by Administrative Agents. Each Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or facsimile message, electronic mail, cablegram, radiogram, order or other documentary teletransmission or telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. Any Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrowers), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

8.6 Indemnification of Administrative Agents. To the extent any Administrative Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrowers (including any amounts required to be paid under Section 9.3(a) or (b)), each Lender will reimburse and indemnify such Administrative Agent, in proportion to its aggregate Applicable Percentage, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Administrative Agent in performing its duties hereunder, in any way relating to

 

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or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that no Lender shall be liable to any Administrative Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Administrative Agent’s gross negligence (it being acknowledged that ordinary negligence does not necessarily constitute gross negligence) or willful misconduct.

8.7 Administrative Agents in their Individual Capacities. With respect to its obligations under this Agreement and the Loans made by it, each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, each in its capacity as a Lender hereunder, shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties, if any, specified herein; and the terms “ Lenders ”, “ Required Lenders ”, “ Canadian Revolving Credit Lenders ”, “ U.S. Revolving Credit Lenders ”, “ Term Lenders ” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, in its capacity as a Lender hereunder. Any Administrative Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with the Credit Parties or any affiliate of the Credit Parties as if it were not performing the duties, if any, specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from the Credit Parties for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders.

8.8 May Treat Lender as Owner. The Borrowers, the Administrative Agents and the Issuing Banks may deem and treat each Lender as the owner of the Loans recorded on the Register maintained pursuant to Section 9.4(c) for all purposes hereof until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the applicable Administrative Agent. Any request, authority or consent of any Person who at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent is the owner of a Loan shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent owner, transferee or assignee of such Loan.

8.9 Successor Administrative Agent.

(a) Administrative Agent Resignation . Any Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrowers, and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Required Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, upon five Business Days’ notice to the Borrowers, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent (who shall not be a non-resident of Canada within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)), subject to the approval of the Borrowers, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation or the Required Lenders’ removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then, upon five Business Days’ notice to the Borrowers, the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent (subject to approval of the Borrowers, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), which, in case of a replacement of either Canadian Administrative Agent, shall be a financial institution organized under the laws of Canada having a combined capital and surplus of at least Cdn.$100,000,000 or having a parent company with combined capital and surplus of at least Cdn.$100,000,000, and, in case of a replacement of the U.S. Administrative Agent, shall be a financial institution organized under the laws of the United States of America having a combined capital and surplus of at least U.S. $100,000,000 or having a parent company with combined capital and surplus of at least U.S. $100,000,000.

(b) Rights, Powers, etc . Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring

 

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Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article 8 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement.

(c) Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agents . The Syndication Agent and Co-Documentation Agents shall have no roles or responsibilities hereunder in such capacity.

ARTICLE 9

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile in each case to the addressee, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrowers or any other Credit Party:

Tim Hortons

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, Ontario L6K 2Y1

Attention: Treasurer

Facsimile: (905) 845-3985

Tim Hortons Inc.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, Ontario L6K 2Y1

Attention: Corporate Secretary

Facsimile: (905) 845-2931

(ii) if to the Canadian Administrative Agent:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch

200 Bay Street, Suite 1800

Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower

Toronto Ontario M5J 2J2

Attention: Christine Chan

Facsimile: 416-981-9138

The Bank of Nova Scotia

2 Robert Speck Parkway Suite 400

Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1H8

Attention: Barry Hillcoat

Facsimile: (905) 276-4920

 

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(iii) if to the U.S. Administrative Agent:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

IL1-0364 21

South Clark Street Chicago, IL 60670

Attention: Gregory T. Martin

Facsimile: (312) 325-3239

(iv) if to any Lender or any Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or facsimile number) set out opposite its name in the execution page(s) of this Agreement.

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the applicable Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the applicable Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Any Administrative Agent or the Borrowers may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communication to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

9.2 Waivers; Amendments.

(a) No failure or delay by any Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of each Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 9.2(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether any Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document (or any provision hereof or thereof) may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agents with the consent of the Required Lenders (and for greater certainty, any such waiver, amendment or modification shall not require any consent or other agreement of any Credit Party other than the Borrowers, notwithstanding that any such Credit Party may be a party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document); provided that no such agreement shall:

 

  (i) increase the amount or extend the expiry date of any Commitment of any Lender, other than in connection with the Commitment Increase Right;

 

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  (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest or any fee applicable to any Loan;

 

  (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable in respect thereof, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment;

 

  (iv) change Section 2.6 in a manner that would alter the pro rata application of any cancellation of the Revolving Credit Commitments or Section 2.16 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby;

 

  (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.2 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder;

 

  (vi) waive any Event of Default under Section 7.1(h), (i) or (j);

 

  (vii) release the Parent Guarantee or any Subsidiary Guarantee, provided that this Section 9.2(b)(vii) shall not apply with respect to any revocation of any designation of an Immaterial Subsidiary as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 5.10;

in each case without the prior written consent of each Lender; and provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of any Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender hereunder, as the case may be, without the prior written consent of the applicable Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender (as applicable).

9.3 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Each Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one set of Canadian counsel and one set of U.S. counsel for the Administrative Agents and all applicable Taxes, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein and the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for each Administrative Agent and applicable Taxes, in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or of any of the other Loan Documents, (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Administrative Agent or any Lender and all applicable Taxes, in connection with the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

(b) Each Borrower shall indemnify each Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, as well as each Related Party and each assignee of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person and each such assignee being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all obligations, penalties, judgments, suits, costs, losses, claims, actions, damages, expenses

 

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and liabilities of whatsoever nature or kind and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and all applicable Taxes to which any Indemnitee may become subject arising out of or in connection with (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties thereto of their respective obligations thereunder, and the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions thereunder, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or any actual or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, including any refusal by an Issuing Bank to honour a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiaries of the Borrowers, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiaries of the Borrowers, (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, (v) any other aspect of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or (vi) the enforcement of any Indemnitee’s rights hereunder and any related investigation, defence, preparation of defence, litigation and enquiries, in each case regardless of whether or not the Acquisition is consummated; provided that the foregoing indemnity will not, as to any Indemnitee, apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses to the extent they are found by a non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from (i) the willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, (ii) an Indemnitee’s willful breach of express duties or obligations under this Agreement or the Loan Documents, or (iii) any dispute, claim or other matter between or among the Lenders. If any action shall be brought against any Indemnitee with respect to which indemnification may be sought against the Borrowers under this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Borrowers in writing and the Borrowers shall, if requested by the Indemnitee or if the Borrowers desire to do so, assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee and payment of all reasonable fees and expenses. The failure to so notify the Borrowers shall not affect any obligations the Borrowers may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless (and then only to the extent that) the Borrowers are materially adversely affected by such failure. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee, unless (i) the Borrowers have failed to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee, or (ii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include the Indemnitee and the Borrowers, and the Indemnitee shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Borrowers, in which case, if such Indemnitee notifies the Borrowers in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the Borrowers’ expense, the Borrowers shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on behalf of such Indemnitee; provided , however, that the Borrowers shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be responsible hereunder for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one such firm of separate counsel, in addition to any local counsel, which counsel shall be designated by the Lead Arrangers and/or their affiliates. The Borrowers shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without the Borrowers’ written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) and the Borrowers agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnitees from and against any loss or liability by reason of settlement of any action effected with the Borrowers’ consent. In addition, the Borrowers will not, without the prior written consent of the applicable Indemnitee, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any indemnified applicable person is a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an express unconditional release of the Indemnitees and/or their respective affiliates, satisfactory in form and substance to the

 

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Indemnitees and/or their respective affiliates, from all liability arising out of such action, claim, suit or proceeding.

(c) [Intentionally Deleted].

(d) Each of the Borrowers and each Indemnitee shall not assert, and hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law), any claim against any Indemnitee or any Credit Party, respectively, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) Any inspection of any property of any Credit Party made by or through any Administrative Agent or any Lender is for purposes of administration of the Credits only, and no Credit Party is entitled to rely upon the same (whether or not such inspections are at the expense of the Borrowers).

(f) By accepting or approving anything required to be observed, performed, fulfilled or given to any Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents, neither the Administrative Agents nor the Lenders shall be deemed to have warranted or represented the sufficiency, legality, effectiveness or legal effect of the same, or of any term, provision or condition thereof, and such acceptance or approval thereof shall not constitute a warranty or representation to anyone with respect thereto by any Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

(g) The relationship between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agents and the Lenders is, and shall at all times remain, solely that of borrower and lenders. Neither the Administrative Agents nor the Lenders shall under any circumstance be construed to be partners or joint venturers of the Borrowers or their Affiliates. Neither the Administrative Agents nor the Lenders shall under any circumstance be deemed to be in a relationship of confidence or trust or a fiduciary relationship with the Borrowers or their Affiliates, or to owe any fiduciary duty to any Borrower or its Affiliates. Neither the Administrative Agents nor the Lenders undertake or assume any responsibility or duty to the Borrowers or their Affiliates to select, review, inspect, supervise, pass judgment upon or inform the Borrowers or their Affiliates of any matter in connection with their property or the operations of the Borrowers or their Affiliates. The Borrowers and their Affiliates shall rely entirely upon their own judgment with respect to such matters, and any review, inspection, supervision, exercise of judgment or supply of information undertaken or assumed by any Administrative Agents or the Lenders in connection with such matters is solely for the protection of the Administrative Agents and the Lenders, and neither the Borrowers nor any other Person is entitled to rely thereon.

(h) The Administrative Agents and the Lenders shall not be responsible or liable to any Person for any loss, damage, liability or claim of any kind relating to injury or death to Persons or damage to property caused by the actions, inaction or negligence of any Credit Party and/or its Affiliates and each Borrower hereby indemnifies and holds the Administrative Agents and the Lenders harmless on the terms set out in Section 9.3(b) from any such loss, damage, liability or claim.

(i) This Agreement is made for the purpose of defining and setting forth certain obligations, rights and duties of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents and the Lenders in connection with the Loans, and is made for the sole benefit of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents and the Lenders, and the Administrative Agents’ and each Lender’s successors and assigns. Except as provided in Sections 9.3(b) and 9.4, no other Person shall have any rights of any nature hereunder or by reason hereof.

 

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(j) All amounts due under this Section 9.3 shall be payable not later than five (5) Business Days after written demand therefor.

9.4 Successors and Assigns.

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrowers may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Borrower without such consent shall be null and void), and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agents and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (treating any fund that invests in bank loans and any other fund that invests in bank loans and is managed by the same investment advisor of such fund or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor as a single assignee) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate or an Approved Fund of any Lender, the applicable Borrower must give its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) except in the case of an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, the applicable Administrative Agent must give its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); (iii) in the case of an assignment of all or a portion of a Revolving Credit Commitment or any Lender’s obligations in respect of its LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure, the applicable Issuing Bank or the applicable Swingline Lender must give its prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); and provided further that (iv) no Borrower’s consent shall be required with respect to any assignment made at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (v) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate or an Approved Fund of any Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date on which the Assignment and Assumption relating to such assignment is delivered to the applicable Administrative Agent) shall not be less than Cdn.$5,000,000 (or, in the case of a U.S. Dollar-denominated Commitment, U.S.$5,000,000), unless each Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent otherwise consent in writing and the amount held by each Lender after each such assignment shall not be less than Cdn.$5,000,000 (or, in the case of a U.S. Dollar-denominated Commitment, U.S.$5,000,000), unless each Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent otherwise consent in writing, (vi) each partial assignment in respect of a Commitment and the related Loans shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of such Commitment and the related Loans, (vii) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent (A) an Assignment and Assumption; (B) an accession to the Intercreditor Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent; and (C) (except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or a Lender Affiliate or an Approved Fund of any Lender) a processing and recordation fee of U.S.$3,500, payable by the assigning Lender, (viii) provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in the case of an assignment of a Canadian

 

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Revolving Credit Commitment or a Canadian Term Loan by a Canadian Resident Lender to a Foreign Canadian Lender, such Foreign Canadian Lender shall not be entitled to require any payment under Section 2.15(a)(i) or Section 2.15(c) as a result of any Canadian withholding tax which may be exigible in respect of any payment of interest by a Borrower to such Foreign Canadian Lender hereunder, and (ix) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire. The applicable Administrative Agent shall provide the Borrowers and each Lender with written notice of any change in (or new) address of a Lender disclosed in an Administrative Questionnaire. Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to Section 9.4(d), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14, and 2.15 and 9.3). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.4 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 9.4(e).

(c) The U.S. Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the U.S. Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in New York City a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the U.S. Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the U.S. Revolving Loans and U.S. LC Disbursements owing to, each U.S. Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time, and the Canadian Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Canadian Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Toronto a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Canadian Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Canadian Revolving Loans, Term Loans and Canadian LC Disbursements owing to, each Canadian Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time, (such registers being hereafter, the “ Registers ”). The entries in the Registers shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks, and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Registers pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Registers shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, the Issuing Banks and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.4(b) and any written consent to such assignment required by Section 9.4(b), the applicable Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 9.4(d).

(e) Any Lender may, without notice to the Borrowers or the consent of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders, sell participations to one or more Persons (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and

 

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obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.2(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to Section 9.4(f), each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to this Section 9.4(b). To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.8 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16(c) as though it were a Lender.

(f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.13 or 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the applicable Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15 unless the applicable Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the applicable Borrower, to comply with Section 2.15(e) as though it were a Lender.

(g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and Section 9.4 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(h) Any assignment or grant of a participation pursuant to Section 9.4 shall constitute neither a repayment by a Borrower to the assigning or granting Lender of any Loan included therein, nor a new advance of any such Loan to a Borrower by such Lender or by the Assignee or Participant, as the case may be. The parties acknowledge that each Borrower’s obligations hereunder with respect to any such Loans will continue and will not constitute new obligations as a result of such assignment or participation.

9.5 Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrowers herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. All indemnities contained in Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, 9.3 and Article 8 shall survive and remain in full force and effect, regardless of the consummation of the Transactions, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

9.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agents, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and

 

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all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agents and when the Administrative Agents shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed original counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

9.7 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

9.8 Right of Set Off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower against any of and all of the obligations of such Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set off) which such Lender may have and such Lender agrees to promptly notify such Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent after any such set off; provided that any failure or delay in providing any such notice shall not affect the validity of any such action. Nothing in this Section 9.8 shall allow for a set-off of deposits of the Canadian Borrower against obligations of the U.S. Borrower.

9.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the Laws of the Province of Ontario.

(b) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of Ontario, and any appellate court thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or any other Loan Document or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in Ontario. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks, or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrowers or their properties in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

(c) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in this Section 9.9(b). Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any forum non conveniens defense to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

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(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

9.10 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 ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

9.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

9.12 Confidentiality. Each Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, and each Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to each of their Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or other Governmental Authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under any Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document or the enforcement of rights thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any actual or prospective assignee of or Participant in any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to a Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of any Borrower, or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, or (ii) becomes available to any Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all non-public information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers, any of their Subsidiaries, or their respective business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Banks or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers. With respect to the disclosures made under clauses (b) and (c) above (other than in connection with customary examinations by bank regulators), each Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender agrees to give the Borrowers written notice as soon as practicable after learning that disclosure must be made, describing the Information that will be disclosed and the approximate date of disclosure. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub.L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), such Lender may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrowers, which information includes the names and addresses of the Borrowers and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrowers in accordance with such Act.

 

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9.13 Amendment and Restatement. Until the satisfaction or waiver by the Administrative Agents of the conditions to effectiveness set forth in Section 4.1 of this Agreement, the Original Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Upon the satisfaction or waiver by the Administrative Agents of the conditions to effectiveness set forth in Section 4.1 of this Agreement, the Original Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety on the basis set forth herein. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (a) this Agreement and the other agreements, documents and instruments executed and delivered in connection herewith do not constitute a novation, payment and reborrowing, or termination of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers under the Original Financing Agreement as in effect prior to the Restatement Effective Date, (b) such obligations and liabilities are in all respects continuing (as amended and restated hereby) with only the terms thereof being modified as provided in this Agreement, and (c) upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, all Loans outstanding under the Original Credit Agreement immediately before the effectiveness of this Agreement will be converted into corresponding Loans under this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

[Signature page follows]

 

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

 

Address : 4150 Tuller Road, Suite 236

Dublin, Ohio 43017

Attention: Corporate Secretary

Facsimile: (614) 791-4235

    TIM HORTONS USA INC. , as U.S. Borrower
    By:   /s/ MICHAEL N. SIMON
    Name:   Michael N. Simon
    Title:   Vice President
    By:   /s/ DONALD B. SCHROEDER
    Name:   Donald B. Schroeder
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Address : 874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, Ontario L6K 2Y1

Attention: Corporate Secretary

Facsimile No.: (905) 845-2931

    THE TDL GROUP CORP. , as Canadian Borrower
    By:   /s/ CYNTHIA J. DEVINE
    Name:   Cynthia J. Devine
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer
    By:   /s/ DIANA FIFE
    Name:   Diana Fife
    Title:   Treasurer

Address : 874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, Ontario L6K 2Y1

Attention: Corporate Secretary

Facsimile No.: (905) 845-2931

    TIM HORTONS INC. , as Canadian Borrower
    By:   /s/ DONALD B. SCHROEDER
    Name:   Donald B. Schroeder
    Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
    By:   /s/ JILL E. AEBKER
    Name:   Jill E. Aebker
    Title:   Associate General Counsel and Secretary


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

 

Address: 200 Bay Street, Suite 1800

Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower

Toronto Ontario M5J 2J2

Attention: Christine Chan

Facsimile: 416-981-9138

    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., TORONTO BRANCH, as Canadian Co-Administrative Agent
    By:   / S / G REGORY T. M ARTIN
    Name:   Gregory T. Martin
    Title:   Vice President
    By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  


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

 

Address: 2 Robert Speck Parkway Suite 400

Mississauga, ON L4Z 1H8

Attention: Barry Hillcoat

Facsimile No.: (905) 276-4920

    THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA , as Canadian Co-Administrative Agent
    By:   / S / S TEPHEN T ABOREK
    Name:   Stephen Taborek
    Title:   Director and CRM
    By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  


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

 

Address: IL1-0364, 21 South Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60670

Attention: Gregory T. Martin

Facsimile No.: (312) 325-3239

    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , as U.S. Administrative Agent
    By:   / S / G REGORY T. M ARTIN
    Name:   Gregory T. Martin
    Title:   Vice President
    By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

EXHIBIT 10.2

Form of Indemnification Agreement

Director, Officer, Employee and Agent Indemnity Agreement for

Tim Hortons Inc.

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the l day of l , 20 l

BETWEEN:

TIM HORTONS INC. , a corporation governed by the laws of Canada (the “ Corporation ”)

- and -

l , an individual principally resident in the City of l , l (the “ Indemnified Party ”)

RECITALS:

 

A. The Indemnified Party is or has been (i) a duly elected or appointed director or officer of the Corporation or of an Other Entity (as defined below), or (ii) an employee or agent of the Corporation or Other Entity.

 

B. The Corporation considers it desirable and in the best interests of the Corporation to enter into this Agreement to set out the circumstances and manner in which the Indemnified Party may be indemnified in respect of certain liabilities or expenses that the Indemnified Party may incur as a result of acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or Other Entity.

 

C. The Indemnified Party has agreed to serve or to continue to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or Other Entity and, in order to induce the Indemnified Party to so serve or to continue to so serve, the Corporation has agreed to provide the indemnity in this Agreement.

 

D. The by-laws of the Corporation contemplate that directors or officers of the Corporation may be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by the Act (as defined below), and that the Corporation may enter into agreements with its current or former directors and officers with respect to indemnification of such individuals.

 

E. In accordance with the Act, the Corporation may purchase and maintain a policy or policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by its directors and officers in the performance of their obligations to the Corporation.


THEREFORE , the Parties (as defined below) agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the meanings set out below:

 

  (a) “Act” means the Canada Business Corporations Act , as the same exists on the date of this Agreement or may hereafter be amended;

 

  (b) “Affiliate” has the meaning set out in the Act;

 

  (c) “Agreement” means this agreement, including all schedules, and all amendments or restatements as permitted, and references to “Article” or “Section” mean the specified Article or Section of this Agreement;

 

  (d) “Board” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.2 ;

 

  (e) “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking institutions in Toronto, Ontario are open for commercial banking business during normal banking hours;

 

  (f) “Claim” includes any threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative or investigative or other proceeding or arbitration or alternative dispute resolution mechanism of any nature or kind in which the Indemnified Party was, is or reasonably may be involved as a party or otherwise (including as a witness) because of the Indemnified Party’s association with the Corporation or Other Entity, including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement; excluding, however, any of the foregoing initiated by the Indemnified Party pursuant to Article 5 of this Agreement to enforce the Indemnified Party’s rights under this Agreement. For purposes of this definition, the term “threatened” shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to, the Indemnified Party’s good faith belief that a claim or other assertion may lead to initiation of a Claim;

 

  (g) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to or threatened with a Claim in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Indemnified Party;

 

  (h) “Effective Date” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 7.3 ;

 

  (i)

“Expenses” includes all reasonable attorneys’ fees, disbursements and retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel, lodging, accommodation and deposition costs, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees and all other costs, charges, disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with (i) prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, settling or appealing a Claim (including the cost of any appeal bond

 

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or its equivalent), (ii) for purposes of Section 2.1(a) only, being prepared to be a witness or otherwise participating in a Claim, or (iii) enforcing a right under this Agreement (including any right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement);

 

  (j) “Independent Counsel” means an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who neither currently is nor in the past five years has been retained by or performed services for the Corporation or any person to be indemnified by the Corporation;

 

  (k) “Losses” includes all Expenses, losses, damages, fees (including any legal, professional or advisory fees or disbursements), liabilities, amounts paid to settle or dispose of any Claim or satisfy any judgment, fines, penalties or liabilities, without limitation, and whether incurred alone or jointly with others, including any amounts that the Indemnified Party may reasonably suffer, sustain, incur or be required to pay in respect of the investigation, defence, settlement or appeal of or preparation for any Claim or in connection with any action to establish a right to indemnification under this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and for greater certainty, includes all taxes, interest, penalties and related outlays of the Indemnified Party arising from any indemnification of the Indemnified Party by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  (l) “Notice” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 8.8 ;

 

  (m) “Other Entity” means an Affiliate or any other entity, organization or association in respect of which the Indemnified Party was specifically requested by the Corporation to serve as a duly appointed director or officer or similar position or as an employee or agent thereof;

 

  (n) “Parties” means the Corporation and the Indemnified Party collectively and “Party” means either one of them;

 

  (o) “Reviewing Party” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.3 ; and

 

  (p) “THI USA” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1.2(f) .

 

1.2 Certain Rules of Interpretation

In this Agreement:

 

  (a) Governing Law – This Agreement is a contract made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable in the Province of Ontario.

 

  (b)

Submission to Jurisdiction – Each Party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Ontario courts sitting in Toronto in any action, application, reference or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and consents to all claims in respect of any such action, application, reference or other proceeding being heard and determined in such Ontario courts. Each of the Parties irrevocably

 

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waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defence of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action, application or proceeding.

 

  (c) Headings – Headings of Articles and Sections are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

  (d) Number – Unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa .

 

  (e) Severability – If, in any jurisdiction, any provision of this Agreement or its application to any Party or circumstance is restricted, prohibited or unenforceable, the provision shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of the restriction, prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement and without affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction or without affecting its application to other Parties or circumstances.

 

  (f) Entire Agreement – This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and sets out all the covenants, promises, warranties, representations, conditions and agreements between the Parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, pre-contractual or otherwise. There are no covenants, promises, warranties, representations, conditions or other agreements, whether oral or written, pre-contractual or otherwise, express, implied or collateral, between the Parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement except as specifically set forth in this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement supercede and replace in their entirety the terms and conditions of any existing indemnification agreement the Indemnified Party may have entered into with Tim Hortons Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (“ THI USA ”), prior to the date hereof. Subject to the Act and any other applicable law, the Corporation hereby assumes all obligations of THI USA under the terms and conditions of any such prior indemnification agreement for any Claims relating to the period prior to the Effective Date for which such indemnification agreement was in effect.

 

  (g)

Construction – If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favouring or disfavouring any Party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any federal, provincial, state, local or foreign law shall be deemed also to refer to such law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall 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

 

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Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The Parties intend that each representation, warranty and covenant contained herein will have independent significance. If either Party 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) that the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant.

ARTICLE 2

INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION AND

OBLIGATIONS OF INDEMNIFIED PARTY

 

2.1 Indemnification

 

  (a) General Indemnity – Except in respect of an action by or on behalf of the Corporation or Other Entity to procure a judgment in its favour against the Indemnified Party, or except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Corporation agrees to indemnify and hold the Indemnified Party harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, including but not limited to the indemnity under the Act, from and against any and all Losses which the Indemnified Party may reasonably suffer, sustain, incur or be required to pay in respect of any Claim, provided that the indemnity provided for in this Section 2.1(a) will only be available if:

 

  (i) the Indemnified Party was acting honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Corporation or Other Entity, as the case may be; and

 

  (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by monetary penalty, the Indemnified Party had reasonable grounds for believing that the Indemnified Party’s conduct was lawful.

The termination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnified Party did not satisfy the conditions set out in (i) and (ii) in this Section 2.1(a) .

 

  (b)

Derivative Claims – In respect of any action by or on behalf of the Corporation or Other Entity to procure a judgment in its favour against the Indemnified Party, in respect of which the Indemnified Party is made a party because of the Indemnified Party’s association with the Corporation or Other Entity, the Corporation, if required by the Indemnified Party, shall make application, at its expense, for the approval of a court of competent jurisdiction to advance monies to the Indemnified Party for Expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such action and to indemnify and save harmless the Indemnified Party for such Expenses of such action provided (i) the Indemnified Party fulfils the conditions set out in Sections 2.1(a)(i) and 2.1(a)(ii) above; (ii) such advance or indemnification is not prohibited under any applicable statute;

 

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and (iii) the Indemnified Party shall repay such funds advanced if the Indemnified Party ultimately does not fulfil the conditions set out in Sections 2.1(a)(i) and 2.1(a)(ii) above.

 

  (c) Partial Indemnification – If the Indemnified Party is determined to be entitled under any provisions of this Agreement to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a portion of the Losses (including Expenses) incurred in respect of any Claim but not for the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall indemnify the Indemnified Party for the portion thereof to which the Indemnified Party is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be so entitled.

 

  (d) Limitation Other Entities – Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, the indemnification provided by the Corporation under this Agreement, with respect to the Indemnified Party in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Other Entity, shall not apply in respect of acts or omissions occurring after the date (i) such Indemnified Party ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Other Entity, or (ii) notwithstanding Section 8.2 , service by such Indemnified Party ceased to be at the specific request of the Corporation.

 

  (e)

Advance of Expenses – Subject to terms and conditions for the advancement of monies for Expenses in relation to derivative claims set forth in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement, the Corporation shall, at the written request of the Indemnified Party and provided that the Indemnified Party fulfils the conditions set out in Sections 2.1(a)(i) and 2.1(a)(ii) above, advance to the Indemnified Party sufficient funds, or arrange to pay on behalf of or reimburse the Indemnified Party for any Expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in investigating, defending, appealing, preparing for, providing evidence in or instructing and receiving the advice of the Indemnified Party’s counsel or other professional advisors in regard to any Claim or other matter for which the Indemnified Party may be entitled to an indemnity or reimbursement under this Agreement upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation under this Agreement. Any advancement for Expenses shall be made within ten Business Days after the receipt by the Corporation of a written request from the Indemnified Party requesting such advancement and accompanied by or preceded by the undertaking. Each statement requesting advancement shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party in connection with such Claim for which advancement is being sought. In the event it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Indemnified Party did not fulfil the conditions set out in Sections 2.1(a)(i) and 2.1(a)(ii) above, or that the Indemnified Party was not entitled to be fully so indemnified under this Agreement, such loan or advance, or the appropriate portion thereof shall, upon written notice of such determination being given by the Corporation to the Indemnified Party detailing the basis for such determination, be repayable on demand. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 2.1(e) shall not be secured, shall not bear interest and shall provide that, if the

 

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Indemnified Party has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that the Indemnified Party should be indemnified under applicable law with respect to such Claim, the Indemnified Party shall not be required to reimburse the Corporation for any advancement of Expenses in respect of such Claim until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed).

 

  (f) Contribution in the Event of Joint Liability – Whether or not the indemnification provided in this Agreement is available, in respect of any Claim for which the Corporation is jointly liable with the Indemnified Party (or would be if joined in such Claim), the Corporation shall contribute to the amount of any Losses paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by the Indemnified Party in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Corporation, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such Claim arose; provided , however , that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Corporation, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other equitable considerations that applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Corporation, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their conduct is active or passive.

 

2.2 Notice of Proceedings

The Indemnified Party shall promptly give notice in writing to the Corporation as soon as practicable upon being served with any statement of claim, writ, notice of motion, indictment, subpoena, investigation order or other document commencing, threatening or continuing any Claim involving the Corporation or Other Entity or the Indemnified Party which may result in a claim for indemnification under this Agreement, and the Corporation agrees to give the Indemnified Party notice in writing as soon as practicable upon it or any Other Entity being served with any statement of claim, writ, notice of motion, indictment, subpoena, investigation order or other document commencing or continuing any Claim involving the Indemnified Party. Such notice shall include a description of the Claim or threatened Claim, a summary of the facts giving rise to the Claim or threatened Claim and, if possible, an estimate of any potential liability arising under the Claim or threatened Claim. Failure by the Indemnified Party to so notify the Corporation of any Claim shall not relieve the Corporation from liability under this Agreement except to the extent that the failure materially prejudices the Corporation.

 

2.3 Subrogation

Promptly after receiving written notice from the Indemnified Party of any Claim or threatened Claim (other than a Claim by or on behalf of the Corporation or Other Entity to procure a judgment in its favour against the Indemnified Party), the Corporation may, by notice in writing to the Indemnified Party, assume conduct of the defence thereof in a timely manner and retain

 

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counsel on behalf of the Indemnified Party who is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, to represent the Indemnified Party in respect of the Claim. On delivery of such notice by the Corporation, the Corporation shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any fees and disbursements of counsel the Indemnified Party may subsequently incur with respect to the same matter. In the event the Corporation assumes conduct of the defence on behalf of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party hereby consents to the conduct thereof and of any action taken by the Corporation, in good faith, in connection therewith, and the Indemnified Party shall fully cooperate in such defence including, without limitation, the provision of documents, attending examinations for discovery, making affidavits, meeting with counsel, and testifying and divulging to the Corporation all information reasonably required to defend or prosecute the Claim.

 

2.4 Separate Counsel

In connection with any Claim or other matter for which the Indemnified Party may be entitled to indemnity under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel of the Indemnified Party’s choosing and to participate in the defence thereof but the fees and disbursements of such counsel shall be at the Indemnified Party’s expense unless (a) the employment of such other counsel has been authorized by the Corporation, (b) the Indemnified Party has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Corporation (or any other person(s) included in the joint defence) and the Indemnified Party in the conduct of the defence of such Claim, or (c) the Corporation has not employed counsel to assume the defence of such Claim, in which case, the fees and disbursements of such counsel shall be paid by the Corporation.

 

2.5 No Presumption as to Absence of Good Faith

Unless a court of competent jurisdiction by final non-appealable order has otherwise held or decided that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to be fully or partially indemnified under this Agreement, the determination of any Claim by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create any presumption for the purposes of this Agreement that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnity under this Agreement.

 

2.6 Settlement of Claim

No admission of liability and no settlement of any Claim in a manner adverse to the Indemnified Party shall be made without the consent of the Indemnified Party, acting reasonably. No admission of liability shall be made by the Indemnified Party without the consent of the Corporation and the Corporation shall not be liable for any amounts paid in settlement of any Claim made without its consent. Neither the Corporation nor the Indemnified Party shall unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement; provided , however , that the Indemnified Party may withhold consent to any settlement that does not provide a complete release of the Indemnified Party.

 

2.7 Determination of Right to Indemnification

If the payment of an indemnity or the advancement of Expenses under this Agreement requires the approval of a court, under the provisions of the Act or otherwise, either the Corporation or

 

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the Indemnified Party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order approving such indemnity or the advancement of such Expenses by the Corporation pursuant to this Agreement.

 

2.8 Other Rights and Remedies Unaffected

The indemnification and payment provided in this Agreement shall not derogate from or exclude any other rights to which the Indemnified Party may be entitled under any provision of the Act or otherwise at law, the articles or by-laws of the Corporation, the constating documents of any Other Entity, any applicable policy of insurance, guarantee or third-party indemnity, any vote of shareholders of the Corporation, or otherwise, both as to matters arising out of the Indemnified Party’s capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or Other Entity, or as to matters arising out of any other capacity in which the Indemnified Party may act for or on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 3

PROCEDURES AND PRESUMPTIONS FOR DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT

TO INDEMNIFICATION

 

3.1 Timing of Payments

All payments of any Losses by the Corporation to the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be made as soon as practicable after written request therefor by the Indemnified Party is presented to the Corporation, but in no event later than (a) 30 days after such request is presented, or (b) such later date as may be permitted for the determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof, if applicable; provided , however , that advances of Expenses shall be made within the time period provided in Section 2.1(e) hereof.

 

3.2 Request for Indemnification

Whenever the Indemnified Party believes that he or she is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Indemnified Party and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification. The Indemnified Party shall submit such claim for indemnification within a reasonable time, not to exceed five years, after any judgment, order, settlement, dismissal, arbitration award, conviction, acceptance of a plea of nolo contendere (or its equivalent) or other full or partial final determination or disposition of the Claim (with the latest date of the occurrence of any such event to be considered the commencement of the five-year period). The Secretary of the Corporation shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”) in writing that the Indemnified Party has requested indemnification.

 

3.3 Reviewing Party

Upon written request by the Indemnified Party for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 3.2 hereof, to the extent that the Indemnified Party’s entitlement to such indemnification is governed by Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement, a determination with respect to the Indemnified Party’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods: (a) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Claim, a

 

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majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (b) so long as there are Disinterested Directors with respect to such Claim, a committee of such Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of such Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, or (c) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if a majority of Disinterested Directors so direct, Independent Counsel (designated for such purpose by the Board) in a written opinion delivered to the Board, a copy of which shall also be delivered to the Indemnified Party. The person, persons or entity chosen to make a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnified Party’s entitlement to indemnification (the “ Reviewing Party ”) shall act reasonably and in good faith in making such determination.

 

3.4 Selection of Independent Counsel

If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 3.4 . The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Corporation shall promptly give written notice to the Indemnified Party advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. The Indemnified Party may, within ten Business Days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Corporation a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has ruled against such objection. If, within 30 days after submission by the Indemnified Party of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected or an Independent Counsel shall have been selected but an objection thereto shall have been properly made and remained unresolved, either the Corporation or the Indemnified Party may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection that shall have been made by the Indemnified Party to the selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 3.3 hereof. The Corporation shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof.

 

3.5 Burden of Proof

In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the Reviewing Party shall presume that the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence. In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder which under this Agreement or applicable law requires a determination of the Indemnified Party’s honesty and good faith, and/or whether the Indemnified Party acted in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal Claim, if the Indemnified Party had no reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnified Party’s conduct was unlawful, the Reviewing Party shall presume that the Indemnified Party has at all times acted

 

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honestly and in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal Claim, that the Indemnified Party had no reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnified Party’s conduct was unlawful. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion, by clear and convincing evidence. The Indemnified Party shall be deemed to have acted honestly and in good faith if the Indemnified Party’s action or inaction is based solely on the Indemnified Party’s reliance upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, that were prepared or presented by one or more officers or employees of the Corporation or committees of the Board or by any other person as to matters that the Indemnified Party reasonably believed were within such person’s professional or expert competence and who was selected by or on behalf of the Corporation; provided , however , this sentence shall not be deemed to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnified Party may be deemed to have met such standard of conduct. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation shall not be imputed to the Indemnified Party for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

3.6 No Presumption in Absence of Determination or as Result of Adverse Determination

Neither the failure of any Reviewing Party to have made a determination as to whether the Indemnified Party has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by any Reviewing Party that the Indemnified Party has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by the Indemnified Party to secure a judicial determination under this Agreement or applicable law that the Indemnified Party should be indemnified under this Agreement, shall be a defence to the Indemnified Party’s claim or create a presumption that the Indemnified Party has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief.

 

3.7 Timing of Determination

If the Reviewing Party shall not have made a determination within 30 days after receipt by the Corporation of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (a) a misstatement by the Indemnified Party of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make the Indemnified Party’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (b) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided , however , that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 45 days, if the Reviewing Party in good faith requires such additional time for obtaining or evaluating documentation and/or information relating thereto.

 

3.8 Cooperation

The Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Reviewing Party with respect to the Indemnified Party’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such Reviewing Party upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to the Indemnified Party and

 

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reasonably necessary to such determination. The Reviewing Party shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination under this Agreement of the Indemnified Party’s entitlement to indemnification.

ARTICLE 4

INSURANCE

 

4.1 Insurance

The Corporation shall, from time to time, make the good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for it to obtain and maintain a policy or policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance with one or more reputable insurance companies covering directors, officers or employees and agents, as the Corporation may determine to be advisable. Among other considerations, the Corporation will weigh the costs of obtaining such insurance coverage against the protection afforded by such coverage. In all policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance obtained by the Corporation, if the Indemnified Party is an officer or director, the Indemnified Party shall be named as an insured party in such manner as to provide the Indemnified Party with the same rights and benefits as are afforded to similarly situated directors and officers of the Corporation and directors and officers of an Other Entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if it determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionately high compared to the amount of coverage provided, or if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit. If applicable, the Corporation shall promptly notify the Indemnified Party of any such determination not to provide insurance coverage. In the event that the Corporation does maintain such insurance for the benefit of the Indemnified Party, the right to indemnification and to advancement of Expenses as provided herein shall apply only to the extent that the Indemnified Party has not been indemnified and actually reimbursed pursuant to such insurance.

ARTICLE 5

REMEDIES OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY RELATING TO INDEMNIFICATION

AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES

 

5.1 Enforcement of Rights

In the event that (a) a determination is made pursuant to Article 3 of this Agreement that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (b) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 2.1(e) of this Agreement, (c) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made within the time period specified in Section 3.7 of this Agreement, or (d) payment of indemnified amounts is not made within the applicable time periods specified in Section 3.1 of this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall thereafter be entitled under this Agreement to commence a proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction, seeking an adjudication of the Indemnified Party’s entitlement to such indemnification, payment of indemnified amounts, or advancement of Expenses. The Indemnified Party shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within 180 days following the date on which the Indemnified Party first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 5.1 . The Corporation shall not oppose the Indemnified Party’s right to seek any such adjudication.

 

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5.2 Standard of Review

In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Article 3 of this Agreement that the Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 5 shall be conducted in all respects as a
de novo review on the merits and the Indemnified Party shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination under Article 3.

 

5.3 Binding Agreement

Both the Corporation and the Indemnified Party shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Article 5 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Corporation and the Indemnified Party are bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

 

5.4 The Indemnified Party’s Success on Merits or Otherwise

In the event that the Indemnified Party commences a proceeding pursuant to this Article 5 to enforce a right of the Indemnified Party under this Agreement, then, to the extent that the Indemnified Party is successful on the merits or otherwise in such proceeding, or in connection with any claim, issue or matter therein, the Indemnified Party shall be indemnified by the Corporation against Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such proceeding.

ARTICLE 6

EXCEPTIONS TO RIGHT OF INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1 Exceptions to Right of Indemnification

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:

 

  (a) Claims by the Indemnified Party – With respect to any Claim (whether an original Claim or part of a counterclaim, cross-claim or third-party claim) brought or made by the Indemnified Party, unless the bringing or making of such Claim shall have been approved or ratified by the Board; provided , however , that the foregoing shall not apply to any Claims brought or made by the Indemnified Party to enforce the Indemnified Party’s rights hereunder.

 

  (b) Bad Faith or Frivolous Defenses – For Expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party with respect to any action instituted by or in the name of the Corporation against the Indemnified Party to enforce or interpret this Agreement, if and to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction declares or otherwise determines in a final, unappealable judgment that each of the material defenses asserted by the Indemnified Party was made in bad faith or was frivolous.

 

  (c)

Purchase and Sale of Securities – For Expenses and other liabilities arising from the purchase and sale by the Indemnified Party of securities, or the informing by

 

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the Indemnified Party of another person or company of a material fact or material change with respect to the Corporation, in violation of the Securities Act (Ontario) or any successor statute.

 

  (d) Unlawful Payments – For Expenses and other liabilities if and to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction declares or otherwise determines in a final, unappealable judgment that the Corporation is prohibited by applicable law from making such indemnification payment or that such indemnification payment is otherwise unlawful.

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

7.1 Continuance

The Corporation shall give to the Indemnified Party not less than 15 days’ notice of any application by the Corporation for a certificate of continuance in any jurisdiction, indicating the jurisdiction in which it is proposed that the Corporation will be continued and the proposed date of continuance. Upon receipt of such notice, the Indemnified Party may require the Corporation to agree to such amendments to this Agreement as the Indemnified Party, acting reasonably, considers necessary or desirable in order to provide the Indemnified Party with a comprehensive indemnity under the laws of the proposed jurisdiction of continuance.

 

7.2 Corporation and Indemnified Party to Cooperate

The Corporation and the Indemnified Party shall, from time to time, provide such information and cooperate with the other, as the other may reasonably request, in respect of all matters under this Agreement.

 

7.3 Effective Date

This Agreement shall be deemed to have effect as and from the first date that the Indemnified Party became a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity, or, in the case of an employee or agent of the Corporation or Other Entity, as and from the date of this Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

7.4 Insolvency

The liability of the Corporation under this Agreement shall not be affected, discharged, impaired, mitigated or released by reason of the discharge or release of the Indemnified Party in any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding of creditors.

 

7.5 Multiple Proceedings

No action or proceeding brought or instituted under this Agreement and no recovery pursuant thereto shall be a bar or defence to any further action or proceeding which may be brought under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 8

GENERAL

 

8.1 Term

This Agreement shall survive after the Indemnified Party has ceased to act as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or Other Entity for so long as the Indemnified Party shall be subject under applicable law to the assertion of any Claim (or any claim commenced under Article 5 hereof). In the event of any changes, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law which expands the right of the Corporation to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of the Indemnified Party’s rights and the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement. In the event of any change in any applicable law which narrows the right of the Corporation to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by applicable law to be applied to this Agreement, shall have no effect on this Agreement or the Parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.

 

8.2 Deeming Provision

The Indemnified Party shall be deemed to have acted or be acting at the specific request of the Corporation upon the Indemnified Party’s being (a) appointed or elected as a director or officer of the Corporation or Other Entity, (b) requested by the Corporation in his or her capacity as employee or agent of the Corporation to perform certain functions for the Corporation after the Effective Time of this Agreement, or (c) requested by the Corporation to serve as an employee or agent of an Other Entity and perform certain functions for such Other Entity after the Effective Time of this Agreement.

 

8.3 No Employment Agreement

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as giving the Indemnified Party any right to be retained in the employment of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

8.4 Assignment

Neither the Corporation nor the Indemnified Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other; provided , however , that the Corporation may assign all (but not less than all) of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect successor to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

8.5 Merger, Amalgamation or Consolidation

In the event that the Corporation shall be a constituent corporation in a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or other reorganization, the Corporation, if it shall not be the surviving, resulting or acquiring entity therein, shall require as a condition thereto that the surviving, resulting or acquiring entity agree to assume all of the obligations of the Corporation hereunder and to indemnify the Indemnified Party to the full extent provided herein. Whether or not the Corporation is the resulting, surviving or acquiring entity in any such transaction, the Indemnified Party shall also stand in the same position under this Agreement with respect to the

 

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resulting, surviving or acquiring entity as the Indemnified Party would have with respect to the Corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

8.6 Enurement

This Agreement enures to the benefit of and is binding upon the Parties and the heirs, attorneys, guardians, estate trustees, executors, trustees, administrators and permitted assigns of the Indemnified Party and the successors (including any successor by reason of amalgamation) and permitted assigns of the Corporation.

 

8.7 Amendments

No amendment, supplement, modification or termination of this Agreement and, unless otherwise specified, no consent or approval by any Party, is binding unless executed in writing by the Party to be so bound. No waiver by a Party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of any 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 such occurrence.

 

8.8 Notices

Any notice, consent or approval required or permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement (in this Section referred to as a “Notice” ) shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered (whether in person, by courier service or other personal method of delivery), or if transmitted by facsimile or e-mail:

 

  (a) in the case of a Notice to the Indemnified Party at:

l

Fax:                 l

E-mail:            l

 

  (b) in the case of a Notice to the Corporation at:

Tim Hortons Inc.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, Ontario

L6K 2Y1

Attention:        l

Fax:                 l

E-mail:            l

Any Notice delivered or transmitted to a Party as provided above shall be deemed to have been given and received on the day it is delivered or transmitted, provided that it is delivered or transmitted on a Business Day prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of delivery or receipt. If the Notice is delivered or transmitted after 5:00 p.m. local time or if such day is not a Business Day, then the Notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next Business Day.

 

– 16 –


Any Party may, from time to time, change its address by giving Notice to the other Party in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

 

8.9 Specific Performance

Each of the Corporation and Indemnified Party acknowledges and agrees that the other would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached. Accordingly, each Party agrees that the other Party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent beaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its terms and provisions in any action instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to which such Party may be entitled at law or in equity.

 

8.10 Further Assurances

The Corporation and the Indemnified Party shall, with reasonable diligence, do all things and execute and deliver all such further documents or instruments as may be necessary or desirable for the purpose of assuring and conferring on the Indemnified Party the rights created or intended by this Agreement and giving effect to and carrying out intention or facilitating the performance of the terms of this Agreement, or evidencing any loan or advance made pursuant to Section 2.1(e) hereof.

 

8.11 Subrogation; No Duplicative Payments

 

  (a) In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Corporation shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnified Party, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Corporation effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

  (b) The Corporation shall not be liable to make any payment under this Agreement to the Indemnified Party if and to the extent that the Indemnified Party has actually received payment under any insurance policy, contract, the by-laws of the Corporation or otherwise of the amounts otherwise payable hereunder.

 

8.12 Independent Legal Advice

The Indemnified Party acknowledges that the Indemnified Party has been advised to obtain independent legal advice with respect to entering into this Agreement, that the Indemnified Party has obtained such independent legal advice or has expressly determined not to seek such advice, and that the Indemnified Party is entering into this Agreement with full knowledge of the contents hereof, of the Indemnified Party’s own free will and with full capacity and authority to do so.

 

8.13 Expenses

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this

 

– 17 –


Agreement, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants.

 

8.14 Remedies

Except as expressly provided herein, the rights and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies now or hereafter available at law or in equity or otherwise. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein shall be considered an election of remedies. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other remedy.

 

8.15 Mutual Acknowledgement

Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Corporation to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. Both the Corporation and the Indemnified Party acknowledge that in certain instances, federal, provincial or state law or applicable public policy may prohibit the Corporation from indemnifying the Indemnified Party under this Agreement or otherwise. The Indemnified Party understands and acknowledges that the Corporation may be required in the future to undertake with any securities commission in Canada or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to submit the question of indemnification to a court of competent jurisdiction in certain circumstances for a determination of the Corporation’s right under public policy to indemnify the Indemnified Party. The Corporation’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

 

8.16 Execution and Delivery

This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in counterparts and may be executed and delivered by facsimile and all such counterparts and facsimiles together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

– 18 –


IN WITNESS OF WHICH , the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

    TIM HORTONS INC.
      By:    
        Name: l
        Title: l
         
[Witness to signature of Indemnified Party]       [Indemnified Party]

 

– 19 –

EXHIBIT 10.3

Form of Employment Agreement by and among

The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and Paul D. House

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Between

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

And

TIM HORTONS INC.

And

PAUL D. HOUSE

An Employment Agreement (the “Prior Agreement”) was made and entered into as of December 5, 2006, by and between The TDL Group Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company (the “EMPLOYER”), TIM HORTONS INC., a Delaware corporation (“THI USA”) and Paul D. House, an individual (the “EXECUTIVE”). Effective as of September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, TIM HORTONS INC., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“THI”) is the publicly traded ultimate parent company of the EMPLOYER. Effective as of September 28, 2009, this Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) hereby replaces and supersedes the Prior Agreement, in its entirety.

RECITALS

(1) Certain subsidiaries of THI, including the EMPLOYER, are engaged in the business of owning, operating and franchising Tim Hortons retail outlets and carrying on ancillary activities incident thereto (the “Business”).

(2) The EXECUTIVE possesses unique skills, knowledge and experience relating to the Business.

(3) The EXECUTIVE is currently employed by the EMPLOYER, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of THI, and desires to continue to be employed by the EMPLOYER.

(4) The EMPLOYER desires to be assured of the continued services of the EXECUTIVE and to afford him the job security this Agreement provides without, however, increasing the compensation he would otherwise obtain were it not for the occurrence of events foreseen by this Agreement, and the EXECUTIVE desires to be assured that, in the event of a substantial change in the control of THI, the terms, conditions and environment of his employment will not be unreasonably affected.


(5) Except as described in Section 18 to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be in addition to any other agreements the parties may have entered into prior to the date hereof, or may enter into prior to a CHANGE IN CONTROL as defined herein, regarding the EXECUTIVE’S employment.

(6) THI and EMPLOYER desire to be assured of the objectivity of the EXECUTIVE in evaluating a potential offer, the effect of which would be a change of control of THI, and advising whether or not he believes a potential change of control is in the best interests of THI and its shareholders. THI and EMPLOYER further desire to be assured of the dedication of the EXECUTIVE to maximizing the value to be received by the shareholders of THI in the circumstances of negotiating or otherwise responding to a proposed change of control, and to be assured of the continuity of services of the EXECUTIVE during such time as a proposed change of control is under negotiation or otherwise pending.

(7) The EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the agreement of THI to be a party to this Agreement and to assume certain obligations hereunder and the entitlements provided under this Agreement are for the benefit of the EXECUTIVE, and are sufficient additional consideration for the purposes of this Agreement; and (b) this Agreement is made and entered into by THI and EMPLOYER as a replacement of and to supersede, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement, which has terminated as agreed by the EXECUTIVE, as further described in Section 18 hereof.

(8) THI has agreed to enter into this Agreement with the EXECUTIVE for purposes of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 through 18 hereof.

In consideration of their mutual covenants expressed herein and for other consideration described herein and as otherwise given by the parties, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1. EXECUTIVE’S Rights to Continued Employment in the event of a CHANGE IN CONTROL of THI.

For purposes of this Agreement a “CHANGE IN CONTROL” shall mean the occurrence of:

 

  (a)

An acquisition (other than directly from THI) of any common shares or other voting securities of THI entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”) by any Person (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , in determining whether a CHANGE IN CONTROL has occurred, common

 

2


 

shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a CHANGE IN CONTROL. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) THI or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by THI (a “Subsidiary”), (ii) THI or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter defined);

 

  (b) The individuals who, as of September 28, 2009, are members of the Board of THI (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board; provided , however , that if the election, or nomination for election by THI shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further , however , that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

 

  (c) The consummation of:

 

  (i) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization with or into THI or in which securities of THI are issued (a “Merger”), unless such Merger is a “Non-Control Transaction.” A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a Merger where:

 

  (A) the shareholders of THI immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “Surviving THI”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such Merger,

 

  (B) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving THI, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving THI, and

 

3


  (C) no Person other than (i) THI, (ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that, immediately prior to such Merger was maintained by THI or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person who, immediately prior to such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding common shares of the Surviving THI or the combined voting power of the Surviving THI’S then outstanding voting securities;

 

  (ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of THI; or

 

  (iii) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of THI to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI which, by reducing the number of common shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a CHANGE IN CONTROL would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI, and after such acquisition by THI, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common shares or Voting Securities which increases the percentage voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall occur.

If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER without CAUSE prior to the date of a CHANGE IN CONTROL but the EXECUTIVE reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a CHANGE IN CONTROL or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a CHANGE IN CONTROL which has been threatened or proposed, such termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a CHANGE IN CONTROL for purposes of this Agreement provided a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall actually have occurred.

1.1 From and after the date of occurrence of a CHANGE IN CONTROL, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be employed, and the EXECUTIVE shall accept employment, with the duties, nature and place of such employment as described in Section 2 of this Agreement. Solely for purposes of this Agreement, the term of such employment, referred to hereinafter as the “EMPLOYMENT TERM,” shall commence

 

4


on the date when the CHANGE IN CONTROL shall have occurred and shall end on the earlier of:

 

  (a) the second anniversary of the first to occur of:

 

  (i) the date when the occurrence of an event described in subparagraph (a) of Section 1 hereof shall be disclosed in (A) a Schedule 13D or other such similar or successor form promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or Ontario Securities Commission, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Washington, D.C. or (B) an insider report filed with the Ontario Securities Commission in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the duplicate of which is actually received by THI, or

 

  (ii) the date on which a transaction described in subparagraph (c) of Section 1 of this Agreement (other than a Non-Control Transaction) shall be consummated, or

 

  (iii) the first date on which at least thirty percent (30%) of the members of the Board of Directors of THI are not members of the Incumbent Board as described in subparagraph (b) of Section 1 of this Agreement; or

 

  (b) the date when the EMPLOYMENT TERM shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE without GOOD REASON (as such terms are defined in Section 4 of this Agreement); or

 

  (c) the death of the EXECUTIVE.

Section 2. Duties, Nature and Place of Employment. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall provide the EMPLOYER with such executive, financial, administrative, and consulting services in managing and directing the EMPLOYER’S business, which includes the provision of services on behalf of the EMPLOYER to THI or other THI Subsidiaries in respect of the Business, as may be required by the EXECUTIVE’S job description, as attached hereto, or as amended by the agreement of the parties hereafter, or reasonably requested and directed from time to time by action of the EMPLOYER’S Board of Directors. The EXECUTIVE shall at all times faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability and talent perform all of the duties that may be required or requested of him pursuant to the express terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such duties shall be performed in Oakville, Ontario and, on a periodic basis, at such other place or places as the interests, needs, business and opportunities of EMPLOYER, or THI’S other Subsidiaries, shall reasonably require.

Section 3. Remuneration during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall receive from the EMPLOYER, the salary, benefits and perquisites being paid to or afforded him immediately prior to the

 

5


date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL, subject to annual review in the normal course of business as described in subsections 3.1 herein. Such salary shall be paid to the EXECUTIVE on the same days of each month as the EMPLOYER pays its other employees. The EXECUTIVE shall also be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan, not less favourable than such plan that EXECUTIVE was eligible for immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL. The EXECUTIVE shall also be entitled to all rights afforded him under the terms of any outstanding stock options granted him by THI and all incentive compensation and deferred compensation programs maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE was entitled to participate immediately preceding the CHANGE IN CONTROL, or successors to such programs.

3.1 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the THI Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof shall review annually the performance of the EXECUTIVE, which shall be reported to THI by the EMPLOYER, the results of operations and financial condition of THI, together with prevailing economic conditions and other factors, and consider and determine whether to accept or vary a recommendation of the EMPLOYER:

 

  (a) whether the EMPLOYER should increase EXECUTIVE’S salary, and

 

  (b) whether the EXECUTIVE should be paid a bonus pursuant to the applicable bonus plan.

3.2 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE, his spouse and dependent children (in each case, if applicable) to be enrolled in and covered by group life, hospitalization, major medical and disability income insurance coverages under insurance plans and executive physical examination plans not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.3 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be a participant in one or more retirement income (pension) plans which afford participation and benefits to the EXECUTIVE on a basis not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.4 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause reimbursement to be paid promptly to the EXECUTIVE for all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with performing his duties pursuant hereto.

3.5 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, in the event that the insurance and physical examination plan benefits required by paragraph 3.2, above, or the retirement income (pension) plan benefits required by paragraph 3.3, above, are not actually available to the EXECUTIVE under the terms of the plan(s) or applicable law, then the EMPLOYER shall make available to the EXECUTIVE an equivalent benefit, or an amount of cash

 

6


consideration sufficient to fund or purchase an equivalent benefit, computed as if he had received a full year of service (for vesting and benefit purposes) for each of his years of service with EMPLOYER, or any other affiliate or Subsidiary or THI, including any years for which he is entitled to payment under Section 3 during the EMPLOYMENT TERM.

Section 4. Termination of Employment of the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. The EXECUTIVE’S employment hereunder may be terminated during the EMPLOYMENT TERM under the following circumstances:

4.1 Cause . The EMPLOYER may terminate the EXECUTIVE’S employment under this Agreement for “CAUSE.” A termination for CAUSE is a termination by reason of the good faith determination by the EMPLOYER, subject to the approval of the THI Board of Directors, that the EXECUTIVE (a) willfully and continually failed to substantially perform his duties with the EMPLOYER (other than a failure resulting from the EXECUTIVE’S incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the EXECUTIVE by the EMPLOYER, with the prior approval of the THI Board of Directors, which specifically identifies the manner in which the EMPLOYER believes that the EXECUTIVE has not substantially performed his duties and such failure substantially to perform continues for at least fourteen (14) days, or (b) has willfully engaged in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the EMPLOYER or THI, monetarily or otherwise, or (c) has otherwise materially breached this Agreement (including, without limitation, a voluntary termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM). No act, nor failure to act, on the EXECUTIVE’S part, shall be considered “willful” unless he has acted, or failed to act, with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action or failure to act was in the best interest of the EMPLOYER and THI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated for CAUSE unless and until (1) there shall have been delivered to the EXECUTIVE a copy of a written NOTICE OF TERMINATION (as defined in Section 4.3 below), which, with respect to termination under this Section 4.1 only, sets forth that the EXECUTIVE was guilty of conduct set forth above in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the first sentence of this Section 4.1 and specifies the particulars thereof in detail, and (2) the EXECUTIVE shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors of THI (with the assistance of the EXECUTIVE’S counsel).

4.2 (a) Good Reason . The EXECUTIVE may terminate his employment for “GOOD REASON.” For purposes of this Agreement, GOOD REASON shall mean the occurrence after a CHANGE IN CONTROL of any of the events or conditions described in Subsections (1) through (5) hereof without the EXECUTIVE’S express written consent:

 

  (1)

a change in the EXECUTIVE’S status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, does not represent a promotion from his status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the

 

7


 

assignment to the EXECUTIVE of any duties or responsibilities which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the EXECUTIVE from or failure to reappoint or reelect him to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of his employment for DISABILITY, CAUSE, as a result of his death, or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON;

 

  (2) a reduction by the EMPLOYER in the EXECUTIVE’S base salary as in effect immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter;

 

  (3) the EMPLOYER requiring the EXECUTIVE to be based at any place outside a 50 kilometre radius from the EXECUTIVE’S business office location immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL, except for reasonably required travel on THI or the EMPLOYER’S behalf, or on behalf of another Subsidiary of THI (or its successor’s) business (or the business of any successor to THI as the controlling voting shareholder (whether direct or indirect) of the EMPLOYER) which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL;

 

  (4) the failure by the EMPLOYER to continue to provide the EXECUTIVE with compensation and benefits substantially similar (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under this Agreement and those provided to him under any of the employee benefit plans in which the EXECUTIVE becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the EMPLOYER which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the EXECUTIVE of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by him at the time of the CHANGE IN CONTROL; or

 

  (5) any material breach by THI or the EMPLOYER of any provision of this Agreement.

(b) The EXECUTIVE’S right to terminate his employment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

4.3 Notice of Termination . Any purported termination by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE shall be communicated by written NOTICE OF TERMINATION to the other. For purposes of this Agreement, a “NOTICE OF TERMINATION” shall mean a notice which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment under the provision so indicated. If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER for any reason, NOTICE OF TERMINATION must be given at least 30 days prior to the

 

8


EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination, other than due to the EXECUTIVE’S death, shall be effective without such NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

4.4 Termination Date, Etc . “TERMINATION DATE” shall mean, (a) the date of the EXECUTIVE’S death or (b) if the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated for any reason other than due to death, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

Section 5. Compensation Upon Termination. Subject to Section 8.5, upon termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment during the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the following benefits:

5.1 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and THI and the EMPLOYER shall have no further obligations to the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement. The EXECUTIVE’S benefits thereafter shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.2 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment terminates by reason of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, payable at the same time that such bonuses or awards are payable to other employees of the EMPLOYER. In the case of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries’ benefits shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.3 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated (i) by the EMPLOYER other than for CAUSE or death, or (ii) by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON, then the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the benefits provided below:

 

  (a)

the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus the benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any of the EMPLOYER’S compensation or benefit plans have been earned or become payable as if all objectives including the completion of the award cycle thereunder had been met, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE, and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that

 

9


 

the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, calculated as if all performance targets under the applicable plan had been fully met at the target level by THI, by the EMPLOYER and/or by the EXECUTIVE, as applicable; provided, however, that the bonus payment provided for in this Section 5.3(a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount, if any, payable to the EXECUTIVE in respect of the year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs under the provisions of any other bonus or incentive plan, as applicable.

 

  (b) as severance pay and in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount in cash equal to three times the greater of (I) the sum of (A) the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and (B) annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given, or (II) the sum of (A) the average of the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary for each of the two years prior thereto; and (B) the average of the annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual target bonus amount for each of the two years prior thereto.

 

  (c) as additional severance, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount equal to the present value of the employer contributions the EXECUTIVE would have accrued under the EMPLOYER’S registered pension plan and supplemental plan, if any, if he had remained an employee for three years following the TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this determination, the base salary of the EXECUTIVE over this period shall be equal to his base salary in effect at the TERMINATION DATE, and the employee contribution rate of the EXECUTIVE under the registered pension plan shall be equal to the contribution rate in effect at the TERMINATION DATE. Present values shall be determined using a discount rate equal to the interest rate recommended by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries for the computation of transfer values from a registered pension plan.

 

  (d)

for the three years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall at its expense continue on behalf of the EXECUTIVE and his dependents and beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and hospitalization benefits which were being provided to the EXECUTIVE at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The benefits provided in this Section 5.3(d) shall be no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than

 

10


 

the coverage provided the EXECUTIVE under the EMPLOYER’S plans providing such benefits at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The EMPLOYER’S obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall be limited to the extent that the EXECUTIVE obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer’s benefit plans, in which case the EMPLOYER may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the EXECUTIVE hereunder as long as the aggregate coverage of the combined benefit plans is no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the coverage which would be provided hereunder by the EMPLOYER to the EXECUTIVE at the time the NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Except as expressly set forth above, this paragraph (d) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the EXECUTIVE or his dependents may be entitled under any of the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the EXECUTIVE’S termination of employment. Where such benefits as contemplated in this section 5.3(d) are not available to EXECUTIVE as a result of EXECUTIVE not being employed by the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER shall pay, in a lump sum, the present value of the cost of such benefits, had they been available under the same terms and conditions and the EMPLOYER benefit plans, and net of any required contribution by the EXECUTIVE.

 

  (e) for the three years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE a monthly allowance equal to a pre-determined monthly amount for the car payment, gas, maintenance and insurance for the grade level of the EXECUTIVE, established by the EMPLOYER from time to time, to replace the benefit of the car being used by the EXECUTIVE prior to the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE shall return the car being used by such EXECUTIVE to the EMPLOYER upon the TERMINATION DATE.

5.4 The amounts provided for in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3(a), (b) and (c) shall be paid within ten days after the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE.

5.5 The EXECUTIVE shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and no such payment, except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.3(d) hereof, shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the EXECUTIVE in any subsequent employment.

Section 6. Effect of a CHANGE IN CONTROL. Upon the occurrence of any CHANGE IN CONTROL, (a) any options to purchase shares of THI and any stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units, or other equity award granted by THI to the EXECUTIVE, which are not yet fully vested and exercisable, shall become fully vested and exercisable,

 

11


and (b) any restrictions remaining at that time on any stock awarded to the EXECUTIVE by THI shall lapse.

Section 7. Fees and Expenses . The EMPLOYER shall pay all reasonable legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred in good faith by the EXECUTIVE as a result of (a) the termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), or (b) the EXECUTIVE seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the EMPLOYER under which the EXECUTIVE is or may be entitled to receive benefits in accordance with the terms hereof; provided , however , that such payments by EMPLOYER of reasonable legal fees and related expenses of EXECUTIVE shall be required only to the extent that the EXECUTIVE is determined, by non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction or through a properly conducted arbitration proceeding, to be the prevailing party in any claim, dispute or action relating to matters described in items (a) or (b) above.

Section 8. Protection of Business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:

8.1 At all times during the EMPLOYMENT TERM while the EXECUTIVE is employed by the EMPLOYER, the EXECUTIVE will not participate as a partner, joint venturer, officer, director, employee, or representative, or have any direct financial interest in, any business or enterprise conducting a quick service restaurant business in the United States or Canada, other than a business or enterprise engaged in operating restaurants under a franchise granted by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person; provided, that the ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of a public corporation shall not be a violation of this subparagraph so long as (a) the EXECUTIVE does not own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent (5%) of any class of the securities of such corporation, and (b) the value of such securities does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the net worth of the EXECUTIVE; and provided further that ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of THI or any successor to THI by merger or other form of transaction contemplated by subparagraph (a) or (c) of Section 1 hereof shall not be a violation of this subparagraph.

8.2 The EXECUTIVE will not at any time (during or after the expiration of the EMPLOYMENT TERM) divulge, disclose, reveal or communicate to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, directly or indirectly, any trade secrets or other information which the EXECUTIVE may have obtained during the course of his employment by the EMPLOYER in respect of any matters affecting or relating to the quick service restaurant business and/or, in particular, the businesses of the EMPLOYER and any affiliated person, including, without limitation, any of their plans, policies, business practices, finances, recipes, methods of operation, franchises or other

 

12


information known to the EXECUTIVE to be considered by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person to be confidential information.

8.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the EXECUTIVE shall be required to pre-clear with the senior attorney in THI’S securities practice group (the “Senior Attorney”), or his/her designee, any trades in the securities of THI of which the EXECUTIVE is the legal or beneficial owner, or any securities of any successor of THI following a CHANGE IN CONTROL, for a period of 12 months following the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE may not effectuate trades where the Senior Attorney or his/her designee has not provided a permissive trading recommendation. It is the EXECUTIVE’S obligation and responsibility to comply with all applicable securities laws, including but not limited to insider reporting requirements, for so long as, and to the extent, applicable.

8.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions on competition and other restrictions imposed upon the EXECUTIVE by this Section 8 may be enforced by the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its Subsidiaries by an action for an injunction, it being agreed (in view of the general practical impossibility of determining by computation or legal proof of the exact amount of damages, if any, resulting to the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its Subsidiaries from a violation by the EXECUTIVE of the provisions of this Section 8) that there would be no adequate remedy at law for any breach by the EXECUTIVE of any such restriction.

8.5 Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, the EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that THI’S Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation originally adopted by the Board of Directors of THI USA on February 19, 2009 and assumed and adopted by the Board of Directors of THI on September 28, 2009 (the “Recoupment Policy”) (a) is binding on the EXECUTIVE, (b) the EXECUTIVE is a “Senior Executive” under such Recoupment Policy, (c) all performance-based compensation awarded to the EXECUTIVE in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or otherwise under any incentive, bonus or other plan of THI or its Subsidiaries are subject to the Recoupment Policy and (d) the Recoupment Policy is hereby attached as Exhibit A and is made a part of this Agreement.

Section 9. Notices and Payments. All payments required or permitted to be made under the provisions of this Agreement, and all notices and other communications required or permitted to be given or delivered under this Agreement to the EMPLOYER or to the EXECUTIVE, which notices or communications must be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given if delivered by hand, or mailed by first class mail, addressed as follows:

9.1 if to the EMPLOYER, to:

Chief Financial Officer

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

 

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With a copy to:

Secretary

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

9.2 if to EXECUTIVE, to:

 

Paul D. House   
    
    

The EMPLOYER or the EXECUTIVE may, by notice given to the others from time to time, designate a different address for making payments required to be made, and for the giving of notices or other communications required or permitted to be given, to the party designating such new address. Any payment, notice or other communication required or permitted to be given in accordance with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if and when placed in the U.S. or Canadian Mail (as applicable), addressed and mailed as provided above.

Section 10. Payroll Taxes. Any payment required or permitted to be made or given to the EXECUTIVE pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding and other requirements of applicable laws, and to the deduction requirements of any benefit plan maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE is a participant, and to all reporting, filing and other requirements in respect of such payments, and the EMPLOYER or THI, as applicable, shall promptly satisfy all such requirements.

Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.

Section 12. Duplicate Originals. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute a single instrument.

Section 13. Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included only for convenience of reference and do not define, limit, explain or modify this Agreement or its interpretation, construction or meaning.

Section 14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision to any person or any circumstances shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, then such determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application of said provision to any other person or circumstance, all of which other provisions shall remain in full force and

 

14


effect. It is the intention of THI, the EMPLOYER and the EXECUTIVE that if any provision of this Agreement is susceptible of two or more constructions, one of which would render the provision enforceable and other or others of which would render the provision unenforceable, then the provision shall have the meaning which renders it enforceable.

Section 15. Number and Gender. When used in this Agreement, the number and gender of each pronoun shall be construed to be such number and gender as the context, circumstances or its antecedent may require.

Section 16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, successors and assigns) of THI and the EMPLOYER; provided, however, that the obligations of this Agreement may not be transferred by THI or the EMPLOYER, except in accordance with the following proviso: provided further, however, that if THI or the EMPLOYER transfers to any other person substantially all of its assets and/or business by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise, THI or the EMPLOYER, as applicable, must transfer its obligations hereunder to such other person and such other person must accept such transfer and assume the obligations of the EMPLOYER, and of THI, if applicable, imposed hereby, resulting in a permissible assignment and transfer of this Agreement by THI and/or the EMPLOYER, as applicable. THI or the EMPLOYER shall notify the EXECUTIVE in writing within thirty (30) days following any transfer of business and assets that the transferee has accepted the transfer and assumption of the EMPLOYER’S, and of THI’S, if applicable, obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, assigns) of the EXECUTIVE; provided, however, that the rights of the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement may be assigned only to his personal representative or by will or pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Section 17. Arbitration. All matters in difference between the parties in relation to this Agreement shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator if the parties agree upon one, otherwise to three arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party and a third to be chosen by the first two named before they enter upon the business of arbitration. Such arbitration shall take place in the City of Toronto, or as the parties may otherwise agree in writing. The award and determination of the arbitrator or arbitrators or any two of the three arbitrators shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. During the pendency of such arbitration proceedings, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the full benefits provided by the Agreement.

 

15


Section 18. Termination of Prior Agreement and Wendy’s Prior Agreement. EXECUTIVE, THI, and the EMPLOYER hereby acknowledge, understand, and agree that (i) this Agreement replaces and supersedes, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement; (ii) the Prior Agreement is terminated and is of no further force and effect as of the date of the corporate reorganization which occurred on September 28, 2009; (iii) in accordance with the terms of the Prior Agreement, the Prior Agreement replaced, superseded and terminated the EXECUTIVE’S prior employment agreement with Wendy’s International (the “Wendy’s Prior Agreement”) and the Wendy’s Prior Agreement was terminated and was of no further force and effect as of the date of the spinoff of THI from Wendy’s on September 29, 2006; and (iv) none of the EXECUTIVE, THI, THI, Wendy’s nor the EMPLOYER shall have any further rights, obligations, responsibilities or duties under the Prior Agreement or the Wendy’s Prior Agreement.

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

 

EMPLOYER:

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

By:    
Print Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE:
 
Paul D. House, an individual

THI:

TIM HORTONS INC.

By:    
Print Name:
Title:

 

16


EXHIBIT A

Tim Hortons Inc.

Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation

(Effective Date: February 19, 2009)

If the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated for any reason, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tim Hortons Inc. (the “Company”) will review all performance-based compensation awarded to or earned by Senior Executives (as defined below) for all fiscal periods materially affected by the restatement.

If the Board determines that the payment of such performance-based compensation was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently corrected as part of a restatement and a lower incentive payment or award would have been made to Senior Executives based upon the restated financial results, then, the Board will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, seek recoupment from the Senior Executives for the extent of such performance-based compensation as it deems appropriate, after a review of all relevant facts and circumstances.

Generally, this review would include consideration of:

 

   

The Board’s determination of the amount of performance-based compensation that would have been awarded to or earned by the Senior Executive had the financial statements been properly reported in the first instance;

 

   

The nature of the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

The conduct of the Senior Executive in connection with the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

Whether the assertion of recoupment (or a resulting claim) against the Senior Executive could prejudice the Company’s overall interests and whether other penalties or punishments are being imposed on the Senior Executive, including by third parties such as regulators or other authorities; and

 

   

Any other facts and circumstances that the Board deems relevant.

For purposes of this Policy, “Senior Executives” means the Company’s executive officers (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other principal corporate officers (as elected by the Board), and other key employees and former employees who are designated from time to time by the Board or Chief Executive Officer. Nothing contained in this Policy will limit the Company’s ability to seek recoupment, in appropriate circumstances (including circumstances beyond the scope of this Policy), and as permitted by applicable law, of any amounts from any employee, whether or not the


employee is a Senior Executive. For greater clarity, the provisions of this Policy apply to “former” employees of the Company as well to the extent such employees received incentive-based compensation that is subject to recoupment under this Policy.

This Policy is intended to apply to annual incentive compensation (or bonus) awards, long-term incentive performance awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), dividend equivalent rights, and any other similar awards or other compensation that the Board determines to be “incentive based” (including but not limited to, at the Board’s discretion, payments made under employment, severance, or change in control agreements), in every case to the extent awarded or paid by the Company on or after the Effective Date. Additional terms, conditions, and procedures providing for greater detail with respect to the implementation of the principles of this Policy may be set forth in the Company’s benefit plans, programs, and/or affected agreements.

Any recoupment under this Policy may be in addition to any other remedies that may be available to the Company under applicable law or in accordance with the terms of affected compensation plans, programs, or agreements, including disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.

The Board of Directors may delegate one or more of the duties or powers described in this Policy to one or more Committees of the Board consisting solely of independent directors.

 

2

EXHIBIT 10.4

Form of Employment Agreement by and among

The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and Donald B. Schroeder

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Between

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

And

TIM HORTONS INC.

And

DONALD B. SCHROEDER

An employment agreement was entered into as of December 5, 2006, by and between The TDL Group Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company (the “EMPLOYER”), TIM HORTONS INC., a Delaware corporation (“THI USA”) and Donald B. Schroeder, an individual, (the “EXECUTIVE”). It was subsequently amended and restated in its entirety effective as of November 5, 2008 (the “Prior Agreement”). Effective as of September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, TIM HORTONS INC., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“THI”) is the publicly traded ultimate parent company of the EMPLOYER. Effective as of September 28, 2009, this Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) hereby replaces and supersedes the Prior Agreement, in its entirety.

RECITALS

(1) Certain subsidiaries of THI, including the EMPLOYER, are engaged in the business of owning, operating and franchising Tim Hortons retail outlets and carrying on ancillary activities incident thereto (the “Business”).

(2) The EXECUTIVE possesses unique skills, knowledge and experience relating to the Business.

(3) The EXECUTIVE is currently employed by the EMPLOYER, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of THI, and desires to continue to be employed by the EMPLOYER.

(4) The EMPLOYER desires to be assured of the continued services of the EXECUTIVE and to afford him the job security this Agreement provides without, however, increasing the compensation he would otherwise obtain were it not for the occurrence of events foreseen by this Agreement, and the EXECUTIVE desires to be assured that, in the event of a substantial change in the control of THI, the terms, conditions and environment of his employment will not be unreasonably affected.


(5) Except as described in Section 18 to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be in addition to any other agreements the parties may have entered into prior to the date hereof, or may enter into prior to a CHANGE IN CONTROL as defined herein, regarding the EXECUTIVE’S employment.

(6) THI and EMPLOYER desire to be assured of the objectivity of the EXECUTIVE in evaluating a potential offer, the effect of which would be a change of control of THI, and advising whether or not he believes a potential change of control is in the best interests of THI and its shareholders. THI and EMPLOYER further desire to be assured of the dedication of the EXECUTIVE to maximizing the value to be received by the shareholders of THI in the circumstances of negotiating or otherwise responding to a proposed change of control, and to be assured of the continuity of services of the EXECUTIVE during such time as a proposed change of control is under negotiation or otherwise pending.

(7) The EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the agreement of THI to be a party to this Agreement and to assume certain obligations hereunder and the entitlements provided under this Agreement are for the benefit of the EXECUTIVE, and are sufficient additional consideration for the purposes of this Agreement; and (b) this Agreement is made and entered into by THI and EMPLOYER as a replacement of and to supersede, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement, which has terminated as agreed by the EXECUTIVE, as further described in Section 18 hereof.

(8) THI has agreed to enter into this Agreement with the EXECUTIVE for purposes of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 through 18 hereof.

In consideration of their mutual covenants expressed herein and for other consideration described herein and as otherwise given by the parties, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1. EXECUTIVE’S Rights to Continued Employment in the event of a CHANGE IN CONTROL of THI.

For purposes of this Agreement a “CHANGE IN CONTROL” shall mean the occurrence of:

 

  (a)

An acquisition (other than directly from THI) of any common shares or other voting securities of THI entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”) by any Person (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , in determining whether a CHANGE IN CONTROL has occurred, common

 

2.


 

shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a CHANGE IN CONTROL. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) THI or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by THI (a “Subsidiary”), (ii) THI or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter defined);

 

  (b) The individuals who, as of September 28, 2009, are members of the Board of THI (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board; provided , however , that if the election, or nomination for election by THI shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further , however , that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

 

  (c) The consummation of:

 

  (i) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization with or into THI or in which securities of THI are issued (a “Merger”), unless such Merger is a “Non-Control Transaction.” A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a Merger where:

 

  (A) the shareholders of THI immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “Surviving THI”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such Merger,

 

  (B) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving THI, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving THI, and

 

3.


  (C) no Person other than (i) THI, (ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that, immediately prior to such Merger was maintained by THI or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person who, immediately prior to such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding common shares of the Surviving THI or the combined voting power of the Surviving THI’S then outstanding voting securities;

 

  (ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of THI; or

 

  (iii) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of THI to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI which, by reducing the number of common shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a CHANGE IN CONTROL would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI, and after such acquisition by THI, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common shares or Voting Securities which increases the percentage voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall occur.

If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER without CAUSE prior to the date of a CHANGE IN CONTROL but the EXECUTIVE reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a CHANGE IN CONTROL or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a CHANGE IN CONTROL which has been threatened or proposed, such termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a CHANGE IN CONTROL for purposes of this Agreement provided a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall actually have occurred.

1.1 From and after the date of occurrence of a CHANGE IN CONTROL, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be employed, and the EXECUTIVE shall accept employment, with the duties, nature and place of such employment as described in Section 2 of this Agreement. Solely for purposes of this Agreement, the term of such employment, referred to hereinafter as the “EMPLOYMENT TERM,” shall commence

 

4.


on the date when the CHANGE IN CONTROL shall have occurred and shall end on the earlier of:

 

  (a) the second anniversary of the first to occur of:

 

  (i) the date when the occurrence of an event described in subparagraph (a) of Section 1 hereof shall be disclosed in (A) a Schedule 13D or other such similar or successor form promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or Ontario Securities Commission, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Washington, D.C. or (B) an insider report filed with the Ontario Securities Commission in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the duplicate of which is actually received by THI, or

 

  (ii) the date on which a transaction described in subparagraph (c) of Section 1 of this Agreement (other than a Non-Control Transaction) shall be consummated, or

 

  (iii) the first date on which at least thirty percent (30%) of the members of the Board of Directors of THI are not members of the Incumbent Board as described in subparagraph (b) of Section 1 of this Agreement; or

 

  (b) the date when the EMPLOYMENT TERM shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE without GOOD REASON (as such terms are defined in Section 4 of this Agreement); or

 

  (c) the death of the EXECUTIVE.

Section 2.  Duties, Nature and Place of Employment. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall provide the EMPLOYER with such executive, financial, administrative, and consulting services in managing and directing the EMPLOYER’S business, which includes the provision of services on behalf of the EMPLOYER to THI or other THI Subsidiaries in respect of the Business, as may be required by the EXECUTIVE’S job description, as attached hereto, or as amended by the agreement of the parties hereafter, or reasonably requested and directed from time to time by action of the EMPLOYER’S Board of Directors. The EXECUTIVE shall at all times faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability and talent perform all of the duties that may be required or requested of him pursuant to the express terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such duties shall be performed in Oakville, Ontario and, on a periodic basis, at such other place or places as the interests, needs, business and opportunities of EMPLOYER, or THI’S other Subsidiaries, shall reasonably require.

Section 3.  Remuneration during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall receive from the EMPLOYER, the salary, benefits and perquisites being paid to or afforded him immediately prior to the

 

5.


date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL, subject to annual review in the normal course of business as described in subsections 3.1 herein. Such salary shall be paid to the EXECUTIVE on the same days of each month as the EMPLOYER pays its other employees. The EXECUTIVE shall also be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan, not less favourable than such plan that EXECUTIVE was eligible for immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL. The EXECUTIVE shall also be entitled to all rights afforded him under the terms of any outstanding stock options granted him by THI and all incentive compensation and deferred compensation programs maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE was entitled to participate immediately preceding the CHANGE IN CONTROL, or successors to such programs.

3.1 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the THI Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, with input from the Executive Chairman, to the extent this role remains occupied, shall review annually the performance of the EXECUTIVE, which shall be reported to THI by the EMPLOYER, the results of operations and financial condition of THI, together with prevailing economic conditions and other factors, and consider and determine whether to accept or vary a recommendation of the EMPLOYER:

 

  (a) whether the EMPLOYER should increase EXECUTIVE’S salary, and

 

  (b) whether the EXECUTIVE should be paid a bonus pursuant to the applicable bonus plan.

3.2 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE, his spouse and dependent children (in each case, if applicable) to be enrolled in and covered by group life, hospitalization, major medical and disability income insurance coverages under insurance plans and executive physical examination plans not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.3 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be a participant in one or more retirement income (pension) plans which afford participation and benefits to the EXECUTIVE on a basis not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.4 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause reimbursement to be paid promptly to the EXECUTIVE for all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with performing his duties pursuant hereto.

3.5 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, in the event that the insurance and physical examination plan benefits required by paragraph 3.2, above, or the retirement income (pension) plan benefits required by paragraph 3.3, above, are not actually available to the EXECUTIVE under the terms of the plan(s) or applicable law, then the EMPLOYER shall make available to the EXECUTIVE an equivalent benefit, or an amount of cash

 

6.


consideration sufficient to fund or purchase an equivalent benefit, computed as if he had received a full year of service (for vesting and benefit purposes) for each of his years of service with EMPLOYER, or any other affiliate or Subsidiary or THI, including any years for which he is entitled to payment under Section 3 during the EMPLOYMENT TERM.

Section 4.  Termination of Employment of the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. The EXECUTIVE’S employment hereunder may be terminated during the EMPLOYMENT TERM under the following circumstances:

4.1 Cause . The EMPLOYER may terminate the EXECUTIVE’S employment under this Agreement for “CAUSE.” A termination for CAUSE is a termination by reason of the good faith determination by the EMPLOYER, subject to the approval of the THI Board of Directors, that the EXECUTIVE (a) willfully and continually failed to substantially perform his duties with the EMPLOYER (other than a failure resulting from the EXECUTIVE’S incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the EXECUTIVE by the EMPLOYER, with the prior approval of the THI Board of Directors, which specifically identifies the manner in which the EMPLOYER believes that the EXECUTIVE has not substantially performed his duties and such failure substantially to perform continues for at least fourteen (14) days, or (b) has willfully engaged in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the EMPLOYER or THI, monetarily or otherwise, or (c) has otherwise materially breached this Agreement (including, without limitation, a voluntary termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM). No act, nor failure to act, on the EXECUTIVE’S part, shall be considered “willful” unless he has acted, or failed to act, with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action or failure to act was in the best interest of the EMPLOYER and THI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated for CAUSE unless and until (1) there shall have been delivered to the EXECUTIVE a copy of a written NOTICE OF TERMINATION (as defined in Section 4.3 below), which, with respect to termination under this Section 4.1 only, sets forth that the EXECUTIVE was guilty of conduct set forth above in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the first sentence of this Section 4.1 and specifies the particulars thereof in detail, and (2) the EXECUTIVE shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors of THI (with the assistance of the EXECUTIVE’S counsel).

4.2 (a) Good Reason . The EXECUTIVE may terminate his employment for “GOOD REASON.” For purposes of this Agreement, GOOD REASON shall mean the occurrence after a CHANGE IN CONTROL of any of the events or conditions described in Subsections (1) through (5) hereof without the EXECUTIVE’S express written consent:

 

  (1)

a change in the EXECUTIVE’S status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, does not represent a promotion from his status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the

 

7.


 

assignment to the EXECUTIVE of any duties or responsibilities which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the EXECUTIVE from or failure to reappoint or reelect him to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of his employment for DISABILITY, CAUSE, as a result of his death, or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON;

 

  (2) a reduction by the EMPLOYER in the EXECUTIVE’S base salary as in effect immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter;

 

  (3) the EMPLOYER requiring the EXECUTIVE to be based at any place outside a 50 kilometre radius from the EXECUTIVE’S business office location immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL, except for reasonably required travel on THI or the EMPLOYER’S behalf, or on behalf of another Subsidiary of THI (or its successor’s) business (or the business of any successor to THI as the controlling voting shareholder (whether direct or indirect) of the EMPLOYER) which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL;

 

  (4) the failure by the EMPLOYER to continue to provide the EXECUTIVE with compensation and benefits substantially similar (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under this Agreement and those provided to him under any of the employee benefit plans in which the EXECUTIVE becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the EMPLOYER which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the EXECUTIVE of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by him at the time of the CHANGE IN CONTROL; or

 

  (5) any material breach by THI or the EMPLOYER of any provision of this Agreement.

(b) The EXECUTIVE’S right to terminate his employment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

4.3 Notice of Termination . Any purported termination by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE shall be communicated by written NOTICE OF TERMINATION to the other. For purposes of this Agreement, a “NOTICE OF TERMINATION” shall mean a notice which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment under the provision so indicated. If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER for any reason, NOTICE OF TERMINATION must be given at least 30 days prior to the

 

8.


EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination, other than due to the EXECUTIVE’S death, shall be effective without such NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

4.4 Termination Date, Etc . “TERMINATION DATE” shall mean, (a) the date of the EXECUTIVE’S death or (b) if the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated for any reason other than due to death, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

Section 5.  Compensation Upon Termination. Subject to Section 8.5, upon termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment during the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the following benefits:

5.1 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and THI and the EMPLOYER shall have no further obligations to the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement. The EXECUTIVE’S benefits thereafter shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.2 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment terminates by reason of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, payable at the same time that such bonuses or awards are payable to other employees of the EMPLOYER. In the case of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries’ benefits shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.3 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated (i) by the EMPLOYER other than for CAUSE or death, or (ii) by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON, then the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the benefits provided below:

 

  (a)

the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus the benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any of the EMPLOYER’S compensation or benefit plans have been earned or become payable as if all objectives including the completion of the award cycle thereunder had been met, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE, and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that

 

9.


 

the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, calculated as if all performance targets under the applicable plan had been fully met at the target level by THI, by the EMPLOYER and/or by the EXECUTIVE, as applicable; provided, however, that the bonus payment provided for in this Section 5.3(a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount, if any, payable to the EXECUTIVE in respect of the year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs under the provisions of any other bonus or incentive plan, as applicable.

 

  (b) as severance pay and in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount in cash equal to three times the greater of (I) the sum of (A) the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and (B) annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given, or (II) the sum of (A) the average of the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary for each of the two years prior thereto; and (B) the average of the annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual target bonus amount for each of the two years prior thereto.

 

  (c) as additional severance, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount equal to the present value of the employer contributions the EXECUTIVE would have accrued under the EMPLOYER’S registered pension plan and supplemental plan, if any, if he had remained an employee for three years following the TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this determination, the base salary of the EXECUTIVE over this period shall be equal to his base salary in effect at the TERMINATION DATE, and the employee contribution rate of the EXECUTIVE under the registered pension plan shall be equal to the contribution rate in effect at the TERMINATION DATE. Present values shall be determined using a discount rate equal to the interest rate recommended by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries for the computation of transfer values from a registered pension plan.

 

  (d)

for the three years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall at its expense continue on behalf of the EXECUTIVE and his dependents and beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and hospitalization benefits which were being provided to the EXECUTIVE at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The benefits provided in this Section 5.3(d) shall be no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than

 

10.


 

the coverage provided the EXECUTIVE under the EMPLOYER’S plans providing such benefits at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The EMPLOYER’S obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall be limited to the extent that the EXECUTIVE obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer’s benefit plans, in which case the EMPLOYER may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the EXECUTIVE hereunder as long as the aggregate coverage of the combined benefit plans is no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the coverage which would be provided hereunder by the EMPLOYER to the EXECUTIVE at the time the NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Except as expressly set forth above, this paragraph (d) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the EXECUTIVE or his dependents may be entitled under any of the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the EXECUTIVE’S termination of employment. Where such benefits as contemplated in this section 5.3(d) are not available to EXECUTIVE as a result of EXECUTIVE not being employed by the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER shall pay, in a lump sum, the present value of the cost of such benefits, had they been available under the same terms and conditions and the EMPLOYER benefit plans, and net of any required contribution by the EXECUTIVE.

 

  (e) for the three years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE a monthly allowance equal to a pre-determined monthly amount for the car payment, gas, maintenance and insurance for the grade level of the EXECUTIVE, established by the EMPLOYER from time to time, to replace the benefit of the car being used by the EXECUTIVE prior to the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE shall return the car being used by such EXECUTIVE to the EMPLOYER upon the TERMINATION DATE.

5.4 The amounts provided for in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3(a), (b) and (c) shall be paid within ten days after the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE.

5.5 The EXECUTIVE shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and no such payment, except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.3(d) hereof, shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the EXECUTIVE in any subsequent employment.

Section 6.  Effect of a CHANGE IN CONTROL. Upon the occurrence of any CHANGE IN CONTROL, (a) any options to purchase shares of THI and any stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units, or other equity award granted by THI to the EXECUTIVE, which are not yet fully vested and exercisable, shall become fully vested and exercisable,

 

11.


and (b) any restrictions remaining at that time on any stock awarded to the EXECUTIVE by THI shall lapse.

Section 7.  Fees and Expenses. The EMPLOYER shall pay all reasonable legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred in good faith by the EXECUTIVE as a result of (a) the termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), or (b) the EXECUTIVE seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the EMPLOYER under which the EXECUTIVE is or may be entitled to receive benefits in accordance with the terms hereof; provided , however , that such payments by EMPLOYER of reasonable legal fees and related expenses of EXECUTIVE shall be required only to the extent that the EXECUTIVE is determined, by non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction or through a properly conducted arbitration proceeding, to be the prevailing party in any claim, dispute or action relating to matters described in items (a) or (b) above.

Section 8.  Protection of Business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:

8.1 At all times during the EMPLOYMENT TERM while the EXECUTIVE is employed by the EMPLOYER, the EXECUTIVE will not participate as a partner, joint venturer, officer, director, employee, or representative, or have any direct financial interest in, any business or enterprise conducting a quick service restaurant business in the United States or Canada, other than a business or enterprise engaged in operating restaurants under a franchise granted by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person; provided, that the ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of a public corporation shall not be a violation of this subparagraph so long as (a) the EXECUTIVE does not own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent (5%) of any class of the securities of such corporation, and (b) the value of such securities does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the net worth of the EXECUTIVE; and provided further that ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of THI or any successor to THI by merger or other form of transaction contemplated by subparagraph (a) or (c) of Section 1 hereof shall not be a violation of this subparagraph.

8.2 The EXECUTIVE will not at any time (during or after the expiration of the EMPLOYMENT TERM) divulge, disclose, reveal or communicate to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, directly or indirectly, any trade secrets or other information which the EXECUTIVE may have obtained during the course of his employment by the EMPLOYER in respect of any matters affecting or relating to the quick service restaurant business and/or, in particular, the businesses of the EMPLOYER and any affiliated person, including, without limitation, any of their plans, policies, business practices, finances, recipes, methods of operation, franchises or other

 

12.


information known to the EXECUTIVE to be considered by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person to be confidential information.

8.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the EXECUTIVE shall be required to pre-clear with the senior attorney in THI’S securities practice group (the “Senior Attorney”), or his/her designee, any trades in the securities of THI of which the EXECUTIVE is the legal or beneficial owner, or any securities of any successor of THI following a CHANGE IN CONTROL, for a period of 12 months following the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE may not effectuate trades where the Senior Attorney or his/her designee has not provided a permissive trading recommendation. It is the EXECUTIVE’S obligation and responsibility to comply with all applicable securities laws, including but not limited to insider reporting requirements, for so long as, and to the extent, applicable.

8.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions on competition and other restrictions imposed upon the EXECUTIVE by this Section 8 may be enforced by the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its subsidiaries by an action for an injunction, it being agreed (in view of the general practical impossibility of determining by computation or legal proof of the exact amount of damages, if any, resulting to the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its subsidiaries from a violation by the EXECUTIVE of the provisions of this Section 8) that there would be no adequate remedy at law for any breach by the EXECUTIVE of any such restriction.

8.5 Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, the EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that THI’S Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation originally adopted by the Board of Directors of THI USA on February 19, 2009 and assumed and adopted by the Board of Directors of THI on September 28, 2009 (the “Recoupment Policy”) (a) is binding on the EXECUTIVE, (b) the EXECUTIVE is a “Senior Executive” under such Recoupment Policy, (c) all performance-based compensation awarded to the EXECUTIVE in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or otherwise under any incentive, bonus or other plan of THI or its Subsidiaries are subject to the Recoupment Policy and (d) the Recoupment Policy is hereby attached as Exhibit A and is made a part of this Agreement.

Section 9.  Notices and Payments. All payments required or permitted to be made under the provisions of this Agreement, and all notices and other communications required or permitted to be given or delivered under this Agreement to the EMPLOYER or to the EXECUTIVE, which notices or communications must be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given if delivered by hand, or mailed by first class mail, addressed as follows:

9.1 if to the EMPLOYER, to:

Executive Chairman, if applicable; or, if not:

Chief Financial Officer

The TDL Group Corp.

 

13.


874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

With a copy to:

Secretary

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

9.2 if to EXECUTIVE, to:

 

Donald B. Schroeder   
    
    

The EMPLOYER or the EXECUTIVE may, by notice given to the others from time to time, designate a different address for making payments required to be made, and for the giving of notices or other communications required or permitted to be given, to the party designating such new address. Any payment, notice or other communication required or permitted to be given in accordance with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if and when placed in the U.S. or Canadian Mail (as applicable), addressed and mailed as provided above.

Section 10.  Payroll Taxes. Any payment required or permitted to be made or given to the EXECUTIVE pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding and other requirements of applicable laws, and to the deduction requirements of any benefit plan maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE is a participant, and to all reporting, filing and other requirements in respect of such payments, and the EMPLOYER or THI, as applicable, shall promptly satisfy all such requirements.

Section 11.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.

Section 12.  Duplicate Originals. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute a single instrument.

Section 13.  Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included only for convenience of reference and do not define, limit, explain or modify this Agreement or its interpretation, construction or meaning.

Section 14.  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision to any person or any circumstances shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, then such determination shall not affect any other provision of this

 

14.


Agreement or the application of said provision to any other person or circumstance, all of which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. It is the intention of THI, the EMPLOYER and the EXECUTIVE that if any provision of this Agreement is susceptible of two or more constructions, one of which would render the provision enforceable and other or others of which would render the provision unenforceable, then the provision shall have the meaning which renders it enforceable.

Section 15.  Number and Gender. When used in this Agreement, the number and gender of each pronoun shall be construed to be such number and gender as the context, circumstances or its antecedent may require.

Section 16.  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, successors and assigns) of THI and the EMPLOYER; provided, however, that the obligations of this Agreement may not be transferred by THI or the EMPLOYER, except in accordance with the following proviso: provided further, however, that if THI or the EMPLOYER transfers to any other person substantially all of its assets and/or business by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise, THI or the EMPLOYER, as applicable, must transfer its obligations hereunder to such other person and such other person must accept such transfer and assume the obligations of the EMPLOYER, and of THI, if applicable, imposed hereby, resulting in a permissible assignment and transfer of this Agreement by THI and/or the EMPLOYER, as applicable. THI or the EMPLOYER shall notify the EXECUTIVE in writing within thirty (30) days following any transfer of business and assets that the transferee has accepted the transfer and assumption of the EMPLOYER’S, and of THI’S, if applicable, obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, assigns) of the EXECUTIVE; provided, however, that the rights of the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement may be assigned only to his personal representative or by will or pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Section 17.  Arbitration. All matters in difference between the parties in relation to this Agreement shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator if the parties agree upon one, otherwise to three arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party and a third to be chosen by the first two named before they enter upon the business of arbitration. Such arbitration shall take place in the City of Toronto, or as the parties may otherwise agree in writing. The award and determination of the arbitrator or arbitrators or any two of the three arbitrators shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. During the pendency of such arbitration proceedings, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the full benefits provided by the Agreement.

Section 18.  Termination of Prior Agreement and Wendy’s Prior Agreement. EXECUTIVE, THI, and the EMPLOYER hereby acknowledge, understand, and agree that (i) this Agreement replaces and supersedes, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement; (ii)

 

15.


the Prior Agreement is terminated and is of no further force and effect as of the date of the corporate reorganization which occurred on September 28, 2009; (iii) in accordance with the terms of the Prior Agreement, the Prior Agreement replaced, superseded and terminated the EXECUTIVE’S prior employment agreement with Wendy’s International (the “Wendy’s Prior Agreement”) and the Wendy’s Prior Agreement was terminated and was of no further force and effect as of the date of the spinoff of THI USA from Wendy’s on September 29, 2006; and (iv) none of the EXECUTIVE, THI USA, THI, Wendy’s nor the EMPLOYER shall have any further rights, obligations, responsibilities or duties under the Prior Agreement or the Wendy’s Prior Agreement.

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

 

EMPLOYER:
THE TDL GROUP CORP.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

EXECUTIVE:

   

Donald B. Schroeder, an individual

 

THI:
TIM HORTONS INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

16.


EXHIBIT A

Tim Hortons Inc.

Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation

(Effective Date: February 19, 2009)

If the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated for any reason, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tim Hortons Inc. (the “Company”) will review all performance-based compensation awarded to or earned by Senior Executives (as defined below) for all fiscal periods materially affected by the restatement.

If the Board determines that the payment of such performance-based compensation was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently corrected as part of a restatement and a lower incentive payment or award would have been made to Senior Executives based upon the restated financial results, then, the Board will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, seek recoupment from the Senior Executives for the extent of such performance-based compensation as it deems appropriate, after a review of all relevant facts and circumstances.

Generally, this review would include consideration of:

 

   

The Board’s determination of the amount of performance-based compensation that would have been awarded to or earned by the Senior Executive had the financial statements been properly reported in the first instance;

 

   

The nature of the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

The conduct of the Senior Executive in connection with the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

Whether the assertion of recoupment (or a resulting claim) against the Senior Executive could prejudice the Company’s overall interests and whether other penalties or punishments are being imposed on the Senior Executive, including by third parties such as regulators or other authorities; and

 

   

Any other facts and circumstances that the Board deems relevant.

For purposes of this Policy, “Senior Executives” means the Company’s executive officers (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other principal corporate officers (as elected by the Board), and other key employees and former employees who are designated from time to time by the Board or Chief Executive Officer. Nothing contained in this Policy will limit the Company’s ability to seek recoupment, in appropriate circumstances (including circumstances beyond the scope of this Policy), and as permitted by applicable law, of any amounts from any employee, whether or not the employee is a Senior Executive. For greater


clarity, the provisions of this Policy apply to “former” employees of the Company as well to the extent such employees received incentive-based compensation that is subject to recoupment under this Policy.

This Policy is intended to apply to annual incentive compensation (or bonus) awards, long-term incentive performance awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), dividend equivalent rights, and any other similar awards or other compensation that the Board determines to be “incentive based” (including but not limited to, at the Board’s discretion, payments made under employment, severance, or change in control agreements), in every case to the extent awarded or paid by the Company on or after the Effective Date. Additional terms, conditions, and procedures providing for greater detail with respect to the implementation of the principles of this Policy may be set forth in the Company’s benefit plans, programs, and/or affected agreements.

Any recoupment under this Policy may be in addition to any other remedies that may be available to the Company under applicable law or in accordance with the terms of affected compensation plans, programs, or agreements, including disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.

The Board of Directors may delegate one or more of the duties or powers described in this Policy to one or more Committees of the Board consisting solely of independent directors.

 

2

EXHIBIT 10.5

Form of Employment Agreement by and among

The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and each of Cynthia J. Devine,

William A. Moir and Roland M. Walton, respectively

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Between

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

And

TIM HORTONS INC.

And

[NAME OF EXECUTIVE]

An Employment Agreement (the “Prior Agreement”) was made and entered into as of December 5, 2006, by and between The TDL Group Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company (the “EMPLOYER”), TIM HORTONS INC., a Delaware corporation (“THI USA”) and [Name of Executive], an individual (the “EXECUTIVE”). Effective as of September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, TIM HORTONS INC., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“THI”) is the publicly traded ultimate parent company of the EMPLOYER. Effective as of September 28, 2009, this Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) hereby replaces and supersedes the Prior Agreement, in its entirety.

RECITALS

(1) Certain subsidiaries of THI, including the EMPLOYER, are engaged in the business of owning, operating and franchising Tim Hortons retail outlets and carrying on ancillary activities incident thereto (the “Business”).

(2) The EXECUTIVE possesses unique skills, knowledge and experience relating to the Business.

(3) The EXECUTIVE is currently employed by the EMPLOYER, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of THI, and desires to continue to be employed by the EMPLOYER.

(4) The EMPLOYER desires to be assured of the continued services of the EXECUTIVE and to afford him/her the job security this Agreement provides without, however, increasing the compensation he/she would otherwise obtain were it not for the occurrence of events foreseen by this Agreement, and the EXECUTIVE desires to be assured that, in the event of a substantial change in the control of THI, the terms, conditions and environment of his/her employment will not be unreasonably affected.


(5) Except as described in Section 18 to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be in addition to any other agreements the parties may have entered into prior to the date hereof, or may enter into prior to a CHANGE IN CONTROL as defined herein, regarding the EXECUTIVE’S employment.

(6) THI and EMPLOYER desire to be assured of the objectivity of the EXECUTIVE in evaluating a potential offer, the effect of which would be a change of control of THI, and advising whether or not he/she believes a potential change of control is in the best interests of THI and its shareholders. THI and EMPLOYER further desire to be assured of the dedication of the EXECUTIVE to maximizing the value to be received by the shareholders of THI in the circumstances of negotiating or otherwise responding to a proposed change of control, and to be assured of the continuity of services of the EXECUTIVE during such time as a proposed change of control is under negotiation or otherwise pending.

(7) The EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the agreement of THI to be a party to this Agreement and to assume certain obligations hereunder and the entitlements provided under this Agreement are for the benefit of the EXECUTIVE, and are sufficient additional consideration for the purposes of this Agreement; and (b) this Agreement is made and entered into by THI and EMPLOYER as a replacement of and to supersede, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement, which has terminated as agreed by the EXECUTIVE, as further described in Section 18 hereof.

(8) THI has agreed to enter into this Agreement with the EXECUTIVE for purposes of Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 through 18 hereof.

In consideration of their mutual covenants expressed herein and for other consideration described herein and as otherwise given by the parties, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1. EXECUTIVE’S Rights to Continued Employment in the event of a CHANGE IN CONTROL of THI.

For purposes of this Agreement a “CHANGE IN CONTROL” shall mean the occurrence of:

 

  (a)

An acquisition (other than directly from THI) of any common shares or other voting securities of THI entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”) by any Person (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , in determining whether a CHANGE IN CONTROL has occurred, common

 

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shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a CHANGE IN CONTROL. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) THI or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by THI (a “Subsidiary”), (ii) THI or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter defined);

 

  (b) The individuals who, as of September 28, 2009, are members of the Board of THI (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board; provided , however , that if the election, or nomination for election by THI shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further , however , that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

 

  (c) The consummation of:

 

  (i) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization with or into THI or in which securities of THI are issued (a “Merger”), unless such Merger is a “Non-Control Transaction.” A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a Merger where:

 

  (A) the shareholders of THI immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “Surviving THI”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such Merger,

 

  (B) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving THI, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving THI, and

 

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  (C) no Person other than (i) THI, (ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that, immediately prior to such Merger was maintained by THI or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person who, immediately prior to such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding common shares of the Surviving THI or the combined voting power of the Surviving THI’S then outstanding voting securities;

 

  (ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of THI; or

 

  (iii) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of THI to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI which, by reducing the number of common shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a CHANGE IN CONTROL would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI, and after such acquisition by THI, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common shares or Voting Securities which increases the percentage voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall occur.

If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER without CAUSE prior to the date of a CHANGE IN CONTROL but the EXECUTIVE reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a CHANGE IN CONTROL or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a CHANGE IN CONTROL which has been threatened or proposed, such termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a CHANGE IN CONTROL for purposes of this Agreement provided a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall actually have occurred.

1.1 From and after the date of occurrence of a CHANGE IN CONTROL, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be employed, and the EXECUTIVE shall accept employment, with the duties, nature and place of such employment as described in Section 2 of this Agreement. Solely for purposes of this Agreement, the term of such employment, referred to hereinafter as the “EMPLOYMENT TERM,” shall commence

 

4


on the date when the CHANGE IN CONTROL shall have occurred and shall end on the earlier of:

 

  (a) the second anniversary of the first to occur of:

 

  (i) the date when the occurrence of an event described in subparagraph (a) of Section 1 hereof shall be disclosed in (A) a Schedule 13D or other such similar or successor form promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or Ontario Securities Commission, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Washington, D.C. or (B) an insider report filed with the Ontario Securities Commission in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the duplicate of which is actually received by THI, or

 

  (ii) the date on which a transaction described in subparagraph (c) of Section 1 of this Agreement (other than a Non-Control Transaction) shall be consummated, or

 

  (iii) the first date on which at least thirty percent (30%) of the members of the Board of Directors of THI are not members of the Incumbent Board as described in subparagraph (b) of Section 1 of this Agreement; or

 

  (b) the date when the EMPLOYMENT TERM shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE without GOOD REASON (as such terms are defined in Section 4 of this Agreement); or

 

  (c) the death of the EXECUTIVE.

Section 2. Duties, Nature and Place of Employment. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall provide the EMPLOYER with such executive, financial, administrative, and consulting services in managing and directing the EMPLOYER’S business, which includes the provision of services on behalf of the EMPLOYER to THI or other THI Subsidiaries in respect of the Business, as may be required by the EXECUTIVE’S job description, as attached hereto, or as amended by the agreement of the parties hereafter, or reasonably requested and directed from time to time by action of the EMPLOYER’S Board of Directors. The EXECUTIVE shall at all times faithfully, industriously and to the best of his/her ability and talent perform all of the duties that may be required or requested of him/her pursuant to the express terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such duties shall be performed in Oakville, Ontario and, on a periodic basis, at such other place or places as the interests, needs, business and opportunities of EMPLOYER, or THI’S other Subsidiaries, shall reasonably require.

Section 3. Remuneration during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall receive from the EMPLOYER, the salary, benefits and perquisites being paid to or afforded him/her immediately prior to the

 

5


date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL, subject to annual review in the normal course of business as described in subsections 3.1 herein. Such salary shall be paid to the EXECUTIVE on the same days of each month as the EMPLOYER pays its other employees. The EXECUTIVE shall also be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan, not less favourable than such plan that EXECUTIVE was eligible for immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL. The EXECUTIVE shall also be entitled to all rights afforded him/her under the terms of any outstanding stock options granted him/her by THI and all incentive compensation and deferred compensation programs maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE was entitled to participate immediately preceding the CHANGE IN CONTROL, or successors to such programs.

3.1 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the THI Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, with input from the Chief Executive Officer, shall review annually the performance of the EXECUTIVE, which shall be reported to THI by the EMPLOYER, the results of operations and financial condition of THI, together with prevailing economic conditions and other factors, and consider and determine whether to accept or vary a recommendation of the EMPLOYER:

 

  (a) whether the EMPLOYER should increase EXECUTIVE’S salary, and

 

  (b) whether the EXECUTIVE should be paid a bonus pursuant to the applicable bonus plan.

3.2 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE, his/her spouse and dependent children (in each case, if applicable) to be enrolled in and covered by group life, hospitalization, major medical and disability income insurance coverages under insurance plans and executive physical examination plans not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.3 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be a participant in one or more retirement income (pension) plans which afford participation and benefits to the EXECUTIVE on a basis not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.4 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause reimbursement to be paid promptly to the EXECUTIVE for all expenses reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with performing his/her duties pursuant hereto.

3.5 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, in the event that the insurance and physical examination plan benefits required by paragraph 3.2, above, or the retirement income (pension) plan benefits required by paragraph 3.3, above, are not actually available to the EXECUTIVE under the terms of the plan(s) or applicable law, then the EMPLOYER shall make available to the EXECUTIVE an equivalent benefit, or an amount of cash

 

6


consideration sufficient to fund or purchase an equivalent benefit, computed as if he/she had received a full year of service (for vesting and benefit purposes) for each of his/her years of service with EMPLOYER, or any other affiliate or Subsidiary or THI, including any years for which he/she is entitled to payment under Section 3 during the EMPLOYMENT TERM.

Section 4. Termination of Employment of the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. The EXECUTIVE’S employment hereunder may be terminated during the EMPLOYMENT TERM under the following circumstances:

4.1 Cause . The EMPLOYER may terminate the EXECUTIVE’S employment under this Agreement for “CAUSE.” A termination for CAUSE is a termination by reason of the good faith determination by the EMPLOYER, subject to the approval of the THI Board of Directors, that the EXECUTIVE (a) willfully and continually failed to substantially perform his/her duties with the EMPLOYER (other than a failure resulting from the EXECUTIVE’S incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the EXECUTIVE by the EMPLOYER, with the prior approval of the THI Board of Directors, which specifically identifies the manner in which the EMPLOYER believes that the EXECUTIVE has not substantially performed his/her duties and such failure substantially to perform continues for at least fourteen (14) days, or (b) has willfully engaged in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the EMPLOYER or THI, monetarily or otherwise, or (c) has otherwise materially breached this Agreement (including, without limitation, a voluntary termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM). No act, nor failure to act, on the EXECUTIVE’S part, shall be considered “willful” unless he/she has acted, or failed to act, with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his/her action or failure to act was in the best interest of the EMPLOYER and THI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated for CAUSE unless and until (1) there shall have been delivered to the EXECUTIVE a copy of a written NOTICE OF TERMINATION (as defined in Section 4.3 below), which, with respect to termination under this Section 4.1 only, sets forth that the EXECUTIVE was guilty of conduct set forth above in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the first sentence of this Section 4.1 and specifies the particulars thereof in detail, and (2) the EXECUTIVE shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors of THI (with the assistance of the EXECUTIVE’S counsel).

4.2 (a) Good Reason . The EXECUTIVE may terminate his/her employment for “GOOD REASON.” For purposes of this Agreement, GOOD REASON shall mean the occurrence after a CHANGE IN CONTROL of any of the events or conditions described in Subsections (1) through (5) hereof without the EXECUTIVE’S express written consent:

 

  (1)

a change in the EXECUTIVE’S status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the EXECUTIVE’S

 

7


 

reasonable judgment, does not represent a promotion from his/her status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the EXECUTIVE of any duties or responsibilities which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the EXECUTIVE from or failure to reappoint or reelect him/her to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of his/her employment for DISABILITY, CAUSE, as a result of his/her death, or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON;

 

  (2) a reduction by the EMPLOYER in the EXECUTIVE’S base salary as in effect immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter;

 

  (3) the EMPLOYER requiring the EXECUTIVE to be based at any place outside a 50 kilometre radius from the EXECUTIVE’S business office location immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL, except for reasonably required travel on THI or the EMPLOYER’S behalf, or on behalf of another Subsidiary of THI (or its successor’s) business (or the business of any successor to THI as the controlling voting shareholder (whether direct or indirect) of the EMPLOYER) which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL;

 

  (4) the failure by the EMPLOYER to continue to provide the EXECUTIVE with compensation and benefits substantially similar (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under this Agreement and those provided to him/her under any of the employee benefit plans in which the EXECUTIVE becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the EMPLOYER which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the EXECUTIVE of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by him/her at the time of the CHANGE IN CONTROL; or

 

  (5) any material breach by THI or the EMPLOYER of any provision of this Agreement.

(b) The EXECUTIVE’S right to terminate his/her employment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall not be affected by his/her incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

4.3 Notice of Termination . Any purported termination by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE shall be communicated by written NOTICE OF TERMINATION to the other. For purposes of this Agreement, a “NOTICE OF TERMINATION” shall mean a notice which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a

 

8


basis for termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment under the provision so indicated. If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER for any reason, NOTICE OF TERMINATION must be given at least 30 days prior to the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination, other than due to the EXECUTIVE’S death, shall be effective without such NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

4.4 Termination Date, Etc . “TERMINATION DATE” shall mean, (a) the date of the EXECUTIVE’S death or (b) if the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated for any reason other than due to death, the date specified in the Notice of Termination.

Section 5. Compensation Upon Termination. Subject to Section 8.5, upon termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment during the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the following benefits:

5.1 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his/her full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and THI and the EMPLOYER shall have no further obligations to the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement. The EXECUTIVE’S benefits thereafter shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.2 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment terminates by reason of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries his/her full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he/she continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, payable at the same time that such bonuses or awards are payable to other employees of the EMPLOYER. In the case of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries’ benefits shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.3 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated (i) by the EMPLOYER other than for CAUSE or death, or (ii) by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON, then the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the benefits provided below:

 

  (a)

the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his/her full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus the benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any of the EMPLOYER’S compensation or benefit plans have been earned or

 

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become payable as if all objectives including the completion of the award cycle thereunder had been met, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE, and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he/she continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, calculated as if all performance targets under the applicable plan had been fully met at the target level by THI, by the EMPLOYER and/or by the EXECUTIVE, as applicable; provided, however, that the bonus payment provided for in this Section 5.3(a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount, if any, payable to the EXECUTIVE in respect of the year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs under the provisions of any other bonus or incentive plan, as applicable.

 

  (b) as severance pay and in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount in cash equal to two times the greater of (I) the sum of (A) the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and (B) annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given, or (II) the sum of (A) the average of the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary for each of the two years prior thereto; and (B) the average of the annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual target bonus amount for each of the two years prior thereto.

 

  (c) as additional severance, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount equal to the present value of the employer contributions the EXECUTIVE would have accrued under the EMPLOYER’S registered pension plan and supplemental plan, if any, if he/she had remained an employee for two years following the TERMINATION DATE. For purposes of this determination, the base salary of the EXECUTIVE over this period shall be equal to his/her base salary in effect at the TERMINATION DATE, and the employee contribution rate of the EXECUTIVE under the registered pension plan shall be equal to the contribution rate in effect at the TERMINATION DATE. Present values shall be determined using a discount rate equal to the interest rate recommended by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries for the computation of transfer values from a registered pension plan.

 

  (d)

for the two years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall at its expense continue on behalf of the EXECUTIVE and his/her dependents and beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and hospitalization benefits which were being provided to the

 

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EXECUTIVE at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The benefits provided in this Section 5.3(d) shall be no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him/her, than the coverage provided the EXECUTIVE under the EMPLOYER’S plans providing such benefits at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The EMPLOYER’S obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall be limited to the extent that the EXECUTIVE obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer’s benefit plans, in which case the EMPLOYER may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the EXECUTIVE hereunder as long as the aggregate coverage of the combined benefit plans is no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him/her, than the coverage which would be provided hereunder by the EMPLOYER to the EXECUTIVE at the time the NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Except as expressly set forth above, this paragraph (d) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the EXECUTIVE or his/her dependents may be entitled under any of the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the EXECUTIVE’S termination of employment. Where such benefits as contemplated in this section 5.3(d) are not available to EXECUTIVE as a result of EXECUTIVE not being employed by the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER shall pay, in a lump sum, the present value of the cost of such benefits, had they been available under the same terms and conditions and the EMPLOYER benefit plans, and net of any required contribution by the EXECUTIVE.

 

  (e) for the two years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE a monthly allowance equal to a pre-determined monthly amount for the car payment, gas, maintenance and insurance for the grade level of the EXECUTIVE, established by the EMPLOYER from time to time, to replace the benefit of the car being used by the EXECUTIVE prior to the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE shall return the car being used by such EXECUTIVE to the EMPLOYER upon the TERMINATION DATE.

5.4 The amounts provided for in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3(a), (b) and (c) shall be paid within ten days after the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE.

5.5 The EXECUTIVE shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and no such payment, except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.3(d) hereof, shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the EXECUTIVE in any subsequent employment.

 

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Section 6. Effect of a CHANGE IN CONTROL. Upon the occurrence of any CHANGE IN CONTROL, (a) any options to purchase shares of THI and any stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units, or other equity award granted by THI to the EXECUTIVE, which are not yet fully vested and exercisable, shall become fully vested and exercisable, and (b) any restrictions remaining at that time on any stock awarded to the EXECUTIVE by THI shall lapse.

Section 7. Fees and Expenses. The EMPLOYER shall pay all reasonable legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred in good faith by the EXECUTIVE as a result of (a) the termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), or (b) the EXECUTIVE seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the EMPLOYER under which the EXECUTIVE is or may be entitled to receive benefits in accordance with the terms hereof; provided , however , that such payments by EMPLOYER of reasonable legal fees and related expenses of EXECUTIVE shall be required only to the extent that the EXECUTIVE is determined, by non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction or through a properly conducted arbitration proceeding, to be the prevailing party in any claim, dispute or action relating to matters described in items (a) or (b) above.

Section 8. Protection of Business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:

8.1 At all times during the EMPLOYMENT TERM while the EXECUTIVE is employed by the EMPLOYER, the EXECUTIVE will not participate as a partner, joint venturer, officer, director, employee, or representative, or have any direct financial interest in, any business or enterprise conducting a quick service restaurant business in the United States or Canada, other than a business or enterprise engaged in operating restaurants under a franchise granted by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person; provided, that the ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of a public corporation shall not be a violation of this subparagraph so long as (a) the EXECUTIVE does not own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent (5%) of any class of the securities of such corporation, and (b) the value of such securities does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the net worth of the EXECUTIVE; and provided further that ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of THI or any successor to THI by merger or other form of transaction contemplated by subparagraph (a) or (c) of Section 1 hereof shall not be a violation of this subparagraph.

8.2 The EXECUTIVE will not at any time (during or after the expiration of the EMPLOYMENT TERM) divulge, disclose, reveal or communicate to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, directly or indirectly, any trade secrets or other information which the EXECUTIVE may have obtained during the course of his/her employment by the EMPLOYER in respect of any matters affecting or relating

 

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to the quick service restaurant business and/or, in particular, the businesses of the EMPLOYER and any affiliated person, including, without limitation, any of their plans, policies, business practices, finances, recipes, methods of operation, franchises or other information known to the EXECUTIVE to be considered by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person to be confidential information.

8.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the EXECUTIVE shall be required to pre-clear with the senior attorney in THI’S securities practice group (the “Senior Attorney”), or his/her designee, any trades in the securities of THI of which the EXECUTIVE is the legal or beneficial owner, or any securities of any successor of THI following a CHANGE IN CONTROL, for a period of 12 months following the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE may not effectuate trades where the Senior Attorney or his/her designee has not provided a permissive trading recommendation. It is the EXECUTIVE’S obligation and responsibility to comply with all applicable securities laws, including but not limited to insider reporting requirements, for so long as, and to the extent, applicable.

8.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions on competition and other restrictions imposed upon the EXECUTIVE by this Section 8 may be enforced by the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its Subsidiaries by an action for an injunction, it being agreed (in view of the general practical impossibility of determining by computation or legal proof of the exact amount of damages, if any, resulting to the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its Subsidiaries from a violation by the EXECUTIVE of the provisions of this Section 8) that there would be no adequate remedy at law for any breach by the EXECUTIVE of any such restriction.

8.5 Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, the EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that THI’S Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation originally adopted by the Board of Directors of THI USA on February 19, 2009 and assumed and adopted by the Board of Directors of THI on September 28, 2009 (the “Recoupment Policy”) (a) is binding on the EXECUTIVE, (b) the EXECUTIVE is a “Senior Executive” under such Recoupment Policy, (c) all performance-based compensation awarded to the EXECUTIVE in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or otherwise under any incentive, bonus or other plan of THI or its Subsidiaries are subject to the Recoupment Policy and (d) the Recoupment Policy is hereby attached as Exhibit A and is made a part of this Agreement.

Section 9. Notices and Payments. All payments required or permitted to be made under the provisions of this Agreement, and all notices and other communications required or permitted to be given or delivered under this Agreement to the EMPLOYER or to the EXECUTIVE, which notices or communications must be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given if delivered by hand, or mailed by first class mail, addressed as follows:

9.1 if to the EMPLOYER, to:

 

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Chief Executive Officer

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

With a copy to:

Secretary

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

9.2 if to EXECUTIVE, to:

 

_______________________   
_______________________   

The EMPLOYER or the EXECUTIVE may, by notice given to the others from time to time, designate a different address for making payments required to be made, and for the giving of notices or other communications required or permitted to be given, to the party designating such new address. Any payment, notice or other communication required or permitted to be given in accordance with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if and when placed in the U.S. or Canadian Mail (as applicable), addressed and mailed as provided above.

Section 10. Payroll Taxes. Any payment required or permitted to be made or given to the EXECUTIVE pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding and other requirements of applicable laws, and to the deduction requirements of any benefit plan maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE is a participant, and to all reporting, filing and other requirements in respect of such payments, and the EMPLOYER or THI, as applicable, shall promptly satisfy all such requirements.

Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.

Section 12. Duplicate Originals. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute a single instrument.

Section 13. Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included only for convenience of reference and do not define, limit, explain or modify this Agreement or its interpretation, construction or meaning.

Section 14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision to any person or any circumstances shall be determined to be invalid or

 

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unenforceable, then such determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application of said provision to any other person or circumstance, all of which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. It is the intention of THI, the EMPLOYER and the EXECUTIVE that if any provision of this Agreement is susceptible of two or more constructions, one of which would render the provision enforceable and other or others of which would render the provision unenforceable, then the provision shall have the meaning which renders it enforceable.

Section 15. Number and Gender. When used in this Agreement, the number and gender of each pronoun shall be construed to be such number and gender as the context, circumstances or its antecedent may require.

Section 16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, successors and assigns) of THI and the EMPLOYER; provided, however, that the obligations of this Agreement may not be transferred by THI or the EMPLOYER, except in accordance with the following proviso: provided further, however, that if THI or the EMPLOYER transfers to any other person substantially all of its assets and/or business by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise, THI or the EMPLOYER, as applicable, must transfer its obligations hereunder to such other person and such other person must accept such transfer and assume the obligations of the EMPLOYER, and of THI, if applicable, imposed hereby, resulting in a permissible assignment and transfer of this Agreement by THI and/or the EMPLOYER, as applicable. THI or the EMPLOYER shall notify the EXECUTIVE in writing within thirty (30) days following any transfer of business and assets that the transferee has accepted the transfer and assumption of the EMPLOYER’S, and of THI’S, if applicable, obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, assigns) of the EXECUTIVE; provided, however, that the rights of the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement may be assigned only to his/her personal representative or by will or pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Section 17. Arbitration. All matters in difference between the parties in relation to this Agreement shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator if the parties agree upon one, otherwise to three arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party and a third to be chosen by the first two named before they enter upon the business of arbitration. Such arbitration shall take place in the City of Toronto, or as the parties may otherwise agree in writing. The award and determination of the arbitrator or arbitrators or any two of the three arbitrators shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. During the pendency of such arbitration proceedings, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the full benefits provided by the Agreement.

Section 18. Termination of Prior Agreement and Wendy’s Prior Agreement. EXECUTIVE, THI, and the EMPLOYER hereby acknowledge, understand, and agree

 

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that (i) this Agreement replaces and supersedes, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement; (ii) the Prior Agreement is terminated and is of no further force and effect as of the date of the corporate reorganization which occurred on September 28, 2009; (iii) in accordance with the terms of the Prior Agreement, the Prior Agreement replaced, superseded and terminated the EXECUTIVE’S prior employment agreement with Wendy’s International (the “Wendy’s Prior Agreement”) and the Wendy’s Prior Agreement was terminated and was of no further force and effect as of the date of the spinoff of THI USA from Wendy’s on September 29, 2006; and (iv) none of the EXECUTIVE, THI USA, THI, Wendy’s nor the EMPLOYER shall have any further rights, obligations, responsibilities or duties under the Prior Agreement or the Wendy’s Prior Agreement.

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

 

EMPLOYER:

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

By:    
Print Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE:
 
[Name of Executive]

THI:

TIM HORTONS INC.

By:    
Print Name:
Title:  

 

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EXHIBIT A

Tim Hortons Inc.

Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation

(Effective Date: February 19, 2009)

If the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated for any reason, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tim Hortons Inc. (the “Company”) will review all performance-based compensation awarded to or earned by Senior Executives (as defined below) for all fiscal periods materially affected by the restatement.

If the Board determines that the payment of such performance-based compensation was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently corrected as part of a restatement and a lower incentive payment or award would have been made to Senior Executives based upon the restated financial results, then, the Board will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, seek recoupment from the Senior Executives for the extent of such performance-based compensation as it deems appropriate, after a review of all relevant facts and circumstances.

Generally, this review would include consideration of:

 

   

The Board’s determination of the amount of performance-based compensation that would have been awarded to or earned by the Senior Executive had the financial statements been properly reported in the first instance;

 

   

The nature of the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

The conduct of the Senior Executive in connection with the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

Whether the assertion of recoupment (or a resulting claim) against the Senior Executive could prejudice the Company’s overall interests and whether other penalties or punishments are being imposed on the Senior Executive, including by third parties such as regulators or other authorities; and

 

   

Any other facts and circumstances that the Board deems relevant.

For purposes of this Policy, “Senior Executives” means the Company’s executive officers (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other principal corporate officers (as elected by the Board), and other key employees and former employees who are designated from time to time by the Board or Chief Executive Officer. Nothing contained in this Policy will limit the Company’s ability to seek recoupment, in appropriate circumstances (including circumstances beyond the scope of this Policy), and as permitted by applicable law, of any amounts from any employee, whether or not the


employee is a Senior Executive. For greater clarity, the provisions of this Policy apply to “former” employees of the Company as well to the extent such employees received incentive-based compensation that is subject to recoupment under this Policy.

This Policy is intended to apply to annual incentive compensation (or bonus) awards, long-term incentive performance awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), dividend equivalent rights, and any other similar awards or other compensation that the Board determines to be “incentive based” (including but not limited to, at the Board’s discretion, payments made under employment, severance, or change in control agreements), in every case to the extent awarded or paid by the Company on or after the Effective Date. Additional terms, conditions, and procedures providing for greater detail with respect to the implementation of the principles of this Policy may be set forth in the Company’s benefit plans, programs, and/or affected agreements.

Any recoupment under this Policy may be in addition to any other remedies that may be available to the Company under applicable law or in accordance with the terms of affected compensation plans, programs, or agreements, including disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.

The Board of Directors may delegate one or more of the duties or powers described in this Policy to one or more Committees of the Board consisting solely of independent directors.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.6

Form of Employment Agreement by and among

The TDL Group Corp., the Registrant and David F. Clanachan

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Between

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

And

TIM HORTONS INC.

And

DAVID F. CLANACHAN

An employment agreement was entered into as of December 5, 2006, by and between The TDL Group Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company (the “EMPLOYER”), TIM HORTONS INC., a Delaware corporation (“THI USA”) and David F. Clanachan, an individual (the “EXECUTIVE”). It was subsequently amended and restated in its entirety for compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), effective as of December 31, 2008 (the “Prior Agreement”). Effective as of September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, TIM HORTONS INC., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“THI”) is the publicly-traded ultimate parent company of the EMPLOYER. Effective as of September 28, 2009, this Agreement hereby replaces and supersedes the Prior Agreement, in its entirety.

RECITALS

(1) Certain subsidiaries of THI, including the EMPLOYER, are engaged in the business of owning, operating and franchising Tim Hortons retail outlets and carrying on ancillary activities incident thereto (the “Business”).

(2) The EXECUTIVE possesses unique skills, knowledge and experience relating to the Business.

(3) The EXECUTIVE is currently employed by the EMPLOYER, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of THI, and desires to continue to be employed by the EMPLOYER.

(4) Except as described in Section 18 to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be in addition to any other agreements the parties may have entered into prior to the date hereof, or may enter into prior to a CHANGE IN CONTROL as defined herein, regarding the EXECUTIVE’S employment.

(5) THI and EMPLOYER desire to be assured of the objectivity of the EXECUTIVE in evaluating a potential offer, the effect of which would be a change of control of THI, and advising whether or not he believes a potential change of control is in


the best interests of THI and its shareholders. THI and EMPLOYER further desire to be assured of the dedication of the EXECUTIVE to maximizing the value to be received by the shareholders of THI in the circumstances of negotiating or otherwise responding to a proposed change of control, and to be assured of the continuity of services of the EXECUTIVE during such time as a proposed change of control is under negotiation or otherwise pending.

(6) The EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the agreement of THI to be a party to this Agreement and to assume certain obligations hereunder, and the entitlements provided under this Agreement are for the benefit of the EXECUTIVE, and are sufficient additional consideration for the purposes of this Agreement; and (b) this Agreement is made and entered into by THI and EMPLOYER as a replacement of and to supersede, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement, which has terminated as agreed by the EXECUTIVE, as further described in Section 18 hereof.

(7) THI has agreed to enter into this Agreement with the EXECUTIVE for purposes Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 through 18 hereof.

In consideration of their mutual covenants expressed herein and for other consideration described herein and as otherwise given by the parties, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1. EXECUTIVE’S Rights to Continued Employment in the event of a CHANGE IN CONTROL of THI.

For purposes of this Agreement a “CHANGE IN CONTROL” shall mean the occurrence of:

 

  (a)

An acquisition (other than directly from THI) of any common shares or other voting securities of THI entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (the “Voting Securities”) by any Person (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , in determining whether a CHANGE IN CONTROL has occurred, common shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a CHANGE IN CONTROL. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (i) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) THI or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly,

 

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by THI (a “Subsidiary”), (ii) THI or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter defined);

 

  (b) The individuals who, as of September 28, 2009, are members of the Board of THI (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board; provided , however , that if the election, or nomination for election by THI shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further , however , that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of either an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

 

  (c) The consummation of:

 

  (i) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization with or into THI or in which securities of THI are issued (a “Merger”), unless such Merger is a “Non-Control Transaction.” A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a Merger where:

 

  (A) the shareholders of THI immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “Surviving THI”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such Merger,

 

  (B) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving THI, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving THI, and

 

  (C)

no Person other than (i) THI, (ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that, immediately prior to such Merger was maintained by THI or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person who, immediately prior to such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of THI’S then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of THI’S then

 

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outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding common shares of the Surviving THI or the combined voting power of the Surviving THI’S then outstanding voting securities;

 

  (ii) A complete liquidation or dissolution of THI; or

 

  (iii) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of THI to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI which, by reducing the number of common shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a CHANGE IN CONTROL would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by THI, and after such acquisition by THI, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common shares or Voting Securities which increases the percentage voting power of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall occur.

1.1 From and after the date of occurrence of a CHANGE IN CONTROL, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be employed, and the EXECUTIVE shall accept employment, with the duties, nature and place of such employment as described in Section 2 of this Agreement. Solely for purposes of this Agreement, the term of such employment, referred to hereinafter as the “EMPLOYMENT TERM,” shall commence on the date when the CHANGE IN CONTROL shall have occurred and shall end on the earlier of:

 

  (a) the second anniversary of the first to occur of:

 

  (i) the date when the occurrence of an event described in subparagraph (a) of Section 1 hereof shall be disclosed in (A) a Schedule 13D or other such similar or successor form promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or Ontario Securities Commission, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Washington, D.C. or (B) an insider report filed with the Ontario Securities Commission in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the duplicate of which is actually received by THI, or

 

  (ii) the date on which a transaction described in subparagraph (c) of Section 1 of this Agreement (other than a Non-Control Transaction) shall be consummated, or

 

4


  (iii) the first date on which at least thirty percent (30%) of the members of the Board of Directors of THI are not members of the Incumbent Board as described in subparagraph (b) of Section 1 of this Agreement; or

 

  (b) the date when the EMPLOYMENT TERM shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE without GOOD REASON (as such terms are defined in Section 4 of this Agreement); or

 

  (c) the death of the EXECUTIVE.

1.2 Termination Prior to a CHANGE IN CONTROL. If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER without CAUSE prior to the date of a CHANGE IN CONTROL but the EXECUTIVE reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a CHANGE IN CONTROL or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a CHANGE IN CONTROL which has been threatened or proposed, then:

 

  (a) if the EXECUTIVE is not subject to the tax laws of the United States on the date of a CHANGE IN CONTROL, such termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a CHANGE IN CONTROL for purposes of this Agreement provided a CHANGE IN CONTROL shall actually have occurred; and

 

  (b) if, and only to the extent, the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States on the date of a CHANGE IN CONTROL and such CHANGE IN CONTROL also constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (a “SECTION 409A CHANGE IN CONTROL”), the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Exhibit A , attached hereto and made a part hereof, and, except as provided in Exhibit A , shall not be entitled to any other payments or benefits described in Section 5 of this Agreement.

Section 2. Duties, Nature and Place of Employment. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall provide the EMPLOYER with such executive, financial, administrative, and consulting services in managing and directing the EMPLOYER’S business, which includes the provision of services on behalf of the EMPLOYER to THI or other THI Subsidiaries in respect of the Business, as may be required by the EXECUTIVE’S job description. as attached hereto, or as amended by the agreement of the parties hereafter, or reasonably requested and directed from time to time by action of the EMPLOYER’S Board of Directors. The EXECUTIVE shall at all times faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability and talent perform all of the duties that may be required or requested of him pursuant to the express terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such duties shall be performed in Oakville, Ontario and, on a periodic basis, at such other place or places as the

 

5


interests, needs, business and opportunities of EMPLOYER, or THI’S other Subsidiaries, shall reasonably require.

Section 3. Remuneration during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall receive from the EMPLOYER, the salary, benefits and perquisites being paid to or afforded him immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL, subject to annual review in the normal course of business as described in subsections 3.1 herein. Such salary shall be paid to the EXECUTIVE on the same days of each month as the EMPLOYER pays its other employees. The EXECUTIVE shall also be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan, not less favourable than such plan that EXECUTIVE was eligible for immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL. The EXECUTIVE shall also be entitled to all rights afforded him under the terms of any outstanding stock options granted him by THI and all incentive compensation and deferred compensation programs maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE was entitled to participate immediately preceding the CHANGE IN CONTROL, or successors to such programs.

3.1 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the THI Board of Directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, with input from the Chief Executive Officer, shall review annually the performance of the EXECUTIVE, which shall be reported to THI by the EMPLOYER, the results of operations and financial condition of THI, together with prevailing economic conditions and other factors, and consider and determine whether to accept or vary a recommendation of the EMPLOYER:

 

  (a) whether the EMPLOYER should increase EXECUTIVE’S salary, and

 

  (b) whether the EXECUTIVE should be paid a bonus pursuant to the applicable bonus plan.

3.2 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE, his spouse and dependent children to be enrolled in and covered by group life, hospitalization, major medical and disability income insurance coverages under insurance plans and executive physical examination plans not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

3.3 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause the EXECUTIVE to be a participant in one or more retirement income (pension) plans which afford participation and benefits to the EXECUTIVE on a basis not less favourable to the EXECUTIVE than the plans of such description in effect immediately prior to the date of occurrence of the CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

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3.4 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EMPLOYER shall cause reimbursement to be paid promptly to the EXECUTIVE for all expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with performing his duties pursuant hereto.

3.5 During the EMPLOYMENT TERM, in the event that the insurance and physical examination plan benefits required by paragraph 3.2, above, or the retirement income (pension) plan benefits required by paragraph 3.3, above, are not actually available to the EXECUTIVE under the terms of the plan(s) or applicable law, then the EMPLOYER shall make available to the EXECUTIVE an equivalent benefit, or an amount of cash consideration sufficient to fund or purchase an equivalent benefit, computed as if he had received a full year of service (for vesting and benefit purposes) for each of his years of service with EMPLOYER, or any other affiliate or Subsidiary or THI, including any years for which he is entitled to payment under Section 3 during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. If, and only to the extent, the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States at the time payments or benefits are claimed under this Agreement, any cash payment pursuant to this paragraph 3.5 shall be made in accordance with the regular payroll policies of the EMPLOYER.

Section 4. Termination of Employment of the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM. The EXECUTIVE’S employment hereunder may be terminated during the EMPLOYMENT TERM under the following circumstances:

4.1 Cause . The EMPLOYER may terminate the EXECUTIVE’S employment under this Agreement for “CAUSE.” A termination for CAUSE is a termination by reason of the good faith determination by the EMPLOYER, subject to the approval of the THI Board of Directors, that the EXECUTIVE (a) willfully and continually failed to substantially perform his duties with the EMPLOYER (other than a failure resulting from the EXECUTIVE’S incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the EXECUTIVE by the EMPLOYER, with the prior approval of the THI Board of Directors, which specifically identifies the manner in which the EMPLOYER believes that the EXECUTIVE has not substantially performed his duties and such failure substantially to perform continues for at least fourteen (14) days, or (b) has willfully engaged in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the EMPLOYER or THI, monetarily or otherwise, or (c) has otherwise materially breached this Agreement (including, without limitation, a voluntary termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EXECUTIVE during the EMPLOYMENT TERM). No act, nor failure to act, on the EXECUTIVE’S part, shall be considered “willful” unless he has acted, or failed to act, with an absence of good faith and without a reasonable belief that his action or failure to act was in the best interest of the EMPLOYER and THI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall not be deemed to have been terminated for CAUSE unless and until (1) there shall have been delivered to the EXECUTIVE a copy of a written NOTICE OF TERMINATION (as defined in Section 4.3 below), which, with respect to termination under this Section 4.1 only, sets forth that the EXECUTIVE was guilty of conduct set forth above in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the first sentence of this Section 4.1 and specifies

 

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the particulars thereof in detail, and (2) the EXECUTIVE shall have been provided an opportunity to be heard by the Board of Directors of THI (with the assistance of the EXECUTIVE’S counsel).

4.2 (a) Good Reason . The EXECUTIVE may terminate his employment for “GOOD REASON.” For purposes of this Agreement, GOOD REASON shall mean the occurrence after a CHANGE IN CONTROL of any of the events or conditions described in Subsections (1) through (5) hereof without the EXECUTIVE’S express written consent:

 

  (1) a change in the EXECUTIVE’S status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, does not represent a promotion from his status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the EXECUTIVE of any duties or responsibilities which, in the EXECUTIVE’S reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the EXECUTIVE from or failure to reappoint or reelect him to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of his employment for DISABILITY, CAUSE, as a result of his death, or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON;

 

  (2) a reduction by the EMPLOYER in the EXECUTIVE’S base salary as in effect immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter;

 

  (3) the EMPLOYER requiring the EXECUTIVE to be based at any place outside a 50 kilometre radius from the EXECUTIVE’S business office location immediately prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL, except for reasonably required travel on the EMPLOYER’S behalf, or on behalf of another Subsidiary of THI (or its successor’s) business (or the business of any successor to THI as the controlling voting shareholder (whether direct or indirect) of the EMPLOYER) which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the CHANGE IN CONTROL;

 

  (4) the failure by the EMPLOYER to continue to provide the EXECUTIVE with compensation and benefits substantially similar (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under this Agreement and those provided to him under any of the employee benefit plans in which the EXECUTIVE becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the EMPLOYER which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the EXECUTIVE of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by him at the time of the CHANGE IN CONTROL; or

 

  (5) any material breach by THI or the EMPLOYER of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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(b) The EXECUTIVE’S right to terminate his employment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

4.3 Notice of Termination . Any purported termination by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE shall be communicated by written NOTICE OF TERMINATION to the other. For purposes of this Agreement, a “NOTICE OF TERMINATION” shall mean a notice which indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment under the provision so indicated. If the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated by the EMPLOYER for any reason, NOTICE OF TERMINATION must be given at least 30 days prior to the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE (as defined below). For purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination, other than due to the EXECUTIVE’S death, shall be effective without such NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

4.4 Termination Date, Etc.  “TERMINATION DATE” shall mean, (a) the date of the EXECUTIVE’S death or (b) if the EXECUTIVE’S employment is terminated for any reason other than due to death, the date specified in the NOTICE OF TERMINATION.

Section 5. Compensation Upon Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, if, and only to the extent, the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States on the TERMINATION DATE, any reference to termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment or any form thereof shall mean a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) with the EMPLOYER and all persons with whom the EMPLOYER would be considered a single employer under Sections 414(b) and (c) of the Code. Subject to Section 8.5, upon termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment during the EMPLOYMENT TERM, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the following benefits:

5.1 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated by the EMPLOYER for CAUSE or by the EXECUTIVE other than for GOOD REASON, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE, and THI and the EMPLOYER shall have no further obligations to the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement. The EXECUTIVE’S benefits thereafter shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.2 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment terminates by reason of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus any benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any compensation or benefit plan have been earned or become payable, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION

 

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DATE occurs had he continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, payable at the same time that such bonuses or awards are payable to other employees of the EMPLOYER. In the case of the EXECUTIVE’S death, the EXECUTIVE’S beneficiaries’ benefits shall be determined in accordance with the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans and other applicable programs and practices then in effect.

5.3 If the EXECUTIVE’S employment shall be terminated (i) by the EMPLOYER other than for CAUSE or death, or (ii) by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON, then the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the benefits provided below:

 

  (a) the EMPLOYER shall pay the EXECUTIVE his full base salary and accrued vacation pay through the TERMINATION DATE, plus the benefits or awards which pursuant to the terms of any of the EMPLOYER’S compensation or benefit plans have been earned or become payable as if all objectives including the completion of the award cycle thereunder had been met, but which have not yet been paid to the EXECUTIVE, and a pro rata portion of any bonus or incentive award that the EXECUTIVE would have been entitled to receive in respect of the calendar year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs had he continued in employment until the end of such calendar year, calculated as if all performance targets under the applicable plan had been fully met at the target level by THI, by the EMPLOYER and/or by the EXECUTIVE, as applicable; provided , however , that the bonus payment provided for in this Section 5.3(a) shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount, if any, payable to the EXECUTIVE in respect of the year in which the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE occurs under the provisions of any other bonus or incentive plan, as applicable.

 

  (b) as severance pay and in lieu of any further salary for periods subsequent to the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount in cash equal to two times the greater of (I) the sum of (A) the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and (B) annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given, or (II) the sum of (A) the average of the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual base salary for each of the two years prior thereto; and (B) the average of the annual target bonus amount in effect at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given and the EXECUTIVE’S annual target bonus amount for each of the two years prior thereto.

 

  (c)

as additional severance, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in a single payment an amount equal to the present value of the employer contributions the EXECUTIVE would have accrued under the EMPLOYER’S registered pension plan and supplemental plan, if any, if he had remained an employee for two years following the TERMINATION DATE. For purposes

 

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of this determination, the base salary of the EXECUTIVE over this period shall be equal to his base salary in effect at the TERMINATION DATE, and the employee contribution rate of the EXECUTIVE under the registered pension plan shall be equal to the contribution rate in effect at the TERMINATION DATE. Present values shall be determined using a discount rate equal to the interest rate recommended by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries for the computation of transfer values from a registered pension plan.

 

  (d)

for the two years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall at its expense continue on behalf of the EXECUTIVE and his dependents and beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and hospitalization benefits which were being provided to the EXECUTIVE at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The benefits provided in this Section 5.3(d) shall be no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the coverage provided the EXECUTIVE under the EMPLOYER’S plans providing such benefits at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, and only to the extent, the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States on the TERMINATION DATE, (I) any amounts or benefits that will be paid or provided under this Section 5.3(d) with respect to health or dental coverage after completion of the time period described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B) and (II) any other amounts or benefits that will be paid or provided under this Section 5.3(d) shall be subject to the following requirements: (A) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or benefits provided during any taxable year of the EXECUTIVE may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or benefits to be provided in any other taxable year of the EXECUTIVE; (B) any reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable year of the EXECUTIVE following the taxable year of the EXECUTIVE in which the expense was incurred; and (C) the right to such reimbursement or benefit may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. The EMPLOYER’S obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall be limited to the extent that the EXECUTIVE obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer’s benefit plans, in which case the EMPLOYER may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the EXECUTIVE hereunder as long as the aggregate coverage of the combined benefit plans is no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the coverage which would be provided hereunder by the EMPLOYER to the EXECUTIVE at the time the NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Except as expressly set forth above, this paragraph (d) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the EXECUTIVE or his dependents may be entitled under any of the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the EXECUTIVE’S termination of employment. Where such benefits as

 

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contemplated in this section 5.3(d) are not available to EXECUTIVE as a result of EXECUTIVE not being employed by the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER shall pay, in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE, the present value of the cost of such benefits, had they been available under the same terms and conditions and the EMPLOYER benefit plans, and net of any required contribution by the EXECUTIVE.

 

  (e) for the two years following the TERMINATION DATE, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in accordance with the regular payroll policies of the EMPLOYER a monthly allowance equal to a pre-determined monthly amount for the car payment, gas, maintenance and insurance for the grade level of the EXECUTIVE, established by the EMPLOYER from time to time, to replace the benefit of the car being used by the EXECUTIVE prior to the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE shall return the car being used by such EXECUTIVE to the EMPLOYER upon the TERMINATION DATE.

5.4 The amounts provided for in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3(a), (b) and (c) shall be paid within ten days after the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if, and only to the extent, the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States on the TERMINATION DATE and is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and as determined under the THI’S policy for determining specified employees), on the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE, and the EXECUTIVE is entitled to a payment and/or a benefit under this Agreement that is required to be delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such payment or benefit, as the case may be, shall not be paid or provided (or begin to be paid or provided) until the first business day of the seventh month following the EXECUTIVE’S TERMINATION DATE (or, if earlier, the date of the EXECUTIVE’S death). The first payment that can be made to the EXECUTIVE following such postponement period shall include the cumulative amount of any payments or benefits that could not be paid or provided during such postponement period due to the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code.

5.5 The EXECUTIVE shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and no such payment, except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.3(d) hereof, shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the EXECUTIVE in any subsequent employment.

Section 6. Effect of a CHANGE IN CONTROL. Upon the occurrence of any CHANGE IN CONTROL, (a) any options to purchase shares of THI and any stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units, or other equity award granted by THI to the EXECUTIVE, which are not yet fully vested and exercisable, shall

 

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become fully vested and exercisable, and (b) any restrictions remaining at that time on any stock awarded to the EXECUTIVE by THI shall lapse.

Section 7. Fees and Expenses. The EMPLOYER shall pay all reasonable legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel) incurred in good faith by the EXECUTIVE as a result of (a) the termination of the EXECUTIVE’S employment by the EMPLOYER or by the EXECUTIVE for GOOD REASON (including all such fees and expenses, if any, incurred in contesting, defending or disputing the basis for any such termination of employment), or (b) the EXECUTIVE seeking to obtain or enforce any right or benefit provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the EMPLOYER under which the EXECUTIVE is or may be entitled to receive benefits in accordance with the terms hereof: provided , however , that such payments by EMPLOYER of reasonable legal fees and related expenses of EXECUTIVE shall be required only to the extent that the EXECUTIVE is determined, by non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction or through a properly conducted arbitration proceeding, to be the prevailing party in any claim, dispute or action relating to matters described in items (a) or (b) above. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7 to the contrary, if, and only to the extent, the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States on the TERMINATION DATE, any legal fees and related expenses that will be provided to the EXECUTIVE under this Section 7 shall be subject to the following requirements: (I) the legal fees and related expenses eligible for reimbursement or other benefits provided must relate to a claim or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement within the applicable statute of limitations period; (II) the amount of legal fees and related expenses provided or eligible for reimbursement during any taxable year of the EXECUTIVE may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or benefits to be provided in any other taxable year of the EXECUTIVE; (III) any reimbursement of legal fees and related expenses shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable year of the EXECUTIVE following the taxable year of the EXECUTIVE in which the legal fees and related expenses were incurred; and (IV) the right to such reimbursement or benefit may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

Section 8. Protection of Business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:

8.1 At all times during the EMPLOYMENT TERM while the EXECUTIVE is employed by the EMPLOYER, the EXECUTIVE will not participate as a partner, joint venturer, officer, director, employee, or representative, or have any direct financial interest in, any business or enterprise conducting a quick service restaurant business in the United States or Canada, other than a business or enterprise engaged in operating restaurants under a franchise granted by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person; provided, that the ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of a public corporation shall

 

13


not be a violation of this subparagraph so long as (a) the EXECUTIVE does not own, directly or indirectly, more than five percent (5%) of any class of the securities of such corporation, and (b) the value of such securities does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the net worth of the EXECUTIVE; and provided further that ownership by EXECUTIVE of securities of THI or any successor to THI by merger or other form of transaction contemplated by subparagraph (a) or (c) of Section 1 hereof shall not be a violation of this subparagraph.

8.2 The EXECUTIVE will not at any time (during or after the expiration of the EMPLOYMENT TERM) divulge, disclose, reveal or communicate to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, directly or indirectly, any trade secrets or other information which the EXECUTIVE may have obtained during the course of his employment by the EMPLOYER in respect of any matters affecting or relating to the quick service restaurant business and/or, in particular, the businesses of the EMPLOYER and any affiliated person, including, without limitation, any of their plans, policies, business practices, finances, recipes, methods of operation, franchises or other information known to the EXECUTIVE to be considered by the EMPLOYER, or any affiliated person to be confidential information.

8.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the EXECUTIVE shall be required to pre-clear with the senior attorney in THI’S securities practice group (the “Senior Attorney”), or his/her designee, any trades in the securities of THI of which the EXECUTIVE is the legal or beneficial owner, or any securities of any successor of THI following a CHANGE IN CONTROL, for a period of 12 months following the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE may not effectuate trades where the Senior Attorney or his/her designee has not provided a permissive trading recommendation. It is the EXECUTIVE’S obligation and responsibility to comply with all applicable securities laws, including but not limited to insider reporting requirements, for so long as, and to the extent, applicable.

8.4 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the restrictions on competition and other restrictions imposed upon the EXECUTIVE by this Section 8 may be enforced by the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its Subsidiaries by an action for an injunction, it being agreed (in view of the general practical impossibility of determining by computation or legal proof of the exact amount of damages, if any, resulting to the EMPLOYER, THI or any of its Subsidiaries from a violation by the EXECUTIVE of the provisions of this Section 8) that there would be no adequate remedy at law for any breach by the EXECUTIVE of any such restriction.

8.5 Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, the EXECUTIVE acknowledges and agrees that THI’S Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation originally adopted by the Board of Directors of THI USA on February 19, 2008 and assumed and adopted by the Board of Directors of THI on September 28, 2009 (the “Recoupment Policy”) (a) is binding on the EXECUTIVE, (b) the EXECUTIVE is a “Senior Executive” under such Recoupment Policy, (c) all performance-based compensation awarded to the EXECUTIVE in accordance with the terms and conditions

 

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of this Agreement or otherwise under any incentive, bonus or other plan of THI or its Subsidiaries are subject to the Recoupment Policy, and (d) the Recoupment Policy is hereby attached as Exhibit B and is made part of this Agreement.

Section 9. Notices and Payments. All payments required or permitted to be made under the provisions of this Agreement, and all notices and other communications required or permitted to be given or delivered under this Agreement to the EMPLOYER or to the EXECUTIVE, which notices or communications must be in writing, shall be deemed to have been given if delivered by hand, or mailed by first class mail, addressed as follows:

9.1 if to the EMPLOYER, to:

Chief Executive Officer

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

With a copy to:

Secretary

The TDL Group Corp.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

9.2 if to EXECUTIVE, to:

 

David F. Clanachan   
    
    

The EMPLOYER or the EXECUTIVE may, by notice given to the others from time to time, designate a different address for making payments required to be made, and for the giving of notices or other communications required or permitted to be given, to the party designating such new address. Any payment, notice or other communication required or permitted to be given in accordance with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given if and when placed in the U.S. or Canadian Mail (as applicable), addressed and mailed as provided above.

Section 10. Payroll Taxes. Any payment required or permitted to be made or given to the EXECUTIVE pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the withholding and other requirements of applicable laws, and to the deduction requirements of any benefit plan maintained by the EMPLOYER in which the EXECUTIVE is a participant, and to all reporting, filing and other requirements in respect of such payments, and the EMPLOYER or THI, as applicable, shall promptly satisfy all such requirements.

 

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Section 11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario.

Section 12. Duplicate Originals. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but all of which, taken together, shall constitute a single instrument.

Section 13. Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included only for convenience of reference and do not define, limit, explain or modify this Agreement or its interpretation, construction or meaning.

Section 14. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision to any person or any circumstances shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, then such determination shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application of said provision to any other person or circumstance, all of which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. It is the intention of THI, the EMPLOYER and the EXECUTIVE that if any provision of this Agreement is susceptible of two or more constructions, one of which would render the provision enforceable and other or others of which would render the provision unenforceable, then the provision shall have the meaning which renders it enforceable.

Section 15. Number and Gender. When used in this Agreement, the number and gender of each pronoun shall be construed to be such number and gender as the context, circumstances or its antecedent may require.

Section 16. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, successors and assigns) of THI and the EMPLOYER; provided, however, that the obligations of this Agreement may not be transferred by THI or the EMPLOYER, except in accordance with the following proviso: provided further, however, that if THI or the EMPLOYER transfers to any other person substantially all of its assets and/or business by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise, THI or the EMPLOYER, as applicable, must transfer its obligations hereunder to such other person and such other person must accept such transfer and assume the obligations of the EMPLOYER, and of THI, if applicable, imposed hereby, resulting in a permissible assignment and transfer of this Agreement by THI and/or the EMPLOYER, as applicable. THI or the EMPLOYER shall notify the EXECUTIVE in writing within thirty (30) days following any transfer of business and assets that the transferee has accepted the transfer and assumption of the EMPLOYER’S, and of THI’S, if applicable, obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs and assigns (including successive, as well as

 

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immediate, assigns) of the EXECUTIVE; provided, however, that the rights of the EXECUTIVE under this Agreement may be assigned only to his personal representative or by will or pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution.

Section 17. Arbitration. All matters in difference between the parties in relation to this Agreement shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator if the parties agree upon one, otherwise to three arbitrators, one to be appointed by each party and a third to be chosen by the first two named before they enter upon the business of arbitration. Such arbitration shall take place in the City of Toronto, or as the parties may otherwise agree in writing. The award and determination of the arbitrator or arbitrators or any two of the three arbitrators shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. During the pendency of such arbitration proceedings, the EXECUTIVE shall be entitled to the full benefits provided by the Agreement.

Section 18. Termination of Prior Agreement and Wendy’s Prior Agreement. EXECUTIVE, THI, and the EMPLOYER hereby acknowledge, understand, and agree that (i) this Agreement replaces and supersedes, in its entirety, the Prior Agreement; (ii) the Prior Agreement is terminated and is of no further force and effect as of the date of the corporate reorganization which occurred on September 28, 2009; (iii) in accordance with the terms of the Prior Agreement, the Prior Agreement replaced, superseded and terminated the EXECUTIVE’S prior employment agreement with Wendy’s International (the “Wendy’s Prior Agreement”) and the Wendy’s Prior Agreement was terminated and was of no further force and effect as of the date of the spinoff of THI USA from Wendy’s on September 29, 2006; and (iv) none of the EXECUTIVE, THI USA, THI, Wendy’s nor the EMPLOYER shall have any further rights, obligations, responsibilities or duties under the Prior Agreement or the Wendy’s Prior Agreement.

Section 19. Section 409A of the Code. In the event the EXECUTIVE is subject to the tax laws of the United States at the time payments or benefits are claimed under this Agreement, it is intended that any amounts payable or benefits provided under this Agreement shall comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent applicable, and this Agreement will be interpreted, administered and operated accordingly. None of THI, the EMPLOYER, or the Boards of Directors of THI and the EMPLOYER shall have any liability to the EXECUTIVE with respect to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

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

 

EMPLOYER:

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

By:    
Print Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE:
 
David F. Clanachan, an individual

THI:

TIM HORTONS INC.

By:    
Print Name:
Title:  

 

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EXHIBIT A

If the terms and conditions of this Exhibit A apply pursuant to Section 1.2(b) of the employment agreement with David F. Clanachan (the “Agreement”), of which this Exhibit A is a part, then David F. Clanachan (the “EXECUTIVE”) shall be entitled to the benefits provided below and, except as provided below, shall not be entitled to any other payments or benefits described in Section 5 of the Agreement:

 

  (a) the amounts described in Sections 5.3(a), (b) and (c) of the Agreement shall be payable within ten days after the SECTION 409A CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

  (b)

for the two years following the SECTION 409A CHANGE IN CONTROL, the EMPLOYER shall at its expense continue on behalf of the EXECUTIVE and his dependents and beneficiaries the life insurance, disability, medical, dental and hospitalization benefits which were being provided to the EXECUTIVE at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. The benefits provided in this subsection (b) shall be no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE, in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the coverage provided the EXECUTIVE under the EMPLOYER’S plans providing such benefits at the time NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (I) any amounts or benefits that will be paid or provided under this subsection (b) with respect to health or dental coverage after completion of the time period described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B) and (II) any other amounts or benefits that will be paid or provided under this subsection (b) shall be subject to the following requirements: (A) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or benefits provided during any taxable year of the EXECUTIVE may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or benefits to be provided in any other taxable year of the EXECUTIVE; (B) any reimbursement of an eligible expense shall be made on or before the last day of the taxable year of the EXECUTIVE following the taxable year of the EXECUTIVE in which the expense was incurred; and (C) the right to such reimbursement or benefit may not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. The EMPLOYER’S obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing benefits shall be limited to the extent that the EXECUTIVE obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer’s benefit plans, in which case the EMPLOYER may reduce the coverage of any benefits it is required to provide the EXECUTIVE hereunder as long as the aggregate coverage of the combined benefit plans is no less favourable to the EXECUTIVE in terms of amounts and deductibles and costs to him, than the coverage which would be provided hereunder by the EMPLOYER to the EXECUTIVE at the time the NOTICE OF TERMINATION is given. Except as expressly set forth above, this subsection (b) shall not be interpreted so as to limit any benefits to which the EXECUTIVE or his dependents may be entitled under any of the EMPLOYER’S employee benefit plans, programs or practices following the EXECUTIVE’S termination of employment. Where such benefits as


 

contemplated in this subsection (b) are not available to EXECUTIVE as a result of EXECUTIVE not being employed by the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER shall pay, in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following the Section 409A Change in Control, the present value of the cost of such benefits, had they been available under the same terms and conditions and the EMPLOYER benefit plans, and net of any required contribution by the EXECUTIVE.

 

  (c) for the two years following the SECTION 409A CHANGE IN CONTROL, the EMPLOYER shall pay to the EXECUTIVE in accordance with the regular payroll policies of the EMPLOYER a monthly allowance equal to a pre-determined monthly amount for the car payment, gas, maintenance and insurance for the grade level of the EXECUTIVE, established by the EMPLOYER from time to time, to replace the benefit of the car being used by the EXECUTIVE prior to the TERMINATION DATE. The EXECUTIVE shall return the car being used by such EXECUTIVE to the EMPLOYER upon the TERMINATION DATE.

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Exhibit A shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT B

Tim Hortons Inc.

Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation

(Effective Date: February 19, 2009)

If the Company’s financial statements are required to be restated for any reason, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tim Hortons Inc. (the “Company”) will review all performance-based compensation awarded to or earned by Senior Executives (as defined below) for all fiscal periods materially affected by the restatement.

If the Board determines that the payment of such performance-based compensation was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently corrected as part of a restatement and a lower incentive payment or award would have been made to Senior Executives based upon the restated financial results, then, the Board will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, seek recoupment from the Senior Executives for the extent of such performance-based compensation as it deems appropriate, after a review of all relevant facts and circumstances.

Generally, this review would include consideration of:

 

   

The Board’s determination of the amount of performance-based compensation that would have been awarded to or earned by the Senior Executive had the financial statements been properly reported in the first instance;

 

   

The nature of the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

The conduct of the Senior Executive in connection with the events that led to the restatement;

 

   

Whether the assertion of recoupment (or a resulting claim) against the Senior Executive could prejudice the Company’s overall interests and whether other penalties or punishments are being imposed on the Senior Executive, including by third parties such as regulators or other authorities; and

 

   

Any other facts and circumstances that the Board deems relevant.

For purposes of this Policy, “Senior Executives” means the Company’s executive officers (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other principal corporate officers (as elected by the Board), and other key employees and former employees who are designated from time to time by the Board or Chief Executive Officer. Nothing contained in this Policy will limit the Company’s ability to seek recoupment, in appropriate circumstances (including circumstances beyond the scope of this Policy), and


as permitted by applicable law, of any amounts from any employee, whether or not the employee is a Senior Executive. For greater clarity, the provisions of this Policy apply to “former” employees of the Company as well to the extent such employees received incentive-based compensation that is subject to recoupment under this Policy.

This Policy is intended to apply to annual incentive compensation (or bonus) awards, long-term incentive performance awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (including performance-based restricted stock units), dividend equivalent rights, and any other similar awards or other compensation that the Board determines to be “incentive based” (including but not limited to, at the Board’s discretion, payments made under employment, severance, or change in control agreements), in every case to the extent awarded or paid by the Company on or after the Effective Date. Additional terms, conditions, and procedures providing for greater detail with respect to the implementation of the principles of this Policy may be set forth in the Company’s benefit plans, programs, and/or affected agreements.

Any recoupment under this Policy may be in addition to any other remedies that may be available to the Company under applicable law or in accordance with the terms of affected compensation plans, programs, or agreements, including disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.

The Board of Directors may delegate one or more of the duties or powers described in this Policy to one or more Committees of the Board consisting solely of independent directors.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.7

TIM HORTONS INC.

2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Amended and Restated as of September 28, 2009

Section 1. Purpose . The purpose of the Tim Hortons Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) is to strengthen Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ Company ”) by providing an incentive to the employees and directors of the Company and the employees of its subsidiaries (the “ Subsidiaries ”) and thereby encouraging them to devote their abilities and industry to the success of the Company’s and that of its Subsidiaries’ business enterprises. It is intended that this purpose be achieved by extending to Eligible Individuals (as defined herein) an added long-term incentive for high levels of performance and unusual efforts through the grant of Restricted Stock, Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Performance Awards, Share Awards, and Stock Units (as each term is herein defined). Effective September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, the Company assumed all of the obligations of Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ THI ”) under the Plan and all of the Prior Agreements. This Plan is hereby amended and restated effective as of September 28, 2009 to reflect, among other modifications, the obligations assumed by the Company under the Plan and the Prior Agreements.

Section 2. Administration of the Plan .

2.1. Committee Composition; Powers . The Plan shall be administered by the Human Resource and Compensation Committee (the “ Committee ”) of the Board. The members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, which shall have the power at any time, or from time to time, to remove members from the Committee or to add members thereto. Each member of the Committee shall be a Nonemployee Director and shall satisfy any applicable stock exchange requirements. The Committee shall construe and interpret the Plan, establish such operating guidelines and rules as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and make such determinations and take such other action in connection with the Plan as it deems necessary and advisable. It shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom and the time or times at which Awards and Options shall be granted, the number of Shares to be subject to each Award and Option, the terms and conditions of each Award and Option and the duration of leaves of absence which may be granted to Grantees and Optionees without constituting a termination of their employment, or status as a director for purposes of the Plan. Any such construction, interpretation, rule, determination or other action taken by the Committee pursuant to the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all interested parties, including without limitation the Company and all Grantees and Optionees. With respect to Options and other Awards that are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee shall be comprised of individuals who qualify as “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. In its sole discretion, the Committee may delegate any administrative or ministerial duties associated with the Plan, as well as determinations under the Plan that are not material and do not relate to Executive Officers, to any person (including any Eligible Individuals) it deems appropriate; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate any duties that it is required to discharge to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code or any other applicable law.


2.2. Committee Action . Actions by a majority of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or actions approved in writing by all of the members of the Committee, shall be the valid acts of the Committee. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award or Option granted under it.

Section 3. Maximum Number of Shares Subject to Plan .

3.1. Number of Shares Authorized for Issuance. Subject to any adjustment as provided in the Plan, the Shares to be issued under the Plan may be, in whole or in part, authorized but unissued Shares, Shares which have been otherwise acquired by or on behalf a trust established by either of the Company or a Subsidiary and held for future delivery, or Shares acquired by delivery of cash to a broker to acquire Shares on behalf of employees and/or directors. The aggregate number of Shares that may be made the subject of Awards or Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 2,900,000, and not more than 1,000,000 Shares may be made the subject of Incentive Stock Option Awards under the Plan. The number of Shares that may be the subject of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted to an Eligible Individual in any calendar year may not exceed 250,000 Shares. The number of Shares that may be the subject of Performance Shares granted to an Eligible Individual in any calendar year may not exceed 250,000 Shares. The dollar amount of cash or the Fair Market Value of Shares that any Eligible Individual may receive in any calendar year in respect of Performance Units denominated in dollars may not exceed U.S. $4,000,000.

3.2. Calculating Shares Available .

(i) Upon the granting of an Award or an Option, the number of Shares available under this Section 3 for the granting of further Awards and Options shall be reduced as follows:

(a) In connection with the granting of an Award or an Option (other than the granting of a Performance Unit denominated in dollars or Dividend Equivalent Rights), the number of Shares available under this Section 3 for the granting of further Options and Awards shall be reduced by the number of Shares in respect of which the Option or Award is granted or denominated; provided, however , that if any Option is exercised by tendering Shares, either actually or by attestation, to the Company as full or partial payment of the Option Price, the maximum number of Shares available under this Section 3 shall be increased by the number of Shares so tendered.

(b) In connection with the granting of a Performance Unit denominated in dollars, the number of Shares available under this Section 3 for the granting of further Options and Awards initially shall be reduced by an amount equal to the quotient of (i) the dollar amount in which the Performance Unit is denominated, divided by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Performance Unit is granted, with a corresponding adjustment if the Performance Unit is ultimately settled in whole or in part with a different number of Shares.

(c) In connection with the granting of a Dividend Equivalent Right, the number of Shares available under this Section 3 shall not be reduced; provided ,

 

2


however , that if Shares are issued in settlement of a Dividend Equivalent Right, the number of Shares available for the granting of further Options and Awards under this Section 3 shall be reduced by the number of Shares so issued.

(ii) Whenever any outstanding Option or Award or portion thereof expires, is canceled, is settled in cash (including the settlement of tax withholding obligations using Shares) or is otherwise terminated for any reason without having been exercised or payment having been made in respect of the entire Option or Award, the Shares allocable to the expired, canceled, settled or otherwise terminated portion of the Option or Award may again be the subject of Options or Awards granted hereunder. In addition, upon settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right in Shares, the excess of the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right over the number of Shares issued in settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right may again be the subject of Options or Awards granted hereunder.

Section 4. Restricted Stock; Stock Units .

4.1. Restricted Stock . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may grant to any Eligible Individual an Award of Restricted Stock, which shall be evidenced by an Agreement. Each Agreement shall contain such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its discretion, determine (including that the Award of Restricted Stock is intended to be a Performance Award and meet the requirements set forth in Section 9) and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) such Agreements may require that an appropriate legend be placed on Share certificates. Awards of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the terms and provisions set forth below in this Section 4.1.

(i) Rights of Grantee . Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to an Award hereunder shall be issued in the name of the Grantee as soon as reasonably practicable after the Award is granted, provided that the Grantee has executed any and all documents which the Committee may require as a condition to the issuance of such Shares, which may include an Agreement evidencing the Award, the appropriate blank share transfer powers and an escrow agreement. If a Grantee shall fail to execute any documents which the Committee may require within the time period prescribed by the Committee at the time the Award of Restricted Stock is granted, the Award shall be null and void. At the discretion of the Committee, Shares issued in connection with an Award of Restricted Stock shall be deposited together with the share transfer powers with an escrow agent (which may be the Company) designated by the Committee. Unless the Committee determines otherwise as set forth in the Agreement, upon delivery of the Shares to the escrow agent (which may be in the form of book entry Shares), the Grantee shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote the Shares and to receive all dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.

(ii) Non-Transferability . Until all restrictions upon the Shares of Restricted Stock awarded to a Grantee shall have lapsed in the manner set forth in Section 4.1(iii), such Shares shall not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

 

3


(iii) Lapse of Restrictions .

(a) Generally . Restrictions upon Shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereunder shall lapse at such time or times and on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine. The Agreement evidencing the Award shall set forth any such restrictions (including any restrictions based on the attainment of one or more Performance Objectives during a specified Performance Cycle).

(b) Effect of Change in Control . Upon a Change in Control, the restrictions upon Shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse.

(iv) Treatment of Dividends . At the time an Award of Shares of Restricted Stock is granted, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the payment to the Grantee of dividends, or a specified portion thereof, declared or paid on such Shares by the Company shall be (a) deferred until the lapsing of the restrictions imposed upon such Shares and (b) held by the Company for the account of the Grantee until such time. In the event that dividends are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine whether such dividends are to be reinvested in Shares (which shall be held as additional Shares of Restricted Stock) or held in cash. If deferred dividends are to be held in cash, there may be credited interest on the amount of the account at such times and at a rate per annum as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine. Payment of deferred dividends in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock (whether held in cash or as additional Shares of Restricted Stock), together with interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be made upon the lapsing of restrictions imposed on the Shares in respect of which the deferred dividends were paid, and any dividends deferred (together with any interest accrued thereon) in respect of any Shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of such Shares.

(v) Delivery of Shares . Upon the lapse of the restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee shall cause a share certificate or evidence of book entry Shares to be delivered to the Grantee with respect to such Shares of Restricted Stock, free of all restrictions hereunder.

4.2. Stock Unit Awards .

(i) Grant . The Committee, from time to time, may grant to any Eligible Individual an Award of Stock Units, which shall be evidenced by an Agreement. Any Award of Stock Units shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, and further subject to such other conditions as may be established by the Committee in connection with such Award, including, but not limited to, the attainment of Performance Objectives prior to the anticipated grant date of the Award or at any other time (including with respect to a specified Performance Cycle) as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Each Agreement shall contain such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its discretion, determine (including that the Award of Stock Units is intended to be a Performance Award and meet the requirements set forth in Section 9).

(ii) Payment of Awards . Each Stock Unit shall represent the right of the Grantee to receive a payment upon vesting of the Stock Unit or on any later date specified

 

4


by the Committee (in an applicable Agreement or otherwise) equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the date the Stock Unit was granted, the vesting date or such other date as determined by the Committee at the time the Stock Unit was granted. The Committee may, at the time a Stock Unit is granted, provide a limitation on the amount payable in respect of each Stock Unit. The Committee may provide for the settlement of Stock Units in cash or with Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the payment to which the Grantee has become entitled, or a combination thereof.

(iii) Effect of Change in Control . Upon a Change in Control, Stock Units shall become fully vested.

Section 5. [Intentionally Deleted ]

Section 6. Option Grants to Eligible Individuals .

6.1. Selection of Optionees . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may grant Options to any Eligible Individual. In determining the persons to whom Options shall be granted and the number of Shares to be covered by each Option, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by such persons, their present and potential contribution to the success and growth of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and such other factors as the Committee, in its discretion, shall deem relevant. Any Eligible Individual who has been granted an Option under a prior stock option plan of the Company may be granted an additional Option or Options under the Plan if the Committee shall so determine.

6.2. Option Requirements . The Options granted pursuant to this Section 6 shall be authorized by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Agreement, which Agreement shall include the following terms and conditions:

(i) Optionee . Each Agreement shall state the name of the Optionee to whom the Option has been granted.

(ii) Number of Shares . Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which that Option pertains.

(iii) Purchase Price . Each Agreement shall state the Option Price, which shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by such Option on the date of grant of such Option.

(iv) Length of Option . Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.3, each Option granted pursuant to this Section 6 shall be granted for a period to be determined by the Committee but in no event to exceed more than ten (10) years. However, each Option shall be exercisable only during such portion of its term as the Committee shall determine and, subject to Section 11, only if the Optionee is employed by the Company or a Subsidiary at the time of such exercise. The Committee may, subsequent to the granting of any Option, extend the exercise period thereof, but in no event shall the exercise period as so extended exceed the earlier of (1) the latest date upon which the Option could have expired by its original terms

 

5


under any circumstances (including the circumstances described in Section 6.2(v)) or (2) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the Option.

(v) Exercise of Option . Each Optionee shall have the right to exercise his or her Option at the time or times and in the manner specified in the Plan or in the Agreement evidencing such Option. The Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any Option granted to an Eligible Individual or any portion thereof at any time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, unless otherwise specified in the Agreement evidencing the Option, if an Option (other than an Incentive Stock Option) expires outside of a Trading Window, then the expiration of the term of such Option shall be the later of (I) the date the Option would have expired by its original terms (including the terms set forth in Section 11 of this Plan) or (II) the end of the tenth trading day of the immediately succeeding Trading Window during which the Company would allow the Optionee to trade in its securities; provided, however, that in no event shall the Option expire beyond the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the Option.

6.3. Types of Stock Options . The Options granted under the Plan may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Eligible Individuals who are employees of the Company or its “parent corporation” or a “subsidiary corporation” (as such terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 6, no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an individual owning shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of the Company, or its parent corporation or subsidiary corporations unless (i) the Option Price at the time such Option is granted is equal to at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Option, and (ii) such Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date such Option is granted. Further, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all such plans of the Company and its subsidiary corporations) shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars (U.S. $100,000.00).

6.4. Method of Exercise of Options . Each Option shall be exercised pursuant to the terms of such Option as set forth in the applicable Agreement and pursuant to the terms of the Plan by giving notice to the Company at its principal place of business or other address designated by the Company or in such other manner as is acceptable to the Committee. Payment of the Option Price for the number of Shares specified in the notice of exercise in the form of cash, personal or certified cheque, bank draft or other property acceptable to the Committee shall accompany the notice of exercise. From time to time, the Committee may establish procedures relating to the exercise of Options, including: procedures for cashless exercises, including through a registered broker-dealer; the minimum number of Shares or dollar values to be delivered with respect to a particular exercise transaction; telephonic, web-based or mail exercise and delivery notification and procedures; payment procedures; and other matters. No fractional Shares (or cash in lieu thereof) shall be issued as a result of exercising an Option. The Company shall make delivery of such Shares as soon as possible; provided, however, that if any law or regulation or securities exchange rule requires the Company to take

 

6


action with respect to the Shares specified in such notice before issuance thereof, the date of delivery of such Shares shall then be extended for the period necessary to take such action.

6.5. Non-Transferability of Options . Except to the extent that an Optionee’s legal representative or estate is permitted to exercise an Option pursuant to the terms of the Plan or an Agreement or in accordance with a determination of the Committee, an Option is exercisable only during an Optionee’s lifetime and only by the Optionee. Unless otherwise provided for in an Agreement or at the determination of the Committee, Options shall not be transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

6.6. Change in Control . In the event of a Change in Control, all Options outstanding on the date of such Change in Control shall become immediately and fully exercisable.

6.7. Buy Out of Option Gains . At any time after any Option becomes exercisable, the Committee shall have the right to elect, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the holder thereof, to cancel such Option and pay to the Optionee the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Shares covered by such Option over the Option Price of such Option at the date the Committee provides written notice (the “ Buy Out Notice ”) of the intention to exercise such right. Buy outs pursuant to this provision shall be effected by the Company as promptly as possible after the date of the Buy Out Notice. Payments of buy out amounts may be made in cash, in Shares, or partly in cash and partly in Shares, as the Committee deems advisable. To the extent payment is made in Shares, the number of Shares shall be determined by dividing the amount of the payment to be made by the Fair Market Value of a Share at the date of the Buy Out Notice. In no event shall the Company be required to deliver a fractional Share in satisfaction of this buy out provision. For greater certainty, the Company may only deliver a Buy Out Notice in respect of Options that have not already been exercised by the Optionee.

Section 7. Stock Appreciation Rights .

7.1. Grant . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may, either alone or in connection with the grant of an Option, grant to any Eligible Individual Stock Appreciation Rights in accordance with the Plan, the terms and conditions of which shall be set forth in an Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted (a) at any time if unrelated to an Option, or (b) if related to an Option, at the time of grant of the Option.

7.2. Stock Appreciation Right Related to an Option . If granted in connection with an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right shall cover the same Shares covered by the Option (or such lesser number of Shares as the Committee may determine) and shall, except as provided in this Section 7, be subject to the same terms and conditions as the related Option. The Stock Appreciation Right Related to an Option provides a right to surrender to the Company for cancellation, in whole or in part, the unexercised Option to purchase Shares and receive from the Company the amount payable described in subsection (ii) below.

 

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(i) Exercise . A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option shall be exercisable at such time or times and only to the extent that the related Options are exercisable, and will not be transferable except to the extent the related Option may be transferable. From time to time, the Committee may establish procedures relating to the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights granted in connection with Options, including: the minimum number of Shares or dollar values to be delivered with respect to a particular exercise transaction; telephonic, web-based or mail exercise and delivery notification and procedures; payment procedures; and other matters. A Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable only if the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price specified in the related Incentive Stock Option Agreement.

(ii) Amount Payable . Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by multiplying (A) the excess of the price per Share at the date and time of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right (in accordance with established exercise procedures and, to the extent that the Grantee is subject to tax under the Code in respect of such Stock Appreciation Right, as determined in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) over the Option Price under the related Option, by (B) the number of Shares as to which such Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right by including such a limit in the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right at the time it is granted.

(iii) Treatment of Related Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Upon Exercise . Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option, the Option shall be canceled ( i.e. , surrendered to the Company) to the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, and upon the exercise of an Option granted in connection with a Stock Appreciation Right, the Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled ( i.e. , surrendered to the Company) to the extent of the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised or surrendered.

7.3. Stock Appreciation Right Unrelated to an Option . A Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an Option shall cover such number of Shares as the Committee shall determine.

(i) Terms; Duration . Stock Appreciation Rights unrelated to Options shall contain such terms and conditions as to exercisability, vesting and duration as the Committee shall determine, but in no event shall they have a term of greater than ten (10) years. However, each Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only during such portion of its term as the Committee shall determine and, subject to Section 11, only if the Grantee is employed by the Company or a Subsidiary at the time of such exercise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, unless otherwise specified in the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Rights unrelated to Options, if a Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an Option expires outside of a Trading Window, then the expiration of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right shall be the later of (A) the date the Stock Appreciation Right would have expired by its original terms (including the terms set forth in Section 11 of this

 

8


Plan) or (II) the end of the tenth trading day of the immediately succeeding Trading Window during which the Company would allow the Grantee to trade in its securities; provided, however, that in no event shall the Stock Appreciation Right expire later than the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.

(ii) Amount Payable . Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an Option, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive an amount determined by multiplying (a) the excess of the price per Share at the date and time of exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right (in accordance with established exercise procedures and, to the extent that the Grantee is subject to tax under the Code in respect of such Stock Appreciation Right, as determined in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) over the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Right was granted, by (b) the number of Shares as to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any Stock Appreciation Right by including such a limit in the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right at the time it is granted.

(iii) Non-Transferability . No Stock Appreciation Right unrelated to an Option shall be transferable by the Grantee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable during the lifetime of such Grantee only by the Grantee or his or her guardian or legal representative.

7.4. Method of Exercise . Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercised by a Grantee only by giving written notice to the Company at its principal place of business or other address designated by the Company, specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. If requested by the Committee, the Grantee shall deliver the Agreement evidencing the Stock Appreciation Right being exercised and the Agreement evidencing any related Option to the Company, which shall endorse thereon a notation of such exercise and return such Agreement to the Grantee.

7.5. Form of Payment . Payment of the amount determined under Section 7.2(ii) or 7.3(ii) may be made in the discretion of the Committee solely in whole Shares in a number determined at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right, or solely in cash (including by cheque, money order, payroll deposit, or other acceptable form of payment), or in a combination of cash and Shares. If the Committee decides to make full payment in Shares and the amount payable results in a fractional Share, payment for the fractional Share will be made in cash.

7.6. Effect of Change in Control . In the event of a Change in Control, all Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately and fully exercisable.

Section 8. Dividend Equivalent Rights . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may grant Dividend Equivalent Rights to any Eligible Individual in tandem with an Option or Award or as a separate Award. The terms and conditions applicable to each Dividend Equivalent Right shall be specified in the Agreement under which the Dividend Equivalent Right is granted. Amounts payable in respect of

 

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Dividend Equivalent Rights may be payable currently or, if applicable, deferred until the lapsing of restrictions on such Dividend Equivalent Rights or until the vesting, exercise, payment, settlement or other lapse of restrictions on the Option or Award to which the Dividend Equivalent Rights relate. In the event that the amounts payable in respect of Dividend Equivalent Rights are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine whether such amounts are to be held in cash or reinvested in Shares or deemed (notionally) to be reinvested in Shares. If amounts payable in respect of Dividend Equivalent Rights are to be held in cash, there may be credited at the end of each year (or portion thereof) interest on the amount of the account at the beginning of the year at a rate per annum as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or Shares or a combination thereof, in a single installment or multiple installments as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts payable in respect of a Dividend Equivalent Right granted in connection with an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right may not be contingent upon, or otherwise payable on, the exercise of the Option or the Stock Appreciation Right, and shall be granted in a manner and on such terms as will not result in the related Option or Stock Appreciation Right being treated as providing for deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Section 9. Performance Awards .

9.1. Performance Units . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may grant to any Eligible Individual an Award of Performance Units, the terms and conditions of which shall be set forth in an Agreement. Performance Units may be denominated in Shares or a specified dollar amount and, contingent upon the attainment of specified Performance Objectives with respect to the Performance Cycle, each Unit represents the right to receive payment as provided in Sections 9.1(i) and (ii) of (a) in the case of Share-denominated Performance Units, the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Performance Unit was granted, the date the Performance Unit became vested or any other date specified by the Committee, (b) in the case of dollar-denominated Performance Units, the specified dollar amount or (c) a percentage (which may be more than 100%) of the amount described in clause (a) or (b) depending on the level of Performance Objective attainment; provided, however, that the Committee may at the time a Performance Unit is granted specify a maximum amount payable in respect of a vested Performance Unit. Each Agreement shall specify the number of Performance Units to which it relates, the Performance Objectives which must be satisfied in order for the Performance Units to vest and the Performance Cycle with respect to which such Performance Objectives must be satisfied.

(i) Vesting and Forfeiture . Subject to Sections 9.3(iii) and 9.4, a Grantee shall become vested with respect to the Performance Units to the extent that the Performance Objectives set forth in the Agreement are satisfied for the Performance Cycle.

(ii) Payment of Awards . Subject to Sections 9.3(iii) and 9.4, payment to Grantees in respect of vested Performance Units shall be made at such time as may be specified in the Agreement to which the Performance Unit relates, or, if not contained therein, as soon as practicable after the last day of the Performance Cycle to which such Award relates. Subject to Section 9.4, such payments may be made entirely in Shares valued at their Fair Market Value, entirely in cash, or in such combination of Shares and cash as the Committee in

 

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its discretion shall determine at any time prior to such payment; provided, however, that if the Committee in its discretion determines to make such payment entirely or partially in Shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee must determine the extent to which such payment will be in Shares of Restricted Stock and the terms of such Restricted Stock at the time the Award is granted.

9.2. Performance Shares . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may grant to any Eligible Individual an Award of Performance Shares, the terms and conditions of which shall be set forth in an Agreement. Each Agreement may require that an appropriate legend be placed on Share certificates. Awards of Performance Shares shall be subject to the following terms and provisions:

(i) Rights of Grantee . Performance Shares shall be issued in the name of the Grantee as soon as reasonably practicable after the Award is granted, or on such other date as the Committee may determine, provided that the Grantee has executed all documents which the Committee may require as a condition to the issuance of such Performance Shares, which may include an Agreement evidencing the Award, the appropriate blank share transfer powers and an escrow agreement. If a Grantee shall fail to execute any documents which the Committee may require within the time period prescribed by the Committee at the time the Award of Performance Shares is granted, the Award shall be null and void. At the discretion of the Committee, Shares issued in connection with an Award of Performance Shares shall be deposited together with the share transfer powers with an escrow agent (which may be the Company) designated by the Committee. Unless the Committee determines otherwise as set forth in the Agreement, upon delivery of the Shares to the escrow agent (which may be in the form of book entry Shares), the Grantee shall have all of the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Shares, including the right to vote the Shares and, subject to Section 9.2(iv), to receive all dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares.

(ii) Non-Transferability . Until any restrictions upon the Performance Shares awarded to a Grantee shall have lapsed in the manner set forth in Section 9.2(iii) or 9.4, such Performance Shares shall not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

(iii) Lapse of Restrictions . Subject to Sections 9.3(iii) and 9.4, restrictions upon Performance Shares awarded hereunder shall lapse and such Performance Shares shall become vested at such time or times and on such terms, conditions and satisfaction of Performance Objectives as the Committee may, in its discretion, determine at the time an Award is granted. Performance Shares with respect to which Performance Objectives have been attained may also be subject to additional vesting conditions based on continued service or such other conditions as may be established by the Committee at the time the Award is granted.

(iv) Treatment of Dividends . At the time the Award of Performance Shares is granted, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the payment to the Grantee of dividends, or a specified portion thereof, declared or paid on Shares represented by such Award which have been issued by the Company to the Grantee shall be (A) deferred until the lapsing of the restrictions imposed upon such Performance Shares and (B) held by the

 

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Company for the account of the Grantee until such time. In the event that dividends are to be deferred, the Committee shall determine whether such dividends are to be reinvested in Shares (which shall be held as additional Performance Shares) or held in cash. If deferred dividends are to be held in cash, there may be credited interest on the amount of the account at such times and at a rate per annum as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine. Payment of deferred dividends in respect of Performance Shares (whether held in cash or in additional Performance Shares), together with interest accrued thereon, if any, shall be made upon the lapsing of restrictions imposed on the Performance Shares in respect of which the deferred dividends were paid, and any dividends deferred (together with any interest accrued thereon) in respect of any Performance Shares shall be forfeited upon the forfeiture of such Performance Shares.

(v) Delivery of Shares . Upon the lapse of the restrictions on Performance Shares awarded hereunder, the Committee shall cause a share certificate or evidence of book entry Shares to be delivered to the Grantee with respect to such Performance Shares, free of all restrictions hereunder.

9.3. Performance Objectives

(i) Establishment . Performance Objectives for Performance Awards may be expressed in terms of earnings per share, earnings (which may be expressed as earnings before specified items), return on assets, return on invested capital, revenue, operating income, cash flow, total shareholder return or any combination thereof. Performance Objectives may be in respect of the performance of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its Operating Units or any combination thereof. Performance Objectives may be absolute or relative (to prior performance of the Company or to the performance of one or more other entities or external indices) and may be expressed in terms of a progression within a specified range. The Performance Objectives with respect to a Performance Cycle shall be established in writing by the Committee by the earlier of (x) the date on which twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Cycle has elapsed or (y) the date which is ninety (90) days after the commencement of the Performance Cycle, and in any event while the performance relating to the Performance Objectives remain substantially uncertain.

(ii) Effect of Certain Events . At the time of the granting of a Performance Award, or at any time thereafter, in either case to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder without adversely affecting any Performance Award that is intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may provide for the manner in which performance will be measured against the Performance Objectives (or may adjust the Performance Objectives) to reflect the impact of specified corporate transactions (such as a stock split or stock dividend), special charges, accounting or tax law changes, and/or other extraordinary, nonrecurring or special events or circumstances.

(iii) Determination of Performance . Prior to the vesting, payment, settlement or lapsing of any restrictions with respect to any Performance Award that is intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation made to a Grantee who is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall certify in writing that the applicable

 

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Performance Objectives have been satisfied to the extent necessary for such Award to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. The Committee shall not be entitled to exercise any discretion otherwise authorized hereunder with respect to such Options or Awards if the ability to exercise such discretion or the exercise of such discretion itself would cause the compensation attributable to such Options or Awards that are intended to constitute Performance-Based Compensation to fail to so qualify.

9.4. Effect of Change in Control . Unless the Committee determines otherwise at the time of grant of a Performance Award, in the event of a Change in Control:

(i) With respect to Performance Units and Stock Units that are intended to be Performance Awards, the Grantee shall (A) become vested in all outstanding Performance Units and Stock Units as if all Performance Objectives had been satisfied at the highest level by the Company and the Grantee and (B) be entitled to receive in respect of all Performance Units and Stock Units which become vested as a result of a Change in Control a cash payment within ten (10) days after such Change in Control.

(ii) With respect to Performance Shares and Shares of Restricted Stock that are intended to be Performance Awards, all restrictions shall lapse immediately on all outstanding Performance Shares and Shares of Restricted Stock as if all Performance Objectives had been satisfied at the highest level by the Company and the Grantee.

9.5. Non-Transferability . Until the vesting of Performance Units or the lapsing of any restrictions on Performance Shares, as the case may be, such Performance Units or Performance Shares shall not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

Section 10. Share Awards . The Committee, from time to time, subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, may grant to any Eligible Individual a Share Award on such terms and conditions as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, which terms may be set forth in an Agreement in respect of such grant. Share Awards may be made as additional compensation for services rendered by the Eligible Individual or may be in lieu of cash or other compensation to which the Eligible Individual is entitled from the Company.

Section 11. Effect of a Termination of Employment on Options and Awards .

11.1. Earlier Termination of Employment . Upon the termination of an Optionee’s or Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries, for any reason whatsoever, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 11, in an Agreement or, with the consent of such individual, as determined by the Committee at any time prior to or after such termination, Options and Awards granted to such individual will be treated as follows:

(i) Any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights will (A) to the extent not vested and exercisable as of the Termination Date, terminate on the Termination Date and (B) to the extent vested and exercisable as of the Termination Date, remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days following the Termination Date or, in the event of such Optionee’s or Grantee’s death during such ninety (90) day period, remain exercisable by the estate of the

 

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deceased individual until the end of the period of one year following the Termination Date (but in no event beyond the maximum term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right).

(ii) Any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock or Stock Units that are not intended to be Performance Awards will be immediately forfeited on the Termination Date.

(iii) Any Performance Awards will terminate on the Termination Date.

(iv) Any other Awards to the extent not vested will terminate on the Termination Date.

11.2. Upon Death or Disability . Except as otherwise provided in an Agreement, in the event of a termination of an Optionee’s or Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries as a result of such individual’s death or such individual becoming Disabled, Options and Awards granted to such individual will be treated as follows:

(i) Any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall become immediately exercisable as of the Termination Date, and the Optionee or Grantee, or in the event the Optionee or Grantee is incapacitated and unable to exercise the rights granted hereunder, the individual’s legal guardian or legal representative, or in the event the Optionee or Grantee dies, the estate of the deceased individual, shall have the right to exercise any rights the Optionee or Grantee would otherwise have had under the Plan for a period of four years after the Termination Date (but in no event beyond the maximum term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that an Optionee does not exercise the vested portion of an Incentive Stock Option within the period required under Section 422 of the Code, such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option upon exercise.

(ii) Any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock or Stock Units that are not intended to be Performance Awards will become immediately vested on the Termination Date.

(iii) Any Performance Awards will remain outstanding and the Grantee or the Grantee’s estate will be entitled to a pro-rata portion of the payment otherwise payable in respect of the Award (based on the number of full weeks the Grantee was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary during the applicable Performance Cycle over the total number of weeks in such Performance Cycle), which will be paid on the date the Award would have been paid if the Grantee had remained employed with the Company or a Subsidiary.

11.3. Upon Retirement . Except as otherwise provided in an Agreement, in the event of a termination of an Optionee’s or Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries by reason of such individual’s Retirement, Options and Awards granted to such individual will be treated as follows:

(i) With respect to any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, for a period of four years following the date of such Retirement (but in no event beyond the maximum term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right), the Option or Stock Appreciation

 

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Right, as applicable, shall remain outstanding and (A) to the extent not then fully vested, shall continue to vest in accordance with its applicable vesting schedule, and (B) the Optionee or the Grantee, as applicable, shall have the right to exercise any rights the individual would otherwise have had under the Plan prior to the expiration of the four-year period (or, if earlier, the maximum term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that an Optionee does not exercise the vested portion of an Incentive Stock Option prior to the expiration of the three-month period after the date of the Optionee’s Retirement, such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option upon exercise.

(ii) Any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock that is not intended to be a Performance Award will become immediately vested.

(iii) Any unvested Stock Units that are not intended to be Performance Awards will remain outstanding and will continue to vest in accordance with their applicable vesting schedules.

(iv) Any Performance Awards will remain outstanding and the Grantee will be entitled to a pro-rata portion of the payment otherwise payable in respect of the Award (based on the number of full weeks the Grantee was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary during the applicable Performance Cycle over the total number of weeks in such Performance Cycle), which will be paid on the date the Award would have been paid if the Grantee had remained employed with the Company or a Subsidiary.

11.4. Upon Termination of Employment in Connection with Certain Dispositions . Except as otherwise provided in an Agreement, in the event an Optionee’s or Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated without Cause in connection with a sale or other disposition of a Subsidiary, the Options and Awards granted to such individual will be treated as follows:

(i) With respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, such Award will remain outstanding and (A) to the extent not then fully vested, will continue to vest in accordance with the applicable vesting schedule, and (B) the Optionee or Grantee will have the right to exercise any rights the individual would otherwise have had under the Plan for a period of one year following the Termination Date (but in no event beyond the maximum term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that an Optionee does not exercise the vested portion of an Incentive Stock Option prior to the expiration of the three-month period after the Optionee’s Termination Date, such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option upon exercise.

(ii) Any unvested portion of any Restricted Stock or Stock Units that are not Performance Awards will become immediately vested on the Termination Date.

(iii) Any Performance Awards will remain outstanding and the Grantee will be entitled to a pro-rata portion of the payment otherwise payable in respect of the Award (based on number of full weeks the Grantee was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary during the applicable Performance Cycle over the total number of weeks in such Performance

 

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Cycle), which will be paid on the date the Award would have been paid if the Grantee had remained employed with the Company or a Subsidiary.

11.5. Definition of Termination . To the extent an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, “termination” means “separation from service” as defined under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Agreement to the contrary, an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code shall not be settled and distributed to a Grantee on the Termination Date unless the Grantee has incurred a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and such Awards shall be settled and distributed in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

Section 12. Effect of Change in Common Shares Subject to the Plan .

12.1. In the event of a Change in Capitalization, the Committee shall conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to (i) the maximum number and class of Shares or other shares or securities with respect to which Options or Awards may be granted under the Plan, (ii) the maximum number and class of Shares or other shares or securities with respect to which Options or Awards may be granted to any Eligible Individual in any calendar year, (iii) the number and class of Shares or other shares or securities which are subject to outstanding Options or Awards granted under the Plan and the exercise price therefor, if applicable and (iv) the Performance Objectives.

12.2. Any such adjustment in the Shares or other shares or securities: (i) subject to outstanding Incentive Stock Options (including any adjustments in the exercise price) shall be made in such manner as not to constitute a modification as defined by Section 424(h)(3) of the Code and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Sections 422 and 424 of the Code; (ii) subject to outstanding Options or Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made in such a manner as not to adversely affect the treatment of the Options or Awards as Performance-Based Compensation; or (iii) subject to outstanding Nonqualified Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be made consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v).

12.3. If, by reason of a Change in Capitalization, a Grantee of an Award shall be entitled to, or an Optionee shall be entitled to exercise an Option with respect to, new, additional or different shares or securities of the Company or any other corporation, such new, additional or different shares shall thereupon be subject to all of the conditions, restrictions and performance criteria which were applicable to the Shares subject to the Award or Option, as the case may be, prior to such Change in Capitalization.

Section 13. Effect of Certain Transactions . Subject to Sections 4.1(iii)(b), 4.2(iii), 6.6, 7.6 and 9.4 or as otherwise provided in an Agreement, following (a) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (b) a merger or consolidation of the Company (a “ Transaction ”), either (i) each outstanding Option or Award shall be treated as provided for in the agreement entered into in connection with the Transaction or (ii) if not so provided in such agreement, each Optionee and Grantee shall be entitled to receive in respect of each Share subject to any outstanding Options or Awards, as the case may be, upon exercise of any Option or payment or transfer in respect of any Award, the same number and kind of shares, stock, securities, cash,

 

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property or other consideration that each holder of a Share was entitled to receive in the Transaction in respect of a Share; provided, however, that such shares, stock, securities, cash, property, or other consideration shall remain subject to all of the conditions, restrictions and performance criteria which were applicable to the Options and Awards prior to such Transaction. The treatment of any Option or Award as provided in this Section 13 shall be conclusively presumed to be appropriate for purposes of Section 12. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13, an adjustment to an Option or Award as provided in this Section 13 shall be made only to the extent such adjustment complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

Section 14. Listing and Registration of Common Shares . If at any time the Board shall determine that listing, registration or qualification of the Shares covered by an Option or Award upon any securities exchange or under any state, provincial or federal law or the consent or the approval of any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in connection with the purchase of Shares under the Option, the Option may not be exercised in whole or in part, and Shares shall not be delivered in connection with any other Award, unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Board. Any person exercising an Option or receiving Shares in connection with any other Award shall make such representations and agreements and furnish such information as the Board or the Committee may request to assure compliance with the foregoing or any other applicable legal requirements.

Section 15. Misconduct . In the event that an Optionee or Grantee has (i) used for profit or disclosed to unauthorized persons, confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (ii) breached any contract with or violated any fiduciary obligation to the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) engaged in unlawful trading in the securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of another company based on information gained as a result of that Optionee’s or Grantee’s employment with, or status as a director to, the Company or its Subsidiaries, then that Optionee or Grantee shall forfeit all rights under any outstanding Option or Award granted under the Plan and all of that Optionee’s or Grantee’s outstanding Options or Awards shall automatically terminate, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise.

Section 16. Payment Following Death or Incapacity . In the event any amounts or Shares become payable or issuable pursuant to an Award or Option after the Grantee or Optionee dies or becomes incapacitated, such amounts or Shares shall be paid or issued, in the case of death, to the decedent’s estate or, in the case of incapacity, to the Grantee’s or Optionee’s legal guardian or legal representative.

Section 17. Employees in Multiple Jurisdictions . Eligible Individuals are or may be subject to taxation under the Code, the laws of Canada and/or the laws of other jurisdictions. Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant, settle or administer Options or Awards on terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may in the judgment of the Committee be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan given the limitations of applicable law, and the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, and the like as may be necessary or advisable to

 

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comply with provisions of laws of the various countries in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operate or have employees.

Section 18. Deferral of Payments or Vesting . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, and except with respect to an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may provide for the deferral of the issuance or vesting of Shares or the payment of cash in respect of an Award granted under the Plan; provided that such deferral shall be provided at the time of grant of the Award. The terms and conditions of any such deferral shall be set forth in the Agreement evidencing such Award.

Section 19. No Rights to Options, Awards or Employment . No individual shall have any claim or right to be granted an Option or Award under the Plan. Having received an Option or Award under the Plan shall not give an individual any right to receive any other grant under the Plan. No Optionee or Grantee shall have any rights to or interest in any Option or Award except as set forth herein. Neither the Plan nor any action taken herein shall be construed as giving any individual any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or as a member of the Board.

Section 20. Multiple Agreements . The terms of each Option or Award may differ from other Options or Awards granted under the Plan at the same time, or at some other time. The Committee may also grant more than one Option or Award to a given Eligible Individual during the term of the Plan, either in addition to, or in substitution for, one or more Options or Awards previously granted to that Eligible Individual.

Section 21. Withholding of Taxes .

21.1. The Company, a Subsidiary, or a trust established by the Company or a Subsidiary to deliver Shares under an Award, as applicable, shall require payment of or other provision for, as determined by the Company, an amount equal to the federal, state, provincial and local income taxes and other amounts required by law to be withheld or determined to be necessary or appropriate to be withheld by the Company, Subsidiary or trust, as applicable, in connection with the grant, vesting, exercise or settlement of an Award or at such times as an Optionee or a Grantee recognizes taxable income in connection with the receipt of Shares or cash in connection with an Award hereunder (the “ Withholding Taxes ”). In its sole discretion, the Company, Subsidiary or trust, as applicable, may require or permit payment of or provision for the Withholding Taxes through one or more of the following methods, subject to the terms of the Award Agreements: (a) in cash, bank draft, certified cheque, personal cheque or other manner acceptable to the Committee and/or set forth in the relevant exercise procedures; (b) by withholding such amount from other amounts due to the Optionee or the Grantee; (c) by withholding a portion of the Shares then issuable or deliverable to the Optionee or the Grantee having an aggregate fair market value equal to the Withholding Taxes and, at the Company’s election, either (I) canceling the equivalent portion of the underlying Award and the Company, Subsidiary, or trust paying the Withholding Taxes on behalf of the Optionee or Grantee in cash, or (II) selling such Shares on the Optionee or Grantee’s behalf; or (d) by withholding such amount from the cash then issuable in connection with the Award.

 

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21.2. If an Optionee makes a disposition, within the meaning of Section 424(c) of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, of any Share or Shares issued to such Optionee pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within the two-year period commencing on the day after the date of the grant or within the one-year period commencing on the day after the date of transfer of such Share or Shares to the Optionee pursuant to such exercise, the Optionee shall, within ten (10) days of such disposition, notify the Company thereof, by delivery of written notice to the Company at its principal executive office.

Section 22. Amendment or Termination; Duration . Except as provided below and except as may otherwise be provided by applicable tax and regulatory requirements, including stock exchange requirements, the Board may from time to time make any amendments or changes to the Plan or outstanding Awards that the Board sees fit in its sole discretion without shareholder approval. The following amendments to the Plan or outstanding Awards will require the approval of both the Board and the Company’s shareholders:

(i) an increase in the maximum number of Shares that may be made the subject of Awards or Options under the Plan;

(ii) any adjustment (other than in connection with a stock dividend, recapitalization or other transaction where an adjustment is permitted or required under the terms of the Plan) or amendment that reduces or would have the effect of reducing the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right previously granted under the Plan, whether through amendment, cancellation or replacement grants, or other means;

(iii) an increase in the limits on Awards that may be granted to any Eligible Individual under Sections 3.1 and 32 of the Plan; and

(iv) an extension of the term of an outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right beyond the expiry date thereof, except as set forth in Sections 6.2(v) and 7.3(i) of the Plan as they relate to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that expire outside of a Trading Window.

Furthermore, no change to an outstanding Award that will impair the rights of the Optionee or Grantee may be made without the consent of the Optionee or Grantee. This Plan shall terminate and no Option or Award may be granted or made after the tenth (10 th ) anniversary of the date the Plan was originally made effective by THI ( i.e. , March 29, 2016).

Section 23. Other Actions . The Plan shall not restrict the authority of the Committee, the Board or the Company or its Subsidiaries for proper corporate purposes to grant or assume stock options, other than under the Plan, to or with respect to any employee, director or other person. The adoption of the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as amending, modifying or rescinding any previously approved incentive arrangement or as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options otherwise than under the Plan and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

 

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Section 24. Costs and Expenses . Except as provided in Section 21 hereof with respect to taxes, the costs and expenses of administering the Plan, including costs associated with exercise, vesting and/or settlement of Options or Awards, may be borne by the Company, one or more of its Subsidiaries or Eligible Individuals receiving a grant under the Plan, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Section 25. Plan Unfunded . Except with respect to Shares which have been acquired by or on behalf of a trust established by either of the Company or a Subsidiary and held for future delivery as described in Section 3.1, the Plan shall be unfunded. Except for reserving a sufficient number of authorized Shares to the extent required by law to meet the requirements of the Plan, the Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure payment of any grant under the Plan.

Section 26. Laws Governing Plan . The Plan and all Agreements between the Company and any Grantees or Optionees entered into on or after September 28, 2009, shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

Section 27. Captions . The captions to the several sections hereof are not a part of the Plan, but are merely guides or labels to assist in locating and reading the several sections hereof.

Section 28. Effective Date . The effective date of the Plan, as determined by the Board, shall be the date of THI’s initial public offering of its common stock.

Section 29. Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all Options and Awards or any proceeds therefrom are subject to the Company’s right to reclaim such payments or other amounts in the event of a financial restatement in accordance with the Company’s Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation adopted by the Board, as amended from time to time.

Section 30. Definitions . Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms (or forms thereof), when used in the Plan, shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

30.1. “ Agreement ” means the written agreement between the Company and an Optionee or Grantee evidencing the grant of an Option or Award and setting forth the terms and conditions thereof, and includes any Prior Agreement.

30.2. “ Award ” means a grant of Restricted Stock, a Stock Unit, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalent Right, a Share Award or any or all of them.

30.3. “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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30.4. “ Cause ” means:

(i) in the case of an Eligible Director, the commission of an act of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or an act of embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and

(ii) in the case of an Optionee or Grantee whose employment with the Company or a Subsidiary is subject to the terms of an employment agreement between such Optionee or Grantee and the Company or Subsidiary, which employment agreement includes a definition of “Cause”, for purposes of termination, the term “Cause” as used in this Plan or any Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in such employment agreement during the period that such employment agreement remains in effect following a Change in Control; and

(iii) in all other cases, (a) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (b) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of duties, (c) intentional violation of Company or applicable Subsidiary policy, (d) involvement in a transaction in connection with the performance of duties to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which transaction is adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and which is engaged in for personal profit, (e) willful violation of any law, rule or regulation in connection with the performance of duties (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or (f) any other act, event or circumstance which would constitute just cause at law for termination of the employment of the Optionee or Grantee; provided, however , that following a Change in Control clause (a) of this Section 30.4(iii) shall not constitute “Cause.”

30.5. “ Change in Capitalization ” means any increase or reduction in the number of Shares, or any change (including, but not limited to, in the case of a spin-off, dividend or other distribution in respect of Shares, a change in value) in the Shares or exchange of Shares for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company or another corporation, by reason of a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, spin-off, split-up, issuance of warrants or rights or debentures, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, cash dividend, property dividend, combination or exchange of shares, repurchase of shares, change in corporate structure or otherwise.

30.6. Except as otherwise provided in an Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Code, “ Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence of:

(i) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any common shares or other voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (the “ Voting Securities ”) by any Person (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, common shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a Change in Control. A “ Non-Control Acquisition ” shall mean an acquisition by (A) an employee benefit plan (or a trust

 

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forming a part thereof) maintained by (1) the Company or (2) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (for purposes of this definition, a “ Subsidiary ”), (B) the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (C) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter defined);

(ii) The individuals who, as of September 28, 2009, are members of the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board; provided , however , that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further , however , that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “ Proxy Contest ”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

(iii) The consummation of:

(A) A merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization with or into the Company or in which securities of the Company are issued (a “ Merger ”), unless such Merger is a “Non-Control Transaction.” A “ Non-Control Transaction ” shall mean a Merger where:

(1) the shareholders of the Company immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “ Surviving Corporation ”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such Merger;

(2) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving Corporation; and

(3) no Person other than (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that immediately prior to such Merger was maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person who, immediately prior to such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding common shares of the Surviving Corporation or the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities.

 

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(B) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(C) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “ Subject Person ”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of common shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by the Company, and after such acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common shares or Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur.

If an Eligible Individual’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause prior to the date of a Change in Control but the Eligible Individual reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which has been threatened or proposed, such termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan provided a Change in Control shall actually have occurred.

30.7. “ Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

30.8. Except as otherwise provided in an Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Code, “ Disabled ,” with regard to any particular Optionee or Grantee, shall have the meaning (i) set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the context of determining the period during which Incentive Stock Options granted to an Optionee may be exercised and (ii) set forth in the Company’s long term disability program applicable to such Optionee or Grantee in all other contexts or, if no long term disability program is applicable to such Optionee or Grantee, as set forth in the Company’s long term disability program generally applicable to officers of the Company.

30.9. “ Dividend Equivalent Right ” means a right to receive all or some portion of the cash dividends that are or would be payable with respect to Shares.

30.10. “ Eligible Director ” means a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

30.11. “ Eligible Individual ” means any of the following individuals who is designated by the Committee as eligible to receive Options or Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein: (a) any Eligible Director, (b) any employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, or (c) any individual to whom the Company or a Subsidiary has extended a formal, written offer of employment.

 

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30.12. “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 .

30.13. “ Executive Officer ” means persons designated as “executive officers” from time to time by the Board.

30.14. “ Fair Market Value ” on any relevant date shall mean the closing price for Shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange or, if the Committee elects on or prior to such date, the New York Stock Exchange, for the Trading Day immediately preceding such date.

30.15. “ Grantee ” means a person to whom an Award has been granted under the Plan.

30.16. “ Incentive Stock Option ” means an Option satisfying the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

30.17. “ Nonemployee Director ” means a director of the Company who is a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

30.18. “ Nonqualified Stock Option ” means an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

30.19. “ Operating Unit ” means any operating unit or division of the Company designated as an Operating Unit by the Committee.

30.20. “ Option ” means a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option or either of them.

30.21. “ Optionee ” means a person to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan.

30.22. “ Option Price ” means the price at which a Share covered by an Option granted hereunder may be purchased.

30.23. “ Performance Awards ” means Performance Units, Performance Shares, Awards of Restricted Stock that are designated as Performance Awards, Stock Units that are designated as Performance Awards or any or all of them.

30.24. “ Performance-Based Compensation ” means any Option or Award that is intended to constitute “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

30.25. “ Performance Cycle ” means the time period specified by the Committee at the time Performance Awards are granted during which the performance of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Operating Unit will be measured.

30.26. “ Performance Objectives ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3.

 

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30.27. “ Performance Shares ” means Shares issued or transferred to an Eligible Individual under Section 9.2.

30.28. “ Performance Units ” means Performance Units granted to an Eligible Individual under Section 9.1.

30.29. “ Plan ” means this Tim Hortons Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated from time to time.

30.30. “ Prior Agreement ” means any written Agreement entered into prior to September 28, 2009 pursuant to the terms of the Plan between THI and any Optionees or Grantees.

30.31. “ Restricted Stock ” means Shares issued or transferred to an Eligible Individual pursuant to Section 4.1.

30.32. “ Retirement ” means (i) in the case of an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, the definition provided for such term in an Agreement and (ii) in the case of an Eligible Director, termination of membership on the Board at or after attaining age 55 with at least three (3) years of service as a member of the Board, other than by reason of death, Disability or for Cause.

30.33. “ Share Award ” means an Award of Shares granted pursuant to Section 10.

30.34. “ Shares ” means common shares (with no par value) in the capital of the Company and any other securities into which such shares are changed or for which such shares are exchanged.

30.35. “ Stock Appreciation Right ” means a right to receive all or some portion of the increase in the value of the Shares as provided in Section 7 hereof.

30.36. “ Termination Date ” means in the case of an Optionee or Grantee whose employment or term of office with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries terminates in the circumstances set out in Section 11.1, 11.2 or 11.4, the date on which the Optionee or Grantee ceases to perform services for the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, without regard to (i) whether such Optionee or Grantee continues thereafter to receive any payment from the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, in respect of the termination of such Optionee or Grantee’s employment, including without limitation any continuation of salary or other compensation in lieu of notice of such termination or (ii) whether or not the Optionee or Grantee is entitled or claims to be entitled at law to greater notice of such termination or greater compensation in lieu thereof than has been received by such Optionee or Grantee.

30.37. “ Stock Unit ” means a right granted to an Eligible Individual under Section 4.2 representing a number of hypothetical Shares.

 

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30.38. “ Trading Day ” means any date on which the Toronto Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange, as applicable, is open for the trading of the Shares.

30.39. “ Trading Window ” means the periods of time within which, if opened, directors, officers and certain employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries are permitted to trade in the Company’s securities, as set out in the Company’s Insider Trading and Window Trading Policies.

Section 31. Toronto Stock Exchange Definitions. For the purposes of Sections 31 and 32, “insider”, “security based compensation arrangements” and “service provider” have the following meanings:

31.1. “ Insider ” means,

(i) every director or senior officer of the Company;

(ii) every director or senior officer of a company that is itself an insider or subsidiary of the Company;

(iii) any person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the Company or who exercises control or direction over voting securities of the Company or a combination of both carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all voting securities of the Company for the time being outstanding other than voting securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a distribution; and

(iv) the Company where it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its securities, for so long as it holds any of its securities.

31.2. “Security Based Compensation Arrangements” include:

(i) stock option plans for the benefit of employees, insiders, service providers or any one of such groups;

(ii) individual stock options granted to employees, service providers or insiders if not granted pursuant to a plan previously approved by the Company’s securityholders;

(iii) share purchase plans where the Company provides financial assistance or where the Company matches the whole or a portion of the securities being purchased;

(iv) stock appreciation rights involving issuances of securities from treasury;

(v) any other compensation or incentive mechanism involving the issuance or potential issuances of securities of the Company; and

 

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(vi) security purchases from treasury by an employee, insider or service provider which is financially assisted by the Company by any means whatsoever.

For greater certainty, arrangements which do not involve the issuance from treasury or potential issuance from treasury of securities of the Company do not constitute security based compensation arrangements.

31.3. “ Service provider ” is a person or company engaged by the Company to provide services for an initial, renewable or extended period of twelve months or more.

Section 32. Toronto Stock Exchange Requirements. The number of common shares issuable to Insiders, at any time, under all Security Based Compensation Arrangements of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares; and the number of common shares issued to Insiders within any one year period, under all Security Based Compensation Arrangements of the Company, may not exceed 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares.

Section 33. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary for such Award to avoid the consequences described in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, the Plan and the Award Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner that results in their conforming to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any Department of Treasury or Internal Revenue Service regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, to the extent a Grantee has been granted an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code and such Grantee is a “specified employee” as defined under Section 409A of the Code, no distribution, settlement or payment of any amount shall be made before a date that is six months following the date of such Grantee’s “separation from service” as defined under Section 409A of the Code or, if earlier, the date of the Grantee’s death.

Section 34. Successors and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company, and, except to the extent limited by the terms of this Plan or any Agreement, to the successors of each Eligible Individual, including, without limitation, the estate of such Eligible Individual and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.8

TIM HORTONS INC.

EXECUTIVE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN

(as amended and restated effective September 28, 2009)

1. Purpose . The purpose of the Executive Annual Performance Plan (the “Plan”) is to enhance the ability of Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries to attract, motivate, reward, and retain key employees, to strengthen their commitment to the success of the Company and to align their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders by providing additional compensation to designated key employees of the Company based on the achievement of performance objectives. To this end, the Plan provides a means of rewarding participants based on the performance of the Company and/or its Operating Units.

2. Administration . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee and the CEO as provided herein. The Committee shall have full authority to establish the rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to interpret the Plan and those rules and regulations, to determine the Performance Objectives of the Company and/or Operating Units, to decide the facts in any case arising under the Plan and to make all other determinations and to take all other actions necessary or appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, including the delegation of such authority or power, where appropriate. The Committee’s administration of the Plan, including all such rules and regulations, interpretations, selections, determinations, approvals, decisions, delegations, amendments, terminations and other actions, shall be final and binding on the Company, its shareholders and the Participants and their beneficiaries. Subject to the authority and discretion of the Committee, the CEO shall have the full authority to determine the Participants in the Plan, the Award opportunities for such Participants, and whether such Award opportunities shall be based on the Performance Objectives of the Company or based on a combination of Performance Objectives of the Company and one or more Operating Units.

3. Eligible Employees . Generally, all Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan for any fiscal year. However, participation shall be limited to those Employees selected by the CEO, subject to the authority and discretion of the Committee, to participate in the Plan for each fiscal year in accordance with Section 4.

4. Determination of Awards . For each fiscal year, the Committee shall establish the Performance Objectives of the Company and/or Operating Units. Subject to the authority and discretion of the Committee, the CEO shall determine (i) the Employees who shall be Participants during each fiscal year, (ii) whether Awards for each Participant shall be based solely upon the achievement of Performance Objectives of the Company or on a combination of the achievement of Performance Objectives for the Company and for one or more Operating Units, (iii) the Award opportunities for each Participant, including the extent to which Awards will be payable for actual performance between each level of the Performance Objectives, and (iv) any adjustments described in Section 10 hereof. The CEO shall provide to the Committee, for consideration in accordance with its delegated authority from the Board, a schedule that indicates the Participants selected, their Award opportunities, and whether such Awards will be based on the Performance Objectives of the Company or a combination of the Company and one or more Operating Units, and any proposed adjustments as described in Section 10 hereof. The


Company shall notify each Participant of the applicable Performance Objectives for such Participant and his or her corresponding Award opportunities for each fiscal year.

5. Payment of Awards . As soon as practicable after the determination of the Company’s and, if applicable, the Operating Units’ financial performance for a fiscal year, but no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of such fiscal year, each Award to the extent earned shall be paid in a single lump sum cash payment, less applicable withholding taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may elect to defer all or a portion of any Award that will otherwise become payable in accordance with this Section, if permitted pursuant to (and in accordance with) a deferred compensation plan adopted by, or an agreement entered into with, the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

6. Discretionary Bonuses . In addition to any Awards payable under Section 4, the CEO, after consultation with the Committee and subject to the authority and discretion of the Committee, shall have the authority to make additional cash incentive awards to any Employees selected by the CEO in amounts determined by the CEO. Any such Award shall be paid to the applicable employee no later than the 15 th day of the third month following the end of the fiscal year in which the award is determined.

7. Termination of Employment . No Award or pro-rated portion of an Award for a fiscal year shall be payable to any Participant unless he or she is employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries on the payment date for Awards payable in respect of the fiscal year, unless the Participant’s employment was terminated because of his or her (i) death, (ii) disability or (iii) retirement after attaining age 60 and the completion of 10 years of continuous service with the Company and/or its subsidiaries, in which event the Participant will be entitled to a pro-rata portion (which shall be 100% if such termination occurs after the end of the fiscal year and prior to the payment date) of the Award otherwise payable in respect of that fiscal year, subject to the Committee’s discretion as set forth in Section 2 hereof. Provided, however, that for any Participant who has reached the age of 55 and the completion of 10 years of continuous service with the Company and/or its subsidiaries as of November 5, 2008, the applicable age in (iii) above shall be “55,” as opposed to age “60.” The foregoing proviso shall expire by its terms and be void and of no further force and effect on and as of November 5, 2013. For purposes of further clarity, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, even if a Participant is terminated without Cause or is otherwise found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been wrongfully terminated prior to the payment date for Awards in respect of a fiscal year, the Participant will receive no pro-rated Award, and the notice or pay in lieu of notice that the Participant receives in connection with termination will not have any component for damages representing the amount of an Award over any period of notice and, further, the employee will not be eligible for an Award for such period.

8. Misconduct . In the event that a Participant has (i) used for profit or disclosed to unauthorized persons, confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or its subsidiaries, or (ii) breached any contract with or violated any fiduciary obligation to the Company or its subsidiaries, or (iii) engaged in unlawful trading in the securities of the Company or its subsidiaries or of another company based on information gained as a result of that Participant’s employment with, or status as a director to, the Company or its Subsidiaries, no Award or pro-rated portion of an Award for a fiscal year shall be payable to any such Participant, unless the Committee shall determine otherwise.

 

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9. Change in Control . Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) The minimum Award payable to each Participant under Section 5 in respect of the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs shall be the greatest of:

(A) the Award or other annual bonus paid or payable to the Participant in respect of the fiscal year prior to the year in which the Change in Control occurs;

(B) the Award amount that would be payable to the Participant assuming that the Company achieved the target level of the Performance Objectives for such fiscal year; and

(C) the Award amount that would be payable to the Participant based on the Company’s actual performance and achievement of applicable Performance Objectives for such fiscal year through the date of the Change in Control.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that following the date of a Change in Control and prior to the payment date for Awards payable in respect of the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs a Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company and its subsidiaries without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, such Participant shall be entitled to receive the Award otherwise payable pursuant to the terms of the Plan in respect of that fiscal year as if he or she had remained in the employ of the Company through the payment date for Awards payable in respect of such fiscal year.

(iii) If a Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company and its subsidiaries without Cause prior to the date of a Change in Control but the Participant reasonably demonstrates that the termination (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which has been threatened or proposed, such termination shall be deemed to have occurred after a Change in Control for purposes of this Plan provided a Change in Control shall actually have occurred.

10. Adjustments . The Committee or the CEO, subject to the authority and discretion of the Committee, may, at the time Performance Objectives are determined for a fiscal year, or at any time prior to the final determination of Awards in respect of such fiscal year, provide for the manner in which performance will be measured against the Performance Objectives or may adjust the Performance Objectives (or the Company’s performance against said Performance Objectives) to reflect the impact of specified corporate transactions (such as a stock split or stock dividend), special charges, accounting or tax law changes, and/or other extraordinary, nonrecurring, or special events or circumstances.

11. Designation of Beneficiary . In the event of a Participant’s death prior to full payment of any Award hereunder, unless such Participant shall have designated a beneficiary or beneficiaries in accordance with this Section 11, payment of any Award due under the Plan shall be made to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Participant under the Company’s basic life insurance program, or if no beneficiary has been designated under the basic life insurance program, the Participant’s designated beneficiary dies prior to receiving any payment of an Award or if such designation shall for any reason be illegal or ineffective, Awards payable

 

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under the Plan shall be paid to the Participant’s estate. A beneficiary designation under this Plan, or revocation of a prior beneficiary designation, will be effective only if it is made in writing on a form provided by the Company, signed by the Participant and received by the Benefits Department of the Company. If a beneficiary has been designated under this Plan and such beneficiary dies prior to receiving any payment of an Award or if such designation shall for any reason be illegal or ineffective, Awards payable under the Plan shall be paid to the Participant’s estate.

12. Amendment or Termination . The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time in its discretion; provided , however , that no amendment or termination of the Plan may affect any Award made under the Plan prior to that time; and provided further , however , that the Plan may not be amended or terminated through and including the fiscal year in which a Change in Control occurs (i) at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which has been threatened or proposed, in either case provided that a Change in Control shall actually have occurred.

13. Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Award made under the Plan is subject to the Company’s right to reclaim such payment in the event of a financial restatement in accordance with the Company’s Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation adopted by the Board, as amended from time to time.

14. Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code . The Plan is intended to be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and the Plan shall be interpreted, administered and operated accordingly. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed as an entitlement to or guarantee of any particular tax treatment to a Participant and none of the Company, its affiliates, the Board or the Committee shall have any liability with respect to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

15. Miscellaneous Provisions

(a) Neither the establishment of this Plan, nor any action taken hereunder, shall be construed as giving any Employee or any Participant any right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(b) A Participant’s rights and interests under the Plan may not be assigned or transferred, except as provided in Section 10, and any attempted assignment or transfer shall be null and void and shall extinguish, in the Company’s sole discretion, the Company’s obligation under the Plan to pay Awards with respect to the Participant.

(c) The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund, or to make any other segregation of assets, to assure payment of Awards.

(d) The Company shall have the right to deduct from Awards paid any taxes or other amounts required by law to be withheld.

(e) Nothing contained in the Plan shall limit or affect in any manner or degree the normal and usual powers of management, exercised by the officers and the Board or committees thereof,

 

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to change the duties or the character of employment of any employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to remove the individual from the employment of the Company or any of its subsidiaries at any time, all of which rights and powers are expressly reserved.

(f) This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

16. Definitions .

(a) “ Award ” shall mean the cash incentive award earned by a Participant under the Plan for any fiscal year and/or any discretionary bonus described in Section 6 hereof.

(b) “ Base Salary ” shall mean the Participant’s annual base salary actually paid by the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and received by the Participant during the applicable fiscal year. Annual base salary does not include (i) Awards under the Plan, (ii) long-term incentive awards, (iii) signing bonuses or any similar bonuses, (iv) imputed income from such programs as executive life insurance, or (v) nonrecurring earnings such as moving expenses, and is based on salary earnings before reductions for (I) such items as contributions under Sections 125 or 401(k) of the Code or to a registered retirement savings plan, or (II) any remuneration, award, grant, bonus or contribution made pursuant to any nonqualified deferred compensation plan or agreement or any retirement savings plans.

(c) “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d) “ Cause ” means:

(i) in the case of a Participant whose employment with the Company or an affiliate thereof is subject to the terms of an employment agreement between such Participant and the Company or affiliate, which employment agreement includes a definition of “Cause,” the term “Cause” for purposes of termination, as used in this Plan shall have the meaning set forth in such employment agreement during the period that such employment agreement remains in effect following a Change in Control; and

(ii) in all other cases, (a) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (b) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of duties, (c) intentional violation of Company or applicable affiliate policy, (d) involvement in a transaction in connection with the performance of duties to the Company or any of its affiliates which transaction is adverse to the interests of the Company or any of its affiliates and which is engaged in for personal profit, (e) willful violation of any law, rule or regulation in connection with the performance of duties (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or (f) any other act, event or circumstance which would constitute just cause at law for termination of the Participant’s employment; provided, however, that following a Change in Control clause (a) of this Section 16(d)(ii) shall not constitute “Cause.”

(e) “ CEO ” shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(f) “ Change in Control ” shall mean the occurrence during the term of the Plan of:

(i) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any common shares or other voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (the

 

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“Voting Securities”) by any Person (as the term “person” is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; provided , however , in determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, common shares or Voting Securities which are acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which would cause a Change in Control. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition by (A) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (1) the Company or (2) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company (for purposes of this definition, a “Subsidiary”), (B) the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (C) any Person in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction” (as hereinafter defined);

(ii) The individuals who, as of September 28, 2009, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”), cease for any reason to constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the Board; provided , however , that if the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s common shareholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; provided further , however , that no individual shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed office as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”) including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Proxy Contest; or

(iii) The consummation of:

(A) A merger, consolidation, amalgamation or reorganization with or into the Company or in which securities of the Company are issued (a “Merger”), unless such Merger is a “Non-Control Transaction.” A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a Merger where:

(1) the shareholders of the Company immediately before such Merger own directly or indirectly immediately following such Merger at least seventy percent (70%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such Merger (the “Surviving Corporation”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before such Merger;

(2) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such Merger constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation, or a corporation beneficially directly or indirectly owning a majority of the voting securities of the Surviving Corporation; and

(3) no Person other than (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary, (iii) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) that immediately prior to such Merger was maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iv) any Person

 

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who, immediately prior to such Merger had Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, has Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the then outstanding common shares of the Surviving Corporation or the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities.

(B) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(C) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common shares or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of common shares or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of common shares or Voting Securities by the Company, and after such acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional common shares or Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur.

(g) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(h) “ Committee ” shall mean the Human Resource and Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee of the Board appointed by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan and to perform the functions set forth herein.

(i) “ Employee ” shall mean any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries or parent organization.

(j) “ Good Reason ” shall mean the occurrence after a Change in Control of any of the following events or conditions without the Participant’s express written consent:

(i) a change in the Participant’s status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities) which, in the Participant’s reasonable judgment, does not represent a promotion from his or her status, title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the Participant of any duties or responsibilities which, in the Participant’s reasonable judgment, are inconsistent with such status, title, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect him or her to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of his or her employment for disability, for Cause, as a result of his or her death or by the Participant other than for Good Reason;

(ii) a reduction by the Company in the Participant’s Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time;

 

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(iii) the Company’s requiring the Participant to be based at any place outside a 50-kilometer radius from the Participant’s business office location immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for reasonably required travel on the Company’s behalf, or on behalf of a subsidiary of the Company’s (or its successor’s) business (or the business of any successor to the Company as the controlling voting shareholder (whether direct or indirect) of the Company) which is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the Change in Control;

(iv) the failure by the Company to continue to provide the Participant with compensation and benefits substantially similar (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward opportunities) to those provided for under the Participant’s Employment Agreement, if applicable, and those provided to him or her under any of the employee benefit plans in which the Participant becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the Company which would directly or indirectly materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Participant of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by him or her at the time of the Change in Control;

(v) any material breach by the Company of any provision of the Participant’s Employment Agreement with the Company, if applicable; and

(vi) the failure of the Company to notify the Participant within the 30-day period following any transfer of business and assets to any other person by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise, that the Company has obtained a satisfactory agreement from a successor or assign of the Company to assume and agree to perform the Participant’s Employment Agreement with the Company, if any.

(k) “ Operating Unit ”, for any fiscal year, shall mean a division, Company subsidiary, affiliate, group, product line or product line grouping for which an income statement reflecting sales and operating income is produced.

(l) “ Participant ”, for any fiscal year, shall mean an Employee selected by the CEO, subject to the authority and discretion of the Committee, to participate in the Plan for such fiscal year.

(m) “ Performance Objectives ”, for any fiscal year, shall mean one or more financial performance objectives of the Company and/or Operating Unit(s) established by the Committee in accordance with Section 4, which may include threshold Performance Objectives, target Performance Objectives and maximum Performance Objectives. Performance Objectives may be expressed in terms of earnings per share, earnings (which may be expressed as earnings before specified items), return on assets, return on invested capital, revenue, operating income, cash flow, total shareholder return or any combination thereof. Performance Objectives may be expressed as a combination of Company and/or Operating Unit(s) Performance Objectives and may be absolute or relative (to prior performance or to the performance of one or more other entities or external indices) and may be expressed in terms of a progression within a specified range.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.9

THE TDL GROUP CORP.

AMENDED AND RESTATED PERSONAL SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

ADOPTED TO BE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2009

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED: SEPTEMBER 28, 2009


Table of Contents

 

 

Section 1 - Establishment and Purpose

   1

Section 2 - Definitions

   1

Section 3 - Participation

   6

Section 4 - Payments To Vested Accounts

   7

Section 5 - Vested Accounts and Tax Free Savings Accounts

   9

Section 6 - Bonuses to Non-Vested Participants; Notional Accounts

   11

Section 7 - Termination and Retirement

   13

Section 8 - Total Disability

   15

Section 9 - Administration of the Savings Plan

   16

Section 10 - General Provisions

   17

Section 11 - Amendment To or Termination of the Savings Plan

   18

Appendix “A” - List of Participants as of the Effective Date

   20

Appendix “B” - List of Permitted Investments

   21

Schedule “A” - Acknowledgment and Direction

   22

Schedule “B” - Tax Free Savings Account – Acknowledgment and Direction

   24


Section 1 - Establishment and Purpose

 

 

1.01 Effective January 1, 2009, The TDL Group Corp. establishes The TDL Group Corp. Personal Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”), as amended and restated effective September 28, 2009, the terms and conditions of which are contained in this document.

 

1.02 The purpose of the Savings Plan is to provide designated employees of THI, TDL and/or Participating Affiliates (as defined below) with additional compensation to be saved for their retirements in accordance with and subject to the provisions and limitations of this Savings Plan.

 

1.03 In connection with the reorganization of THI USA as a Canada Business Corporations Act incorporated public company, THI has assumed all the rights and obligations of THI USA under this Savings Plan, effective upon the Merger Date.

Section 2 - Definitions

 

 

2.01 Administration Agreement means the agreement between the Corporation and the Administrative Agent to be entered into on or prior to the Effective Date relating to the Administrative Agent’s responsibilities in connection with this Savings Plan.

 

2.02 “Administrative Agent” means the financial, or other institution selected by the Corporation to act as Administrative Agent for this Savings Plan.

 

2.03 “Affiliate” means any Person which is subsidiary to, or associated or affiliated with, THI where:

 

  (a) in the case of a Person that is a corporation, THI and/or its Affiliates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares representing 50% or more of the votes that may be cast to elect directors of such corporation;

 

  (b) in the case of a Person that is a limited partnership, the general partner of such limited partnership is an Affiliate of THI;

 

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  (c) in the case of a Person that is a trust where the trustees have discretionary powers in respect of the trust assets, THI and/or its Affiliates have the right to elect or appoint a majority of the trustees of such trust; and

 

  (d) in the case of a Person other than a corporation, limited partnership or trust, THI and/or its Affiliates possess, directly or indirectly, at least a majority ownership interest in such Person and have the power to determine the policies and conduct of the management of such Person;

 

2.04 “Acknowledgment and Direction” means an irrevocable Acknowledgment and Direction executed by a Participant in the form attached hereto as Schedule A.

 

2.05 “Board” means the Board of Directors of THI, a committee thereof, including the HRCC, or any person authorized by the Board to act on its behalf.

 

2.06 “Business Day” means a day on which banks are open for business in the City of Toronto.

 

2.07 CEO” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

 

2.08 Change in Control means:

 

  (a) the direct or indirect acquisition of a majority of the voting shares of TDL or THI by any unaffiliated entity after the Effective Date;

 

  (b) the merger or amalgamation of TDL or THI into an unaffiliated entity the effect of which is that a majority of the voting shares of TDL or THI are acquired, directly or indirectly, by any unaffiliated entity after the Effective Date;

 

  (c) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of TDL or THI by any unaffiliated entity after the Effective Date; or

 

  (d) with respect to any Participant who is and continues to be employed by an Affiliate other than THI or TDL, such employer ceasing to be an Affiliate of THI for any reason whatsoever;

provided that the following events shall be deemed not to constitute a Change in Control:

 

  (e) the amalgamation or merger of TDL, THI or an Affiliate with TDL, THI or an Affiliate;

 

  (f) the dissolution of TDL, THI or an Affiliate into TDL, THI or an Affiliate; or

 

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  (g) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or voting shares of TDL, THI or an Affiliate by an Affiliate.

 

2.09 “Corporation” means THI, TDL and any Affiliate, and their successors and assigns so long as such entities remain Affiliates; provided that, where any action is to be taken or decision to be made, “Corporation” shall mean only TDL.

 

2.10 “Earnings” means the aggregate of each Participant’s base salary and short-term incentive compensation ( i.e. , annual bonus) received during the Plan Year from the Corporation, excluding special bonuses and allowances, as these terms are used by the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business and also excluding any amount paid or credited to the Participant’s Vested Account, Tax Free Savings Account or Notional Account pursuant to this Savings Plan during the Plan Year. For sake of greater clarity, “Earnings” does not include stock-based incentives granted to Participants or disability benefits paid to a Participant under the TDL Group Benefit Program or a similar program maintained for the benefit of employees of one or more Participating Affiliates.

 

2.11 “Effective Date” means January 1, 2009.

 

2.12 “Employee” means an employee of the Corporation or a Participating Affiliate who is a Canadian resident for purposes of the Tax Act.

 

2.13 “HRCC” means the Human Resource and Compensation Committee.

 

2.14 “Merger Date” means September 28, 2009.

 

2.15 “Non-Vested Participant” means an Employee who has satisfied the eligibility conditions in Section 3.02 but has not yet completed three years of Service.

 

2.16 Notional Account ” means the notional account established by the Corporation or the Administrative Agent for a Non-Vested Participant pursuant to Section 6.01.

 

2.17 “Participant” means both a Vested Participant and a Non-Vested Participant.

 

2.18 “Participating Affiliate” means an Affiliate established or continued under Canadian law that has employees meeting the eligibility requirements to be able to participate in this Savings Plan.

 

2.19 “Permitted Investment” means one of the investments or portfolios that is listed in Appendix B or designated by the Corporation and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.02.

 

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2.20 “Person” means an individual, partnership, limited partnership, general partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, trust, pension fund, bank, trust company, loan company, insurance company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not legal entities, and government and agency and any political subdivision thereof.

 

2.21 “Plan Year” means the calendar year.

 

2.22 “Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation” means the recoupment policy originally adopted by the approval of the board of directors of Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation, on February 19, 2009 and adopted by the Board of New THI to be effective on September 28, 2009.

 

2.23 “Registered Plan” means the defined contribution pension plan for, as the case may be, the employees of THI, TDL and certain other Participating Affiliates registered under the Pension Benefits Act of Ontario and the Tax Act.

 

2.24 “Savings Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.01.

 

2.25 “Service” means a Participant’s period of employment with the Corporation commencing on the Participant’s date of hire. Service will not be considered to be broken by periods of absence (with or without pay), granted by the Corporation in accordance with its regular and established practices or by periods of absence while benefits are being paid to the Participant under the Corporation’s salary continuance or long term disability plan. For any Participant for whom a prior period of employment would be disregarded following a prior termination of such employment, the Corporation may, in its sole discretion, treat such prior and current periods of employment as Service.

 

2.26 “Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended.

 

2.27 “Tax Free Savings Account” means the account established for a Vested Participant pursuant to Section 5.01 on terms acceptable to the Corporation that is a “qualifying arrangement” for purposes of subsection 146.2(1) of the Tax Act.

 

2.28 “TDL” means The TDL Group Corp., a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company and its successors and assigns.

 

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2.29 “TDL Group Benefit Program” means the TDL group benefits program G001 16072 issued by Manulife Financial, or such replacement policy or policies that the Corporation may arrange.

 

2.30 TDL Supplemental Plan ” means The TDL Group Corp. Amended and Restated Supplementary Retirement Plan, established effective November 1, 2006.

 

2.31 “THI” means Tim Hortons Inc., a Canada Business Corporations Act corporation, and its successors and assigns.

 

2.32 “THI Mergeco” means THI Mergeco Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

2.33 “THI USA” means Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

2.34 “Total Disability” (or “Totally Disabled”) means a disability that qualifies a Participant for disability benefits under the TDL Group Benefit Program or a similar program maintained for the benefit of employees of one or more Participating Affiliates.

 

2.35 “Vested Account” means the account established for a Vested Participant pursuant to Section 5.01 on terms acceptable to the Corporation.

 

2.36 “Vested Participant” means an Employee who has satisfied:

 

  (a) the eligibility requirements of Section 3.01; or

 

  (b) the eligibility requirements of Section 3.03.

 

2.37 Withholding Tax ” means all taxes, charges, fees, levies and other amounts (whether federal, provincial, local or foreign), including Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance premiums or similar amounts, required to be deducted and withheld and remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency, any federal, provincial, local or foreign governmental authority in respect of any payment paid to a Participant or his or her estate.

 

2.38 “Yearly Amount” means:

 

  (a) for the 2009 Plan Year of a Participant whose contribution rate for 2008 under the TDL Supplemental Plan (as determined pursuant to Section 4.02(a) thereof) was at either 6% or 8% of Earnings, an amount equal to 10% of the Participant’s Earnings, less the amount of the Corporation’s contribution on the Participant’s behalf to the Registered Plan in the 2009 Plan Year;

 

  (b)

for the 2009 Plan Year of a Participant whose contribution rate for 2008 under the TDL Supplemental Plan (as determined pursuant to Section 4.02(a) thereof) was

 

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at 22% of Earnings, an amount equal to 18% of the Participant’s Earnings, less the amount of the Corporation’s contribution on the Participant’s behalf to the Registered Plan in the 2009 Plan Year;

 

  (c) for the 2010 Plan Year of a Participant whose contribution rate for 2008 under the TDL Supplemental Plan (as determined pursuant to Section 4.02(a) thereof) was at 22% of Earnings, an amount equal to 15% of the Participant’s Earnings, less the amount of the Corporation’s contribution on the Participant’s behalf to the Registered Plan in the 2010 Plan Year; and

 

  (d) in all other cases, an amount equal to 12% of the Participant’s Earnings, less the amount of the Corporation’s contribution on the Participant’s behalf to the Registered Plan in the applicable Plan Year.

In this Savings Plan, words importing the singular number include the plural and vice versa; and, references to a Section or Sections means a Section or Sections in this Savings Plan.

Section 3 - Participation

 

 

3.01 Participants on the Effective Date

Each Employee of the Corporation who was an active member of the TDL Supplemental Plan immediately before the Effective Date and who has delivered an Acknowledgment and Direction to the Corporation with effect from the Effective Date:

 

  (a) shall become a Vested Participant in the Savings Plan on the Effective Date, provided that such Employee has completed three years of Service; or

 

  (b) shall become a Non-Vested Participant in the Savings Plan on the Effective Date, where such Employee has not completed three years of Service.

Appendix A to the Savings Plan lists the Participants as of the Effective Date.

 

3.02 Participants After the Effective Date

Each Employee of the Corporation who after the Effective Date:

 

  (a) is an individual who is promoted to or hired at the Vice President officer level or above for the Corporation or a Participating Affiliate, or who is otherwise designated as a Participant by the HRCC as eligible for participation in the Savings Plan;

 

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  (b) is a member of the Registered Plan; and

 

  (c) has delivered an Acknowledgment and Direction to the Corporation,

shall become a Non-Vested Participant in the Savings Plan on the first day of the month coincident with or next following the month in which the Employee becomes eligible for participation in the Savings Plan in accordance with this Section 3.02.

 

3.03 Becoming a Vested Participant

Each Non-Vested Participant shall become a Vested Participant on the earlier of:

 

  (a) the day that the Non-Vested Participant has completed three years of Service; or

 

  (b) a Change of Control,

provided that, in each case, the Participant has delivered a signed Acknowledgement and Direction to the Corporation.

 

3.04 Other Employee Plans

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, an Employee is not eligible to participate in the Savings Plan during any period of employment in which the Employee is a participant of a plan or arrangement maintained by the Corporation or an Affiliate that provides additional salary, wages or retirement benefits, which the Corporation designates as a plan or arrangement that precludes its participants from participating in the Savings Plan.

Section 4 - Payments To Vested Accounts

 

 

4.01 Participant Contributions

Subject to Section 4.04, a Participant may only make contributions to the Savings Plan out of the additional compensation paid to the Participant by the Corporation pursuant to this Savings Plan, which the Participant directs to the Participant’s Vested Account or Tax Free Savings Account in accordance with the Participant’s Acknowledgment and Direction and the provisions of this Savings Plan.

 

4.02 Corporation Payments to Vested Participants

Not later than 60 days after the end of each Plan Year, the Corporation shall, in accordance with the Vested Participant’s Acknowledgment and Direction and subject to Section 4.03, pay the Yearly Amount, less applicable Withholding Taxes, to the Vested

 

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Account of each Vested Participant who was actively employed as an Employee and who had not attained age 69 at the end of such Plan Year (including a Vested Participant who became a Vested Participant in that Plan Year).

 

4.03 Tax Free Savings Account

In any Plan Year, a Participant may direct the Corporation, as agent for the Participant, to pay all or a portion of any amount that would otherwise be paid to the Participant’s Vested Account pursuant to Sections 4.02 or Section 6.03 in a Plan Year to the Participant’s Tax Free Savings Account, by providing direction to the Corporation on the form attached hereto as Schedule B; provided that the aggregate of all amounts paid to the Participant’s Tax Free Savings Account together with any other contributions by the Participant to the Tax Free Savings Account or any other tax free savings account established by the Participant in a Plan Year may not exceed the “TFSA dollar limit” in subsection 207.01(1) of the Tax Act for that Plan Year. For greater certainty, all amounts paid under this Savings Plan to a Participant’s Tax Free Savings Account are contributions of the Participant and not the Corporation to such Tax Free Savings Account.

 

4.04 Contribution of TDL Supplemental Plan Balances

Any Participant who was a Participant under the TDL Supplemental Plan and who received a cash distribution, net of any applicable Withholding Tax, on the liquidation and wind-up of the TDL Supplemental Plan (the “ Wind-up Funds ”) may deposit all or a portion of the Wind-up Funds into his or her Vested Account and/or his or her Tax Free Savings Account within 30 days of the Effective Date in the manner determined by the Corporation, provided that the Participant has given written notice to the Corporation of his or her intention to make such a deposit no later than 45 days after the Effective Date. Any funds so deposited to the Vested Account or the Tax Free Savings Account will be subject to the provisions of this Savings Plan.

 

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Section 5 - Vested Accounts and Tax Free Savings Accounts

 

 

5.01 Vested Participant’s Account

Each Vested Participant shall establish a Vested Account and, if desired, a Tax Free Savings Account with the Administrative Agent, into which payments under Sections 4.02 and 6.03 of this Savings Plan shall be made, Permitted Investments acquired pursuant to Section 5.02 shall be held, and that shall otherwise be subject to the terms of this Savings Plan.

 

5.02 Permitted Investments

Subject to the Administration Agreement:

 

  (a) Appendix B sets forth the investments in which the Participants may invest the funds held in their Vested Accounts and Tax Free Savings Accounts (“Permitted Investments”);

 

  (b) at any time and from time to time, the Corporation and the Administrative Agent may, in accordance with the Administration Agreement, designate one or more additional Permitted Investments; and

 

  (c) the Corporation and the Administrative Agent may cause an investment to cease to be a Permitted Investment; however, unless otherwise required by the Administrative Agent, any Vested Participant who holds such a Permitted Investment in his or her Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account shall not be required to sell the investment because it ceases to be a Permitted Investment in accordance with this Section 5.02(c).

 

5.03 Investment Elections

Subject to the Administration Agreement:

 

  (a) each Vested Participant shall have the right and obligation to designate the Permitted Investments in which the funds in his or her Vested Account and Tax Free Savings Account will be invested;

 

  (b)

a Vested Participant may change the designation made under Section 5.03(a) or transfer an amount invested in one Permitted Investment to another Permitted Investment by filing an election with the Administrative Agent in a manner

 

- 9 -


 

prescribed by the Administration Agreement or which is otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

 

  (c) if a Vested Participant does not make an election with respect to the investment of the funds in his or her Vested Account and Tax Free Savings Account, the Vested Participant shall be deemed to have elected a short-term interest fund or the Permitted Investment that is designated under Section 5.02 which, in the opinion of the Corporation, is most similar to a short-term interest fund; and

 

  (d) the Corporation may establish rules, regulations and procedures regarding the Permitted Investments as it deems appropriate in its sole discretion, provided that no such rule, regulation or procedure may be enacted if it would cause a Tax Free Savings Account to cease to be a “qualifying arrangement” within the meaning of subsection 146.2(1) of the Tax Act or would cause this Savings Plan to be a “salary deferral arrangement”, “employee benefit plan” or “retirement compensation arrangement” as defined in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act.

 

5.04 Expenses

 

  (a) Participant Taxes :

Each Participant is responsible for the payment and reporting of all taxes payable in respect of amounts paid or credited to the Participant under this Savings Plan, and any taxes payable in respect of the Participant’s Vested Account or Tax Free Savings Account, provided that Withholding Taxes shall be withheld out of amounts payable to the Participants hereunder, and the Person making such Withholding Taxes will make any reporting in respect of such Withholding Taxes.

 

  (b) Account Expenses :

Each Participant shall be responsible for the costs and expenses relating to the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Participant’s Vested Accounts and Tax Free Savings Accounts.

 

  (c) Corporation Expenses :

Subject to the foregoing, the Corporation shall pay all other costs and expenses related to the establishment, maintenance and operation of the Savings Plan.

 

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Section 6 - Bonuses to Non-Vested Participants; Notional Accounts

 

 

6.01 Timing of Bonus

 

  (a) Not later than 60 days after the end of each Plan Year, the Corporation shall, in accordance with and subject to this Section 6, declare a bonus effective as of the last Business Day of such Plan Year equal to the Yearly Amount to each Non-Vested Participant who was actively employed as an Employee and who had not attained age 69 at the end of such Plan Year. Any such bonus will be in respect of the services rendered by such Participant during such Plan Year, provided that such bonus shall be subject to the provisions and limitations of this Savings Plan and, as such, shall be recorded in the Notional Account of the Non-Vested Participant.

 

  (b) The CEO or the Board, in the case of the CEO, if applicable, has the sole and absolute discretion whether any bonus will be declared to a Non-Vested Participant pursuant to this Savings Plan during any Plan Year and may further reduce the amount that would otherwise be credited to a Non-Vested Participant’s Notional Account if the Non-Vested Participant does not report for his or her employment for any reason or does not perform to the Corporation’s expectations.

 

6.02 Notional Accounts

Either the Corporation or the Administrative Agent shall establish and maintain in its records a Notional Account for each Non-Vested Participant that records the aggregate of all amounts recorded to the Notional Account pursuant to Section 6.01 or Section 8.01.

 

6.03 Payments at Vesting

 

  (a) In addition to any payments made in accordance with Section 4.02, the Corporation shall, in accordance with the Participant’s Acknowledgment and Direction and subject to Section 4.03, pay to the Vested Account of a Participant the total balance in that Participant’s Notional Account, less applicable Withholding Taxes, on or before the earlier of: (i) the last Business Day of the Plan Year in which the Participant becomes a Vested Participant; and (ii) the last Business Day of the Plan Year that is three years after the Plan Year in respect of which an amount was first recorded in the Participant’s Notional Account; and

 

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  (b) upon making the payment contemplated by Section 6.03(a), the Corporation shall notify the Administrative Agent, if applicable, and the balance in the Participant’s Notional Account shall be reduced to nil and such Notional Account shall thereupon be terminated.

 

6.04 Payments Prior to Vesting

 

  (a) Triggering Event Payments

Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, if any of the following events occur during any Plan Year (each a “ Triggering Event ”):

 

  (i) the Non-Vested Participant’s employment is terminated for any reason, including retirement, after the Participant attains age 65;

 

  (ii) the Non-Vested Participant’s employment is terminated following a period of Total Disability;

 

  (iii) the Non-Vested Participant’s employment is terminated by the Corporation without cause prior to the date of a Change in Control, a Change of Control occurs after the termination, and the Non-Vested Participant reasonably demonstrates that the termination: (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control; or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which was threatened or proposed;

 

  (iv) the Non-Vested Participant dies; or

 

  (v) in such other circumstances as the HRCC may, in its sole discretion, determine; then,

the Corporation shall, on the last day of the first full month following the occurrence of the Triggering Event, notify the Administrative Agent, if applicable, and pay to the Non-Vested Participant, or, in the case of the Triggering Event in Section 6.04(a)(iv), his or her estate, the total balance in that Participant’s Notional Account, less applicable Withholding Taxes. In addition to the foregoing, in the case of a Triggering Events other than the Triggering Event in Section 6.04(a)(ii), the Corporation shall also, on the last day of the first full

 

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month following the occurrence of the Triggering Event, pay to the Non-Vested Participant, or, in the case of the Triggering Event in Section 6.04(a)(iv), his or her estate, an amount calculated in accordance with Subsection 4.02 as though the Participant was a Vested Participant who was actively employed by the Corporation at such time, based on the Participant’s Earnings for the period from the commencement of the Plan Year in which the Triggering Event occurred to the date of the Triggering Event, less applicable Withholding Taxes. For greater certainty, in the case of a Triggering Event in Section 6.04(a)(ii), the Corporation shall also make the payment to the Participant in accordance with Section 8.01(a)(i) (based on the Participant’s Earnings for periods of active employment), as though the Participant was a Vested Participant at that time, provided that in the case of termination of employment due to Total Disability as described in Section 6.04(a)(ii), no return to active employment shall be required.

 

  (b) Termination

Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.04, a Non-Vested Participant whose employment is terminated for any reason is not entitled to any payment under the Savings Plan, and the balance in the Non-Vested Participant’s Notional Account as at the date of such termination shall be reduced to nil without any payment.

Section 7 - Termination and Retirement

 

 

7.01 Vested Participant’s Accounts

 

  (a) In accordance with the Acknowledgment and Direction of the Participant, each Vested Participant will direct the Administrative Agent to hold the Permitted Investments in the Vested Participant’s Vested Account or Tax Free Savings Account until such time as the Administrative Agent is notified by the Corporation that:

 

  (i) the Participant’s employment was terminated for any reason;

 

  (ii) the Participant’s employment is terminated following a period of Total Disability;

 

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  (iii) the Savings Plan is terminated;

 

  (iv) the Participant dies; or

 

  (v) in such other circumstances as the HRCC may, in its sole discretion, determine.

 

  (b) At any time and from time to time following the delivery of the notice described in Section 7.01(a) in respect of a Vested Participant, the Vested Participant may:

 

  (i) direct the Administrative Agent to sell any of the Permitted Investments held in the Vested Participant’s Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account;

 

  (ii) pay any or all of the money in the Vested Participant’s Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account to the Vested Participant or such other person as the Vested Participant may direct;

 

  (iii) transfer the Permitted Investments in the Vested Participant’s Vested Account to the Vested Participant or such other person as the Vested Participant may direct; or

 

  (iv) transfer the Permitted Investments in the Tax Free Savings Account to another tax free savings account designated by the Vested Participant.

 

7.02 Additional Payments During a Plan Year

Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, if a Vested Participant:

 

  (a) retires from employment after the Vested Participant has attained age 60 and has completed at least 10 years of Service with the Corporation or a Participating Affiliate;

 

  (b) retires from employment after the Vested Participant has attained age 65;

 

  (c) is terminated following a Change in Control;

 

  (d) is terminated by the Corporation without cause prior to the date of a Change in Control, a Change of Control occurs after the termination, and the Vested Participant reasonably demonstrates that the termination: (A) was at the request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control; or (B) otherwise arose in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which was threatened or proposed; or

 

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  (e) dies; then,

the Corporation shall, on the last day of the first full month following the occurrence of an event described in paragraphs 7.02(a) to (e), pay to the Vested Participant, or his or her estate, as applicable, an amount that is equal to the payment calculated in accordance with Subsection 4.02, based on the Vested Participant’s Earnings for the period from the commencement of the Plan Year in which such event occurred to the date of such event, less Withholding Tax.

Section 8 - Total Disability

 

 

8.01 Total Disability

 

  (a) If a Participant becomes Totally Disabled during a Plan Year and returns to active employment with the Corporation during that Plan Year or a subsequent Plan Year, then the Corporation shall:

 

  (i) in the case of a Vested Participant, pay an amount to the Vested Participant’s Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account in accordance with Section 4.02 or Section 4.03, as applicable, based on the Vested Participant’s Earnings for the periods of his or her active employment with the Corporation during the Plan Year or Plan Years, as applicable, in which the Vested Participant became or continued to be Totally Disabled, but nonetheless performed services for at least part of such Plan Year or Plan Years; and

 

  (ii) in the case of a Non-Vested Participant, declare a bonus to the Non-Vested Participant in accordance with Section 6.01 based on the Non-Vested Participant’s Earnings for the periods of his or her active employment with the Corporation during the Plan Year or Plan Years, as applicable, in which the Non-Vested Participant became or continued to be Totally Disabled, but nonetheless performed services for at least part of such Plan Year or Plan Years, which shall be recorded in the Non-Vested Participant’s Notional Account.

 

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  (b) If a Vested Participant becomes Totally Disabled and their employment is terminated as a result of becoming Totally Disabled, then the Corporation shall notify the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 7.01, and the Corporation will pay an amount to the Participant in accordance with Section 8.01(a)(i) for periods of active employment with return to active service not required. If a Non-Vested Participant becomes Totally Disabled and their employment is terminated as a result of becoming Totally Disabled, then the Corporation shall notify the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 6.04, and the Corporation will pay an amount to the Participant in accordance with Section 8.01(a)(i) for periods of active employment (as if the Participant were a Vested Participant) with return to active service not required.

Section 9 - Administration of the Savings Plan

 

 

9.01 Responsibility for Administration

 

  (a) The HRCC shall be responsible for the overall administration, interpretation and application of this Savings Plan, and all decisions of the HRCC in connection with the administration of the Savings Plan shall be final and binding upon each Participant. The HRCC may enact such rules and regulations relating to the operation of the Savings Plan as it considers necessary for the carrying out of its provisions and may amend or revoke such rules and regulations from time to time, provided that any such rules and regulations and amendments thereto will not: (A) be inconsistent with the terms of this Savings Plan; (B) cause a Tax Free Savings Account established in connection with this Savings Plan to cease to be a “qualifying arrangement” within the meaning of subsection 146.2 of the Tax Act; or (C) cause this Savings Plan to be a “salary deferral arrangement”, “employee benefit plan” or “retirement compensation arrangement” as defined in subsection 248(1) of the Tax Act.

 

  (b)

This Savings Plan is intended for Participants who are residents of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act and are not subject to the taxation laws of any other country on amounts paid or credited in accordance with this Savings Plan. The

 

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Corporation has the right to modify, amend, suspend or terminate this Savings Plan with respect to any Participant who becomes a non-resident of Canada for purposes of the Tax Act or who, in its opinion, is subject to the taxation laws of a country other than Canada, including without limitation Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , on amounts paid or credited in accordance with this Savings Plan.

 

9.02 Delegation of Duties

The HRCC may delegate certain duties with respect to the administration of the Savings Plan to such committee or person or persons as it may determine, whether or not the member of the committee or the person or persons are employees, officers or directors of the Corporation. The Corporation may authorize the committee, person or persons so determined by it to act on its behalf and to execute instruments on its behalf.

Section 10 - General Provisions

 

 

10.01 Rights of Employee

Participation in this Savings Plan does not confer on the Participant any rights that the Participant did not otherwise possess as an Employee, except to such benefits as have specifically accrued to the Participant under the terms of the Savings Plan. Nothing contained in the Savings Plan shall be deemed to give the Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Corporation or to interfere with the right of the Corporation to discharge the Participant at any time without regard to the effect that such discharge might have upon the Participant under the Savings Plan.

 

10.02 Non-Alienation

Except as otherwise provided in this Savings Plan, all payments made under the terms of the Savings Plan are for the Participant’s own use and benefit, are not capable of assignment or alienation, and do not confer upon the Participant, the Participant’s personal representative or dependent, or any other person, any right or interest in the benefit or deferred benefit that is capable of being assigned or otherwise alienated.

 

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10.03 Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any payment made hereunder to, or to the benefit of, a Participant is subject to the Corporation’s right to reclaim any performance-based portion of such payment in the event of a financial restatement in accordance with the Corporation’s Recoupment Policy Relating to Performance-Based Compensation adopted by the Board, as amended from time.

 

10.04 Records

Whenever used for the purposes of the Savings Plan, the records of the Corporation will be deemed to be conclusive as to the facts with which they are concerned.

 

10.05 Applications, Notices and Elections

Any application, notice, or election under the Savings Plan shall be made, given, or communicated, as the case may be, in such manner as the Corporation may determine.

 

10.06 Construction

The Savings Plan and all rights thereunder will be governed, construed, and administered in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

Section 11 - Amendment To or Termination of the Savings Plan

 

 

11.01 Amendment or Termination of the Savings Plan

Subject to the approval of THI, the Corporation intends to maintain the Savings Plan in force indefinitely, but, nevertheless, reserves the sole right to amend or terminate the Savings Plan in whole or in part at any time, provided, however, that any amount that is payable to a Participant under the Savings Plan immediately prior to the date of the amendment or termination shall not be reduced by such amendment or termination. For greater certainty, the Vested Account and the Tax Free Savings Account of each Vested Participant are the Participant’s accounts and, except as provided by Section 7.01, will not otherwise affected by such termination.

 

11.02 Notice of Termination

Should the Savings Plan be terminated at any time, the Corporation shall immediately notify the Administrative Agent of such termination for purposes of Section 7.01.

 

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11.03 Wind-Up or Bankruptcy of the Corporation

In the event that THI or the Corporation at any time files an assignment in bankruptcy, has a petition into bankruptcy filed on its behalf, is in receivership or is wound-up (other than in a reorganization with or involving an Affiliate where all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to an Affiliate or otherwise is effected for restructuring the group of companies of which THI is a part), the Savings Plan shall be deemed to be fully terminated and the Corporation shall be deemed to have been given notice of the Savings Plan’s termination immediately prior to such time to the Administrative Agent. For greater certainty, the Vested Account and the Tax Free Savings Account of each Vested Participant are the Participant’s accounts and are not to be subject to the claims of creditors of THI or the Corporation.

 

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Appendix “A” - List of Participants as of the Effective Date

 

 

Participant Name

n

 

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Appendix “B” - List of Permitted Investments

 

 

Permitted Investments

n

 

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Schedule “A” - Acknowledgment and Direction

 

 

TO:    THE TDL GROUP CORP. (the “Corporation”)
AND TO:    n (the “Administrative Agent”)

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the undersigned qualifies under the Corporation’s Personal Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”) as a Participant (as defined in the Plan);

AND WHEREAS the undersigned has received and reviewed a copy of the Plan and desires to participate in the Plan as a Participant;

AND WHEREAS capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Acknowledgment and Direction have the meanings given to such terms in the Plan;

NOW THEREFORE,

(a) The undersigned acknowledges that he or she will be receiving amounts under the Plan after he or she becomes Vested Participant, and that he or she will direct such amounts be paid to the undersigned’s Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account in accordance with the terms of this Acknowledgment and Direction and the Plan.

(b) The undersigned acknowledges that the Corporation will deduct and withhold all applicable Withholding Taxes from amounts directed to the undersigned’s Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account.

(c) Subject to Section 4.03 of the Plan, the undersigned hereby directs the Corporation to pay any amounts payable to the undersigned under Sections 4.02 and 6.03of the Plan to the undersigned’s Vested Account.

(d) The undersigned acknowledges that he or she will cause all funds held in the undersigned’s Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account to be invested exclusively in Permitted Investments.

(e) The undersigned directs the Administrative Agent not to disburse any amount from his or her Vested Account and/or Tax Free Savings Account until such time as the Corporation gives notice to Administrative Agent in accordance with the Plan.

(f) This Acknowledgment and Direction is irrevocable.

Dated as of the      day of             ,         .

 

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SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED  

}

    
in the presence of:       
      

 

    

 

  (seal)
Witness      Name  

 

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Schedule “B” - Tax Free Savings Account – Acknowledgment and Direction

 

 

TO:    THE TDL GROUP CORP. (THE “CORPORATION”)
AND TO:    n (THE “ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT”)

WHEREAS, the undersigned is entitled to receive $             (the “Payment”) not later than 60 days after the end of the calendar year (the “Plan Year”) in accordance with the Personal Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”);

AND WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 4.04 of the Plan, the undersigned wishes to contribute $             of the Payment to the Tax Free Savings Account established for the undersigned in accordance with the Plan;

AND WHEREAS capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Acknowledgment and Direction have the meanings given to such terms in the Plan;

NOW THEREFORE:

(a) The undersigned directs the Corporation to pay $             from the Payment to the undersigned’s Tax Free Savings Account.

(b) The undersigned certifies that the amount it directs the Corporation to pay to the undersigned’s Tax Free Savings Account together with any other contributions from any source that have been or will be made by the undersigned to the Tax Free Savings Account or any other tax free savings account established by the undersigned during the Plan Year does not and will not exceed the TFSA dollar limit as defined in subsection 207.01(1) of the Tax Act for the Plan Year.

(c) The undersigned acknowledges that any taxes or other penalties that are assessed in the event that the amount paid to the undersigned’s Tax Free Savings Account exceeds the “TFSA dollar limit” for such Plan Year are the sole responsibility of the undersigned and not those of the Corporation.

(d) This Acknowledgment and Direction is irrevocable.

Dated as of      day of             ,         .

 

SIGNED, SEALED & DELIVERED  

}

    
in the presence of:       
      

 

    

 

  (seal)
Witness      Name  

 

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EXHIBIT 10.10

TIM HORTONS INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK UNIT PLAN

September 28, 2009

WHEREAS on September 25, 2009, Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ THI USA ”) assigned all of its rights under the Tim Hortons Inc. U.S. Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan As Amended and Restated effective as of September 25, 2009 (the “U.S. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan”) to Tim Hortons USA Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ THUSA ”), and THUSA assumed all of THI USA’s obligations under the U.S. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, including all obligations with respect to payments to settle Deferred Stock Units (“ DSUs ”) awarded under this Tim Hortons Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan (the “ Plan ”) in respect of services rendered in 2009 and prior calendar years and for which a valid election was previously made under the U.S. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan;

AND WHEREAS on September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ Company ”) assumed all of the obligations of THI USA under the Plan, other than those obligations assigned to and assumed by THUSA on September 25, 2009;

AND WHEREAS this Plan is hereby amended and restated effective as of September 28, 2009 to reflect, among other modifications, the assumption of the obligations assumed under this Plan by the Company.

Section 1. Purpose . The purpose of the Plan is to strengthen the Company and its subsidiaries (the “ Subsidiaries ”) by providing a long-term incentive to non-employee directors (“ Eligible Directors ”) of the Company and thereby encouraging them to devote their abilities and industry to the success of the Company and that of its Subsidiaries’ business enterprises. It is intended that this purpose be achieved by extending to Eligible Directors an added long-term incentive through the grant of DSUs and by enabling Eligible Directors to achieve the required Share Ownership Guidelines (the “ Guidelines ”) as established by the Company’s Board of Directors (“ Board ”) through the holding of DSUs.

Section 2. Administration of the Plan .

2.1. Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Human Resource and Compensation Committee (the “ Committee ”) of the Board, unless the Board otherwise directs from time to time. The Committee shall construe and interpret the Plan, establish such operating guidelines and rules as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and make such determinations and take such other action in connection with the Plan as it deems necessary and advisable. It shall determine the Eligible Directors to whom and the time or times at which awards shall be granted, the number of DSUs to be subject to each award, the terms and conditions of each award (and amendments thereto), and the duration of leaves of absence which may be granted to Eligible Directors without constituting a “separation from service” for purposes of the Plan (the Committee shall determine whether a leave of absence is appropriate on a case-by-case basis and in its sole discretion). Any such construction, interpretation, rule, determination or other action taken by the Committee pursuant to the Plan shall be final, binding


and conclusive on all interested parties, including without limitation the Company and all Eligible Directors.

2.2. Committee Action . Actions by a majority of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or actions approved in writing by all of the members of the Committee, shall be the valid acts of the Committee. Subject to applicable law, prior Board action, and the Committee’s Charter, the Committee may delegate its authority under the Plan to any other person or persons. No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any award granted under it.

2.3. Accounts . The DSUs and Dividend Equivalent Rights (as defined below) granted under the Plan will be noted in a bookkeeping account (“ Account ”) established for each Eligible Director.

Section 3. Maximum Number of DSUs Subject to Plan . There will be no limit on the number of DSUs subject to the Plan.

Section 4. Eligible Director DSU Grants .

4.1. DSUs, Dividend Equivalent Rights . A DSU is a bookkeeping entry, equivalent in value to one common share of the Company and any other securities into which such share is converted or for which such share is exchanged (“ Share ”). A “ Dividend Equivalent Right ” is a bookkeeping entry, equivalent in value to the cash dividends or other distributions that are or would be payable with respect to the number of DSUs held by an Eligible Director if the DSUs were Shares. Each DSU shall be accompanied by one (1) related Dividend Equivalent Right. The Dividend Equivalent Rights will be converted into additional DSUs based on the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a Share on the date such dividend is paid (with the number of DSUs being granted rounded to the fourth decimal place). “ Fair Market Value ” or “ FMV ” on any relevant date shall mean the closing price for Shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, or if the Committee elects on or prior to such date, the New York Stock Exchange, for the immediately preceding date on which the Toronto Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange, as applicable, is open for trading.

4.2. Formula DSUs .

(i) Each Eligible Director shall be granted, on a quarterly basis, an aggregate number of DSUs equal at that time to twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the annual equity retainer payable to Eligible Directors for acting on the Board as set forth in the then-applicable policy outline of director compensation, subject to proration consistent with administrative determinations under the Plan (“ Equity Retainer ” or “ ER ”), divided by the FMV of a Share on the date of grant (i.e., ((.25)(ER)/FMV = DSUs), rounded to the fourth decimal place. These quarterly grants shall continue until the Eligible Director holds a total number of Shares and/or DSUs required by the Guidelines. The DSUs that are required to be granted under this Section 4.2 shall be referred to as “ Formula DSUs .”

(ii) After the ownership requirements of the Guidelines have been met for a particular Eligible Director, the Eligible Director shall continue to receive Formula DSUs as described in this Section 4.2 for each quarter of continuing service unless the Eligible Director makes an election (described in Section 4.2(iii) below) to have all or any part of such amount paid to him or her in cash. The Formula DSUs that are granted under the immediately preceding

 

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sentence shall be referred to herein as “ Voluntary Formula DSUs, ” and shall not be subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 4.6.

(iii) Any election made pursuant to Section 4.2(ii) shall be made no later than December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year during which the Eligible Director will perform the services for which the grant would be made. After the beginning of a calendar year, an Eligible Director will not be permitted to change, terminate or revoke the Eligible Director’s election for such calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing and in the discretion of the Committee, any election made pursuant to Section 4.2(ii) may be submitted within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan, with respect to any grant to be made for services performed after such election is made. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan only if the Eligible Director is not a participant in any other agreement, method, program or arrangement that, along with this Plan, would be treated as a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2).

4.3. Elective DSUs .

(i) In addition, each Eligible Director may, to the extent permitted by the then-applicable director compensation policy outline, elect to receive all or a portion of his or her cash retainer payable to an Eligible Director for acting on the Board, as well as any other cash compensation payable to the Eligible Director for acting as the Chair of a Committee of the Board, acting as a member of a Committee of the Board or attending meetings of the Board or any Committee thereof, in the form of DSUs by filing an election with the Company no later than December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year during which the Eligible Director will perform the services for which the payments are to be made. After the beginning of a calendar year, an Eligible Director will not be permitted to change, terminate or revoke the Eligible Director’s election for such calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing and in the discretion of the Committee, any election made pursuant to this Section 4.3(i) may be submitted within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan, with respect to the cash retainer to be paid for services performed after such election is made. For purposes of the preceding sentence, an Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan only if the Eligible Director is not a participant in any other agreement, method, program or arrangement that, along with this Plan, would be treated as a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2). Any DSUs granted under this Section 4.3 shall be referred to as “ Elective DSUs .”

(ii) The number of Elective DSUs to be granted shall be equal to the cash compensation being deferred divided by the FMV of a Share on the date of grant, rounded to the fourth decimal place. Elective DSUs shall not be subject to the forfeiture provisions set forth in Section 4.6.

4.4. Special Awards . Subject to the approval of the entire Board, the Committee may also grant DSUs on a discretionary basis from time to time (“ Discretionary DSUs ”) with such terms and conditions set forth in an applicable award agreement referred to in Section 4.8 and that are not inconsistent with the Plan.

4.5. Payment . Subject to Section 4.6, all DSUs shall be paid in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the Eligible Director’s separation from service.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to withhold and/or deduct any and all amounts required to be withheld from any payment hereunder on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

4.6. Distributions . All DSUs granted to an Eligible Director shall be paid out in a lump sum as soon as administratively possible following his or her separation from service but no later than 90 days following the date of the Eligible Director’s separation from service, unless the Eligible Director has filed a deferral election with the Company in respect of some or all of the DSUs to be distributed in accordance with:

(i) the provisions of Appendix A, in the case of Eligible Directors who are subject to U.S. taxation in respect of his or her DSUs; or

(ii) Section 4.7, in the case of Eligible Directors who are not subject to U.S. taxation in respect of his or her DSUs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for greater certainty, all Formula DSUs (not including Voluntary Formula DSUs or Elective DSUs) and, unless otherwise provided in the agreement evidencing the grant, Discretionary DSUs, shall be forfeited, and no payment shall be made in respect thereof, if a director is removed from service due to the commission of an act of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or an act of embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Where appropriate, the application of this Section 4.6 is subject to the provisions of Sections 12 and 13 hereof, and for such purpose may be limited in any particular award agreement granting DSUs.

4.7. Non-U.S. Deferral Elections .

(i) An Eligible Director who is not subject to U.S. taxation may file a deferral election (a “Non-U.S. Deferral Election”) with the Company to defer the payment of the DSUs under Section 4.6, on such form as may be prescribed by the Company, in respect of all of the DSUs to be granted to the Eligible Director for services performed in all future calendar years. A Non-U.S Deferral Election must be submitted no later December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in which the applicable DSUs will be granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Deferral Election may be submitted within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan, with respect to DSUs to be granted for services performed after such Deferral Election is made.

(ii) Each Non-U.S. Deferral Election shall specify that the DSUs subject to such election shall be paid out in a single lump sum on December 15th of the year following the Eligible Director’s separation from service (or as soon as administratively possible following December 15th and no later than December 31st of such year).

(iii) The Company may allow an Eligible Director to cancel his or her Non-U.S. Deferral Election before January 1 of a particular calendar year in respect of DSUs to be granted to the Eligible Director for all subsequent calendar years. An Eligible Director is not entitled to cancel, amend or revoke a Non-U.S. Deferral Election in respect of DSUs that have been, or will be granted, to such Eligible Director in respect of a current or prior calendar year.

4.8. Agreements . All DSUs shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall include the following terms and conditions:

 

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(i) Eligible Director and Number of Units . Each agreement shall state the name of the Eligible Director to whom the DSUs have been granted and shall state the number of DSUs granted.

(ii) Non-Transferability . No DSUs awarded to the Eligible Director may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and shall not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

(iii) Vesting . Unless otherwise set forth in an applicable award agreement, all DSUs and accompanying Dividend Equivalent Rights shall vest upon separation from service.

4.9. Separation from Service. Subject to Section 14, for the purposes of this Plan, “separation from service” means a separation from service as defined under Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

Section 5. Effect of Change in Shares Subject to the Plan . In the event of a Change in Capitalization (as defined in the Tim Hortons Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “ 2006 Stock Plan ”)), the Committee shall conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to outstanding DSUs. These adjustments shall be made in the same manner as adjustments are made to awards that are outstanding under the 2006 Stock Plan. Adjusted DSUs shall remain subject to the same conditions which were applicable to the DSUs prior to the adjustments, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustment to a DSU shall be on the basis that the amounts payable under such DSU shall continue to depend on the FMV of the Shares of the Company, or a corporation related thereto, at a time within the period beginning one year before the Eligible Director’s separation from service and ending at the time of receipt of payment.

Section 6. Multiple agreements . The terms of each award of DSUs may differ from other awards granted under the Plan at the same time, or at some other time.

Section 7. Amendment or Termination; Duration . Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, the Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that the Board shall not make any change to outstanding DSUs that will impair the rights of the Eligible Director without the consent of the Eligible Director. The Plan shall continue until terminated by the Board. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, the Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate and liquidate the Plan in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A(j)(4)(ix).

Section 8. Other Actions . The adoption of the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as amending, modifying or rescinding any previously approved incentive arrangement or as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable.

Section 9. Costs and Expenses . The costs and expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

Section 10. Plan Unfunded . The Plan shall be unfunded.

Section 11. Laws Governing Plan . The Plan shall be construed under and governed by the laws of the province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

Section 12. Section 409A . To the extent applicable to certain Eligible Directors, it is intended that this Plan and the DSUs granted hereunder comply with Code Section 409A and the

 

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regulations promulgated thereunder, and this Plan will be interpreted, administered and operated accordingly with respect to such Eligible Directors. Nothing herein shall be construed as an entitlement to or guarantee of any particular tax treatment to an Eligible Director.

Section 13. Regulation 6801(d). It is intended that this Plan comply with Regulation 6801(d) under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ITA”), and this Plan and the DSUs granted by such a grant will be interpreted, administered and operated in good faith accordingly. In the event that any provision of or action pursuant to this Plan is inconsistent with Regulation 6801(d), then, subject to the following sentence, the applicable provisions of Regulation 6801(d) shall supersede such provision or action for the purposes of such a grant. For Grantees subject to both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA, the terms of the Plan and DSUs granted hereunder shall be interpreted, construed, and given effect to achieve compliance with both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA, to the extent practicable. If compliance with both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA is not practicable in connection with the Plan or the DSUs granted hereunder, the terms of the DSUs and this Plan remain subject to amendment at the sole discretion of the Committee to reach a resolution of the conflict as it shall determine in its sole discretion. For greater certainty, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no amount will be paid to, or in respect of, an Eligible Director under the Plan or pursuant to any other arrangement, and no DSUs will be granted to such Eligible Director to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the price of Shares, nor will any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of, an Eligible Director for such purpose. Nothing herein shall be construed as an entitlement to or guarantee of any particular tax treatment to an Eligible Director. The provisions of any agreement granting DSUs may contain such additional provisions as are necessary or appropriate to give effect to the foregoing.

Section 14. Directors in Multiple Jurisdictions. Eligible Directors are or may be subject to taxation under the Code, the laws of Canada and/or the laws of other jurisdictions. Without amending the Plan, the Committee may grant, settle or administer DSUs on terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may in the judgment of the Committee be necessary or desirable to foster and promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan given the limitations of applicable law, and the Committee may make such modifications, amendments, procedures, and the like as may be necessary or advisable to comply with provisions of laws of the various countries in which the Eligible Directors are or may be subject to taxation.

Section 15. Captions . The captions to the several sections hereof are not a part of the Plan, but are merely guides or labels to assist in locating and reading the several sections hereof.

Section 16. Effective Date . The effective date of the Plan is December 5, 2006, as amended effective March 6, 2007, May 3, 2007 and January 1, 2008, and as amended and restated on September 28, 2009.

 

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APPENDIX A

U.S. Deferral Election Procedures

An Eligible Director who is subject to U.S. taxation with respect to his or her DSUs may submit a deferral election (“Deferral Election”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Appendix A, which forms a part of the Plan (as if fully set forth therein). All capitalized terms that are used in this Appendix A but are not defined in this Appendix A shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. For greater clarity, DSUs subject to a Deferral Election under this Appendix A are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

A1.1. Deferral Elections . An Eligible Director may file a Deferral Election with the Company to defer the payment of the DSUs under Section 4.6 of the Plan, on such form as may be prescribed by the Company, in respect of all of the DSUs to be granted to the Eligible Director for services performed in all future calendar years. Such Deferral Election must be submitted no later December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the first calendar year in which the applicable DSUs will be granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Deferral Election may be submitted within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan, with respect to DSUs to be granted for services performed after such Deferral Election is made. For purposes of this Section A1.1, an Eligible Director is first eligible to participate in this Plan only if the Eligible Director is not a participant in any other agreement, method, program or arrangement that, along with this Plan, would be treated as a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2).

A.1.2. Cancelling Deferral Elections. The Company may allow an Eligible Director to cancel his or her Deferral Election before January 1 of a particular calendar year in respect of DSUs to be granted to the Eligible Director for all subsequent calendar years. An Eligible Director is not entitled to cancel, amend or revoke a Deferral Election in respect of DSUs that have been, or will be granted, to such Eligible Director in respect of a current or prior calendar year.

A2.1. Distributions . In the Deferral Election, each Eligible Director may make an election to receive the DSUs that otherwise would be taxable to the Eligible Director but for the election pursuant to Section A1.1 in a lump sum on December 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Eligible Director’s separation from service (as defined in the Plan) occurs.

A3.1. Claims Administration . If a participant, beneficiary or his or her representative (the “claimant”) is denied all or a portion of an expected Plan benefit for any reason and the claimant desires to dispute the decision of the Company, he or she must file a written notification of his or her claim with the Company.

A3.2. Claims Procedure . Upon receipt of any written claim for benefits, the Company shall be notified and shall give due consideration to the claim presented. If any claimant claims to be entitled to benefits under the Plan and the Company determines that the claim should be denied in whole or in part, the Company shall, in writing, notify such claimant within ninety (90) days


of receipt of the claim, that the claim has been denied. The Company may extend the period of time for making a determination with respect to any claim for a period of up to ninety (90) days, provided that the Company determines that such an extension is necessary because of special circumstances and notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial ninety (90) day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to render a decision. If the claim is denied to any extent by the Company, the Company shall furnish the claimant with a written notice setting forth:

(a) the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim;

(b) a specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

(c) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

(d) an explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedure and the time limits applicable to such procedure; and a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) following an adverse determination upon review.

Under no circumstances shall any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Section A3.2 be considered to constitute an allowance of the claimant’s claim.

A3.3. Right of Appeal . A claimant who has a claim denied wholly or partially under Section A3.2 may appeal to the Company for reconsideration of that claim. A request for reconsideration under this Section A3.3 must be filed by written notice within sixty (60) days after receipt by the claimant of the notice of denial under Section A3.2.

A3.4. Review of Appeal . Upon receipt of an appeal, the Company shall promptly take action to give due consideration to the appeal. Such consideration may include a hearing of the parties involved, if the Company feels such a hearing is necessary. In preparing for this appeal, the claimant shall be given the right to review pertinent documents and the right to submit in writing a statement of issues and comments. After consideration of the merits of the appeal, the Company shall issue a written decision which shall be binding on all parties. The decision shall specifically state its reasons and pertinent Plan provisions on which it relies. The Company’s decision shall be issued within sixty (60) days after the appeal is filed, except that the Company may extend the period of time for making a determination with respect to any claim for a period of up to sixty (60) additional days, provided that the Company determines that such an extension is necessary because of special circumstances and notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to render a decision. Under no circumstances shall any failure by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Section A3.4 be considered to constitute an allowance of the claimant’s appeal.

To the extent permitted by law, the decision of the claims official (if no review is properly requested) or the decision of the review official on review, as the case may be, will be final and

 

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binding on all parties. No legal action for benefits under the Plan will be brought unless and until the claimant has exhausted his or her remedies under this Section A3.

A3.5. Designation . To the extent permitted by this Section A3, the Company may designate any other person of its choosing to make any determination otherwise required under this Section A3. Any person so designated shall have the same authority and discretion granted to the Company hereunder.

 

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EXHIBIT 10.11

EQUITY AND BENEFIT PLAN

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is hereby made to be effective as of the 25 th day of September, 2009, by and between Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Assignor”) and Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Assignee”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of August 6, 2009, by and among the Assignor, the Assignee, and THI Mergeco Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Assignee (“THI Mergeco”), the Assignee will become the ultimate parent of the Tim Hortons group of companies through the merger of THI Mergeco with and into the Assignor (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger, the Assignor will be the surviving company and will become a wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of the Assignee, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which each issued share of common stock of the Assignor (“THI USA Common Stock”) shall be automatically converted into the right to receive one common share of the Assignee (“New THI Common Shares”);

WHEREAS, the Assignor currently maintains and sponsors or is a party to (i) the equity stock plans listed on Exhibit A , copies of which are attached hereto (the “Assumed Equity Plans”), and (ii) the benefit plans listed on Exhibit B , copies of which are attached hereto (the “Assumed Benefit Plans” and together with the Assumed Equity Plans, the “Assumed Plans”);

WHEREAS, the Assumed Plans were amended in connection with the Merger and the reorganization to make conforming changes, including among other things, changing the references to THI USA to New THI, amending the governing law provisions such that the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein would govern and substituting any references to THI USA common stock to New THI common shares, as well as to address certain administrative and other matters;

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement provides that, at the effective time of the Merger, the Assignee shall assume the rights and obligations of the Assignor under the Assumed Equity Plans and to the extent that any of the Assumed Equity Plans or any applicable agreement relating thereto provide for the issuance, delivery or purchase of, or otherwise relate to, THI USA Common Stock, from and after the effective time, such Assumed Equity Plan and applicable agreement shall be deemed to have been amended to provide for the issuance, delivery or purchase of, or otherwise relate to, an equivalent number of New THI Common Shares in accordance with such Assumed Equity Plan and any applicable agreement relating thereto;


WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, the Assignee will adopt and assume the obligations of the Assignor relating to deferred stock units under the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan as of the date hereof, and, in consideration therefore, the Assignor shall pay Cdn.$1,826,379.70 to the Assignee on the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement further provides that, following the effective time of the Merger, the Assignee shall continue to sponsor and maintain each of the Assumed Benefit Plans.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. The Assignor hereby conveys, transfers and assigns unto the Assignee all of the Assignor’s rights, title, interests as well as duties, obligations, and responsibilities under the Assumed Plans and any and all applicable award or other agreements relating thereto.

2. The Assignee hereby accepts and assumes all of the Assignor’s rights, title, interests, duties, obligations and liabilities under the Assumed Plans and any applicable agreement relating thereto to the same extent as though it had originally been named a party thereto and from the respective dates that such Assumed Plans were originally entered into and agrees to observe, perform and fulfill all of the terms and conditions of the Assumed Plans and any applicable agreement related thereto to the same extent as if it had been originally named as a party thereto.

3. The Assignor shall pay Cdn$1,826,379.70 to the Assignee in consideration for the assumption of the Assignor’s duties, obligations and liabilities relating to the deferred stock units under the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan as of the date hereof, which amount the Assignor and Assignee both agree shall be sufficient to satisfy such duties, obligations and liabilities.

4. Each Assumed Plan is specifically ratified and reaffirmed by the Assignor, in its capacity as the sole shareholder of the Assignee, and the Assignee.

5. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

6. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

[Signature page follows.]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers duly authorized on the date first set forth above, to be effective immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger.

 

TIM HORTONS INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    /s/ DONALD B. SCHROEDER
 

Name: Donald B. Schroeder

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

TIM HORTONS INC.,

a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act

By:   /s/ JILL E. AEBKER
 

Name: Jill E. Aebker

Title: Associate General Counsel and Secretary

 

3


Exhibit A

Assumed Equity Plans

2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated

Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan

 

4


Exhibit B

Assumed Benefit Plans

Personal Supplemental Executive Retirement Savings Plan

The Executive Annual Performance Plan

Tim Hortons Incentive Plan

 

5

EXHIBIT 10.12

ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT OF

TIM HORTONS INC. U.S. NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS’

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

THIS ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is hereby made this 25 th day of September, 2009, by and between Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Assignor”) and Tim Hortons USA Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Assignee”).

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of August 5, 2009, by and among the Assignor, Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (“New THI”), and THI Mergeco Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the New THI (“THI Mergeco”), New THI will become the ultimate parent of the Tim Hortons group of companies through the merger of THI Mergeco with and into the Assignor (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors and stockholders of each of the Assignor, the Assignee and THI Mergeco have approved the Merger, pursuant to which, more specifically, the Assignor will be the surviving company in the Merger and will become a wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of the Assignee, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, and whereby each issued share of common stock of the Assignor (“THI USA Common Stock”) shall be automatically converted into the right to receive one common share of the Assignee (“New THI Common Shares”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, the Assignee will adopt and assume the obligations of the Assignor under the Tim Hortons Inc. U.S. Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) as of the date hereof, and, in consideration therefor, the Assignor has agreed to pay U.S.$430,473.01 to the Assignee;

WHEREAS, the Assignor desires to assign the Plan to the Assignee and the Assignee desires to adopt, and assume the obligations under, the Plan, as set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.9 of the Plan, the Assignee desires to freeze the Plan, as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree hereby as follows:

1. The Assignor hereby conveys, transfers and assigns unto the Assignee all of the Assignor’s rights, title, interests, duties, obligations and liabilities under the Plan and any applicable agreements relating thereto.

2. The Assignee hereby accepts and assumes all of the Assignor’s rights, title, interests, duties, obligations and liabilities under the Plan and any applicable agreement relating thereto, including all duties, obligations and liabilities that would arise after the date hereof under deferred elections for 2009, to the same extent as though it had originally been named a party thereto and from the respective dates that such Plan was originally entered into and agrees to observe, perform and fulfill all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and any applicable agreement related thereto to the same extent as if it had been originally named as a party thereto.


3. The Assignor shall pay U.S.$430,473.01 to the Assignee in consideration for the assumption of the Assignor’s duties, obligations and liabilities under the Plan by the Assignee in accordance with Section 2, which amount the Assignor and Assignee both agree shall be sufficient to satisfy such duties, obligations and liabilities.

4. The name of the Plan is hereby amended to be the “Tim Hortons USA Inc. U.S. Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan As Amended and Restated as of September 25, 2009.”

5. The first paragraph of the Plan is hereby amended by adding the following to the end thereof:

Effective September 25, 2009, Tim Hortons USA Inc. has assumed the obligations of the Plan and each reference to the “Company” within the Plan shall be a reference to Tim Hortons USA Inc. Furthermore, the Plan shall be frozen, no further Directors shall become Participants in the Plan and no new Deferral Elections shall be permitted, effective September 25, 2009, that would result in any future contributions being made to the Plan subsequent to March 1, 2010 ( i.e. , those for 2009 year only). Effective March 1, 2010, no further amounts may be deferred under the Plan.

6. Section 2.1 of the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted therefor:

No director shall become a Participant in the Plan after September 25, 2009.

7. Section 3.1 of the Plan is hereby amended by adding the following to the end thereof:

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, effective September 25, 2009, no new Deferral Elections shall be permitted, and effective March 1, 2010, no further amounts may be deferred under the Plan.

8. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

9. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

[Signature page follows.]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers duly authorized on the date first set forth above.

 

TIM HORTONS INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    /s/ JILL E. AEBKER
 

Name: Jill E. Aebker

Title: Associate General Counsel and Secretary

TIM HORTONS USA INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ MICHAEL N. SIMON
 

Name: Michael N. Simon

Title: Vice President

 

3

EXHIBIT 10.13

Form of Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (Canadian)

for awards granted on or after September 28, 2009

AMENDED AND RESTATED

DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

(with related Dividend Equivalent Rights)

(Canadian Directors)

Tim Hortons Inc.

Date              , 2009

WHEREAS this deferred stock unit award agreement (“ Agreement ”) was originally made effective as of the      day of             , 20     (the “ Effective Date ”) between Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ THI USA ”), and                              (the “ Grantee ”);

AND WHEREAS on September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ Company ”) assumed all of the obligations of THI USA under this Agreement;

AND WHEREAS this Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety by the Grantee and the Company (the “ Parties ”) effective as of September 28, 2009 to reflect, among other modifications, the assumption of the rights and obligations assumed under this Agreement by the Company;

AND WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 4 of the Tim Hortons Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan (the “ Plan ”), the Company may grant, from time-to-time, to the Grantee Elective DSUs, Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs and Discretionary DSUs (all as defined in the Plan and collectively referred to herein as “ DSUs ” or, individually, a “ DSU ”) with related Dividend Equivalent Rights;

AND WHEREAS , each grant of DSUs shall be evidenced by this Agreement, which (together with the Plan), describes all the terms and conditions of the respective DSU grant;

AND WHEREAS , the Grantee serves as a director of the Company and is not otherwise employed by the Company or its subsidiaries (“ Subsidiaries ”) in any capacity and is therefore eligible to participate in the Plan;

AND WHEREAS , subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the DSUs awarded to the Grantee under this Agreement will vest and be paid to the Grantee after the Grantee ceases to serve as a director of the Company;

AND WHEREAS , the Company has determined that the Grantee is subject to the tax laws of the Canada (and not subject to tax under the laws of the United States) in respect of the DSUs granted hereunder;

NOW, THEREFORE , the Parties agree as follows:


1 Award.

1.1 The Company hereby grants to the Grantee awards (the “ Awards ”) of the number of Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs, Elective DSUs and Discretionary DSUs as set out on Schedule A hereto with an equal number of related Dividend Equivalent Rights on the date(s) of grant (each, a “ Grant Date ”) set forth on Schedule A. Grants of DSUs are subject to certain administrative determinations to be made by the Human Resource and Compensation Committee of the Company (the “ Committee ”) from time-to-time, which are described on Schedule A and which, unless otherwise specified on Schedule A, shall apply in respect of all existing and future Awards; provided that no such administrative determination will impair the rights of the Grantee without the consent of the Grantee, except as may be permitted pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement. Each DSU is a bookkeeping entry, equivalent in value to one common share of Company or any other securities into which such share is converted or for which such share is exchanged (“ Share ”). Distributions and payments for DSUs and Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 5 and 6 hereof, respectively. The DSUs and related Dividend Equivalent Rights granted pursuant to the Awards were subject to the execution and return of this Agreement by the Grantee. On a quarterly basis, the Company will deliver to the Grantee an updated Schedule A setting out the total number of DSUs that have been granted to the Grantee under the Plan and pursuant to this Agreement from the Effective Date to the date of such Schedule. Grantee shall be deemed to have (i) accepted and agreed to the terms and conditions of the Awards and other information described on the Schedule and (ii) confirmed their agreement and acknowledgment that the terms of this Agreement continue to apply in full force and effect to all such future Awards, unless Grantee notifies the Company within 15 business days after receipt of the respective quarterly Schedule A.

1.2 Each Dividend Equivalent Right is a bookkeeping entry, equivalent in value to the cash dividends or other distributions that are or would be payable with respect to the number of DSUs held by the Grantee if the DSUs were Shares. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be converted into additional DSUs based on the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such dividend is paid. “ Fair Market Value ” or “ FMV ” on any relevant date shall mean the closing price for Shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, or if the Committee elects on or prior to such date, the New York Stock Exchange, for the immediately preceding date on which the Toronto Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange, as applicable, is open for trading. Any additional DSUs granted pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to the DSU to which the Dividend Equivalent Right relates, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer, forfeiture, vesting and payment provisions contained in Sections 2 through 5, inclusive, of this Agreement. In the event that a DSU is forfeited pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the related Dividend Equivalent Right shall also be forfeited.

1.3 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance and consistent with, and subject to, the provisions of the Plan (the provisions of which are hereby incorporated by reference) and, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the same definitions as set forth in the Plan.

 

2


2 Restrictions on Transfer.

The DSUs and Dividend Equivalent Rights granted pursuant to this Agreement may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and may not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

 

3 Vesting.

All DSUs and accompanying Dividend Equivalents Rights granted hereunder shall vest upon the Grantee’s separation from service. For purposes of this Agreement, “separation from service” shall occur on the earliest date on which both the following conditions have been met: (i) the Grantee has ceased to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason whatsoever and (ii) the Grantee is not a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

4 Effect of Change of Shares Subject to the Plan.

In the event of a Change in Capitalization (as defined in the Tim Hortons Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “ 2006 Stock Plan ”)), the Committee shall conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to the Grantee’s outstanding DSUs. If adjustments are to be made, they shall be made in the same manner as adjustments are made to awards that are outstanding under the 2006 Stock Plan. Adjusted DSUs shall remain subject to the same conditions that were applicable to the DSUs prior to the adjustments, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustment to a DSU shall be on the basis that the amounts payable under such DSU shall continue to depend on the FMV of the Shares of the Company, or a corporation related thereto, at a time within the period beginning one year before the Grantee’s separation from service and ending at the time of receipt of payment.

 

5 Distributions.

All DSUs granted to Grantee under the Agreement shall be paid out in a lump sum as soon as administratively possible following separation from service, but no later than 30 days after separation from service, unless the Grantee has filed an election, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.7 of the Plan, to defer the payment of the DSUs subject to such election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for greater certainty, Formula DSUs (not including Voluntary Formula DSUs or Elective DSUs) and, unless otherwise set out on Schedule A hereto with respect to a specific Award, Discretionary DSUs, shall be forfeited and no payment shall be made in respect thereof if the Grantee’s separation from service is as a result of the Grantee being removed from service due to the commission of an act of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or an act of embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

6 Payment.

All DSUs shall be paid in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the Grantee’s separation from service in accordance with the administrative determinations made by the Committee from time-to-time regarding the payments of DSUs upon settlement, which shall be noted on Schedule A from time-to-time, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

 

3


the Company shall be entitled to withhold and/or deduct any and all amounts required to be withheld from any payment hereunder on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

 

7 [ INTENTIONALLY DELETED]

 

8 No Right to Continued Service.

Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continuance of service as a Board member or otherwise as an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

9 Residency of Grantee.

The Grantee certifies that he or she is a resident of Canada for Canadian and U.S. income tax purposes and is not subject to U.S. income tax in respect of the DSUs covered by this Agreement. The Grantee hereby agrees to notify the Company within 15 business days of any change in his or her residency for Canadian and U.S. income tax purposes.

 

10 Grantee Bound by the Plan.

The Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will govern. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement that are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

In the event of a separation of service as a result of the death or disability of the Grantee, the payment in respect of the DSUs held by the Grantee shall be made to the Grantee’s estate or legal representatives, as applicable.

 

11 Modification of Agreement.

This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated, and any terms or conditions may be waived, but only by a written instrument executed by the Parties hereto; provided, however, that (a) Grantee shall be deemed to have accepted, without signature required, the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to future grants, unless notice of objection is made, as described in Section 1 hereof and (b) nothing herein shall restrict the Committee’s right to amend this Agreement without the Grantee’s consent and without additional consideration to the Grantee to the extent necessary to avoid penalties arising under Section 409A of the Code, or to comply with the requirements of Regulation 6801(d) under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ ITA ”), even if those amendments reduce, restrict or eliminate rights granted under this Agreement before those amendments are adopted.

 

12 Notice.

All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given if (and then three

 

4


business days after) it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below:

 

If to the Company:  
Tim Hortons Inc.  
874 Sinclair Road  
Oakville, Ontario L6K 2Y1  
Attn: Associate General Counsel and Secretary  
Fax:  
If to Grantee:  
Name:  

 

   
Address:  

 

   
Tel:  

 

   
Fax:  

 

   
Email:  

 

   

Either party may send any notice or other communication hereunder to the intended recipient at the address, facsimile number or electronic mail address set forth above using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication will be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient. Either party may change the address, facsimile number or electronic mail address to which notices and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner herein set forth.

 

13 Severability.

Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and shall continue in full force in accordance with their terms.

 

14 Governing Law.

The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

 

15 Successors in Interest.

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Grantee’s legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors.

 

5


16 Resolution of Disputes.

Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way relate to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Grantee, the Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors, and the Company and its Subsidiaries for all purposes.

 

17 Entire Agreement.

This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the provisions of the 2006 Stock Plan to the extent specifically referred to herein or directly applicable to the terms hereof, constitute the entire understanding between the Grantee and the Company and its Subsidiaries, and supersede all other agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the Award.

 

18 Headings.

The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

19 Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

20 Compliance with Section 409A.

This Agreement is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended (the “ Code ”) and is intended not to be a “salary deferral arrangement” (a “ SDA ”) within the meaning of the ITA, and shall be interpreted and administered consistent with such intent. To the extent that the interpretation and administration of this Agreement in accordance with Section 409A of the Code would cause any of the arrangements contemplated herein to be a SDA, then for any Grantee who is subject to the ITA and not subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Agreement shall be interpreted and administered with respect to such Grantee so that the arrangements are not SDAs. For Grantees subject to both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA, the terms of the Awards shall be interpreted, construed, and given effect to achieve compliance with both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA, to the extent practicable. If compliance with both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA is not practicable in connection with the Awards covered by this Agreement, the terms of the Awards and this Agreement remain subject to amendment at the sole discretion of the Committee to reach a resolution of the conflict as it shall determine in its sole discretion.

 

6


TIM HORTONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

GRANTEE
By:  

 

Print Name:  

 

 

7


SCHEDULE A

 

Grant Date

  Cash Value
(Cdn.$) on
Grant Date
  # and Type of DSUs*   Director Residency
     
     
Total DSUs as of LOGO :   LOGO

 

* Specify Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs, Elective DSUs or Discretionary DSUs.

Notice Regarding Administrative Decisions made by the Committee

 

   

Grants and settlements of DSUs shall be determined in accordance with the Equity Grant and Settlement Policy (the “ Policy ”) approved and adopted by the Human Resource and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, as may be amended from time to time.

 

   

No interest or other compensation shall accrue as a result of the delay between the date of the Board meeting and the actual DSU grant date as set forth in the Policy.

 

   

Consistent with Section 6 of the Agreement, DSUs are payable and will be settled in Canadian dollars.

EXHIBIT 10.14

Form of Amended and Restated Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement (U.S.)

for awards granted on or after September 28, 2009

AMENDED AND RESTATED

DEFERRED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

(with related Dividend Equivalent Rights)

(U.S. Directors)

Tim Hortons Inc.

Date             , 2009

WHEREAS this deferred stock unit award agreement (“ Agreement ”) was originally made effective as of the      day of             , 20     (the “ Effective Date ”) between Tim Hortons Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ THI USA ”), and                      (the “ Grantee ”);

AND WHEREAS on September 28, 2009, as a result of a corporate reorganization, Tim Hortons Inc., a corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “ Company ”) assumed all of the obligations of THI USA under this amended and restated deferred stock unit award agreement (“ Agreement ”), other than the obligations assigned to and assumed by Tim Hortons USA Inc. on September 25, 2009 with respect to the payment of Deferred Stock Units granted in respect of services rendered in 2009 and prior calendar years for which a valid election was previously made under the U.S. Non-Employee Directors Deferred Compensation Plan;

AND WHEREAS this Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety by the Grantee and the Company (the “ Parties ”) effective as of September 28, 2009 to reflect, among other modifications, the assumption of the rights and obligations assumed under this Agreement by the Company;

AND WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 4 of the Tim Hortons Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Plan (the “ Plan ”), the Company may grant, from time-to-time, to the Grantee Elective DSUs, Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs and Discretionary DSUs (all as defined in the Plan and collectively referred to herein as “ DSUs ” or, individually, a “ DSU ”) with related Dividend Equivalent Rights;

AND WHEREAS , each grant of DSUs shall be evidenced by this Agreement, which (together with the Plan), describes all the terms and conditions of the respective DSU grant;

AND WHEREAS , the Grantee serves as a director of the Company and is not otherwise employed by the Company or its subsidiaries (“ Subsidiaries”) in any capacity and is therefore eligible to participate in the Plan;

AND WHEREAS , subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the DSUs awarded to the Grantee under this Agreement will vest and be paid to the Grantee after the Grantee ceases to serve as a director of the Company;

AND WHEREAS , the Company has determined that the Grantee is subject to the tax laws of the United States in respect of the DSUs granted hereunder;


NOW, THEREFORE , the Parties agree as follows:

 

1 Award.

1.1 The Company hereby grants to the Grantee awards (the “ Awards ”) of the number of Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs, Elective DSUs and Discretionary DSUs as set out on Schedule A hereto with an equal number of related Dividend Equivalent Rights on the date(s) of grant (each, a “ Grant Date ”) set forth on Schedule A. Grants of DSUs are subject to certain administrative determinations to be made by the Human Resource and Compensation Committee of the Company (the “ Committee ”) from time-to-time, which are described on Schedule A and which, unless otherwise specified on Schedule A, shall apply in respect of all existing and future Awards; provided that no such administrative determination will impair the rights of the Grantee without the consent of the Grantee, except as may be permitted pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement. Each DSU is a bookkeeping entry, equivalent in value to one common share of Company or any other securities into which such share is converted or for which such share is exchanged (“ Share ”). Distributions and payments for DSUs and Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 5 and 6 hereof, respectively. The DSUs and related Dividend Equivalent Rights granted pursuant to the Awards were subject to the execution and return of this Agreement by the Grantee. On a quarterly basis, the Company will deliver to the Grantee an updated Schedule A setting out the total number of DSUs that have been granted to the Grantee under the Plan and pursuant to this Agreement from the Effective Date to the date of such Schedule. Grantee shall be deemed to have (i) accepted and agreed to the terms and conditions of the Awards and other information described on the Schedule and (ii) confirmed their agreement and acknowledgment that the terms of this Agreement continue to apply in full force and effect to all such future Awards, unless Grantee notifies the Company within 15 business days after receipt of the respective quarterly Schedule A.

1.2 Each Dividend Equivalent Right is a bookkeeping entry, equivalent in value to the cash dividends or other distributions that are or would be payable with respect to the number of DSUs held by the Grantee if the DSUs were Shares. Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be converted into additional DSUs based on the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date such dividend is paid. “ Fair Market Value ” or “ FMV ” on any relevant date shall mean the closing price for Shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, or if the Committee elects on or prior to such date, the New York Stock Exchange, for the immediately preceding date on which the Toronto Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange, as applicable, is open for trading. Any additional DSUs granted pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to the DSU to which the Dividend Equivalent Right relates, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer, forfeiture, vesting and payment provisions contained in Sections 2 through 5, inclusive, of this Agreement. In the event that a DSU is forfeited pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the related Dividend Equivalent Right shall also be forfeited.

1.3 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance and consistent with, and subject to, the provisions of the Plan (the provisions of which are hereby incorporated by reference) and, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the same definitions as set forth in the Plan.

 

2


2 Restrictions on Transfer.

The DSUs and Dividend Equivalent Rights granted pursuant to this Agreement may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of and may not be pledged or otherwise hypothecated.

 

3 Vesting.

All DSUs and accompanying Dividend Equivalents Rights granted hereunder shall vest upon the Grantee’s separation from service. For purposes of this Agreement, “separation from service” shall mean a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended (the “ Code ”), and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

 

4 Effect of Change of Shares Subject to the Plan.

In the event of a Change in Capitalization (as defined in the Tim Hortons Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “ 2006 Stock Plan ”)), the Committee shall conclusively determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to the Grantee’s outstanding DSUs. If adjustments are to be made, they shall be made in the same manner as adjustments are made to awards that are outstanding under the 2006 Stock Plan. Adjusted DSUs shall remain subject to the same conditions that were applicable to the DSUs prior to the adjustments, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustment to a DSU shall be on the basis that the amounts payable under such DSU shall continue to depend on the FMV of the Shares of the Company, or a corporation related thereto, at a time within the period beginning one year before the Grantee’s separation from service and ending at the time of receipt of payment.

 

5 Distributions.

All DSUs granted to Grantee under the Agreement shall be paid out in a lump sum as soon as administratively possible following separation from service, but no later than 30 days after separation from service, unless the Grantee has filed an election, in accordance with the provisions of Appendix A of the Plan, to defer the payment of the DSUs subject to such election. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for greater certainty, Formula DSUs (not including Voluntary Formula DSUs or Elective DSUs) and, unless otherwise set out on Schedule A hereto with respect to a specific Award, Discretionary DSUs, shall be forfeited and no payment shall be made in respect thereof if the Grantee’s separation from service is as a result of the Grantee being removed from service due to the commission of an act of fraud or intentional misrepresentation or an act of embezzlement, misappropriation or conversion of assets or opportunities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

6 Payment.

All DSUs shall be paid in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the Grantee’s separation from service in accordance with the administrative determinations made by the Committee from time-to-time regarding the payments of DSUs upon settlement, which shall be noted on Schedule A from time-to-time, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to withhold and/or deduct any and all amounts required to be withheld from any payment hereunder on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

 

3


7 [ INTENTIONALLY DELETED]

 

8 No Right to Continued Service.

Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continuance of service as a Board member or otherwise as an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

9 Residency of Grantee.

The Grantee certifies that he or she is a citizen of, or resident in, the United States for Canadian and U.S. tax purposes. The Grantee hereby agrees to notify the Company within 15 business days of any change in his or her residency for Canadian and U.S. income tax purposes.

 

10 Grantee Bound by the Plan.

The Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan will govern. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement that are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Plan.

In the event of a separation of service as a result of the death or disability of the Grantee, the payment in respect of the DSUs held by the Grantee shall be made to the Grantee’s estate or legal representatives, as applicable.

 

11 Modification of Agreement.

This Agreement may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated, and any terms or conditions may be waived, but only by a written instrument executed by the Parties hereto; provided, however, that (a) Grantee shall be deemed to have accepted, without signature required, the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to future grants, unless notice of objection is made, as described in Section 1 hereof and (b) nothing herein shall restrict the Committee’s right to amend this Agreement without the Grantee’s consent and without additional consideration to the Grantee to the extent necessary to avoid penalties arising under Section 409A of the Code, or to comply with the requirements of Regulation 6801(d) under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “ ITA ”), even if those amendments reduce, restrict or eliminate rights granted under this Agreement before those amendments are adopted.

 

12 Notice.

All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given if (and then three business days after) it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below:

 

4


If to the Company:

Tim Hortons Inc.

874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, Ontario L6K 2Y1

Attn: Associate General Counsel and Secretary

Fax:

If to Grantee:

 

Name:   

 

     
Address:   

 

     
Tel:   

 

     
Fax:   

 

     
Email:   

 

     

Either party may send any notice or other communication hereunder to the intended recipient at the address, facsimile number or electronic mail address set forth above using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication will be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient. Either party may change the address, facsimile number or electronic mail address to which notices and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other parties notice in the manner herein set forth.

 

13 Severability.

Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by such holding and shall continue in full force in accordance with their terms.

 

14 Governing Law.

The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and, to the extent applicable, the Code.

 

15 Successors in Interest.

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Grantee’s legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors.

 

5


16 Resolution of Disputes.

Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way relate to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Grantee, the Grantee’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors, and the Company and its Subsidiaries for all purposes.

 

17 Entire Agreement.

This Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Plan, including the provisions of the 2006 Stock Plan to the extent specifically referred to herein or directly applicable to the terms hereof, constitute the entire understanding between the Grantee and the Company and its Subsidiaries, and supersede all other agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the Award.

 

18 Headings.

The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

19 Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

20 Compliance with Section 409A.

This Agreement is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and is intended not to be a “salary deferral arrangement” (a “ SDA ”) within the meaning of the ITA, and shall be interpreted and administered consistent with such intent. To the extent that the interpretation and administration of this Agreement in accordance with Section 409A of the Code would cause any of the arrangements contemplated herein to be a SDA, then for any Grantee who is subject to the ITA and not subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Agreement shall be interpreted and administered with respect to such Grantee so that the arrangements are not SDAs. For Grantees subject to both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA, the terms of the Awards shall be interpreted, construed, and given effect to achieve compliance with both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA, to the extent practicable. If compliance with both Section 409A of the Code and the ITA is not practicable in connection with the Awards covered by this Agreement, the terms of the Awards and this Agreement remain subject to amendment at the sole discretion of the Committee to reach a resolution of the conflict as it shall determine in its sole discretion.

 

6


TIM HORTONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

GRANTEE  
By:  

 

Print Name:  

 

 

7


SCHEDULE A

I. Grants assigned to and assumed by Tim Hortons USA Inc.

 

Grant Date

  Cash Value
(Cdn.$) on
Grant Date
  # and Type of DSUs*   Director Residency
     
     

Total DSUs as of LOGO :

  LOGO

 

* Specify Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs, Elective DSUs or Discretionary DSUs.

II. Grants assigned to and assumed by or awarded by Tim Hortons Inc.

 

Grant Date

  Cash Value
(Cdn.$) on
Grant Date
  # and Type of DSUs*   Director Residency
     
     

Total DSUs as of LOGO :

  LOGO

 

* Specify Formula DSUs, Voluntary Formula DSUs, Elective DSUs or Discretionary DSUs.

Notice Regarding Administrative Decisions made by the Committee

 

   

Grants and settlements of DSUs shall be determined in accordance with the Equity Grant and Settlement Policy (the “ Policy ”) approved and adopted by the Human Resource and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, as may be amended from time to time.

 

   

No interest or other compensation shall accrue as a result of the delay between the date of the Board meeting and the actual DSU grant date as set forth in the Policy.


   

Consistent with Section 6 of the Agreement, DSUs are payable and will be settled in Canadian dollars. For a director subject to U.S. taxation in respect of his or her DSUs, the Canadian dollars will be translated into U.S. dollars as of the date of separation of service, unless the director provides notice to the Company that he or she would like to receive Canadian dollars; provided, however, that additional deferrals under the U.S. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (for DSUs granted in respect of 2009 and prior years’ services) or in accordance with Appendix A of the Plan (for all other awards) can be made only in U.S. dollars.

 

- 2 -

EXHIBIT 99.1

Pages 40 to 48 of the definitive proxy statement of Tim Hortons Inc.

filed with the Commission on August 17, 2009, containing the section entitled

“Description of Share Capital of New THI.”

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL OF NEW THI

Authorized Share Capital

New THI is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, one Class A preferred share and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. The preferred shares are what are commonly referred to as “blank check” preferred shares and, therefore, New THI’s Board of Directors may designate and create the preferred shares as shares of any series and determine the respective rights and restrictions of any such series. The rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attaching to a class of shares may not be modified other than with the approval of the holders of such class, voting separately as a class. See also “—Changes to Rights of a Class or Series” and “—Voting” below.

As of the close of business on August 12, 2009, New THI had no common shares outstanding and one Class A redeemable retractable preferred share outstanding. If the merger is completed, New THI will issue approximately 180,996,877 common shares in the merger, and the single Class A preferred share held by THI USA prior to the merger will be redeemed, along with the redeemable retractable preference share in THI USA that will be issued to New THI in the merger.

Voting

Holders of New THI common shares are entitled to receive notice of any meeting of shareholders and to one vote for each share held of record on all matters at all meetings of shareholders, except at a meeting where holders of a particular class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately. New THI’s common shareholders have no cumulative voting rights and all of the members of New THI’s Board of Directors are to be elected annually. Under New THI’s by-laws, shareholders take action by a majority of votes cast, unless otherwise provided by the CBCA or New THI’s articles of incorporation or by-laws.

Under the CBCA, some matters, such as changing New THI’s name, the creation of a new class of authorized shares, voluntarily winding-up the corporation and others, require the approval of shareholders by a special resolution. A special resolution is a resolution that is either passed at a meeting duly called and held for that purpose by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who voted in respect of that resolution or that is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution.

There are no limitations imposed by the CBCA or New THI’s articles of incorporation or by-laws on the right of shareholders residing outside of Canada to hold or vote their New THI common shares.

Changes to Rights of a Class or Series

Under the CBCA, the articles of a corporation may by special resolution be amended to, among other things: (1) change the designation of all or any of its shares and add, change or remove any rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including rights to accrued dividends, in respect of all or any of its shares, whether issued or unissued; (2) change the shares of any class or series, whether issued or unissued, into a different number of shares of the same class or series or into the same or a different number of shares of other classes or series; or (3) add, change or remove restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares.

The CBCA also provides that, subject to certain limitations and unless the articles of the corporation specify otherwise, holders of shares of a class, and in certain circumstances, holders of shares of a series, are entitled to vote separately as a class or series on a proposal to amend the articles of incorporation to, among other things:

 

  (1) increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of such class, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class;

 

  (2) effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the shares of such class;

 

  (3) add, change or remove the rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to the shares of such class and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) remove or change prejudicially rights to accrued dividends or rights to cumulative dividends, (b) add, remove or change prejudicially redemption rights, (c) reduce or remove a dividend preference or a liquidation preference, or (d) add, remove or change prejudicially conversion privileges, options, voting, transfer or pre-emptive rights, or rights to acquire securities of a corporation, or sinking fund provisions;

 

  (4) increase the rights or privileges of any class of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class;


  (5) create a new class of shares equal or superior to the shares of such class;

 

  (6) make any class of shares having rights or privileges inferior to the shares of such class equal or superior to the shares of such class;

 

  (7) effect an exchange or create a right of exchange of all or part of the shares of another class into the shares of such class; or

 

  (8) constrain the issue, transfer or ownership of the shares of such class or change or remove such constraint.

Quorum for General Meetings

A quorum of shareholders is present at a meeting of New THI shareholders regardless of the number of persons actually present at the meeting, if the holders of not less than 25% of the common shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy. A quorum need not be present throughout the meeting provided a quorum is present at the opening of the meeting.

Dividend Rights

Subject to the preferences, limitations and relative rights of holders of New THI’s preferred shares described below, the holders of New THI common shares are entitled, among other things, to receive any dividend declared by New THI. New THI may pay a dividend by issuing fully paid shares of New THI, money and/or property. For information regarding New THI’s expected future dividend payments, see “The Merger Agreement—Dividends.”

Rights Upon Liquidation

Upon any liquidation of New THI, after creditors of the corporation have been paid in full and the full amounts that holders of any issued shares ranking senior to the common shares as to distribution on liquidation or winding up are entitled to receive have been paid or set aside for payment, the holders of New THI’s common shares are entitled to receive, pro rata, any remaining assets of New THI available for distribution.

No Sinking Fund

The New THI common shares have no sinking fund provisions.

No Liability for Further Calls or Assessments

The New THI common shares to be issued in the merger will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

No Preemptive Rights

New THI shareholders have no preemptive rights to subscribe for or purchase any additional shares of capital stock issued by New THI.

Redemption and Conversion

There are no provisions for redemption or conversion rights with respect to the New THI common shares and no provisions discriminate against existing or prospective shareholders as a result of a security holder owning a substantial amount of securities.

Restrictions on Transfer

New THI’s articles of incorporation and by-laws do not impose any restrictions on transfer of New THI’s common shares.


Other Classes or Series of Shares

Preferred Shares. New THI is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares, which shares may be issued in one or more series by New THI’s Board of Directors without further action by shareholders. In any resolution authorizing the issuance of preferred shares, the Board of Directors of New THI is authorized to fix for each such series the number of shares which shall constitute such series, and the designations, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the shares of such series, including as to voting power (whether full, limited or no voting power), any right to receive dividends, rights of redemption (if any) and conversion or exchange rights.

Share Repurchases

The previously announced share repurchase program was due to remain open from March 2, 2009 until March 1, 2010. However, as previously announced, we have deferred additional repurchases under this program pending the Board’s review of capital allocation activities, including share repurchases and New THI’s dividend policy, until after the completion of the reorganization. As such, we do not expect to complete the full amount of repurchases provided for under this program before it expires.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar for New THI’s common shares is expected to be Computershare.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The level of anti-takeover provisions with respect to New THI differs from that with respect to THI USA by virtue of the differences between the DGCL and the CBCA, the differences between the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of THI USA and the articles of incorporation and by-laws of New THI, and the differences between the THI USA rights plan and the New THI rights plan. See “Comparison of Rights of Stockholders/Shareholders” and “—Shareholder Rights Plan.”

New THI’s articles of incorporation and by-laws, which are generally consistent with Canadian corporate law requirements and common commercial practice, do not provide the same type of anti-takeover provisions as do THI USA’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws. For example, under THI USA’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, THI USA has a classified board of directors and stockholders are unable to call special meetings. As summarized below at “Comparison of Rights of Stockholders/Shareholders,” there are material differences between the DGCL and the CBCA that also have the effect of reducing the anti-takeover provisions applicable with respect to New THI, such as the ability of shareholders who meet certain requirements to make proposals, including the nomination of directors, in New THI’s management proxy circular for annual shareholder meetings. You should consider these differences in anti-takeover provisions in evaluating the merger.

The CBCA does not contain a comparable provision to Section 203 of the DGCL with respect to business combinations. Please see “Comparison of Rights of Stockholders/Shareholders—Special Vote Required for Combinations with Interested Stockholders/Shareholders” with respect to the provisions of Section 203. However, Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) of the Canadian Securities Administrators contains requirements in connection with “related party transactions.” A related party transaction means, generally, any transaction by which an issuer, directly or indirectly:

(i) acquires, sells, leases or transfers an asset;

(ii) acquires or issues securities;

(iii) assumes or becomes subject to a liability; or

(iv) borrows money or lends money;

from or to, as the case may be, a related party by any means in any one or any combination of transactions.


“Related Party” is defined in MI 61-101 and includes directors, senior officers and holders of more than 10% of the voting securities of the issuer or holders of a sufficient number of any securities of the issuer to materially affect control of the issuer. MI 61-101 requires, subject to certain exceptions:

(i) specific disclosure in the proxy circular sent to security holders in connection with a related party transaction where a meeting is required;

(ii) the preparation of a formal valuation of the subject matter of the related party transaction and any non-cash consideration offered in connection therewith; and

(iii) the inclusion of a summary of the valuation in the proxy circular.

MI 61-101 also requires, subject to certain exceptions, that an issuer not engage in a related party transaction unless the shareholders of the issuer, other than the related parties, approve the transaction by a simple majority of the votes cast. See “Comparison of Rights of Stockholders/Shareholders.”

Shareholder Rights Plan

Background and Reasons for the New THI Shareholder Rights Plan

THI USA maintains a stockholder rights plan, which is designed to provide the stockholders sufficient time to assess a tender offer for the corporation, if such an offer were to be made, and to provide THI USA’s Board of Directors with the opportunity to explore and develop alternatives to any tender offer that are in the best interests of the corporation and its stockholders. In order for the rights of shareholders of New THI to match those of THI USA, to the extent practicable given the different legal frameworks governing the respective corporation, New THI will adopt a similar shareholder rights plan. The New THI Board of Directors, as noted below, has concluded that the adoption of the shareholder rights plan is in the best interests of New THI and its shareholders. However, and as further discussed below, the New THI shareholder rights plan will contain important differences from the THI USA rights plan.

Several hundred public companies in Canada have adopted shareholder rights plans. These plans have as their objective providing shareholders of the companies involved, and the boards of directors of such companies, with the time necessary to ensure that, in the event of a take-over bid (the Canadian term for a tender offer) for the company, alternatives to the bid which may be in the best interests of the company are identified and fully explored. Securities legislation in Canada currently permits a take-over bid to expire in 35 days. The New THI Board of Directors is of the view that this is not sufficient time to assess a take-over bid, were such a bid to be made, and, if the New THI Board of Directors were to deem it appropriate in the circumstances, to identify and explore alternatives which may be in the best interests of New THI and its shareholders. In the event that competing bids were to emerge, the New THI Board of Directors also believes that securities legislation in Canada would not provide a sufficient minimum period of time in which the New THI Board of Directors could assess a competing offer or for shareholders to make a reasoned decision about the merits of the competing bids. The shareholder rights plan is not intended to prevent a take-over bid or to deter offers for the common shares of New THI. It is designed to encourage anyone seeking to acquire control of New THI to make a bid or offer that represents full and fair value to all shareholders and to allow the Board of Directors to have sufficient time to evaluate all such competing bids.

The existence of a shareholder rights plan does not affect the duty of the New THI Board of Directors to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders, and to consider any offer made on that basis. The shareholder rights plan is designed to provide the New THI Board of Directors with the means to bring about negotiations with an offeror on behalf of the corporation’s shareholders.

The New THI Board of Directors, as part of its review and analysis of the shareholder rights plan, considered, among other matters, (i) recent developments in shareholder rights plans in Canada, (ii) the terms and conditions of current rights plans adopted by other Canadian companies, (iii) recent experience involving rights plans in the context of take-over bids, and (iv) the commentary of the investment community and governance organizations on these plans. Based upon this review, the New THI Board of Directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan that addresses the concerns of institutional shareholders and investment industry commentators on a basis that is generally consistent with the objectives of shareholder rights plans that are commonly found in the Canadian public market.

Summary of Certain Key Provisions of New THI’s Shareholder Rights Plan

The following is a summary of the material provisions of New THI’s shareholder rights plan, a copy of which is attached to and forms a part of this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D.

 


The shareholder rights plan is not intended to, and will not, prevent a take-over of New THI. As discussed above, the objectives of the shareholder rights plan are to provide the Board of Directors with sufficient time to assess and evaluate a take-over bid and to permit New THI’s Board of Directors to identify and explore other alternatives, if appropriate, designed to maximize shareholder value.

The shareholder rights plan provides that one right to purchase a common share (a “Right”) will be issued in respect of each of the outstanding New THI common shares to holders as of the effective date of the plan, as well as in respect of each common share issued after the effective date and prior to the Separation Time (as defined below).

Under the shareholder rights plan, a bidder making a Permitted Bid (as defined below) for New THI common shares may not take up any shares before the close of business on the 60 th day after the date of the bid and then only if more than 50% of New THI’s common shares not beneficially owned by the person making the bid and certain related parties are deposited, in which case the bid must be extended for 10 business days on the same terms. The rights plan is intended to encourage an offeror to proceed by way of Permitted Bid or to approach the Board of Directors with a view to negotiation by creating the potential for substantial dilution of the offeror’s position, making the acquisition much more costly. The Permitted Bid provisions of the rights plan are designed to ensure that, in any take-over bid, all shareholders are treated equally, receive the maximum available value for their investment and are given adequate time to properly assess the bid on a fully informed basis. Under the rights plan, a bid for less than all of the common shares may be a Permitted Bid.

It was not the intention of the New THI Board of Directors in adopting the shareholder rights plan to secure the continuance of existing members of the Board of Directors or management in office, or to avoid a bid for control of the corporation. Through the Permitted Bid mechanism, described in more detail below, shareholders may tender to a bid which meets the Permitted Bid criteria without triggering the rights plan, regardless of the acceptability of the bid to the New THI Board of Directors. Even in the context of a bid that does not meet the Permitted Bid criteria, the New THI Board of Directors will continue to be bound by its fiduciary duties to consider any bid for the common shares of New THI in deciding whether to exercise its discretion under the shareholder rights plan to waive its application to the offer. In discharging that responsibility, the New THI Board of Directors must act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of New THI.

In addition, the shareholder rights plan was not adopted in response to, or in anticipation of, any acquisition or take-over offer. The rights plan does not inhibit any shareholder from using the proxy mechanism set out in the CBCA to promote a change in the management or direction of the corporation, including the right to requisition the directors to call a meeting of shareholders to transact any proper business to be considered by New THI’s shareholders.

Trading of Rights

The Rights are not exercisable until the Separation Time (as defined below), and certificates representing the Rights will not be sent to shareholders. Until the Separation Time, or earlier termination or expiration of the Rights, the Rights are evidenced by and transferred with the associated New THI common shares and the surrender for transfer of any common shares will also constitute the surrender for transfer of the Rights associated with those common shares. After the Separation Time, the Rights will become exercisable and begin to trade separately from the associated common shares. The initial “Exercise Price” under each Right in order to acquire a common share is Cdn. $150.

Separation of Rights

The Rights will become exercisable and begin to trade separately from the associated New THI common shares at the “Separation Time,” which is generally the close of business on the tenth trading day after the earliest to occur of (a) a public announcement that a person or a group of affiliated or associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) has acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding common shares other than as a result of (i) a reduction in the number of common shares outstanding, (ii) a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid (see “Permitted Bids” below), (iii) acquisitions of common shares in respect of which the Board of Directors of New THI has waived the application of the shareholder rights plan, or (iv) other specified exempt acquisitions in which shareholders participate on a pro rata basis; (b) the date of commencement of, or the first public announcement of an intention of any person to commence, a take-over bid where the common shares subject to the bid owned by that person (including affiliates, associates and others acting jointly or in concert therewith) would constitute 20% or more of the outstanding common shares; and (c) the date upon which a Permitted Bid or Competing Permitted Bid ceases to be such.


As soon as practicable following the Separation Time, a separate book entry will be made evidencing the Rights, and the book entry alone will evidence the Rights. The shareholder rights plan will remain in effect until September 28, 2018, subject to being reconfirmed by shareholders of New THI every three years (the “Expiration Date”). If the shareholder rights plan is not reconfirmed at the third and sixth annual meetings of New THI shareholders following the THI USA stockholders’ meeting at which the merger is considered, or if the shareholder rights plan is not presented for reconfirmation at such annual meetings, the shareholder rights plan and all outstanding rights shall terminate as of the adjournment of the relevant annual meeting, provided that termination shall not occur if a Flip-in Event (as defined below) has occurred (other than one that has been waived in accordance with terms of the shareholder rights plan).

When Rights become Exercisable

After the Separation Time, each Right entitles the holder thereof to purchase one common share at the Exercise Price. Following a transaction which results in a person becoming an Acquiring Person (a “Flip-in Event”), the Rights entitle the holder thereof (other than a holder who is an Acquiring Person) to receive upon exercise common shares with a market value equal to twice the then Exercise Price of the Rights. For example, if, at the time of such announcement, the Exercise Price is Cdn. $150 and the common shares have a market price of Cdn. $25, the holder of each Right would be entitled to receive Cdn. $300 in market value of the common shares (12 common shares) after paying Cdn. $150 for such shares ( i.e. , the shares may be purchased at a 50% discount). In such event, however, any Rights directly or beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (including affiliates, associates and others acting jointly or in concert therewith), or a transferee or any such person, will be void. A Flip-in Event does not include acquisitions pursuant to a “Permitted Bid” or “Competing Permitted Bid” (both as defined below).

Permitted Bids

The shareholder rights plan includes a “Permitted Bid” concept whereby a take-over bid for New THI will not trigger the Rights if the bid meets certain conditions. A “Permitted Bid” is defined as an offer to acquire New THI common shares or securities that are eligible to be converted into New THI common shares for cash or securities made by means of a take-over bid circular where the common shares (including common shares that may be acquired upon conversion of securities convertible into common shares) subject to the offer, together with shares directly or beneficially owned by the offeror at the date of the offer (including its affiliates, associates and others acting jointly or in concert therewith), constitute 20% or more of the outstanding common shares and that also complies with the following additional provisions:

 

  (i) the bid must be made to all the holders of common shares other than the offeror;

 

  (ii) the bid must contain an irrevocable and unqualified condition that no common shares will be taken up or paid for prior to the close of business on a date which is not less than 60 days following the date of the bid and then only if more than 50% of the common shares held by Independent Shareholders (as referred to below) have been deposited or tendered to the bid and not withdrawn;

 

  (iii) common shares may be deposited pursuant to the bid, unless it is withdrawn, at any time prior to the date shares may be taken up or paid for under the bid and common shares deposited pursuant to the bid may be withdrawn until taken up or paid for; and;

 

  (iv) if the deposit condition referred to in (ii) above is satisfied, the offeror will make a public announcement of that fact and the bid will remain open for deposit and tenders of common shares for at least 10 business days from the date such extension is publicly announced.

“Independent Shareholders” are defined as holders of common shares other than (i) an Acquiring Person, (ii) any offeror making a take-over bid, (iii) any affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person or offeror, (iv) persons acting jointly or in concert with an Acquiring Person, and (v) employee benefit, stock purchase or certain other plans or trusts for employees of the corporation or its wholly-owned subsidiaries unless the beneficiaries of such plans or trusts direct the voting or tendering to a take-over bid of the common shares.

The New THI Board of Directors, when a Permitted Bid is made, will continue to have the duty and power to take such actions and make such recommendations to shareholders as are considered appropriate.


Competing Permitted Bids

A “Competing Permitted Bid” is a take-over bid made after a Permitted Bid has been made and prior to its expiry that satisfies all components of the definition of a Permitted Bid, except that it must remain open for acceptance until at least the 60 th day after the earliest date on which another Permitted Bid then in existence was made. The reduction in the time for acceptance of a Competing Permitted Bid is designed to allow, as nearly as practicable, all bids to be dealt with by the shareholders of the corporation within substantially the same time frame.

Redemption and Waiver; Termination of the Rights Plan

The Rights may be redeemed by the New THI Board of Directors, with the prior approval of the holders of common shares or Rights, as the case may be, at any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event at a redemption price of Cdn. $0.00001 per Right. Rights are deemed to have been redeemed if a bidder successfully completes a Permitted Bid. Additionally, see “Separation of Rights,” regarding the termination of the shareholder rights plan if it is not reconfirmed at the third and sixth annual meetings of New THI shareholders.

Under the terms of the shareholder rights plan, the New THI Board of Directors can waive the application of the plan to enable a particular take-over bid to proceed, in which case the terms of the shareholder rights plan will be deemed to have been waived with respect to any other take-over bid made prior to the expiry of any bid subject to such waiver.

Protection Against Dilution

The Exercise Price, the number and nature of securities which may be purchased upon the exercise of Rights and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in the event of stock dividends, subdivisions, consolidations, reclassifications or other changes in the outstanding common shares, pro rata distributions to holders of common shares and other circumstances where adjustments are required to appropriately protect the interests of the holders of Rights.

EXHIBIT 99.2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOGO

Tim Hortons Inc. Completes

Public Company Merger and Reorganization

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO , (September 28 th , 2009): Tim Hortons Inc. (NYSE: THI, TSX: THI) announced today that it has completed the reorganization of its corporate structure to become a Canadian public company.

Tim Hortons stockholders automatically had their existing common stock converted into an equal number of common shares in the Canadian public company. At market open today, the new Tim Hortons shares started trading on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “THI” and retained the CUSIP number 88706M103.

Tim Hortons Inc. Overview

Tim Hortons is the fourth largest publicly-traded quick service restaurant chain in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, flavored cappuccinos, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, donuts and fresh baked goods. As of June 28 th , 2009, Tim Hortons had 3,475 systemwide restaurants, including 2,939 in Canada and 536 in the United States. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.

For Further information:

Investors: Scott Bonikowsky, (905) 339-6186 or investor_relations@timhortons.com

Media: David Morelli, (905) 339-6277 or morelli_david@timhortons.com

EXHIBIT 99.3

TIM HORTONS INC.

Safe Harbor Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those disclosed in the statement. Tim Hortons Inc. (the “Company”) desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Act.

Certain information provided or stated, including statements regarding future financial performance and the expectations and objectives of management, is forward-looking. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could” or “may.” The following factors, in addition to other factors set forth in our Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2009 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Canadian securities regulators, and in other press releases, communications, or filings made with the SEC or the Canadian securities regulators, and other possible factors we have not identified, could affect our actual results and cause such results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements.

Competition . The quick-service restaurant industry is intensely competitive with respect to price, service, location, personnel, qualified franchisees, real estate sites and type and quality of food. The Company and its franchisees compete with international, regional and local organizations, primarily through the quality, variety, and value perception of food products offered. The number and location of units, quality and speed of service, attractiveness of facilities, effectiveness of advertising/marketing and operational programs, sales and new product introductions and promotions, discounting activities, price and new product development by the Company and its competitors are also important factors. Certain of the Company’s competitors, most notably in the U.S., have greater financial and other resources than we do, including substantially larger marketing budgets and greater leverage due to size from their marketing budgets.

Economic, Market and Other Conditions . The quick-service restaurant industry is affected by changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and political conditions, consumer preferences and perceptions (including food safety, health or dietary preferences and perceptions), discretionary spending patterns, consumer confidence, demographic trends, seasonality, weather events and other calamities, traffic patterns, the type, number and location of competing restaurants, enhanced governmental regulation (including nutritional and franchise regulations), changes in capital market conditions that affect valuations of restaurant companies in general or the value of the Company’s stock in particular, litigation relating to food quality, handling or nutritional content, and the effects of war or terrorist activities and any governmental responses thereto. Factors such as inflation, higher energy and/or fuel costs, food costs, the cost and/or availability of a qualified workforce and other labour issues, benefit costs, legal claims, legal and regulatory compliance (including environmental regulations), new or additional sales tax on the Company’s products, disruptions in its supply chain or changes in the price, availability and shipping costs of supplies, and utility and other operating costs, also affect restaurant operations and expenses and impact same-store sales and growth opportunities. The ability of the Company and its franchisees to finance new restaurant development, improvements and additions to existing restaurants, acquire and sell restaurants, and pursue other strategic initiatives (such as acquisitions and joint ventures), are affected by economic conditions, including interest rates and other government policies impacting land and construction costs and the cost and availability of borrowed funds. In addition, unforeseen catastrophic or widespread events affecting the health and/or welfare of large numbers of people in the markets in which the Company’s restaurants are located and/or which otherwise cause a catastrophic loss or interruption in the Company’s ability to conduct its business, would affect its ability to maintain and/or increase sales and build new restaurants.

The Importance of Canadian Segment Performance and Brand Reputation . The Company’s financial performance is highly dependent upon its Canadian operating segment, which accounted for approximately 92.0% of its consolidated revenues, and all of its profit, in 2008. Any substantial or sustained decline in the Company’s Canadian business would materially and adversely affect its financial performance. The Company’s success is also dependent on its ability to maintain and enhance the


value of its brand, its customers’ connection to its brand, and a positive relationship with its franchisees. Brand value can be severely damaged, even by isolated incidents, including those that may be beyond the Company’s control such as actions taken or not taken by its franchisees relating to health or safety, litigation and claims (including litigation by, other disputes with, or negative relationship with franchisees), security breaches or other fraudulent activities associated with its electronic payment systems, and incidents occurring at or affecting its strategic business partners (including in connection with co-branding initiatives and our self-serve kiosk model), affiliates, corporate social responsibility programs, or falsified claims or health or safety issues at our manufacturing plants.

Factors Affecting Growth . There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve new restaurant growth objectives or same-store sales growth in Canada or the U.S. The Company’s success depends on various factors, including many of the factors set forth in this cautionary statement, as well as sales levels at existing restaurants and factors affecting construction costs generally. In addition, the U.S. markets in which the Company seeks to expand may have competitive conditions (including higher construction, occupancy, or operating costs), consumer tastes, or discretionary spending patterns that may differ from its existing markets, and its brand is largely unknown in many U.S. markets. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully adapt its brand, development efforts, and restaurants to these differing market conditions. In addition, early in the development of new markets, the opening of new restaurants may have a negative effect on the same-store sales of existing restaurants in the market. In some of the Company’s U.S. markets, the Company has not yet achieved the level of penetration needed in order to drive brand recognition, convenience, increased leverage to marketing dollars, and other benefits the Company believes penetration yields. When the Company franchises locations in certain U.S. markets, this can result in increased franchisee relief and support costs, which lowers its earnings. The Company may also continue to selectively close restaurants in the U.S. that are not achieving acceptable levels of profitability or change its growth strategies over time, where appropriate. Such closures may be accompanied by impairment charges that may have a negative impact on our earnings. The Company may also pursue strategic alliances (including co-branding) with third parties for different types of development models and products in the U.S. Entry into such relationships as well as the expansion of our current business through such initiatives may expose us to additional risks that may adversely affect our brand and business.

Manufacturing and Distribution Operations . The occurrence of any of the following factors is likely to result in increased operating costs and depressed profitability of the Company’s distribution operations and may also damage its relationship with franchisees: higher transportation costs; shortages or changes in the cost or availability of qualified workforce and other labour issues; equipment failures; disruptions (including shortages or interruptions) in its supply chain; price fluctuations; climate conditions; inflation; decreased consumer discretionary spending and other changes in general economic and political conditions driving down demand; franchisee dissatisfaction with price or quantity; physical, environmental or technological disruptions in the Company or its suppliers’ manufacturing and/or warehouse facilities or equipment; changes in international commodity markets (especially for coffee, which is highly volatile in price and supply, sugar, edible oils and wheat); and, the adoption of additional environmental or health and safety laws and regulations. The Company’s manufacturing and distribution operations in the U.S. are also subject to competition from other qualified distributors, which could reduce the price the Company can charge for supplies sold to U.S. franchisees. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Company and its joint venture partner will continue with the Maidstone Bakeries joint venture. If the joint venture terminates, it may be necessary, under certain circumstances, for the Company to build its own par-baking facility or find alternate products or production methods.

Government Regulation . The Company and its franchisees are subject to various federal, state, provincial, and local (“governmental”) laws and regulations. The development and operation of restaurants depend to a significant extent on the selection, acquisition, and development of suitable sites, which are subject to laws and regulations regarding zoning, land use, environmental matters (including limitation of vehicle emissions in drive-thrus; anti-idling bylaws; regulation of litter, packaging and recycling requirements and other governmental laws and regulations), traffic, franchise, design and other matters. Additional governmental laws and regulations affecting the Company and its franchisees include: business licensing; franchise laws and regulations; health, food preparation, sanitation and safety; labour (including applicable minimum wage requirements, overtime, working and safety conditions, family leave and other employment matters, and citizenship requirements); nutritional disclosure and advertising; tax; employee benefits; accounting; and anti-discrimination. Changes in these laws and regulations, or the implementation of additional regulatory requirements, particularly increases in applicable minimum wages, tax law, planning or other matters that may, among other things, affect our anticipated effective tax rate and/or tax reserves; business planning within our corporate structure; our strategic initiatives and/or the types of projects we may undertake in furtherance of our business, or franchise requirements, may adversely affect the Company’s financial results.


Foreign Exchange Fluctuations . The Company’s Canadian restaurants are vulnerable to increases in the value of the U.S. dollar as certain commodities, such as coffee, are priced in U.S. dollars in international markets. Conversely, the Company’s U.S. restaurants are impacted when the U.S. dollar falls in value relative to the Canadian dollar, as U.S. operations would be less profitable because of the increase in U.S. operating costs resulting from the purchase of supplies from Canadian sources, and profits from U.S. operations will contribute less to (or, for losses, have less of an impact on) the Company’s consolidated results. Increases in these costs could make it harder to expand into the U.S. and increase relief and support costs to U.S. franchisees, affecting the Company’s earnings. The opposite impact occurs when the U.S. dollar strengthens against the Canadian dollar. In addition, fluctuations in the values of Canadian and U.S. dollars can affect the value of the Company’s common stock and any dividends the Company pays.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Other Strategic Transactions . The Company intends to evaluate potential mergers, acquisitions, joint venture investments, alliances (including co-branding initiatives), vertical integration opportunities and divestitures, which are subject to many of the same risks that also affect new store development. In addition, these transactions involve various other risks, including accurately assessing the value, future growth potential, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition candidates; the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; the Company’s ability to achieve projected economic and operating synergies; difficulties successfully integrating, operating, maintaining and managing newly-acquired operations or employees; difficulties maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; the possibility the Company could incur impairment charges if an acquired business performs below expectations; unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquired business; ramp-up costs, whether anticipated or not; the potential for the unauthorized use of the Company’s trademarks and brand name by third parties; the possibility of a breach of contract or spoliation of the business relationship with a third party; the potential negative effects such transactions may have on the Company’s relationship with franchisees; the potential exposure to franchisees and others arising from the Company’s reliance on and dissemination of information provided by third parties; and diversion of management’s and franchisee’s attention from the demands of the existing business. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete desirable transactions, for reasons including restrictive covenants in debt instruments or other agreements with third parties, including the Maidstone Bakeries joint venture arrangements, or a failure to secure financing in tight credit markets.

Privacy Protection . If the Company fails to comply with new and/or increasingly demanding laws and regulations regarding the protection of customer, supplier, vendor, franchisee, employee and/or business data, or if the Company experiences a significant breach of customer, supplier, vendor, franchisee, employee or Company data, the Company’s reputation could be damaged and result in lost sales, fines, lawsuits and diversion of management attention. The introduction of credit payment systems and the Company’s reloadable cash card makes us more susceptible to a risk of loss in connection with these issues, particularly with respect to an external security breach of customer information that the Company, or third parties under arrangement(s) with it, control.

Other Factors . The following factors could also cause the Company’s actual results to differ from its expectations: an inability to retain executive officers and other key personnel or attract additional qualified management personnel to meet business needs; an inability to adequately protect the Company’s intellectual property and trade secrets from infringement actions or unauthorized use by others (including in certain international markets that have uncertain or inconsistent laws and/or application with respect to intellectual property and contract rights); operational or financial shortcomings of franchised restaurants and franchisees; liabilities and losses associated with owning and leasing significant amounts of real estate; failures of or inadequacies in computer systems at restaurants, the distribution facilities, the Company’s manufacturing facilities, the Maidstone Bakeries facility, or at the Company’s office locations, including those that support, secure, track and/or record electronic payment transactions; the transition to an integrated financial system, which could present risks of maintaining and designing internal controls and SOX 404 compliance; litigation matters, including obesity litigation; health and safety risks or conditions of the Company’s restaurants associated with design, construction, site location and development, indoor or airborne contaminants and/or certain equipment utilized in operations; employee claims for employment or labour matters, including potentially class action suits, regarding wages, discrimination, unfair or unequal treatment, harassment, wrongful termination, overtime compensation and hour claims; claims from franchisees regarding profitability; falsified claims; implementation of new or changes in interpretation of U.S. GAAP policies or practices; and potential unfavorable variance between estimated and actual liabilities and volatility of actuarially-determined losses and loss estimates. The current global financial crisis presents additional uncertainties that could also negatively impact our liquidity, including if the counterparties to our revolving credit facilities or our interest rate and/or total return swaps fail to perform their obligations in accordance with the terms of our agreements. In addition, we have significant investments of cash in money market funds, which could experience sharp declines in returns or could otherwise be at risk depending upon the extent of the instability in the credit and investment markets.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date and time made. Except as required by federal or provincial securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements, or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date forward-looking statements are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.