BED BATH & BEYOND INC false 0000886158 0000886158 2023-03-30 2023-03-30

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 30, 2023

 

 

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

New York   0-20214   11-2250488

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S Employer

Identification No.)

650 Liberty Avenue, Union, New Jersey

(Address of principal executive offices)

07083

(Zip Code)

(908) 688-0888

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, $.01 par value   BBBY   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
    (Nasdaq Global Select Market)

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

Emerging growth company ☐

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement

On March 30, 2023, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a waiver and amendment (the “Amendment”) to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2021 (as amended or otherwise modified to date, including by that certain Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of March 6, 2023, the “Credit Agreement” and as further amended by the Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), with certain of the Company’s US and Canadian subsidiaries party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO agent (the “FILO Agent”), and the lenders party thereto. The Amendment waived certain events of default under the Credit Agreement related to negative and affirmative covenants, including relating to the occurrence of a Funding Failure (as defined in the Credit Agreement without giving effect to the Amendment). The Amendment also revised provisions relating to the Equity Commitment (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to reflect the Purchase Agreement and the ATM Agreement (as defined below), including (i) the requirement to receive minimum Specified Equity Proceeds (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) as of the last day of any Equity Proceeds Testing Period (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), (ii) the implementation of reserves in relation thereto, and (iii) the result of an event of default in connection with an Equity Termination Event (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), in each case, as more specifically contemplated therein.

Additionally, under the Amendment, (i) the total revolving commitment was decreased from $565 million to $300 million, (ii) the letter of credit sublimit under the revolving credit facility was reduced from $225 million to $175 million, (iii) the Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) with respect to both term loans and revolving loans has been revised, in each case, to reflect monthly interest payments, and (iv) the Company, its US and Canadian subsidiaries party thereto, the Administrative Agent and FILO Agent have agreed to negotiate in good faith to enter into a consignment agreement following the closing of the Amendment. The Amendment also includes certain other amendments, modifications or supplements to certain other terms and provisions as more specifically contemplated therein. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is required to repay any outstanding revolving loans under the revolving credit facility or to cash collateralize any outstanding letters of credit with any net cash proceeds received pursuant to certain of the Equity Documents and to submit a monthly budget (with the next budget being due on May 1, 2023 and on the first business day of each calendar month thereafter) which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

The foregoing description of the Amendment (including the Amended Credit Agreement) does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment (including the Amended Credit Agreement), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On March 30, 2023, the Company issued a press release which included certain preliminary financial results for its fiscal 2022 fourth quarter ended February 25, 2023. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The Company has not yet completed its fiscal year 2022 fourth quarter and full year financial close and plans to provide its full financial results for fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and full year at the end of April 2023. Until that time, the preliminary results described in the Company’s press release are estimates only and remain subject to change and finalization.

The information in this Item of the Current Report on Form 8-K (including exhibit 99.1 attached hereto) is being furnished under Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of such section or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 2.04

Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement.

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above regarding the Amendment is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

Exchange Agreement

On February 7, 2023, the Company consummated an underwritten public offering of (i) shares of the Series A convertible preferred stock (the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”), (ii) warrants to purchase shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock Warrant”) and (iii) warrants to purchase Common Stock. Between February 7, 2023 and March 27, 2023, the holder of the Preferred Stock Warrants (the “Holder”) exercised the Preferred Stock Warrant to purchase 14,212 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $135,014,000. After the Company anticipated that it would not be able to meet the conditions to force the exercise of the Preferred Stock Warrant in the future and receive cash proceeds therefore, on March 30, 2023, the Company and the Holder entered into the Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company exchanged (the “Exchange”) the Preferred Stock Warrant to purchase 70,004 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Exchange Shares”) and rights to receive 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Rights”) upon the receipt of shareholder approval of a proposal to effectuate a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split Proposal”) of the Company’s Common Stock to be presented to shareholders at a forthcoming special meeting of shareholders. The Company also granted to the Holder a right to participate, subject to the terms set forth in the Exchange Agreement, in certain future equity or equity-linked offerings of the Company for a period of two years from the date of the Exchange Agreement. No underwriting discounts or commissions were paid with respect to the Exchange. The Exchange is exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.

The above description of the Exchange Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in their entirety by reference to, and incorporate herein by reference, the full text of the Warrant Exchange Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.5 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events

At-the-Market Offering Program

On March 30, 2023, the Company entered into an Sale Agreement (the “ATM Agreement”) with B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B Riley Securities”), as a sales agent, to offer and sell additional shares (“ATM Shares”) of Common Stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $300 million (the “ATM Program Amount”) from time to time through the Company’s “at the market offering” program. As of the date of this Current Report, the Company has available for future issuance approximately 295,411,477 shares of Common Stock. Based on the recent trading prices of the Company’s Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market, we may have insufficient shares of Common Stock available for issuance of the full ATM Program Amount if we fail to obtain shareholder approval of the Reverse Split Proposal.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the ATM Agreement, B Riley Securities will use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell, on the Company’s behalf, the ATM Shares that may be offered by the Company from time to time under the ATM Agreement. The sales, if any, of the ATM Shares made under the ATM Agreement will be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on The Nasdaq Stock Market or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Actual sales will depend on a variety of factors to be determined by the Company from time to time.

 

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The Company is not obligated to sell any ATM Shares under the ATM Agreement, and may at any time suspend offers under the ATM Agreement or terminate the ATM Agreement. B Riley Securities will be entitled to compensation as provided under the terms of the ATM Agreement.

The Company made certain customary representations, warranties and covenants concerning the Company and its Common Stock in the ATM Agreement and agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to B Riley Securities against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Act.

The Company currently intends to use the net proceeds, after deducting the agent’s commissions and our offering expenses, that we receive upon the issuance and sale of shares of the ATM Shares to repay outstanding revolving loans under the asset-based revolving credit facilty (the “ABL Facility”) in accordance with the Amendment. Under the Amendment, we will be required to apply all net cash proceeds received from the issuance and sale of the securities in this offering to repay outstanding revolving loans under the ABL Facility or to cash collateralize any outstanding letters of credit. Outstanding revolving loans repaid using net proceeds of the ATM Program Amount may be reborrowed, subject to availability under the ABL Facility, and we expect to use those borrowings for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, rebalancing the Company’s assortment and building back the Company’s inventory.

The above description of the ATM Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and incorporate herein by reference, the full text of the ATM Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and incorporated herein by reference. The legal opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP relating to the legality of the Shares is attached as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Termination of Prior At-the-Market Offering Program

In connection with the Company’s entry into the ATM Agreement, the Company terminated that certain Open Market Sale Agreement, dated August 31, 2022, with Jeffries LLC, on March 27, 2023, effective immediately.

Common Stock Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement

On March 30, 2023, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC. (“B Riley Principal”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company will have the right to sell to B Riley Principal, up to the lesser of (i) $1,000,000,000 of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) the Exchange Cap (as defined below) (subject to certain conditions and limitations), from time to time during the term of the Purchase Agreement. Sales of Common Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any sales, are solely at the option of the Company, and the Company is under no obligation to sell any securities to B Riley Principal under the Purchase Agreement.

Upon the initial satisfaction of the conditions to B Riley Principal’s purchase obligation set forth in the Purchase Agreement (the “Commencement”), including that a registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) relating to the resale by B Riley Principal of shares of Common Stock issued to it by the Company under the Purchase Agreement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and a final prospectus relating thereto is filed with the SEC, the Company will have the right, but not the obligation, from time to time at the Company’s sole discretion over the 24-month period from and after the effective date of the Registration Statement, to direct B Riley Principal to purchase a specified amount of shares of Common Stock not to exceed certain limitations set forth in the Purchase Agreement (each, a “VWAP Purchase”). The purchase price of the shares of Common Stock that the Company elects to sell to B Riley Principal pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

As consideration for B Riley Principal’s commitment to purchase shares of Common Stock at the Company’s direction upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company will issue to B Riley Principal (the ”Initial Commitment Shares”). The Initial Commitment Shares will equal the number of shares of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock representing 0.25% of the Total Commitment, divided by the volume weighted average price during the 5 consecutive trading days (y) immediately following a reverse stock split of the Common Stock or (z) if no such reverse stock split occurs, immediately prior to the commencement date of sales of shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction (in each case, rounded to the nearest whole share), The Initial Commitment Shares will be fully earned as of the date they are issuable or payable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Company has agreed to include the Commitment Shares on the Registration Statement. Furthermore, the Company has agreed to reimburse B Riley Principal for the reasonable legal fees and disbursements of B Riley Principal’s legal counsel.

Under the applicable Nasdaq rules, the Company cannot issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and B Riley Principal shall not purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby would exceed such number of shares equal to 19.99% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the closing date of the Purchase Agreement, which number of shares will be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement under applicable rules of the Nasdaq (the “Exchange Cap”), unless the Company obtains stockholder approval to issue shares in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with applicable Nasdaq rules. The Exchange Cap is not applicable to issuances and sales of Common Stock to the extent such shares of Common Stock are sold at a price equal to or in excess of the applicable “minimum price” (as defined in the applicable listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market) of the Common Stock, calculated at the time such sales are effected by the Company under the Purchase Agreement, if any, as adjusted such that the Exchange Cap limitation would not apply under applicable Nasdaq rules. Moreover, the Company cannot sell any shares of Common Stock to B Riley Principal under the Purchase Agreement that, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by B Riley Principal and its affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in B Riley Principal beneficially owning more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

The Company will control the timing and amount of any sales of Common Stock to B Riley Principal. Actual sales of shares of the Company’s Common Stock to B Riley Principal will depend on a variety of factors, including, among other things, market conditions, the trading price of the Company’s Common Stock and determinations by the Company as to the appropriate sources of funding for the Company’s business and operations.

The Purchase Agreement will automatically terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary after the Commencement, (ii) the date on which B Riley Principal shall have purchased from the Company an aggregate number of shares for a total aggregate gross purchase price to the Company equal to $1,000,000,000, (iii) the date on which the Common Stock shall have failed to be listed or quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market or another U.S. national securities exchange identified as an “eligible market” in the Purchase Agreement for a period of one trading day, (iv) the 30th trading day next following the date on which a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding involving the Company has been commenced that is not discharged or dismissed prior to such 30th trading day, and (v) the date on which a bankruptcy custodian is appointed for all or substantially all of the Company’s property or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors. The Company has the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement at any time after Commencement, at no cost or penalty, upon ten trading days’ prior written notice to B Riley Principal. B Riley Principal has the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement upon ten trading days’ prior written notice to the Company upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The Company and B Riley Principal may also agree to terminate the Purchase Agreement by mutual written consent.

 

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The above descriptions of the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and incorporate herein by reference, the full text of the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, which are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and Exhibit 10.3, respectively.

Non-GAAP Information

This report and exhibits hereto contains certain non-GAAP information, including Free Cash Flow. Non-GAAP information is intended to provide visibility into the Company’s core operations and excludes special items, including non-cash impairment charges related to certain store-level assets and tradenames, loss on sale of businesses, loss on the extinguishment of debt, charges recorded in connection with the restructuring and transformation initiatives, which includes accelerated markdowns and inventory reserves related to the planned assortment transition to Owned Brands and costs associated with store closures related to the Company’s fleet optimization and the income tax impact of these items. The Company’s definition and calculation of non-GAAP measures may differ from that of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported GAAP financial results. The Company is not providing a reconciliation of its forward looking quarter ended February 25, 2023 non-GAAP preliminary expected results or its fiscal year 2023 guidance with respect to and Free Cash Flow because it does not currently have sufficient information to accurately estimate all of the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliation. As such, the Company cannot estimate on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort the impact these variables and individual adjustments will have on its reported results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including, but not limited to, our progress and anticipated progress towards our long-term objectives and our turnaround plan, as well as more generally the status of our future liquidity and financial condition. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “approximate,” “estimate,” “assume,” “continue,” “model,” “project,” “plan,” “goal,” “preliminary,” and similar words and phrases, although the absence of those words does not necessarily mean that statements are not forward-looking. Our actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Such factors include, without limitation: our ability to use proceeds from the ATM Agreement and the Purchase Agreement to pay down our outstanding obligations under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2021, as amended through the Fourth Amendment, dated as of March 30, 2023 (as the same may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), consisting of a $300 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) and a $100 million first-in-last-out term loan credit facility (the “FILO Loan” and, together with the ABL Facility, the “Credit Facilities”) and operate our business, risks related to the failure to receive the full amount of the gross proceeds from the ATM Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, which we expect will likely force us to file for bankruptcy protection, the ability to obtain shareholder approval of a reverse split proposal, which is required to enable the Company to make full use of the ATM Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, our ability to regain access to our Credit Facilities, our ability to deliver and execute on our turnaround plan, our potential need to seek additional strategic alternatives, including restructuring or refinancing of our debt, seeking additional debt or equity capital, reducing or delaying our business activities and strategic initiatives, or selling assets, other strategic transactions and/or other measures, including obtaining relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and the terms, value and timing of any transaction resulting from that process, our ability to finalize or fully execute actions and steps that would be probable of mitigating the existence of “substantial doubt” regarding our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to increase cash flow to support our operating activities and fund our obligations and working capital needs; general economic conditions including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, wage pressures, rising inflation and the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine; challenges related to our relationships with our

 

 

4


suppliers, the failure of our suppliers to supply us with the necessary volume and types of products; the impact of cost-savings measures; our inability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness or our ability to access additional capital; changes to our credit rating or the terms on which vendors or others will provide us credit; the impact of strategic changes, including the reaction of customers to such changes; a challenging overall macroeconomic environment and a highly competitive retailing environment; changing consumer preferences, spending habits and demographics; demographics and other macroeconomic factors that may impact the level of spending for the types of merchandise sold by us; challenges in executing our omni-channel and transformation strategy, including our ability to establish and profitably maintain the appropriate mix of digital and physical presence in the markets we serve; our ability to successfully execute our store fleet optimization strategies, including our ability to achieve anticipated cost savings and to not exceed anticipated costs; our ability to execute on any strategic transactions and realize the benefits of any partnerships, investments or divestitures; disruptions to our information technology systems, including but not limited to security breaches of systems protecting consumer and employee information or other types of cybercrimes or cybersecurity attacks; damage to our reputation in any aspect of our operations; the cost of labor, merchandise, logistical costs and other costs and expenses; potential supply chain disruption due to trade restrictions or otherwise, and other factors such as natural disasters, pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, labor disturbances, product recalls, financial or operational instability of suppliers or carriers and other items; inflation and the related increases in costs of materials, labor and other costs, inefficient management of relationships and dependencies on third-party service providers; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees in all areas of the organization; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters, including the impact of climate change, uncertainty and disruptions in financial markets; volatility in the price of our common stock and its effect, and the effect of other factors, on our capital allocation strategy; changes to statutory, regulatory and other legal requirements or deemed noncompliance with such requirements, changes to accounting rules, regulations and tax laws or new interpretations of existing accounting standards or tax laws, new, or developments in existing, litigation, claims or assessments; and a failure of our business partners to adhere to appropriate laws, regulations or standards. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update our forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. These assumptions could prove inaccurate.

Any forward-looking statement we make in this report or elsewhere speaks only as of the date on which we make it. The risks identified above are not exhaustive, and you should be aware that there may be other risks that could adversely affect our business and financial performance. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other important factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements. We have no duty, and do not intend, to update or revise the forward-looking statements we make in this report or elsewhere, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the future events or circumstances described in any forward-looking statement we make in this report or elsewhere might not occur.

This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sales would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
No.
  

Description

  5.1    Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
10.1    Fourth Amendment, dated as of March 30, 2023, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2021, among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., certain of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.’s US and Canadian subsidiaries party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO agent, and the lenders party thereto.
10.2    Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 30, 2023, by and between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC
10.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 30, 2023, by and between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC
10.4    Sales Agreement, dated March 30, 2023, by and between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and B. Riley Securities, Inc.

 

5


Exhibit
No.
  

Description

10.5    Exchange Agreement, dated March 30, 2023, by and between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and HBC Investments LLC.
23.1    Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
99.1    Press Release issued by Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. on March 30, 2023.
99.2    Press Release by Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. on March 30, 2023.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
    (Registrant)
Date: March 30, 2023     By:  

/s/ David M. Kastin

      David M. Kastin
     

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and

Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

 

  

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York, 10022

United States

 

+1 212 466 4800

 

www.kirkland.com

  

 

Facsimile:

+1 212 446-4900

March 30, 2023

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

650 Liberty Avenue,

Union, New Jersey 07083

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as special counsel to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its proposed offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3, initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on August 31, 2022, as amended as of its most recent effective date (February 6, 2023) (as so amended, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, the “Registration Statement”), and the prospectus, dated February 6, 2023 (the “Base Prospectus”), as supplemented by the prospectus supplement filed with the Commission on or about the date hereof under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) (such prospectus supplement, as amended or supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus Supplement”) and together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”), of up to $300,000,000 aggregate sales price of shares (the “ATM Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), under an “at-the-market offering” program.

In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion, including (i) the corporate and organizational documents of the Company, including the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, as certified by the Secretary of the State of New York and the Corporate Secretary of the Company, as effective on the date hereof, (ii) minutes and records of the proceedings of the Company, (iii) the Registration Statement and (iv) the Prospectus.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this opinion is rendered, the authority of such persons signing on behalf of the parties thereto other than the Company and the due

 

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LOGO

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

March 30, 2023

Page 2

 

authorization, execution and delivery of all documents by the parties thereto other than the Company. We relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others as to factual matters.

We have also assumed that:

 

  (i)

the ATM Shares offered do not violate any law applicable to the Company, or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company;

 

  (ii)

the Company will have obtained any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities necessary to issue and sell the ATM Shares being offered; and

 

  (iii)

the ATM Shares offered comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and limitations and the further limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that the ATM Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable when, issued, sold and paid for pursuant to the Sales Agreement, dated March 30, 2023 (the “Sales Agreement”), between the Company and B. Riley Securities, Inc., as sales agent and/or principal (the “Manager”), relating to the offer and sales by the Company, is duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto.

Our opinion expressed above is subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any laws except the New York Business Corporation Law.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 on Current Report on Form 8-K. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

We do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and accordingly we do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states to the issuance and sale of the ATM Shares.


LOGO

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

March 30, 2023

Page 3

 

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. The ATM Shares may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion after the date of effectiveness should the New York Business Corporation Law be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise after the date hereof.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

CREDIT AGREEMENT AND WAIVER

This FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT AND WAIVER (this “Amendment”), dated as of March 30, 2023, among BED BATH & BEYOND INC., a New York corporation (the “Company”), the other U.S. Borrowers party hereto, the Canadian Borrowers party hereto (collectively, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party hereto, the Lenders party hereto (constituting the Required Lenders), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders (in such capacity, the “FILO Agent”). Any and all capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement and which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning in this Amendment as set forth in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as amended by that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2022, that certain Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of February 7, 2023 and that certain Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of March 6, 2023, and as further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”; and the Existing Credit Agreement, as the same may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, the other Borrowers party thereto, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent;

WHEREAS, certain Defaults and Events of Default have occurred and are continuing under the Credit Agreement, as further described herein;

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders to waive the Existing Events of Default (as defined below) and the Existing Defaults (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested, among other things, that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders amend certain provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement; and

WHEREAS, subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with the terms hereof) of the conditions set forth herein, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Required Lenders are willing to so amend the Existing Credit Agreement, in each case, on the terms set forth herein.


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth in the Credit Agreement and this Amendment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Acknowledgement of Defaults and Events of Default. The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that the circumstances set out in Schedule A are currently existing and constitute continuing Events of Default under the Credit Agreement (the “Existing Events of Default”) or existing Defaults under the Credit Agreement (the “Existing Defaults”). For the avoidance of doubt, “Existing Events of Default” or “Existing Defaults” are limited to the events described in Schedule A hereto that have occurred and are continuing immediately prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.

2. Waiver and Amendments.

(a) Waiver. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with the terms hereof) of the conditions set forth in Section 3 below, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents and in this Amendment, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders party hereto hereby agree and consent (on a one-time basis only) to, effective immediately and automatically as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, waive the Existing Events of Defaults and the Existing Defaults, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver notice to the Administrative Agent upon the occurrence of such Existing Defaults and Existing Events of Default and the making of any false or misleading representation, warranty, statement or information resulting from such Existing Defaults or Existing Events of Default prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.

(b) Amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement. Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with the terms hereof) of the conditions set forth in Section 3 below, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents and in this Amendment, the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party hereto, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders party hereto agree, effective as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, that the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended as reflected in the pages of the Credit Agreement attached as Annex A hereto to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text)) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text).

3. Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Required Lenders and the Required FILO Lenders and in the case of conditions set forth in clauses (c), (d), (e) and (f) below, substantially concurrent satisfaction thereof) of each of the following conditions precedent (the date on which such conditions are satisfied being referred to herein as the “Fourth Amendment Effective Date”):

(a) After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties contained in this Amendment and in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date as

 

2


though made on and as of such date (unless such representations or warranties are stated to relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) as of such earlier date); and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date or result from this Amendment becoming effective in accordance with its terms.

(b) The Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and Lenders constituting the Required Lenders shall have duly executed this Amendment and received counterparts to this Amendment which bear the signatures of the Loan Parties.

(c) The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall have received an executed copy of an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) between the Company and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley”), with respect to an at-the-market offering program (“ATM Program”) under which the Company may offer and sell up to $300,000,000 of its shares of common stock, through B. Riley as sales agent, substantially in the form of Annex B hereto.

(d) The Company shall have on file with the SEC an effective Form S-3, including a base prospectus, and the Company shall have supplemented such base prospectus with a prospectus supplement, related to the ATM Program.

(e) The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall have received evidence of the termination, cancellation and retirement of the Company’s Warrant to Purchase Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, PW-001, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

(f) The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall have received an executed copy of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Equity Commitment Agreement”) between the Company and an affiliate of B. Riley, substantially in the form of Annex C hereto, pursuant to which B. Riley or an affiliate thereof commit to purchase up to $1,000,000,000 of the Company’s shares of common stock, which purchase commitment will be subject to, among other terms set forth in the Equity Commitment Agreement, the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-1 to be filed by the Company with the SEC.

4. Fees and Expenses. The Borrowers shall pay all fees and expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel and financial advisors), within two (2) Business Days after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.

5. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Loan Parties represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as follows:

(a) The execution and delivery of this Amendment and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement and the other transactions contemplated hereunder (collectively, the “Fourth Amendment Transactions”) are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders.

 

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(b) The Fourth Amendment Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture (including the indenture governing the Senior Notes), or other material agreement or instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or the requirement to create, any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including Liens securing the Senior Notes), except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents.

(c) Each of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Loan Parties, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability or a ruling of a United States Bankruptcy Court or any other court (including a court in Canada) having jurisdiction.

(d) After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties contained in this Amendment and the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties are true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date as though made on and as of such date (unless such representations or warranties are stated to relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” in the text thereof, which representations and warranties are true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) as of such earlier date); and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.

6. Covenants.

(a) Each of the Loan Parties, the FILO Agent and the Administrative Agent hereby agree to negotiate in good faith, to enter into within 3 Business Days following the Fourth Amendment Effective Date (or such later date as may be agreed in writing by the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent in their sole discretion), (i) an amendment to, or an amendment and restatement of (the “Consignment Agreement Amendment”), Agreement for Consignment of Memo Merchandise, dated as of January 13, 2023, by and among Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., a New York corporation, Liberty Procurement Co. Inc., a New York corporation, Buy Buy Baby, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Harmon Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as consignees thereunder, and RESTORE CAPITAL (BBB), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as consignor thereunder, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Loan Parties (the “Amended Consignment Agreement”), or (ii) any other consignment agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Loan Parties.

 

4


(b) In connection with any determination by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Loan Parties of reasonable satisfaction with the form and substance of Consignment Agreement Amendment, the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders party to this Amendment, the Administrative Agent, and the Revolving Lenders party to this Amendment hereby agree to amend the Credit Agreement to add an Event of Default to occur in the event that the consignment program governed by the Amended Consignment Agreement (or any modified or replacement consignment program in respect thereof) remains in effect as of August 15, 2023.

7. Release; Covenant Not to Sue. Each Loan Party hereby absolutely and unconditionally releases and forever discharges Administrative Agent, FILO Agent and each Lender, and any and all partners, members, managers, agents, participants, parent corporations, subsidiary corporations, affiliated corporations, insurers, indemnitors, successors and assigns thereof, together with all of the present and former directors, officers, agents and employees of any of the foregoing (each a “Released Party”), from any and all claims, obligations, demands or causes of action of any kind, nature or description, whether arising in law or equity or upon contract or tort or under any state or federal law or otherwise, which any Loan Party has had, now has or has made claim to have against any such person for or by reason of any act, omission, matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising under or related to the Loan Documents from the beginning of time to and including the date of this Amendment, whether such claims, obligations, demands and causes of action are matured or unmatured or known or unknown; provided, however, that the foregoing release and covenant not to sue set forth below shall not apply to any obligations of the Released Party under this Amendment or the Credit Agreement or any claims arising after the date of this Amendment with respect to acts, occurrences or events after the date of this Amendment. It is the intention of each Loan Party in providing this release that the same shall be effective as a bar to each and every claim, demand and cause of action specified, and in furtherance of this intention it waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California, which provides:

“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

Each Loan Party acknowledges that it may hereafter discover facts different from or in addition to those now known or believed to be true with respect to such claims, demands, or causes of action and agree that this instrument shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding any such differences or additional facts. Each Loan Party understands, acknowledges and agrees that the release set forth above may be pleaded as a full and complete defense and may be used as a basis for an injunction against any action, suit or other proceeding which may be instituted, prosecuted or attempted in breach of the provisions of such release.

 

5


Each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its successors, assigns, and other legal representatives, hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably, covenants and agrees with and in favor of each Released Party above that it will not sue (at law, in equity, in any regulatory proceeding or otherwise) any Released Party on the basis of any claim released, remised and discharged by such Loan Party pursuant to the above release. If any Loan Party or any of its successors, assigns or other legal representations violates the foregoing covenant, Loan Parties, for themselves and their successors, assigns and legal representatives, agree to pay, in addition to such other damages as any Released Party may sustain as a result of such violation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by such Released Party as a result of such violation.

8. Affirmation of Obligations. Each of the Loan Parties hereby acknowledges, agrees and affirms (a) its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, including, without limitation, its guaranty obligations thereunder, (b) that such guaranty shall apply to the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the applicable Loan Document, (c) the grant of the security interest in all of its assets constituting Collateral pursuant to the Loan Documents, and (d) that such liens and security interests created and granted are valid and continuing and secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the applicable Loan Document. This Amendment is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement or any of the “Obligations” or “Secured Obligations” as defined therein.

9. No Waiver. Except as expressly set forth herein, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in this Amendment shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of any Event of Default (other than Existing Events of Default), Cash Dominion Period, or of any right, remedy or claim of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto, and the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders specifically reserve the right to exercise any such right, remedy or claim based upon any Event of Default now existing or hereafter arising.

10. Amendment as Loan Document; Enforcement. The Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders party hereto constituting the applicable Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that this Amendment constitutes a “Loan Document” under the Credit Agreement. Accordingly, it shall be an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement if (i) any representation or warranty made by the Loan Parties under or in connection with this Amendment shall prove to have been materially incorrect when made or deemed made, or (ii) the Loan Parties shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Amendment. Nothing contained in this Amendment shall prejudice or otherwise affect the Lender’s rights to enforce the provisions contained herein upon the default by any Loan Party in the performance thereof.

11. Headings. Section headings used herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any other purpose.

12. Amendments; Extensions. The terms of this Amendment may be modified, waived, or amended only by a writing executed by all of the parties hereto; provided, however, that any due dates with respect to any Loan Parties’ obligation to comply with any covenant or deliver any deliverable contemplated by this Amendment shall be permitted to be extended with the consent of the Administrative Agent, acting on behalf of the Revolving Lenders party hereto and the FILO Agent, acting on behalf of the FILO Term Loan Lenders party hereto.

 

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13. Entire Agreement; Continuing Effect. This Amendment constitutes the entire understanding among the parties hereto as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or any of the Lenders in exercising any of their rights against the Loan Parties or the Collateral. Except as expressly provided herein, the Loan Documents shall continue unchanged and in full force and effect, and all rights, powers and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders thereunder are expressly reserved and unaltered.

14. Expenses. The Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable and documented expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and each of the Lenders executing this Amendment in connection with the matters relating to the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Amendment, and the modification or enforcement of any of the terms hereof, including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and each of the Lenders, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

15. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. Section 9.09 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process) and Section 9.10 (Waiver of Jury Trial) of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis.

16. Counterparts. This Amendment may be signed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telecopier or electronic mail shall be equally effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment.

[signature pages follow]

 

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

 

BORROWERS:
BED BATH & BEYOND INC., a New York corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Corporate Secretary
BUY BUY BABY, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
DECORIST, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
HARMON STORES, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


BED BATH & BEYOND OF CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Liberty Procurement Co. Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
BED BATH & BEYOND CANADA L.P., an Ontario limited partnership
By:   BBB Canada Ltd.
Its:   General Partner
By:   /s/ Susie Kim
Name:   Susie Kim
Title:   Treasurer

OTHER LOAN PARTIES:

 

BBB CANADA LP INC., a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
BBB VALUE SERVICES INC., a Tennessee corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


BBBY MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, a New Jersey corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary

 

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


BBYCF LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
BBBYTF LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
BED ‘N BATH STORES INC., a New Jersey corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
BWAO LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


CHEF C HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.
Its:   Sole Member
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


LIBERTY PROCUREMENT CO. INC., a New York corporation
By:   /s/ David Kastin
Name:   David Kastin
Title:   Secretary
BBB CANADA LTD., a Canadian federal corporation
By:   /s/ Susie Kim
Name:   Susie Kim
Title:   Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent
By:   /s/ Matthew H. Massie
Name:   Matthew H. Massie
Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


SIXTH STREET SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., as FILO Agent
By:   /s/ Bo Stanley
Name:   Bo Stanley
Title:   President
SIXTH STREET LENDING PARTNERS, as FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Bo Stanley
Name:   Bo Stanley
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Matthew H. Massie
Name:   Matthew H. Massie
Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., TORONTO BRANCH, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Matthew H. Massie
Name:   Matthew H. Massie
Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Chanda Ruff
Name:   Chanda Ruff
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


1903 PARTNERS, LLC, as a FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Patricia Parent
Name:   Patricia Parent
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Michael Johnson
Name:   Michael Johnson
Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Joseph Basa
Name:   Joseph Basa
Title:   Vice President, CHICAGO BRANCH

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Jennifer Cann
Name:   Jennifer Cann
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


SECOND AVENUE CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC, as a FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Michael Russell
Name:   Michael Russell
Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


MUFG BANK, LTD., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Thomas Kainamura
Name:   Thomas Kainamura
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


TD BANK, N.A., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Bethany H. Buitenhuys
Name:   Bethany H. Buitenhuys
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as a Lender

By:   /s/ Robert Johnson
Name:   Robert Johnson
Title:   Duly Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


TAO TALENTS, as a FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Joshua Peck
Name:   Joshua Peck
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


CALLODINE COMMERCIAL FINANCE SPV, LLC, as a FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Tim Lynch
Name:   Tim Lynch
Title:   Principal

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


CALLODINE ASSET BASED LOAN FUND II, LP, as a FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Gene Martin
Name:   Gene Martin
Title:   CEO

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


CALLODINE PERPETUAL ABL FUND SPV, as a FILO Term Loan Lender
By:   /s/ Gene Martin
Name:   Gene Martin
Title:   CEO

 

[Signature Page to Amendment]


Schedule A

Existing Defaults and Existing Events of Default

 

1.

Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(d)(i) of the Credit Agreement as a result of the Company entering into the limited waiver to the Equity Commitment Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date) pursuant to the Preferred Warrant Waiver, dated as of March 22, 2023, by and between the Company and HBC Investments LLC in breach of Section 6.11(iv) of the Credit Agreement.

 

2.

Event of Default arising under Section 7.01(r) of the Credit Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Funding Failure (as defined in the Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date).


ANNEX A

Credit Agreement

(See Attached)

 


Execution VersionEXECUTION VERSION

CONFORMED THROUGH THIRDFOURTH AMENDMENT

 

 

 

 

LOGO

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

August 9, 2021

among

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.,

as the Company

The Other U.S. Borrowers Party Hereto

The Canadian Borrowers Party Hereto

The Other Loan Parties Party Hereto

The Lenders Party Hereto

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

SIXTH STREET SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., as FILO Agent,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Syndication Agents

BANK OF MONTREAL, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., MUFG BANK, LTD.,

TD BANK, N.A., CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and TRUIST BANK,

as Documentation Agents

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, BMO CAPITAL MARKETS, BANK OF

AMERICA, N.A., MUFG BANK, LTD. and TD BANK, N.A.,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers

 

 

 

ASSET BASED LENDING


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

       Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS      1  
SECTION 1.01.   Defined Terms      1  
SECTION 1.02.   Classification of Loans and Borrowings      60  
SECTION 1.03.   Terms Generally      610  
SECTION 1.04.   Accounting Terms; GAAP      621  
SECTION 1.05.   Interest Rates; Benchmark Notifications      62  
SECTION 1.06.   Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions      632  
SECTION 1.07.   Status of Obligations      632  
SECTION 1.08.   Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement; General Reaffirmations; Amendment to Security Documents      632  
SECTION 1.09.   Divisions      643  
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS      643  
SECTION 2.01.   Revolving Commitments; FILO Term Loan      64  
SECTION 2.02.   Loans and Borrowings      654  
SECTION 2.03.   Requests for Borrowings      665  
SECTION 2.04.   Protective Advances      67  
SECTION 2.05.   Swingline Loans      68  
SECTION 2.06.   Letters of Credit      7069  
SECTION 2.07.   Funding of Borrowings      754  
SECTION 2.08.   Interest Elections      75  
SECTION 2.09.   Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Expansion Option      776  
SECTION 2.10.   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      77  
SECTION 2.11.   Prepayment of Loans      78  
SECTION 2.12.   Fees      821  
SECTION 2.13.   Interest      832  
SECTION 2.14.   Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality      84  
SECTION 2.15.   Increased Costs      87  
SECTION 2.16.   Break Funding Payments      88  
SECTION 2.17.   Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up      898  
SECTION 2.18.   Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Setoffs      92  
SECTION 2.19.   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      96  
SECTION 2.20.   Defaulting Lenders      976  
SECTION 2.21.   Returned Payments      99  
SECTION 2.22.   Banking Services and Swap Agreements      99  
SECTION 2.23.   Determination of Dollar Equivalent      10099  
SECTION 2.24.   Judgment Currency      10099  
SECTION 2.25.   Designation and Removal of Borrowers      100  
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      1010  
SECTION 3.01.   Organization; Powers      1010  
SECTION 3.02.   Authorization; Enforceability      1010  
SECTION 3.03.   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts      101  
SECTION 3.04.   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change      101  
SECTION 3.05.   Properties      101  
SECTION 3.06.   Litigation and Environmental Matters      102  

 

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SECTION 3.07.   Compliance with Laws and Agreements      102  
SECTION 3.08.   Investment Company Status      102  
SECTION 3.09.   Taxes      1032  
SECTION 3.10.   ERISA; Labor Matters; Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefits      1032  
SECTION 3.11.   Disclosure      1043  
SECTION 3.12.   [Reserved]      104  
SECTION 3.13.   Solvency      104  
SECTION 3.14.   Insurance      1054  
SECTION 3.15.   Capitalization and Subsidiaries      1054  
SECTION 3.16.   Security Interest in Collateral      1054  
SECTION 3.17.   Margin Regulations      105  
SECTION 3.18.   Use of Proceeds      105  
SECTION 3.19.   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions      105  
SECTION 3.20.   Anti-Money Laundering Laws      1065  
SECTION 3.21.   Affected Financial Institutions      1065  
SECTION 3.22.   Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions      106  
SECTION 3.23.   Specified Indebtedness. There are no scheduled principal payments due under any Specified Indebtedness prior to the FILO Maturity Date.      106  
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS.      106  
SECTION 4.01.   Restatement Effective Date      106  
SECTION 4.02.   Each Credit Event      1098  
SECTION 4.03.   Designation of a Subsidiary Borrower      109  
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.      1110  
SECTION 5.01.   Financial Statements; Borrowing Base Certificate and Other Information      1110  
SECTION 5.02.   Notices of Material Events      1143  
SECTION 5.03.   Existence; Conduct of Business      1154  
SECTION 5.04.   Payment of Obligations      1154  
SECTION 5.05.   Maintenance of Properties      115  
SECTION 5.06.   Books and Records; Inspection Rights      115  
SECTION 5.07.   Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations; Compliance with Leaseholds      116  
SECTION 5.08.   Use of Proceeds      1176  
SECTION 5.09.   Insurance      1176  
SECTION 5.10.   Casualty and Condemnation      117  
SECTION 5.11.   Appraisals      117  
SECTION 5.12.   [Reserved]      1198  
SECTION 5.13.   Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans      1198  
SECTION 5.14.   Additional Loan Parties and Collateral; Further Assurances      1198  
SECTION 5.15.   Post-Closing Matters      12019  
SECTION 5.16.   Financial Advisor      12019  
SECTION 5.17.   Approved Budget; Budget Testing; Variance Reports; Disbursement Report; Purchase Orders      1210  
SECTION 5.18.   Specified Equity Proceeds      121  
SECTION 5.19.   Equity Documents      122  
ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS.      122  
SECTION 6.01.   Indebtedness      122  
SECTION 6.02.   Liens      124  
SECTION 6.03.   Fundamental Changes      1256  

 

ii


SECTION 6.04.   Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions      126  
SECTION 6.05.   Asset Sales      1278  
SECTION 6.06.   Limitation on Certain Liens      129  
SECTION 6.07.   Swap Agreements      129  
SECTION 6.08.   Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness      12930  
SECTION 6.09.   Transactions with Affiliates      131  
SECTION 6.10.   Restrictive Agreements      131  
SECTION 6.11.   Amendment of Material Documents      132  
SECTION 6.12.   Canadian Pension Plans      132  
SECTION 6.13.   Applications Under the CCAA and BIA      132  
SECTION 6.14.   Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio      133  
SECTION 6.15.   FILO Borrowing Base; Certain Reserves      133  
SECTION 6.16.   Specified Collateral Account      133  
SECTION 6.17.   April Equity Tranche      133  
SECTION 6.18.   Minimum Specified Equity Proceeds Amount      133  

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     1334  
SECTION 7.01.   Events of Default      1334  

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND FILO AGENT

     1367  
SECTION 8.01.   Authorization and Action      1368  
SECTION 8.02.   Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Indemnification, Etc.      13941  
SECTION 8.03.   Posting of Communications      1412  
SECTION 8.04.   The Agent Individually      1423  
SECTION 8.05.   Successor Agent      1423  
SECTION 8.06.   Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Bank      1434  
SECTION 8.07.   Collateral Matters; Agents for Perfection      1456  
SECTION 8.08.   Credit Bidding      1467  
SECTION 8.09.   Intercreditor Agreements      1478  
SECTION 8.10.   Certain ERISA Matters      1478  

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     1489  
SECTION 9.01.   Notices      1489  
SECTION 9.02.   Waivers; Amendments      1512  
SECTION 9.03.   Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      1534  
SECTION 9.04.   Successors and Assigns      1567  
SECTION 9.05.   Survival      1601  
SECTION 9.06.   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution      1601  
SECTION 9.07.   Severability      1612  
SECTION 9.08.   Right of Setoff      1612  
SECTION 9.09.   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      1623  
SECTION 9.10.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      1623  
SECTION 9.11.   Headings      1634  
SECTION 9.12.   Confidentiality      1634  
SECTION 9.13.   Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law      1645  
SECTION 9.14.   USA PATRIOT Act      1645  
SECTION 9.15.   Disclosure      1645  
SECTION 9.16.   Appointment for Perfection      1645  
SECTION 9.17.   Interest Rate Limitation      1645  
SECTION 9.18.   Marketing Consent      1656  
SECTION 9.19.   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      1656  

 

iii


SECTION 9.20.   No Fiduciary Duty, etc.      1667  
SECTION 9.21.   Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs      1667  
SECTION 9.22.   Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation      1678  
SECTION 9.23.   Agreement Among Lenders      1689  

ARTICLE X LOAN GUARANTY

     1689  
SECTION 10.01.   Guaranty      1689  
SECTION 10.02.   Guaranty of Payment      1689  
SECTION 10.03.   No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty      1689  
SECTION 10.04.   Defenses Waived      16970  
SECTION 10.05.   Rights of Subrogation      16970  
SECTION 10.06.   Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration      1701  
SECTION 10.07.   Information      1701  
SECTION 10.08.   Common Enterprise      1701  
SECTION 10.09.   Taxes      1701  
SECTION 10.10.   Maximum Liability      1701  
SECTION 10.11.   Contribution      1701  
SECTION 10.12.   Liability Cumulative      1712  
SECTION 10.13.   Keepwell      1712  
SECTION 10.14.   Releases      1723  

ARTICLE XI THE BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE

     1723  
SECTION 11.01.   Appointment; Nature of Relationship      1723  
SECTION 11.02.   Powers      1723  
SECTION 11.03.   Employment of Agents      1734  
SECTION 11.04.   Notices      1734  
SECTION 11.05.   Successor Borrower Representative      1734  
SECTION 11.06.   Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate      1734  
SECTION 11.07.   Reporting      1734  

 

iv


SCHEDULES:

Commitment Schedule

Schedule 1.01

         Certain Defined Terms

Schedule 3.05

         Properties

Schedule 3.14

         Insurance

Schedule 3.15

         Capitalization and Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.15

         Post-Closing Matters

Schedule 6.01

         Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02

         Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04

         Existing Investments

Schedule 6.10

         Existing Restrictions

Schedule 9.23

         Agreement Among Lenders

 

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A

         Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B-1

         [Reserved]

Exhibit B-2

         [Reserved]

Exhibit C

         Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit D

         Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit E

         Joinder Agreement

Exhibit F-1

         U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit F-2

         U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit F-3

         U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit F-4

         U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Lenders that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit G

         Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit H

         Form of Interest Election Request

Exhibit I

         Form of FILO Note

Exhibit J

         Form of Budget

 

v


AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of August 9, 2021 (as it may be amended or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) among BED BATH &BEYOND INC., as the Company, the other U.S. Borrowers party hereto, the Canadian Borrowers party hereto, the other Loan Parties party hereto, the Lenders party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and SIXTH STREET SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., as FILO Agent.

The parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01.     Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

2023 FILO Term Loan” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b)(ii).

2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment” means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make 2023 FILO Term Loans in an aggregate principal not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on the Commitment Schedule. As of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the original aggregate amount of the 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitments is $100,000,000.

2023 FILO Term Loan Lender” means a Lender that has a 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment or that holds a portion of the 2023 FILO Term Loan.

2023 FILO Term Loan Obligations” means any FILO Obligations with respect to the 2023 FILO Term Loan (including, without limitation, the principal thereof, the interest thereon, and the fees and expenses specifically related thereto).

2024 Senior Notes” means 3.749% Senior Notes due August 1, 2024.

ABL Assets” means:

(a)    Accounts and Credit Card Receivables;

(b)    Inventory;

(c)    (x) cash and cash equivalents, (y) Deposit Accounts and all cash, checks, other negotiable instruments, funds and other evidences of payments held therein or credited thereto and (z) Securities Accounts and all cash, cash equivalents, financial assets and securities held therein or credited thereto and securities entitlements related thereto, in each case, excluding the identifiable proceeds of Specified Collateral;

(d)    all Intellectual Property;

(e)    to the extent evidencing or governing any of the items referred to in the preceding clauses (a) through (d), all Chattel Paper (including Chattel Paper and Electronic Chattel Paper), Documents, General Intangibles, Goods (including, without limitation, Equipment), Instruments, Investment Property, cash or cash equivalents, letters of credit, Letter-of-Credit Rights and Commercial Tort Claims;

 

1


(f)     to the extent evidencing or governing any of the items referred to in the preceding clauses (a) through (e), all Supporting Obligations;

(g)     all books, records and information relating to the foregoing (including without limitation all books, records, information, databases and customer lists, whether tangible or electronic, that contain any information relating to any of the foregoing); and

(h)     all accessions to, substitutions for, and replacements, Proceeds (including insurance proceeds) and products of the foregoing, together with all collateral security, guarantees and rights and remedies with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral described in the preceding clauses (a) through (f);

Capitalized terms used in this definition but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the UCC or the PPSA, as applicable.

ABR”, when used in reference to (a) a rate of interest, refers to the Alternate Base Rate, and (b) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Acceptable Appraiser” means any third-party appraiser acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, each in its Permitted Discretion, and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower.

Acceptable Inventory Appraisal” means, with respect to the Inventory of any Person, an appraisal or updates thereof, in a form and on a basis acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, each in its Permitted Discretion, prepared by an Acceptable Appraiser; provided that the Borrower shall have the right to review and comment on any draft appraisal prior to the finalization of such appraisal.

Acceptable IP Appraisal” means, with respect to the Intellectual Property of any Person, an appraisal or updates thereof, in a form and on a basis acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, each in its Permitted Discretion, prepared by an Acceptable Appraiser; provided that the Borrower shall have the right to review and comment on any draft appraisal prior to the finalization of such appraisal. The Hilco Appraisal shall be deemed to be an Acceptable IP Appraisal.

Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC or the PPSA, as applicable.

Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.

Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Restatement Effective Date, by which any Loan Party (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.

 

2


Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” means, for purposes of any calculation, a rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate for such calculation, plus (b)(i) with respect to Revolving Loans, 0.10%; and (ii) with respect to FILO Term Loans, 0.15%; provided, that if the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor.

Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder or, as applicable, such branches or affiliates of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as it shall from time to time designate for the purpose of performing its obligations hereunder in such capacities. References to the “Administrative Agent” shall include any branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. designated by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for the purpose of performing its obligations in such capacity.

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

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

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

Agent” means the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent or any one of them as the context requires.

Agent Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(c).

Agreement Among Lenders” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.23.

Aggregate Credit Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate Credit Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

Aggregate FILO Term Loan Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate FILO Term Loan Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

Aggregate Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the aggregate of the Revolving Commitments of all of the Lenders, as increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the SecondFourth Amendment Effective Date, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment is $565300 ,000,000.

Aggregate Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

Agreed Currency” means (i) Dollars or (ii) Canadian Dollars.

Alix” means AlixPartners, LLP.

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 12 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day plus 1%. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the

 

3


NYFRB Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, respectively. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) for the Obligations (other than FILO Obligations), if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement and (ii) for the FILO Obligations, if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 2.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 2.00% for purposes of this Agreement.

AML Legislation” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.22.

Ancillary Document” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.06.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.20.

Applicable Parties” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(c).

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure, Revolving Protective Advances or Swingline Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving Commitment (provided that, if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at that time), (b) with respect to the Aggregate Credit Exposure, a percentage based upon its share of the Aggregate Credit Exposure (with the Swingline Exposure of each Lender calculated assuming that all of the Lenders have funded their participations in all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time) and the unused Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (c) with respect to FILO Term Loans, such Lender’s share of the Aggregate FILO Term Loan Exposure at that time; provided that, in accordance with Section 2.20, so long as any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment or FILO Term Loans, as applicable, shall be disregarded in the calculations under clauses (a), (b) or (c) above.

Applicable Rate” means the following:

(a)    For any day, with respect to any Loan other than a FILO Term Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Revolver ABR or Canadian Prime Spread”, or “Revolver Term SOFR or CDOR Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Average Quarterly Availability during the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Company; provided that the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 3 during the period from the Second Amendment Effective Date to, and including, the last day of the Fiscal Quarter end of the Company occurring on or around February 28, 2023:

 

Category

  

Average Quarterly Availability

  

Revolver ABR or

Canadian Prime

Spread

  

Revolver Term SOFR

or CDOR Spread

1

  

≥ 66% of the Aggregate

Revolving Commitment

   1.25%    2.25%

 

4


Category

  

Average Quarterly Availability

  

Revolver ABR or

Canadian Prime

Spread

  

Revolver Term SOFR

or CDOR Spread

2

  

< 66% of the Aggregate

Revolving Commitment but ≥

33% of the Aggregate

Revolving Commitment

   1.50%    2.50%

3

  

< 33 % of the Aggregate

Revolving Commitment

   1.75%    2.75%

For purposes of the foregoing, each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in Average Quarterly Availability shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the first day of each Fiscal Quarter of the Company (each such date, a “Quarterly Adjustment Date”; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, from and after the Second Amendment Effective Date, the first such Quarterly Adjustment Date shall occur on the first Quarterly Adjustment Date following the Fiscal Quarter end of the Company occurring on or around February 28, 2023) and ending on the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, it being understood and agreed that, for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate on applicable Quarterly Adjustment Date, the Average Quarterly Availability during the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Company shall be used. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Average Quarterly Availability shall be deemed to be in Category 3 if the Borrowers fail to deliver any Borrowing Base Certificate or related information required to be delivered by them pursuant to Section 5.01, during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until the next Business Day after each such Borrowing Base Certificate and related information is so delivered.

(b)    For any day, with respect to the commitment fees payable pursuant to Section 2.12(a) hereunder, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Commitment Fee Rate”, based upon the Average Quarterly Usage during the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Company; provided that the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 1 during the period from the Restatement Effective Date to, and including, the last day of the first Fiscal Quarter end of the Company occurring after the Restatement Effective Date:

 

Category

  

Average

Quarterly Usage

   Commitment
Fee Rate

1

  

≥ 30% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment

   0.20%

2

  

< 30% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment

   0.25%

For purposes of the foregoing table in this clause (b), the Applicable Rate shall be determined as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter of the Company and shall be effective during the quarterly period commencing on the Quarterly Adjustment Date.

 

5


(c)    For any day, with respect to any FILO Term Loan, (i) for ABR Borrowings, 6.75% and (ii) for Term Benchmark Borrowings, 7.75%.

Approved Budget” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.17.

Approved Electronic Platform” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03(a).

Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.

April Equity Tranchehas the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Funding Failure.means not less than $15,000,000 of Specified Equity Proceeds required to be received by the Company for the Equity Proceeds Testing Period ending on April 4, 2023 pursuant to Section 6.18.

Arranger” means each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., PNC Capital Markets LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, BMO Capital Markets, Bank of America, N.A., MUFG Bank, Ltd. and TD Bank, N.A., in its capacity as joint bookrunner and joint lead arranger hereunder.

ARS Disposition” means any sale or other Disposition of auction rate securities held by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party.

ARS Disposition Reserve” means an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of all ARS Dispositions that are received by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party following the Second Amendment Effective Date.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent (or, with respect to any assignment of any FILO Term Loans, the FILO Agent), in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent (or, with respect to any assignment of any FILO Term Loans, the FILO Agent).

Attorney” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.01.

Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Revolving Borrowing Base minus (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (which, solely for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate, shall exclude Revolving Protective Advances), all as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

Available Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment minus the Aggregate Revolving Exposure.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any Agreed Currency, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to clause (e) of Section 2.14.

 

6


Average Quarterly Availability” means, for any Fiscal Quarter of the Company, an amount equal to the average daily Availability during such Fiscal Quarter, as determined by the Administrative Agent’s system of records; provided, that in order to determine Availability on any day for purposes of this definition, each Borrower’s Revolving Borrowing Base for such day shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01(j) or 5.01, as applicable, as of such day.

Average Quarterly Usage” means, in determining the Available Revolving Commitment for purposes of computing the commitment fee described in Section 2.12(a) for any Fiscal Quarter of the Company, an amount equal to the average daily Aggregate Revolving Exposure during such quarter.

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bank Act Security” means security provided pursuant to s. 427 of the Bank Act (Canada).

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) supply chain finance services including, without limitation, trade payable services and supplier accounts receivable purchases (“Supply Chain Finance Services”), (e) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts, cash pooling services, and interstate depository network services) (“Treasury Services”).

Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

Banking Services Reserves” means all Reserves which the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Banking Services then provided or outstanding.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, when such Person files a petition or application seeking relief under any applicable insolvency law or when such Person becomes the subject of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or proposal, or has had a receiver,

 

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interim receiver, receiver and manager, monitor, liquidator, sequestrator, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business, appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment or has had any order for relief in such proceeding entered in respect thereof, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the U.S., Canada or any other applicable jurisdiction or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality), to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any Loan in any Agreed Currency, the applicable Relevant Rate for such Loan in such Agreed Currency; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the applicable Relevant Rate or the then-current Benchmark for such Agreed Currency, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.14.

Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date; provided that, in the case of any Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars “Benchmark Replacement” shall mean the alternative set forth in (2) below:

(1)     in the case of (a) any Revolving Loan denominated in Dollars, the sum of (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment or (b) any FILO Term Loans denominated in Dollars, the sum of (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) the greater of (A) 0.15% (15 basis points) and (B) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; or

(2)     the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Company as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Company for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market

 

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convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate” or “Canadian Prime Rate,” the definition of “Business Day”, the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day”, the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(1)    in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(2)    in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(1)    a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

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(2)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, the Bank of Canada, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(3)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.14.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulations or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Borrower” means a U.S. Borrower or a Canadian Borrower, and “Borrowers” means all such Persons collectively; provided, that solely for purposes of funding any FILO Term Loan, “Borrower” shall mean a U.S. Borrower, and “Borrowers” means all U.S. Borrowers collectively.

 

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Borrower Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.05.

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

Borrower Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01.

Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Swingline Loan, (c) a Protective Advance and (d) the borrowings consisting of FILO Term Loans made by the FILO Term Loan Lenders as provided in Section 2.01(b).

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative, in substantially the form of Exhibit C or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, each in its sole discretion.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower Representative for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, (a) when used in connection with a Loan referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, a “Business Day” shall be any such day that is only a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, and (b) when used in connection with a Loan (including a Swingline Loan) to a Canadian Borrower (whether or not denominated in Canadian Dollars), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are authorized or required by law to remain closed in Toronto.

Canada” means the country of Canada and any province or territory thereof.

Canadian Benefit Plan” means any material plan, fund, program, or policy, whether funded or unfunded, insured or uninsured, providing employee benefits, including such medical, hospital care, dental, sickness, accident, disability, life insurance, retirement or savings benefits, under which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party has any liability with respect to any employee or former employee, but excluding any Canadian Pension Plans and excluding any stock option or share purchase plan that is an employee benefit plan that is required to be registered under any applicable Canadian federal or provincial employee benefit legislation, whether or not registered under any such laws, which is, or has been, maintained or contributed to by, or to which there is or may be an obligation to contribute by, a Loan Party or Subsidiary operating in Canada in respect of any Person’s employment in Canada with such Loan Party or Subsidiary.

Canadian Blocked Person” means any Person that is a “politically exposed foreign person” or “terrorist group” whose property or interests in property are blocked or similar person whose property or interests in property are blocked or subject to blocking pursuant to, or as described in, any Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws.

Canadian Borrower” means Bed Bath & Beyond Canada L.P., an Ontario limited partnership, and each other Canadian Subsidiary of the Company that joins this Agreement as a Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof (in each case, unless removed as a Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof), and “Canadian Borrowers” means all of them.

 

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Canadian Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Canadian Security Agreement, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement with respect to Intellectual Property of the Canadian Loan Parties or the U.S. Loan Parties and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Secured Obligations.

Canadian Defined Benefit Plan” means a Canadian Pension Plan, which contains a “defined benefit provision,” as defined in subsection 147.1(1) of the ITA.

Canadian Dollars” and “Cdn$” means dollars in the lawful currency of Canada.

Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws” means any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing transactions in controlled goods or technologies or dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including the Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the United Nations Act, (Canada), the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code, (Canada) and the Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), and any related regulations.

Canadian Entities” means, collectively, BBB Canada Ltd., a Canadian federal company and Bed Bath & Beyond Canada L.P., an Ontario limited partnership.

Canadian Proceeding” means a proceeding commenced by one or more Canadian Loan Parties pursuant to the CCAA or the BIA so long as the terms of any orders granted in such proceeding are in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, each acting reasonably, including, without limitation, the requirement that any such orders: (i) confirm that the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders shall be unaffected by any compromise in such proceedings; (ii) approve court-ordered charges ranking in priority to the Liens securing the Obligations only to the extent such court-ordered charges are on terms and in amounts acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent in their sole discretion; (iii) provide that the Canadian Borrowers shall not be entitled to incur any further Borrowings or other extensions of credit hereunder following the commencement of such proceedings without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent; and (iv) approve cash management arrangements acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent in their sole discretion, including the application of any proceeds of any store closing sale or liquidation to the repayment of the Obligations subject only to such reserves for the expenses of such proceeding as are acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent ; provided that any non-plenary ancillary proceeding (that respects the foregoing conditions (i)-(iv)) commenced by one or more Canadian Loan Parties, including without limitation, the commencement of a proceeding under chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be considered a Canadian Proceeding.

Canadian Proceeding Date” means the date on which a Canadian Proceeding or any other insolvency proceeding in respect of any Canadian Loan Party has commenced.

Canadian Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Canadian Borrowers, BBB Canada Ltd., a Canadian federal company and any other Canadian Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement or otherwise and their successors and assigns, in each case unless removed in accordance with the terms hereof, and the term “Canadian Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.

Canadian MEPP” means any plan that is a multi-employer pension plan as defined under the applicable pension standards legislation.

 

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Canadian Pension Plan” means any plan, program or arrangement that is a pension plan that is required to be registered under any applicable Canadian federal or provincial pension legislation, whether or not registered under any such laws, which is, or has been, maintained or contributed to by, or to which there is or may be an obligation to contribute by, a Loan Party or Subsidiary operating in Canada in respect of any Person’s employment in Canada with such Loan Party or Subsidiary, other than any Canadian MEPP or plans established by statute, which shall include the Canada Pension Plan maintained by the government of Canada and the Quebec Pension Plan maintained by the government of the Province of Quebec.

Canadian Prime Rate” means, on any day, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the higher of (i) the rate equal to the PRIMCAN Index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day (or, in the event that the PRIMCAN Index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information services that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) and (ii) the average rate for thirty (30) day Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances that appears on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such page or screen, on any successor or substitute page or screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day, plus 1% per annum; provided, that if any the above rates shall be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate due to a change in the PRIMCAN Index or the CDOR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the PRIMCAN Index or CDOR, respectively.

Canadian Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans made to the Canadian Borrowers outstanding at such time, plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans made to the Canadian Borrowers outstanding at such time, plus (c) the aggregate LC Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued for the account of or at the request of a Canadian Borrower at such time, plus (d) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Protective Advances made to the Canadian Borrowers outstanding at such time.

Canadian Security Agreements” means each of (a) that certain Amended and Restated Canadian Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of August 31, 2022, among the Canadian Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, (b) any deed of hypothec entered into by a Canadian Loan Party in favor of the Administrative Agent and (c) as the context requires, any other pledge or security agreement (including Bank Act Security) after the Restatement Effective Date by any other Canadian Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Canadian Sublimit” means (a) prior to the Canadian Proceeding Date, $75,000,000 and (b) from and after the Canadian Proceeding Date, $0.

Canadian Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that has been formed or is organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof.

Capital Expenditures” means, without duplication, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Capital Expenditures shall not include (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed with (x) insurance proceeds paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced, restored or repaired or (y) awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced,

 

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(ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time, (iii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment or software to the extent financed with the net proceeds of any sale, transfer, lease or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or by way of merger, consolidation or amalgamation) of any asset of the Company or any Subsidiary, but excluding sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (iv) expenditures that constitute rental expenses under operating leases of real or personal property, (v) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by the Company or any Subsidiary and that actually are paid for by a Person other than the Company or any Subsidiary and for which neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period), (vi) the book value of any asset owned by Company or any Subsidiary prior to or during such period to the extent that such book value is included as a capital expenditure during such period as a result of such Person reusing or beginning to reuse such asset during such period without a corresponding expenditure actually having been made in such period; provided that (x) any expenditure necessary in order to permit such asset to be reused shall be included as a Capital Expenditure during the period in which such expenditure actually is made and (y) such book value shall have been included in Capital Expenditures when such asset was originally acquired, or (vii) expenditures that constitute Permitted Acquisitions.

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 or financing 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.

Cash Collateral” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.07.

Cash Dominion Period” means the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date until all Obligations have been Paid in Full and all Commitments have been terminated.

CCAA” means the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), as amended.

CDOR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the CDOR Rate.

CDOR Rate” means, for the relevant Interest Period, the Canadian Dollar offered rate which, in turn means on any day the annual rate of interest determined with reference to the arithmetic average of the discount rate quotations of all institutions listed in respect of the relevant Interest Period for Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances displayed and identified as such by Refinitiv (the “CDOR Screen Rate”), as of approximately 10:15 a.m. Toronto local time on such day and, if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day (as adjusted by the Administrative Agent after 10:15 a.m. Toronto local time to reflect any error in the posted rate of interest or in the posted average annual rate of interest); provided, that, (x) if the CDOR Rate shall be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for purposes of this Agreement and (y) if the CDOR Screen Rate is not available on any particular day, then the Canadian deposit offered rate for such date shall be the rate per annum equivalent to the annual discount rate as of approximately 10:15 a.m. Toronto local time on such day at which a Canadian chartered bank listed on Schedule 1 of the Bank Act (Canada) as selected by the Administrative Agent is then offering to purchase Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances accepted by it having such specified term (or a term as closely as possible comparable to such specified term).

 

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CDOR Screen Rate” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of the “CDOR Rate”.

CFC Holdco” means a U.S. Subsidiary all or substantially all of the assets of which consist of equity interests of, and/or, if applicable, debt owing from, (i) one or more controlled foreign corporations, within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code (excluding any Canadian Subsidiary that is a Borrower or Guarantor under this Agreement) or (ii) one or more other CFC Holdcos.

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; or (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were not (i) a member of the board of directors of the Company on the Restatement Effective Date, (ii) nominated for election to the board of directors of the Company with the approval of a committee of the board of directors consisting of a majority of the independent continuing directors or (iii) nominated for election, elected or appointed to the board of directors of the Company with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors who were members of the Company’s board of directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director). As used in this definition, “continuing director” means any director described in subclause (i), (ii) or (iii) of clause (b) in the preceding sentence.

Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) of any of the following: (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty; (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans, Protective Advances, FILO Term Loans, Initial FILO Term Loans or 2023 FILO Term Loans.

CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term SOFR (or a successor administrator).

 

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Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral” means any and all assets, tangible or intangible, on which Liens are granted or purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, on the First Amendment Effective Date, Collateral includes assets of the type included in the Revolving Borrowing Base, the FILO Borrowing Base, Intellectual Property, additional assets related to the foregoing, and proceeds of the foregoing, all as more specifically described in the Collateral Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Collateral will not include, and no Loan Document will constitute a grant of a security interest in, any “Property” as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date, unless a security interest is granted thereon by any Loan Party in favor of any Person to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money.

Collateral Access Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the U.S. Collateral Documents and the Canadian Collateral Documents.

Collection Account” means (a) the deposit accounts identified as a “Collection” account on the schedules to the Security Agreement and (b) each other deposit account identified by the Borrower Representative as a “Collection Account” pursuant to a written notice to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, Collection Account shall not include any Specified Collateral Account.

Commitment Schedule” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.

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

Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(c).

Company” means Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation.

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative in substantially the form of Exhibit D.

Confirmation Agreement” means that certain Confirmation and Ratification of Ancillary Loan Documents dated as of August 31, 2022, by and among the Loan Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

“Control Collateral” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.07.

Consolidated EBITDA” means for any period, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (a) the sum (without duplication and to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income) of Consolidated Net Income (or net loss) plus (i) interest expense (net of interest income), (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) non-cash charges, expenses or losses, including but not limited to stock-based compensation, (vi) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges, expenses or losses, (vii) charges,

 

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expenses or losses in respect of (A) store, warehouse, distribution center, corporate office and support function closings, eliminations and relocations in an amount, when combined with any add-backs pursuant to clause (F) below, not to exceed $75,000,000, (B) severance costs, (C) fees, costs and expenses resulting from or incurred in connection with any of the foregoing, (D) inventory or other non-cash property valuation adjustments resulting from or incurred in connection with any of the foregoing, (E) restructuring or other similar charges in an amount not to exceed $150,000,000, and (F) consulting, investment banking, valuation, legal and/or other advisory services in an amount, when combined with any add-backs pursuant to clause (A) above, not to exceed $75,000,000, (viii) the amount expected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of business optimization, synergies or cost saving measures (net of amounts actually realized during such period) in an aggregate amount not to exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA prior to giving effect to this clause (viii); provided that (A) actions needed to achieve such business optimization, synergies or cost saving measures shall have been taken or initiated prior to the end of such period, (B) the Company shall have provided a certificate of a Financial Officer (which may be included in a Compliance Certificate) with a reasonably detailed statement or schedule of such cost savings and certifying that such cost savings are reasonably identifiable, reasonably attributable to the actions specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions, (C) such amounts result from actions taken or actions with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Company) no later than twelve (12) months after the date of the initiation of such business optimization or cost saving measures, and (D) no amounts shall be added pursuant to this clause (viii) to the extent duplicative of any amounts that are otherwise added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA (or any other components thereof), whether through a pro forma adjustment or otherwise, with respect to such period, and (ix) other charges, expenses or losses related to financing, refinancings, acquisitions and investments minus (b) to the extent included in calculating Consolidated Net Income, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains.

For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (each such period, a “Reference Period”), (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period. As used in this definition, “Material Acquisition” means any Acquisition that involves the payment of consideration (including obligations under any purchase price adjustment but excluding earnout or similar payments) by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000,000; and “Material Disposition” means any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds (including obligations under any purchase price adjustment but excluding earnout or similar payments) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $50,000,000.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income or loss of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded any income (or loss) of any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary, but any such income so excluded may be included in such period or any later period to the extent of any cash dividends or distributions actually paid in the relevant period to the Company or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.

 

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Consolidated Secured Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries as of any date of determination, all Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries that, as of such date, is secured by Liens on property or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, without duplication, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (a) the sum of (i) any obligations for borrowed money, (ii) any obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments (other than performance, surety and appeals bonds), and (iii) any reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit; provided that Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall not include intercompany obligations.

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

Controlled Disbursement Account” means any accounts of the Borrowers maintained with the Administrative Agent as a zero balance, cash management account pursuant to and under any agreement between a Borrower and the Administrative Agent, as modified and amended from time to time, and through which all disbursements of a Borrower, any other Loan Party and any designated Subsidiary of a Borrower are made and settled on a daily basis with no uninvested balance remaining overnight.

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

  (i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

  (ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

Credit Card Agreement” means any agreement between a Loan Party, on the one hand, and a credit card issuer or a credit card processor (including any credit card processor that processes purchases of Inventory from a Loan Party through debit cards or mall cards), on the other hand, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Credit Card Notifications” means each Credit Card Notification, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed by one or more Loan Parties and delivered by such Loan Parties to credit card issuers or credit card processors that are party to any Credit Card Agreement.

 

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Credit Card Receivables” means any Account or Payment Intangible due to any Loan Party in connection with purchases from and other goods and services provided by such Loan Party on (a) Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Fiserv, PayPal, Worldpay and any other credit card or debit card issuers or processors that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and the successors and assigns of the foregoing and (b) such other credit cards (it being understood that such term, for purposes hereof, includes debit cards and private label credit cards or co-branded credit or debit cards) as the Administrative Agent shall approve from time to time in its Permitted Discretion, it being understood that a private label credit card arrangement with Alliance Data Systems is approved, in each case which have been originated in the ordinary course of business by such Loan Party and earned by performance by such Loan Party but not yet paid to such Loan Party by the credit card issuer or the credit card processor, as applicable, and which represents the bona fide amount due to a Loan Party from such credit card processor or credit card issuer; provided that, in any event, “Credit Card Receivables” shall (x) exclude Accounts and Payment Intangibles due in connection with credit cards issued by Affiliates and (y) be calculated net of fees and chargebacks owed to credit card processors and deposits, holdbacks or escrows held by credit card issuers or processors.

Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, such Lender’s Revolving Exposure at such time (if any) plus, the aggregate then unpaid principal of such Lender’s FILO Term Loans at such time (if any).

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

Customer Credit Liabilities” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate remaining balance at such time of (a) outstanding gift certificates and gift cards of the Borrowers entitling the holder thereof to use all or a portion of the gift certificate or gift card to pay all or a portion of the purchase price for any Inventory and (b) outstanding merchandise credits of the Borrowers, net of any dormancy reserves maintained by the Borrowers on their books and records in the ordinary course of business.

Customer Credit Liability Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to 50% (or such lesser percentage as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion based on the redemption history of the gift certificates, gift cards and merchandise credits of the Borrowers) of the Customer Credit Liabilities as reflected in the Borrowers’ books and records.

Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrowers.

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.

 

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Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) has not been satisfied; (b) has notified any Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement, to the effect that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations as of the date of certification) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (i) a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) a Bail-In Action.

Discharge of Revolving Obligations” means (a) the payment in full in cash of all Obligations (excluding (w) the FILO Obligations, (x) contingent indemnity obligations with respect to then unasserted claims, (y) Banking Services Obligations as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable provider of Banking Services shall have been made, and (z) Swap Agreement Obligations as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Swap Bank shall have been made) and including, with respect to amounts available to be drawn under outstanding Letters of Credit (or indemnities or other undertakings issued pursuant thereto in respect of outstanding Letters of Credit), the cancellation of such Letters of Credit or the delivery or provision of cash collateral or backstop letters of credit in respect thereof in compliance with the terms of Section 2.06(j) hereof, and (b) the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease, abandonment or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a Division or otherwise) of any property by any Person (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary of such Person), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Dividing Person” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Division.”

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

 

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Document” has the meaning assigned to such term in the applicable Security Agreement.

Documentation Agent” means each of Bank of Montreal, Bank of America, N.A., MUFG Bank, Ltd., TD Bank, N.A., Capital One, National Association and Truist Bank, in its capacity as a documentation agent for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.

Dollar Equivalent” means, for any amount, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in Dollars, such amount, (b) if such amount is expressed in an Agreed Currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Agreed Currency last provided (either by publication or otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent by Reuters on the Business Day (New York City time), immediately preceding the date of determination or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide a rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Agreed Currency, as provided by such other publicly available information service which provides that rate of exchange at such time in place of Reuters chosen by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion (or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide such rate of exchange, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion)) and (c) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the U.S.

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date” means June 19, 2020, which represents the “Effective Date” under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

 

21


Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, web portal access for such Borrower and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means, as of any date of determination, each Credit Card Receivable that satisfies all the requirements set forth below:

(a)    such Credit Card Receivable is owned by a Loan Party and such Loan Party has good and marketable title to such Credit Card Receivable;

(b)    such Credit Card Receivable has not been outstanding for more than five Business Days;

(c)    the credit card issuer or the credit card processor of the applicable credit card with respect to such Credit Card Receivable (i) is not the subject of any Bankruptcy Event, (ii) is not liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, (iii) is not otherwise deemed not creditworthy by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, (iv) has not admitted in writing its inability, or is not generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) has not become insolvent and (vi) has not ceased operation of its business;

(d)    such Credit Card Receivable is a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the applicable credit card issuer or credit card processor with respect thereto;

(e)    such Credit Card Receivable is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents;

(f)    such Credit Card Receivable is not subject to any Lien whatsoever, other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, (ii) Permitted Encumbrances that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Secured Obligations and (iii) Liens permitted under Section 6.02(j) that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Secured Obligations;

(g)    such Credit Card Receivable conforms in all material respects to all representations, warranties or other provisions in the Loan Documents or in the credit card agreements relating to such Credit Card Receivable;

(h)    if such Credit Card Receivable has been disputed by the applicable credit card or debit card issuer or processor or is not being processed due to unpaid and/or accrued credit card processor fee balances, or if a claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted by the applicable credit card issuer or credit card processor, the face amount thereof for purposes of determining the Revolving Borrowing Base or the FILO Borrowing Base has been reduced by the amount of such unpaid and/or accrued credit card processor fees or such claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback;

(i)    subject to the grace period provided in Section 5.15, such Credit Card Receivable is subject to a Credit Card Notification;

(j)    such Credit Card Receivable is not evidenced by “chattel paper” or an “instrument” (each as defined in the UCC or the PPSA, as applicable) of any kind unless such chattel paper or instrument is in the possession or control of the Administrative Agent, and to the extent necessary or appropriate, endorsed to the Administrative Agent; and

 

22


(k)    such Credit Card Receivable is not due from a credit card processor or issuer which is a Sanctioned Person.

provided, however, the Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion and upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Company, deem any Credit Card Receivable ineligible, or impose additional eligibility criteria, based on the results of a field examination conducted (i) at the Company’s election pursuant to the last paragraph of this definition or (ii) in accordance with Section 5.06; provided that no such notice shall be required (x) if an Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, or (y) for changes to eligibility criteria or establishment of additional eligibility criteria if a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or it would be reasonably likely that a Material Adverse Effect would occur were such eligibility criteria not changed or established prior to the three (3) Business Day period. During any such applicable three (3) Business Day period, Borrowings shall not be permitted if, after giving pro forma effect to the imposition of such change or new eligibility criteria, Availability would be less than zero.

In determining the amount of an Eligible Credit Card Receivable, the face amount thereof may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all customary fees and expenses in connection with the credit card arrangements applicable thereto and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect thereof but not yet applied by the applicable Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Eligible Credit Card Receivable.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Credit Card Receivable acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date outside the ordinary course of business, or acquired or originated by any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date, shall be included in determining Eligible Credit Card Receivables until a field examination with respect thereto has been completed to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood and agreed that additional field examinations conducted at the Company’s election pursuant to this paragraph shall not count against the number of field examinations permitted pursuant to Section 5.06).

Eligible Domestic In-Transit Inventory” means any Eligible Inventory that satisfies the requirements set forth in clauses (g)(i), (g)(ii), (g)(iv) and (g)(v) in the definition of “Eligible Inventory”, unless otherwise waived by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

Eligible Foreign In-Transit Inventory” means any Eligible Inventory that satisfies the requirements set forth in clauses (g)(i), (g)(iii), (g)(iv) and (g)(v) in the definition of “Eligible Inventory”, unless otherwise waived by the FILO Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, the Inventory owned by any Loan Party (and in which such Loan Party has good and marketable title), but excluding any Inventory:

(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien (subject only to (x) tax liens described in clause (a) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances” securing obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 and subject to Reserves therefor in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion and (y) landlord liens described in clause (b) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances” to the extent such Inventory is not ineligible pursuant to clause (h) below) in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents securing the Secured Obligations;

(b)    which is subject to any Lien whatsoever, other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, (ii) Permitted Encumbrances that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents (subject only to (x) tax liens

 

23


described in clause (a) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances” securing obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 and subject to Reserves therefor in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion and (y) landlord liens described in clause (b) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances” to the extent such Inventory is not ineligible pursuant to clause (h) below), (iii) Liens permitted under Section 6.02(j) that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Secured Obligations and (iv) in the case of Inventory at a warehouse or other third party storage facility or in transit with a common carrier (and such Inventory otherwise in compliance with clause (g) below), any Lien arising under applicable law in respect of which an appropriate Reserve shall have been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(c)    which is slow moving or out of season (in each case to the extent of being unsaleable), obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used or unfit for sale; provided that, this clause (c) shall not exclude slow moving Inventory located at a clearance center that has been appropriately priced consistent with the Company’s customary practices, subject to the Administrative Agent’s ability to establish an appropriate Reserve in its Permitted Discretion;

(d)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents has been breached or is not true or which does not conform in all material respects to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority in the United States or Canada;

(e)    in which any Person other than a Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title (including the rights of a purchaser that has made progress payments and the rights of a surety that has issued a bond to assure a Loan Party’s performance with respect to that Inventory) or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

(f)    which is not finished goods or which constitutes work-in-process, raw materials, spare or replacement parts, subassemblies, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(g)    which is not located in the United States or Canada or is in transit with a common carrier or from vendors and suppliers; provided that Inventory in transit may be included as Eligible Inventory in an aggregate amount not to exceed 20% of Eligible Inventory, so long as:

(i)    the Administrative Agent shall have received (1) a true and correct copy of the bill of lading and other shipping documents for such Inventory and (2) evidence of satisfactory casualty insurance naming the Administrative Agent as lender loss payee and otherwise covering such risks as the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent may reasonably request,

(ii)    if the bill of lading is non-negotiable, the Inventory must be in transit within the U.S., and the Administrative Agent shall have received, if requested, a duly executed Collateral Access Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from the applicable customs broker, freight forwarder or carrier for such Inventory;

(iii)    (A) if the bill of lading is negotiable, the Inventory must be in transit from outside the U.S., and the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall have received (1) confirmation that the bill is issued in the name of such Borrower and consigned to the order of the

 

24


Administrative Agent, and an acceptable agreement has been executed with such Borrower’s customs broker, in which the customs broker agrees that it holds the negotiable bill as agent for the Administrative Agent and has granted the Administrative Agent access to the Inventory, (2) confirmation either (I) that such Borrower has paid for the goods or (II) that the purchase of such Inventory is fully supported by a commercial Letter of Credit, and (3) an estimate from such Borrower of the customs duties and customs fees associated with the Inventory in order to establish an appropriate Reserve and (B) the bill of lading shall be in a form reasonably acceptable to the FILO Agent;

(iv)    the common carrier is not an Affiliate of the Loan Parties or of the applicable vendor or supplier; and

(v)    the customs broker is not an Affiliate of the Loan Parties or of the applicable vendor or supplier;

(h)    which is located in any real property leased to a Loan Party unless (i) the lessor has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) if elected by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, an appropriate Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such location has been established;

(i)    which is located at any warehouse or other third party storage facility or is otherwise in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and (i) is evidenced by a negotiable warehouse receipt or comparable document unless such document has been delivered to the Administrative Agent or (ii) is not evidenced by a document, unless (A) such warehouseman or other bailee has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require in its Permitted Discretion or (B) if elected by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, an appropriate Reserve with respect to such location has been established;

(j)    which is a discontinued product or component thereof;

(k)    which is the subject of a consignment by a Loan Party as consignor;

(l)    which is perishable; provided that, it is agreed and understood that packaged food items which are within their relevant expiration dates shall be deemed not to be perishable;

(m)    which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to a Loan Party unless the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion is satisfied that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

(n)    which is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report of the applicable Loan Party (unless such Inventory is reflected in a report to the Administrative Agent as “in transit” Inventory); or

(o)    for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

provided, however, the Administrative Agent (and FILO Agent as it relates to Eligible Foreign In-Transit Inventory), may, in its Permitted Discretion, and upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Company, deem any Inventory ineligible, or impose additional eligibility criteria, based on

 

25


the results of an appraisal or field examination conducted (i) at the Company’s election pursuant to the last paragraph of this definition or (ii) in accordance with Section 5.11 or 5.06; provided, however, that no such notice shall be required (x) if an Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, or (y) for changes to eligibility criteria or establishment of additional eligibility criteria if a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or it would be reasonably likely that a Material Adverse Effect would occur were such eligibility criteria not changed or established prior to the three (3) Business Day period. During any such applicable three (3) Business Day period, Borrowings shall not be permitted if, after giving pro forma effect to the imposition of such change or new eligibility criteria, Availability would be less than zero.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of Inventory shall be adjusted as required to eliminate intercompany profit and (ii) no more than 25% of Eligible Inventory located in Canada may be located in provinces for which the Company’s counsel has not delivered customary perfection opinions with respect to Collateral located in such provinces.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Inventory acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date other than in the ordinary course of business, or acquired or created by any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date, shall be included in determining Eligible Inventory until an Acceptable Inventory Appraisal with respect thereto has been completed (it being understood and agreed that additional appraisals and field examinations conducted at the Company’s election pursuant to this paragraph shall not count against the number of field examinations permitted pursuant to Section 5.06 or the number of appraisals permitted pursuant to Section 5.11).

Eligible Tradenames” means each Trademark of any Loan Party that complies with the following criteria:

(a)    such Trademark is validly registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, as applicable;

(b)    such Loan Party has good and valid title to such Trademark and owns such Trademark, free and clear of any Liens other than Liens granted to the Administrative Agent and Permitted Encumbrances that do not have priority over the Liens securing the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents;

(c)    (i) each applicable Loan Party is in compliance with the covenants set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents relating to such Trademark, (ii) each representation and warranty contained in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents with respect to such Trademark is true and correct and (iii) such Trademark conforms in all material respects to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority in the United States or Canada;

(d)    with respect to the Trademarks which were not included in the most-recent appraisal received by the FILO Agent under this Agreement or over which the FILO Agent has not completed its legal and business due diligence in its Permitted Discretion, the FILO Agent (i) shall have received an Acceptable IP Appraisal and (ii) shall have completed its legal and business due diligence with the results of such due diligence satisfactory to the FILO Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, however, that any such appraisals or legal or business diligence shall be at the expense of the Borrowers and shall not be subject to (and shall not be included in) the limitations set forth in Section 5.11 on the number of appraisals for which the FILO Agent is entitled to be reimbursed in any period;

(e)    the FILO Agent shall have received (i) the Hilco Appraisal or (ii) a recent Acceptable IP Appraisal in accordance with Section 5.11, in each case, with respect to such Trademarks; and

 

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(f)    the FILO Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to the FILO Agent that (i) all actions have been taken that the FILO Agent may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate in order to create valid, perfected and enforceable first-priority Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent on such Trademark, and (ii) all filings reasonably requested by the FILO Agent have been filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, as applicable, to further evidence the Administrative Agent’s Lien on such Trademark;

provided, however, the FILO Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, and upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Company, deem any Trademark ineligible, or impose additional eligibility criteria, based on the results of an appraisal conducted (i) at the Company’s election pursuant to the last paragraph of this definition or (ii) in accordance with Section 5.11; provided, however, that no such notice shall be required (x) if an Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, or (y) for changes to eligibility criteria or establishment of additional eligibility criteria if a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or it would be reasonably likely that a Material Adverse Effect would occur were such eligibility criteria not changed or established prior to the three (3) Business Day period. During any such applicable three (3) Business Day period, Borrowings shall not be permitted if, after giving pro forma effect to the imposition of such change or new eligibility criteria, the Administrative Agent would be required to establish or increase any FILO Deficiency Reserve.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Trademark acquired by any Loan Party after the First Amendment Effective Date other than in the ordinary course of business, or acquired or created by any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the First Amendment Effective Date, shall be included in determining Eligible Tradenames until an Acceptable IP Appraisal with respect thereto has been completed (it being understood and agreed that additional appraisals conducted at the Company’s election pursuant to this paragraph shall not count against the number of appraisals permitted pursuant to Section 5.11).

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to (a) the environment, (b) preservation or reclamation of natural resources, (c) the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or (d) health and safety matters (as it relates to exposure to any Hazardous Material).

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower or Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any 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 formalized consensual arrangement to the extent pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Commitment” means (a) the underwritten public offering of Equity Interests of the Company contemplated by clause (d) of the definition of Equity Commitment Documents with respect to the initial funding of the Equity Investment described in the Second Amendment and (b) the obligation of the holders of the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition to purchase Equity Interests of the Company pursuant to the Company’s Forced Exercise or Voluntary Exercise right, and collectively pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), with aggregate gross consideration paid to the Company of approximately up to $1,025,000,000, in accordance with the Equity Commitment Documents.

 

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Equity Commitment Documents” means the (a) Warrants to Purchase Common Stock issued by the Company, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, (b) Warrants to Purchase Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued by the Company, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, (c) Certificate of Amendment of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., dated as of February 6, 2023, and (d) Underwriting Agreement, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, by and between the Company and B. Riley Securities, Inc., as underwriter, collectively , the (a) the Sales Agreem ent (as defined in the Fourth Am endm ent) and (b) the Equity Comm itm ent Agreement (as defined in the Fourth Am endm ent), in each case, as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Equity Commitment Period” means the period from and including the Secondcomm encing on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date until the earlier of (a) the date that is five (5) business days following the first anniversary of the Issuance Date (as defined in the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition as in effect on the Second Amendment Effective Date), (b) the occurrence of a Funding Failure and (c) the funding of the entirety of the Equity Commitment to the Company pursuant to the Equity Commitment Documents.and ending on the first date on which the Loan Parties fail to comply with any provision of Section 6.18.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.

Equity Proceeds Reserve” means an aggregate amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the net cash proceeds of each portion or installment received by the Borrower pursuant to each Forced Exercise or Voluntary Exercise; provided that no such reserve will apply until the aggregate amount of cash proceeds received by the Company after the Second Amendment Effective Date pursuant to Forced Exercises or Voluntary Exercises exceeds $235,000,000.

Equity Proceeds Reserve means the Reserves required to be im plem ented pursuant to Section 5.18.

“Equity Proceeds Testing Period” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5.18(b).

Equity Term ination Event means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the term ination of any Equity Docum ent, (b) the suspension of sales of the Compan ys common stock under the Equity Docum ents, (c) trading of the Com pany s comm on stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market or another national securities market shall have been suspended for a period of at least 3 consecutive Business Days, (d)  the Com pany s comm on stock shall not be listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market or another national securities market or (e) the failure to satisfy any conditions to any party s rights or obligations under any Equity Docum ent (other than, with respect to the Sales Agreem ent, due to the Com pany s failure to satisfy the eligibility requirem ents set forth under General Instruction I.A. of Form S-3 and General Instruction I.B. and I.D. of Form S-3 as a result of the Compan ys filing with the SEC of the Com pany s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 25, 2023 (or the Com pany s failure to file such report by its due date)), whether or not such obligations have been continued to be performed, and such failure continues for more than 3 consecutive Business Days.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with a Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section 4001(14) of ERISA or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (as defined in Section 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (e) an event that gives rise to direct or contingent liability on any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA; (f) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the withdrawal or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan, or the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (h) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in “critical” or “endangered” status under Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (i) the occurrence of an act or omission which would reasonably be expected to give rise to the imposition on any Borrower of fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under any of Sections 4971 through 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code or under Title I of ERISA in respect of any Benefit Plan; (j) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice that any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is sponsored by any Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower and is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code does not satisfy the requirements for qualification; or (k) the occurrence of any Foreign Plan Event.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Guarantor of, or the grant by such Loan Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the

 

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case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal and Canadian federal and provincial withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit, Revolving Commitment or FILO Term Loan Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit, Revolving Commitment or FILO Term Loan Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit, Revolving Commitment or FILO Term Loan Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f); (d) any Taxes imposed under FATCA; and (e) any Taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld under the ITA from any payment to or for the account of a Recipient (i) as a consequence of the Recipient not dealing at arm’s length (within the meaning of ITA) with the Canadian Borrower, or (ii) being at any time a “specified non-resident shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the ITA) of the applicable Loan Party, or at any time, not dealing at arm’s length (within the meaning of the ITA) with a “specified shareholder” (within the meaning of subsection 18(5) of the ITA) of the applicable Loan Party, except, in the case of (i) or (ii), where the non-arm’s length relationship arises, or where the Recipient is (or is deemed to be) a specified shareholder of a Loan Party or does not deal at arm’s length with a specified shareholder of a Loan Party, on account of the Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, or enforced this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2020, among the Company, the other borrowers and guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof).

Existing FILO Term Loan Indebtedness” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b)(iv).

Existing Letters of Credit” shall mean those Letters of Credit issued or deemed issued under the Existing Credit Agreement that remain outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date.

Existing Loan Documents” means any Loan Documents that were executed or delivered prior to the Restatement Effective Date in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement (in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof).

Extenuating Circumstance” means any period during which the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (a) that due to unforeseen and/or nonrecurring circumstances, it is impractical and/or not feasible to submit or receive a Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request by email or fax or through Electronic System, and (b) to accept a Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request telephonically.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code and any U.S. or non-U.S. fiscal or

 

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regulatory legislation, rules, guidance, notes or official practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementations of such Sections of the Code or analogous provisions of non-U.S. law.

FCA” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.05.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate, provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% for the purposes of this Agreement.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

FILO Agent” means Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., in its capacity as FILO agent for itself and the FILO Term Loan Lenders and any duly appointed successor in such capacity.

FILO Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any prepayment of the 2023 FILO Term Loans (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans), a premium equal to (i) the Make-Whole Amount if such prepayment is made on or after the Second Amendment Effective Date but prior to the date that is 18 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date, (ii) 2% of the principal amount of such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans) if such prepayment is made on or after the date that is 18 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date but prior to the date that is 30 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date and (iii) 1% of the principal amount of such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans) if such prepayment is made on or after the date that is 30 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date but prior to the date that is 36 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date; provided, however, that solely in connection with any prepayment of the 2023 FILO Term Loans with the proceeds of a whole or partial Disposition of the Subject Division prior to the date that is 18 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date, the 2023 FILO Applicable Premium shall mean the lesser of (A) the applicable 2023 FILO Applicable Premium described in this definition (without giving effect to this proviso) and (B) (x) 7% of the principal amount of such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans) if such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans) is made after the Second Amendment Effective Date but prior to the date that is 6 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date and (b) 5% of the principal amount of such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans) if such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loans) is made on or after the date that is 6 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date but prior to the date that is 18 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date.

FILO Borrowing Base” means, the sum of, without duplication:

(i) 15% of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Credit Card Receivables at such time, plus

(ii) 15% multiplied by, (a) the lesser of (i) 68% and (ii) the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Acceptable Inventory Appraisal, received after the Second Amendment Effective Date, or the most recent update thereto delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(i), multiplied by (b) the Loan Parties’ Eligible Inventory (disregarding the 20% cap on Inventory in-transit set forth in the proviso in clause (g) of the definition of Eligible Inventory), valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a weighted average cost basis, plus

 

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(iii) 100% multiplied by (a) the lesser of (i) 68% and (ii) the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Acceptable Inventory Appraisal, received after the Second Amendment Effective Date, or the most recent update thereto delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(i), multiplied by (b) the Loan Parties’ Eligible Foreign In-Transit Inventory, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a weighted average cost basis, plus

(iv) 15% multiplied by (a) the lesser of (i) 68% and (ii) the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Acceptable Inventory Appraisal, received after the Second Amendment Effective Date, or the most recent update thereto delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(i), multiplied by (b) the Loan Parties’ Eligible Domestic In-Transit Inventory, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a weighted average cost basis, plus

(v) the lesser of (x) 68% multiplied by the Net Forced Liquidation Value of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Tradenames as identified in, and as of the time of, the most recent Acceptable IP Appraisal ordered by the FILO Agent, or the most recent update thereto delivered pursuant to Section 5.11(b); provided, that the foregoing percentage of the Net Forced Liquidation Value in this clause (x) shall be reduced by 2.5% on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter beginning with the first Fiscal Quarter ending on or about May 28, 2023, and (y) $115,000,000; provided, that the foregoing amount in this clause (y) shall be reduced by (A) an amount equal to $4,687,500 on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending on or about May 28, 2023 and (B) an amount equal to $75,000,000 upon the consummation of any Disposition of the Subject Division.

FILO Deficiency Reserve” means the result of (i) the amount, if any, by which $229,000,000 exceeds the amount of the most recent FILO Borrowing Base minus (ii) any repayments of the principal of the FILO Term Loans after the Second Amendment Effective Date; provided, that, the FILO Deficiency Reserve shall not be less than zero.

FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(f).

FILO Fee Letter” means that certain amended and restated fee letter agreement dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date by and between the Company and the FILO Agent.

FILO Maturity Date” means, unless waived by the Required FILO Lenders and the Required Lenders, with respect to the FILO Term Loan Facility, August 31, 2027; provided, however, that such date shall instead be May 1, 2024 if any of the 2024 Senior Notes are outstanding as of such date.

FILO Notes” means any promissory note evidencing the FILO Term Loans, substantially in the form of Exhibit I or such other form approved in advance by the FILO Agent.

FILO Obligations” means all unpaid principal (including, without limitation, the FILO Term Loan PIK Amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest on the FILO Term Loan, all accrued and unpaid fees (including the 2023 FILO Applicable Premium) and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness relating to the FILO Term Loan (including all interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding, obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the FILO Term Loan Lenders, the FILO Agent, or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the First Amendment Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,

 

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secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the FILO Term Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof).

FILO Protective Advances” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04(c).

FILO Specified Amount” means an amount equal to $53,897,500 representing the FILO Applicable Premium (as defined in this Agreement prior to giving effect to the Second Amendment) that became due and payable to the FILO Agent, for the ratable account of the Initial FILO Term Loan Lenders, as of January 25, 2023. The FILO Specified Amount constitutes a portion of the Initial FILO Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.01(b)(i).

FILO Term Loan” means the Initial FILO Term Loan and the 2023 FILO Term Loan, individually or collectively, as the context requires.

FILO Term Loan Commitments” means, as to any Lender, the Initial FILO Term Loan Commitment and the 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment, individually or collectively, as the context requires.

FILO Term Loan Exposure” means with respect to any FILO Term Loan Lender, as of any date of determination (a) prior to the funding of the 2023 FILO Term Loan, the sum of the amount of such Lender’s 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment and the outstanding principal amount of the Initial FILO Term Loan, and (b) after the funding of the 2023 FILO Term Loan, the outstanding principal amount of the FILO Term Loan held by such Lender.

FILO Term Loan Facility” means the FILO Term Loan Commitments and the FILO Term Loans made hereunder.

FILO Term Loan Lender” means a Lender that has a FILO Term Loan Commitment or that holds a portion of the FILO Term Loan.

FILO Term Loan PIK Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the amount of all interest accrued with respect to the FILO Specified Amount that has been paid in kind by being added to the balance thereof in accordance with Section 2.13(e).

Financial Advisor” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16.

Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, vice president of finance or controller of any Loan Party.

First Amendment” means that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2022 by and among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

First Amendment Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the First Amendment.

First Amendment Fee Letter” means that certain letter agreement dated as of August 31, 2022 by and between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

First Amendment Funding Date” has the meaning set forth in the First Amendment.

 

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First Testing Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.

Fiscal Quarter” means each fiscal quarter of the Company and its Subsidiaries in relation to the Fiscal Year (as defined herein) of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Fiscal Year” means each fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries comprised of the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Saturday nearest February 28 each year.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, all calculated for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a Fiscal Quarter, ended on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended prior to such date).

Fixed Charges” means, for any period, without duplication, cash interest expense, plus scheduled principal payments on Consolidated Total Indebtedness actually made, plus expenses for income taxes paid in cash, plus Restricted Payments paid in cash other than pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(i) through (v), plus scheduled cash Capital Lease Obligation payments (other than with respect to intercompany Indebtedness), all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or CDOR Rate, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) as of the First Amendment Effective Date, with respect to Revolving Borrowings, the Floor for each of the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate and the CDOR Rate shall be zero percent (0.00%), and (ii) with respect to FILO Term Loan Borrowings, the Floor for the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be one percent (1.00%).

Forced Exercise” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1(d) of the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition.

Forced Exercise Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1(d) of the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition.

Forced Exercise Eligibility Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1(d) of the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition.

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person, or as applicable, in the case of a Loan or Revolving Commitment to a Canadian Borrower, a Lender that is not resident in Canada for purposes of the ITA.

Foreign Plan” means any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement, including any pension or severance plan, arrangement or fund, post-employment or other social benefit scheme, bonus, incentive, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, plan or arrangement, maintained, sponsored or contributed to, or for which there is an obligation to contribute to, by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate that is subject to any Requirements of Laws other than, or in addition to, the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the laws of the District of Columbia.

Foreign Plan Event” means, with respect to any Foreign Plan, (a) the existence of unfunded liabilities in excess of the amount permitted under any Requirements of Law, or in excess of the amount that would be permitted absent a waiver from a Governmental Authority, (b) the failure to make any required contribution or payment under any Requirements of Law within the time permitted by any

 

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Requirements of Law for such contributions or payments, (c) the receipt of a notice from a Governmental Authority relating to the intention to terminate any such Foreign Plan or to appoint a trustee or similar official to administer any such Foreign Plan, or alleging the insolvency of any such Foreign Plan, (d) the incurrence of any liability by any Loan Party under any law on account of the complete or partial termination of such Foreign Plan or the complete or partial withdrawal of any participating employer therein, or (e) the occurrence of any transaction with respect to a Foreign Plan that is prohibited under any Requirements of Law and that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any liability by any Loan Party, or the imposition on any Loan Party of any fine, excise tax or penalty with respect to a Foreign Plan resulting from any noncompliance with any Requirements of Law.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any existing or future direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Borrower organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Fourth Amendment” means that certain Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver dated as of March 30, 2023 by and among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the Fourth Amendment.

Funding Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(h).

“Funding Failure” means (a) with respect to clause (i) of the definition of Required Funding Date, the failure by the Company to receive at least $87,000,000 pursuant to the Equity Commitment Documents, (b) with respect to clause (ii) of the definition of Required Funding Date, the failure by the Company to receive at least $100,000,000 pursuant to the Equity Commitment Documents (the April Equity Tranche”), (c) with respect to any other Required Funding Date, the failure by the Company to receive the aggregate cash exercise price payable with respect to a Forced Exercise (assuming full exercise in respect of the Maximum Forced Exercise Share Amount (as such term is defined in the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition) with respect to such Forced Exercise as set forth in the Equity Commitment Documents described in clause (b) of the definition thereof) on such Required Funding Date; provided, that if a Forced Exercise could not occur because of the Company’s failure to satisfy clauses (xi) and (xiii) of the “Equity Conditions” (as such term is defined in the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition) on such date, the Company shall have until the date that is five (5) Trading Days following such Required Funding Date to consummate the Forced Exercise prior to it resulting in a Funding Failure, (d) the failure to satisfy clause (x) of the “Equity Conditions” (as such term is defined in the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition) which continues for a period of 5 Business Days following the date of the failure to satisfy such condition, or (e) a holder of the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition repudiates in writing any of its obligations to purchase equity under the Equity Commitment Documents (including pursuant to a termination or revocation of such obligations).

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the U.S., Canada or any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether provincial, territorial, state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other

 

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obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) 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, (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 or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01.

Guarantor Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 10.11.

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, 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 Law due to their hazardous or deleterious properties or characteristics.

Hilco” means Hilco Enterprise Valuation Services, LLC.

Hilco Appraisal” means that certain appraisal prepared by Hilco with respect to the Intellectual Property of the Company, dated as of August 12, 2022 and effective as of May 28, 2022.

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all net payments that such Person would have to make in the event of an early termination, on the date Indebtedness of such Person is being determined, in respect of outstanding Swap Agreements;, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accruals and trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed (limited to the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness and the value of such property), (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by, or on account of any obligation of, any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the foregoing clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.

 

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Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12.

Initial Budget” has the meaning specified therefor in the Second Amendment.

Initial FILO Term Loan” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b)(i).

Initial FILO Term Loan Commitment” means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Initial FILO Term Loans in an aggregate principal not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Initial FILO Term Loan Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on the Commitment Schedule. As of the First Amendment Effective Date, the original aggregate amount of the Initial FILO Term Loan Commitments was $375,000,000 and, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the amount of Initial FILO Term Loan Commitments is $0.

Initial FILO Term Loan Lender” means a Lender that has an Initial FILO Term Loan Commitment or that holds a portion of the Initial FILO Term Loan.

Initial FILO Term Loan Obligations” means any FILO Obligations with respect to the Initial FILO Term Loan (including, without limitation, the principal thereof, the interest thereon, and the fees and expenses specifically related thereto). For the avoidance of doubt, the Initial FILO Term Loan Obligations shall include the FILO Specified Amount and the interest thereon.

Initial Post-Closing Appraisal” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.

Intellectual Property” means all “Intellectual Property” as such term is defined in each of the U.S. Security Agreement and the Canadian Security Agreement, respectively.

Intellectual Property Security Agreement” means (a) with respect to any U.S. Intellectual Property of the Loan Parties, each confirmatory grant of security interest in intellectual property executed and delivered by any applicable Loan Party in favor of the Administrative Agent for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, United States Copyright Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (or other similar office or agency), as applicable, and (b) with respect to any Canadian Intellectual Property of the Loan Parties, each confirmatory grant of security interest in intellectual property executed and delivered by any applicable Loan Party in favor of the Administrative Agent for filing with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or other similar office or agency), in each case, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Intercreditor Agreement” means any intercreditor or subordination agreement or arrangement (including intercreditor provisions incorporated into a document evidencing Indebtedness), in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, between the Administrative Agent and the holders of any Indebtedness (or any trustee, agent or other representative for such holders) that is permitted or required by the terms hereof to be (a) subordinated in priority of payment to the Secured Obligations and/or (b) junior to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations (including with respect to any Lien on the “Property” as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture, as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date, solely to the extent such Lien is granted in favor of any Person to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money), it being understood that any such Intercreditor Agreement shall provide that such junior Liens shall be “silent” (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent) in respect to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations.

 

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Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower Representative to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08 in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit H.

Interest Payment Date” means,

(a) with respect to any Loan other than a FILO Term Loan: (i) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) or Canadian Prime Rate Loan, the first Business Day of each calendar quarter and the Maturity Date, and (ii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part (and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period)month and the Maturity Date; and

(b) with respect to any FILO Term Loan: (i) with respect to any ABR Loan, the first Business Day of each calendar quarter and the FILO Maturity Date, and (ii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part (and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period)month and the FILO Maturity Date.

Interest Period” means, with respect to (i) any Term Benchmark Borrowing (other than any CDOR Rate Borrowing), the period commencing on the date of such Term Benchmark Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, one, three (or solely with respect to Revolving Borrowings, six) months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Commitment), as the Borrower Representative may elect and (ii) any CDOR 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, two or three months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the CDOR Rate and the availability of such period for the relevant Loan or Revolving Commitment), as the Borrower Representative may elect; provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next 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, (b) 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, and (c) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.14(e) shall be available for specification in any Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person or (c) any Acquisition. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

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Investment Reserve” means an amount equal to $25,000,000.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

Issuing Bank” means, individually and collectively, each of JPMCB, PNC Bank, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of Montreal, Bank of America, N.A., MUFG Bank, Ltd. and TD Bank, N.A. in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and any other Revolving Lender from time to time designated by the Borrower Representative as an Issuing Bank, with the consent of such Revolving Lender and the Administrative Agent, and their respective successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such Letters of Credit). At any time there is more than one Issuing Bank, all singular references to the Issuing Bank shall mean any Issuing Bank, either Issuing Bank, each Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank that has issued the applicable Letter of Credit, or both (or all) Issuing Banks, as the context may require.

Issuing Bank Sublimits” means, as of the RestatementFourth Amendment Effective Date, (a) $327,14728,85874, in the case of JPMCB, (b) $327,14728,8574 in the case of PNC Bank, National Association, (c) $327,14728,8574 in the case of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (d) $327,14728,8574 in the case of Bank of Montreal, (e) $327,14728,85740 in the case of Bank of America, N.A., (f) $10,000,0008,626,756 in the case of MUFG Bank, Ltd., (g) $327 ,147 28,8 574 in the case of TD Bank, N.A., and (h) such amount as shall be designated to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative in writing by an Issuing Bank; provided that, any Issuing Bank shall be permitted at any time to increase or reduce its Issuing Bank Sublimit upon providing five (5) days’ prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and with the consent of the Borrower Representative (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

ITA” means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended.

Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit E.

JPMCB” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association, in its individual capacity, and shall include its domestic and foreign branches, as applicable, and its successors.

JPMCB Parties” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.18

LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).

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

 

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LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn Dollar Equivalent amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time plus (b) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of all LC Disbursements relating to Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrowers at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Article 29(a) of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or Rule 3.13 or Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time) or similar terms of the Letter of Credit itself, or if compliant documents have been presented but not yet honored, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” and “undrawn” in the amount so remaining available to be paid, and the obligations of the Borrowers and each Lender shall remain in full force and effect until the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall have no further obligations to make any payments or disbursements under any circumstances with respect to any Letter of Credit.

LC Reserve” means an amount equal to 25% of the amount that (i) the maximum aggregate undrawn Dollar Equivalent amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the Second Amendment Effective Date exceeds (ii) the maximum aggregate undrawn Dollar Equivalent amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the last Business Day of any calendar week following the Second Amendment Effective Date, such amount not to be less than zero.

Lender Presentation” means a lender presentation, in a form and substance to be mutually agreed by Company, Administrative Agent, and FILO Agent, which presentation shall include, among other things, monthly performance updates and liquidity projections.

Lender-Related Person” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03.

Lenders” means the Persons (including without limitation the FILO Term Loan Lenders) listed on the Commitment Schedule and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank.

Letters of Credit” means the standby or commercial letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement (including the Exiting Letters of Credit), and the term “Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.

Letter of Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.06(b).

Liabilities” means any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

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Line Cap” means, at any time, the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Revolving Borrowing Base.

Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (x) unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such date plus (y) Availability as of such date.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the First Amendment Fee Letter, the FILO Fee Letter, the Confirmation Agreement, each Compliance Certificate, the Loan Guaranty, any Intercreditor Agreement, all Credit Card Notifications and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or any Lender and including all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, letter of credit agreements, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower Representative and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between the applicable Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance by the Issuing Bank of Letters of Credit, and all other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.     Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.

Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party.

Loan Guaranty” means Article X of this Agreement.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers and each other Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and their respective successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.

Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans, Protective Advances and FILO Term Loans.

Make-Whole Amount” means (a) an amount equal to the difference (which shall not be less than zero) between (1) the aggregate amount of interest (including, without limitation, interest payable in cash, in kind or deferred) which would have otherwise been payable on the amount of the principal prepayment of the 2023 FILO Term Loan from the date of prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loan) until the 18th month anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date, minus (2) the aggregate amount of interest Lenders would earn if the prepaid (or deemed prepaid in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loan) 2023 FILO Term Loan was reinvested for the period from the date of prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loan) until the 18th month anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points per annum plus (b) an amount equal to the FILO Applicable Premium that would otherwise be payable as if such prepayment (or deemed prepayment in the case of an acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loan) had occurred on the day after the 18th month

 

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anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Make-Whole Amount becomes due and payable as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default or acceleration of the 2023 FILO Term Loan (including in connection with the commencement of any Bankruptcy Event or other proceeding pursuant to any Bankruptcy Code or the BIA), the interest rate to be used in calculating the Make-Whole Amount pursuant to clause (a)(1) of the preceding sentence shall be the interest rate applicable to 2023 FILO Term Loan that is an ABR Borrowing plus 2.00% per annum for the period from the occurrence of such Event of Default or acceleration (including in connection with the commencement of any Bankruptcy Event or other proceeding pursuant to any Bankruptcy Code or the BIA) until the 18th month anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date.

Margin Stock” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulations T, U and X, as applicable.

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties to perform any of their Obligations, (c) the Collateral, or the Administrative Agent’s Liens (on behalf of itself and other Secured Parties) on the Collateral or the required priority of such Liens or (d) the rights of or remedies available to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Intellectual Property” means any Intellectual Property (including Patents, industrial designs, Trademarks, Copyrights and licenses thereof) of the Loan Parties that is (a) material to the conduct of the business or operations of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, or (b) is reasonably necessary or material to permit the Administrative Agent to enforce its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents with respect to the Collateral, or the Disposition of which would otherwise materially adversely affect the value of the Collateral.

Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company (i) which, as of the most recent Fiscal Quarter of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), contributed greater than one percent (1.0%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of such date; provided that, if at any time the aggregate amount of Consolidated Total Assets attributable to all Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries exceeds two and one-half percent (2.5%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of any such Fiscal Quarter, the Company (or, in the event the Company has failed to do so within ten (10) days, the Administrative Agent) shall designate sufficient Subsidiaries as “Material Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Subsidiaries.

Maturity Date” means August 9, 2026; provided, however, that such date shall instead be May 1, 2024 if any of the 2024 Senior Notes are outstanding as of such date.

 

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Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

Net Cash Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Disposition (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, and including any proceeds received as a result of unwinding any related Swap Agreements in connection with such transaction but excluding the assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct cash costs relating to such Disposition (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related thereto), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required to be paid as a result of such transaction that is secured by a Permitted Encumbrance that is prior or senior to the Lien securing the Obligations, any costs associated with unwinding any related Swap Agreements in connection with such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities reasonably associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction; provided that such reserved amounts will be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds to the extent and at the time of any reversal thereof (to the extent not applied to the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in cash in a corresponding amount).

Net Forced Liquidation Value” means with respect to Eligible Tradenames, the forced liquidation value thereof as determined in an Acceptable IP Appraisal, net of all costs of liquidation thereof.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Inventory of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof, applicable during any month reflected therein, as determined in an Acceptable Inventory Appraisal, net of all costs of liquidation thereof, in each case in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion.

Non-ABL Assets” means any assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries that do not constitute ABL Assets.

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).

Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition” means (i) any sale or other Disposition of assets of the Loan Parties (other than (a) Dispositions of assets of the type set forth in the definition of Revolving Borrowing Base and (b) ARS Dispositions) following the Second Amendment Effective Date and (ii) the return of FISERV cash collateral to the Company or any other Loan Party, the return of AMEX cash collateral to the Company or any other Loan Party, the return of Oak insurance cash collateral to the Company or any other Loan Party, the receipt of tax refunds by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Disposition of leases and related rights thereto and any other similar event or any other monetization event of assets described in the immediately preceding clause (i).

 

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Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve” means an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate amount of Net Cash Proceeds of Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Dispositions following the Second Amendment Effective Date that are not required to be applied to prepay the FILO Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(b)(vi).

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined would be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% for purposes of this Agreement.

NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org or any successor source.

Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including FILO Obligations and interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

Original Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.01.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or any Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19(b)).

 

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Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

Paid in Full” or “Payment in Full” means, (a) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and LC Disbursements, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (b) the termination, expiration, or cancellation and return of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a backup letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to 102.5% of the LC Exposure (or 105% with respect to LC Exposure denominated in Canadian Dollars) as of the date of such payment), (c) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees (including without limitation, FILO Applicable Premium), (d) the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (e) the termination of all Revolving Commitments, and (f) the termination of the Swap Agreement Obligations (other than Swap Agreement Obligations owing to Swap Banks that are no longer Lenders or Affiliates thereof) and the Banking Services Obligations or entering into other arrangements satisfactory to the Secured Parties counterparties thereto.

Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Payment Condition” shall be deemed to be satisfied in connection with an Investment, Disposition, Permitted Acquisition or a payment, repayment, tender, repurchase, refinancing, exchange, acquisition, redemption, retirement, cancellation, termination or voluntary prepayment of applicable Indebtedness, or pursuant to the terms set forth in the definitions of “FILO Maturity Date” and/or “Maturity Date”, as applicable, if:

(a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately after giving effect to the applicable event;

(b) (i) in the case of a Restricted Payment or a payment, repayment, repurchase, tender, exchange, refinancing, acquisition, redemption, retirement, cancellation, termination or voluntary prepayment of Indebtedness or a Disposition made pursuant to Section 6.05(i), or pursuant to the terms set forth in the definitions of “FILO Maturity Date” and/or “Maturity Date”, as applicable, immediately after giving effect to and, except in the case of a Disposition made pursuant to Section 6.05(i), at all times during the thirty-day period immediately prior to such event, the Borrowers shall have (i) (A) Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such event of not less than the greater of (1) 17.5% of the Line Cap or (2) $197,750,000, and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the trailing four Fiscal Quarters calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such event of greater than 1.00 to 1.00 or (ii) Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such event of not less than the greater of (A) 22.5% of the Line Cap or (B) $254,250,000;

 

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(ii) in the case of an Investment or Permitted Acquisition, immediately after giving effect to and at all times during the thirty-day period immediately prior to such event, the Borrowers shall have (i) (A) Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such event of not less than the greater of (1) 15% of the Line Cap or (2) $169,500,000, and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the trailing four Fiscal Quarters calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such event of greater than 1.00 to 1.00 or (ii) Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such event of not less than the greater of (A) 20% of the Line Cap or (B) $226,000,000; and

(c) the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (and prior to payment in full in cash of FILO Obligations, the FILO Agent) a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and prior to payment in full in cash of FILO Obligations, the FILO Agent) certifying as to the items described in (a) and (b) above and attaching the applicable calculations for item (b).

For the avoidance of doubt, in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” used in determining the “Line Cap” for purposes of (b)(i)(i)(A)(1), (b)(i)(ii)(A), (b)(ii)(i)(A)(1) or (b)(ii)(ii)(A) of this definition (but not in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” used in determining the “Line Cap” for purposes of “Availability” under clause (b) of this definition), such calculation of the “Revolving Borrowing Base” shall be made without giving effect to the FILO Deficiency Reserve, if any.

Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.06(c).

Payment Intangible” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

Payment Notice” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.06(c).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by any Loan Party or Subsidiary in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:

(a) such Acquisition is approved by the board or managing body of the target;

(b) such Person or division or line of business is engaged in the same or a similar line of business as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any business activities reasonably related, complementary or ancillary thereto;

(c) no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such acquisition;

(d) in the case of any Acquisition of a Person or division or line of business that has a Canadian defined benefit pension plan, the Company shall have disclosed the same to the Administrative Agent (such disclosure to be accompanied by such plan’s documentation and the latest actuarial evaluation report in respect of such Canadian defined benefit pension plan) and the Administrative Agent shall have established any appropriate Reserves therefor in its Permitted Discretion;

(e) if such Acquisition involves a merger, amalgamation or a consolidation involving the Company or any other Loan Party, the Company or a Loan Party, as applicable, shall be the surviving entity or, in the case of a Loan Party other than a Borrower, shall immediately become a Loan Party, all in compliance with Section 6.03;

 

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(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent final executed material documentation relating to such Acquisition promptly after request therefor by the Administrative Agent; and

(g) at the time of entering into the Acquisition and giving pro forma effect to any such Acquisition, the Payment Condition shall be satisfied with respect thereto.

Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e) judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Section 7.01;

(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances and restrictions on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(g) Liens in favor of sellers of goods arising under Article 2 of the UCC or similar provisions of applicable law in the ordinary course of business, covering only the goods sold and securing only the unpaid purchase price for such goods and related expenses;

(h) Liens securing obligations in respect of trade letters of credit; provided that such Liens do not extend to any property other than the goods financed or paid for with such letters of credit, documents of title in respect thereof and proceeds thereof;

(i) Liens (i) arising by operation of law under Article 4 of the UCC in connection with collection of items provided for therein, and (ii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or other funds or financial assets maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or arising pursuant to such banking institution’s general terms and conditions;

 

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(j) (i) leases, non-exclusive licenses, subleases or non-exclusive sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not (x) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, taken as a whole, or (y) secure any Indebtedness and (ii) licenses of Intellectual Property otherwise permitted under Section 6.05(h);

(k) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement;

(l) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(m) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any other Loan Party to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and the other Loan Parties or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any other Loan Party in the ordinary course of business;

(n) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any Subsidiary Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

(o) Liens arising from precautionary UCC or PPSA filings regarding “true” operating leases or the consignment of goods to a Loan Party; and

(p) Liens on insurance proceeds incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the financing of insurance premiums;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness other than pursuant to clauses (h) or (m) above.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the U.S. (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of Canada or the U.S. or any State or province thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 

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(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and

(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

Permitted Variances” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.17.

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

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and the regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect; or such other applicable legislation in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction in Canada (including the Civil Code (Quebec)) for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or opposability or priority of any security interest in personal property or an interest analogous thereto.

Premium Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(e).

Prime Rate” means (a) except as provided in clause (b), the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent) and (b) for the purpose of U.S. Dollar denominated Loans to a Canadian Borrower, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, as its U.S. “base rate” for U.S. Dollar denominated commercial loans. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

Priority Payable Reserve” means reserves for amounts secured by any Liens, choate or inchoate, which rank or would reasonably be expected to rank pari passu or in priority to the Administrative Agent’s or any other Secured Parties’ Liens, including, without limitation, in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent, certain amounts deducted or withheld and not paid and remitted when due for source deductions under the ITA or the Employment Insurance Act, amounts past due and not paid for realty, municipal or similar taxes and all unfunded wind-up or solvency deficiency amounts under any Canadian Pension Plan, and all amounts currently or past due and not contributed, remitted or paid to or under any Canadian Pension Plan (governed by the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario)) or under the Canada Pension Plan.

 

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Proceeding” means any claim, litigation, investigation, action, suit, arbitration or administrative, judicial or regulatory action or proceeding in any jurisdiction.

Proceeds of Crime Act” means the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended from time to time, and including all regulations thereunder.

Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the FILO Agent, (c) any Lender and (d) any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (b) if such Benchmark is the CDOR Rate, 10:15 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the date of such setting, and (c) if such Benchmark is not the Term SOFR Rate or the CDOR Rate, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f).

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, partners, members, trustees, employees, agents, administrators, managers, representatives and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing or dumping of any substance into the environment.

 

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Relevant Governmental Body” means (i) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Dollars, the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, as applicable, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto and (ii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Bank of Canada, and (iii) for other relevant currencies, the central bank for the currency in which such Benchmark Replacement is denominated or any central bank or other supervisor which is responsible for supervising either (1) such Benchmark Replacement or (2) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement or (b) any working group or committee officially endorsed or convened by (1) the central bank for the currency in which such Benchmark Replacement is denominated, (2) any central bank or other supervisor that is responsible for supervising either (A) such Benchmark Replacement or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement, (3) a group of those central banks or other supervisors or (4) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof.

Relevant Rate” means (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or (ii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, the CDOR Rate.

Report” means reports prepared by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of the Loan Parties from information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers, after the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable.

Required FILO Lenders” means, at any time, FILO Term Loan Lenders having FILO Term Loan Commitments and FILO Term Loans outstanding that, taken together, represent more than 50.0% of the sum of all FILO Term Loan Commitments and FILO Term Loans outstanding at such time; provided that, without limiting the restrictions in the definition of Ineligible Institution, for the purpose of determining the Required FILO Lenders needed for any waiver, amendment, modification or consent of or under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any FILO Term Loan Lender that is a Borrower or an Affiliate of a Borrower shall be disregarded.

Required Funding Date” means (i) March 7, 2023, (ii) April 6, 2023, and (iii) every twenty-two (22) Trading Days thereafter, until such time as the entire Equity Commitment has been funded to the Company pursuant to the Equity Commitment Documents.

Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.20, (a) at any time prior to the earlier of the Loans becoming due and payable pursuant to Article VII or the Revolving Commitments terminating or expiring, both (i) Lenders having Revolving Exposures and Unfunded Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and Unfunded Commitments at such time and (ii) the Required FILO Lenders; and (b) for all purposes after the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Article VII or the Aggregate Revolving Commitments expire or terminate, both (i) Lenders having Revolving Exposures representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at such time and (ii) the Required FILO Lenders; provided that, without limiting the restrictions in the definition of Ineligible Institution, for the purpose of determining the Required Lenders needed for any waiver, amendment, modification or consent of or under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Lender that is a Borrower or an Affiliate of a Borrower shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, after the Discharge of Revolving Obligations, Required Lenders shall mean Required FILO Lenders.

 

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Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Reserves” means any and all reserves which the Administrative Agent deems necessary, in its Permitted Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, reserves for accrued and unpaid interest on the Secured Obligations, Banking Services Reserves, the Priority Payable Reserve, the Wage Earner Protection Act Reserve, Swap Agreement Obligations Reserves, the Equity Proceeds Reserve, the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve, the LC Reserve, the Investment Reserve, the Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve, the FILO Deficiency Reserve, the WARN Reserve, volatility reserves, reserves for rent at locations leased to any Loan Party and for consignee’s, warehousemen’s and bailee’s charges, reserves for Inventory shrinkage, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Inventory in transit, reserves for Inventory that is slow moving, out of season, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used or unfit for sale, reserves for Swap Agreement Obligations, the Customer Credit Liability Reserves, reserves for liabilities in connection with frequent shopping programs of the Loan Parties, reserves for reasonably anticipated changes in the appraised value of Eligible Inventory between appraisals, reserves for outstanding merchandise credits, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, reserves for amounts withheld or reserves taken by card issuers or credit card processors, reserves for uninsured losses of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured, underinsured, un-indemnified or under-indemnified liabilities or potential liabilities with respect to any litigation, reserves for royalties due under licensing agreements and reserves for taxes, fees, assessments, and other governmental charges) with respect to the Collateral. For the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting the Administrative Agent’s rights to take additional Reserves in its Permitted Discretion in accordance with this Agreement, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, Reserves shall also include the restructuring reserve and the field examination reserve (or ineligibles, as applicable) as set forth in the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent for the week ending January 28, 2023, and Reserves for the amounts of any priority charges that may be granted in proceedings in respect of any Loan Parties under the CCAA or the BIA.

The Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve and the Investment Reserve shall be established and remain in effect on and after Second Amendment Effective Date. The WARN Reserve shall be established and remain in effect on and after Third Amendment Effective Date. The establishment or increase of any reserve shall be limited to the reserves set forth in the preceding paragraph and such other reserves against the Revolving Borrowing Base (A) in the case of the Equity Proceeds Reserve, in accordance with Section 5.18, (B) in the case of the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve, the LC Reserve and the FILO Deficiency Reserve, as set forth in the respective definition thereof and (BC) in the case of any other Reserve, as the Administrative Agent from time to time determines, in its Permitted Discretion, as being necessary (i) to reflect items that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the value or collectability of Eligible Inventory or Eligible Credit Card Receivables or (ii) to reflect items that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the perfection, enforceability or priority of the Administrative Agent’s Liens on the Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the amount of any such reserve or change (other than any Equity Proceeds Reserve, ARS Disposition Reserve, Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve, LC Reserve, the Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve, the Investment Reserve or the WARN Reserve) shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such reserve or such change, and no reserves or changes shall be duplicative of reserves or items or changes already accounted for through eligibility criteria (including advance rates). Except with

 

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respect to the Equity Proceeds Reserve, the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve, the LC Reserve, the Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve, the Investment Reserve and the WARN Reserve, Reserves may only be established by the Administrative Agent, acting in its Permitted Discretion, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Company (which notice shall include a reasonably detailed description of such reserve being established or modified and the basis for such reserve or modification); provided that no such notice shall be required (x) if an Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, (y) for changes to any reserves resulting solely by virtue of mathematical calculations of the amount of the reserve in accordance with the methodology of calculation previously utilized (such as, but not limited to, rent and customer credit liabilities), or (z) for changes to reserves or establishment of additional reserves if a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or it would be reasonably likely that a Material Adverse Effect would occur were such reserve not changed or established prior to the three (3) Business Day period. During any such applicable three (3) Business Day period, the Administrative Agent shall, if requested, discuss any such reserve or change with the Company and the Company may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such reserve or change no longer exists or exists in a manner that would result in the establishment of a lower reserve or result in a lesser change, in each case, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that during such three (3) Business Day period, Borrowings shall not be permitted if, after giving pro forma effect to the imposition of such proposed reserve, Availability would be less than zero. With respect to the Equity Proceeds Reserve, the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve and the LC Reserve, such Reserves shall not be deemed to have been established for any purpose under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including, for the avoidance of doubt, for any purpose under the definition of “ABL Cap Amount” set forth in Schedule 9.23 to this Agreement) until the date that is the earlier of (I) one (1) Business Day following the date on which the Administrative Agent has received written notice of the applicability of such Reserve (which may be sent by the FILO Agent) (“Reserve Applicability Notice”) and setting forth reasonably detailed calculations of the applicable amount of such Reserve and (II) the date on which the Administrative Agent has otherwise affirmatively established such Reserve in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For the purposes of determining the Equity Proceeds Reserve, the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve and the LC Reserve, each of the Lenders, the FILO Agent and the Loan Parties agrees that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely solely on the calculation thereof made by (x) the Borrowers as reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent and/or (y) the FILO Agent as reflected in the applicable Reserve Applicability Notice delivered by the FILO Agent to the Administrative Agent.

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the Administrative Agent shall promptly establish the LC Reserve upon the expiration or the termination of any Letter of Credit to the extent such Letter of Credit was not drawn upon the expiration or the termination of such Letter of Credit, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall establish the Investment Reserve and the Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve in the first Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent after the Second Amendment Effective Date and (iii) the Administrative Agent shall establish the WARN Reserve in the first Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent after the Third Amendment Effective Date.

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer” means the president, Financial Officer or any of the chief executive officer, president, any executive vice president, any senior vice president, chief operating officer or chief legal officer of the Borrower Representative.

 

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Restatement Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests.

Reuters” means, as applicable, Thompson Reuters Corp., Refinitive or any successor thereto.

Revaluation Date” means (a) with respect to any Loan denominated in any Agreed Currency, each of the following: (i) the date of the Borrowing of such Loan and (ii) each date of a conversion into or continuation of such Loan pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars, each of the following: (i) the date on which such Letter of Credit is issued, (ii) the first Business Day of each calendar month and (iii) the date of any amendment of such Letter of Credit that has the effect of increasing the face amount thereof; and (c) any additional date as the Administrative Agent may determine at any time when an Event of Default exists.

Revolving Borrowing Base” means, the sum of, without duplication:

(i) 90% of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Credit Card Receivables at such time, plus

(ii) 90% multiplied by (a) the lesser of (i) 68% and (ii) the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Acceptable Inventory Appraisal received after the Second Amendment Effective Date, or the most recent update thereto delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(i), multiplied by (b) the Loan Parties’ Eligible Inventory (excluding Eligible Foreign In-Transit Inventory), valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a weighted average cost basis, minus

(iii) Reserves, minus

(iv) FILO Deficiency Reserves.

The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, adjust Reserves in accordance with the terms hereof.

Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the amount set forth on the Commitment Schedule opposite such Lender’s name, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation or record (as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(70) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code) as provided in Section 9.04(b)(ii)(C) pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable, as such Revolving Commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (a) Section 2.09 and (b) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04; provided, that at no time shall the Revolving Exposure of any Lender exceed its Revolving Commitment. A Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall include the commitment of such Lender to acquire participations in Revolving Protective Advances hereunder.

Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal Dollar Equivalent of such Lender’s Revolving Loans, its LC Exposure and its Swingline Exposure at such time, plus (b) an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Protective Advances outstanding at such time.

 

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Revolving Lender” means, as of any date of determination, a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

Revolving Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04(a).

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any comprehensive Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba (with respect to U.S. Loan Parties), Iran, North Korea and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person that constitutes a Canadian Blocked Person, (c) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (d) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), or (e) any Person otherwise the subject of any Sanctions.

Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (c) the Government of Canada, including pursuant to Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws or (d) any other relevant sanctions authority.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the U.S.

Second Amendment” means that certain Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver dated as of February 7, 2023 by and among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

Second Amendment Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the Second Amendment.

Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) (A) Consolidated Secured Indebtedness as of the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) less (B) the amount of cash and Permitted Investments in excess of $500,000,000 that would be stated on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 ending immediately prior to such date (or, in each case, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).

Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all (a) Banking Services Obligations and (b) Swap Agreement Obligations owing to one or more Swap Banks; provided, however, that the

 

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definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor.

Secured Parties” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the FILO Agent, (c) the Lenders, (d) each Issuing Bank, (e) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (f) each Swap Bank, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (g) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (h) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.

Security Agreements” means, collectively, (a) the U.S. Security Agreement, (b) the Canadian Security Agreement, and (c) any other pledge or security agreement entered into, after the date of this Agreement by any other Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document) constituting a Collateral Document, in each case, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Senior Notes” means the senior unsecured notes in an initial aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000,000 issued July 17, 2014 and governed by that certain Indenture and First Supplemental Indenture, each dated July 17, 2014, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced, replaced, substituted, exchanged, or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner consistent with the terms of the Loan Documents (such Indenture and First Supplemental Indenture, collectively, the “Senior Notes Indenture”).

Senior Notes Indenture” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Senior Notes”.

Settlement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

Settlement Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(c).

SOFR” means a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s Website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.

SOFR Determination Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.

SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.

Specified Collateral” means Collateral (including, without limitation, Subject Note) other than ABL Assets; provided, that, “Property” as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture (as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date) shall not be included in Specified Collateral unless a Lien is granted thereon by any Loan Party in favor of any Person to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

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Specified Collateral Account” means one or more Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts into which only the proceeds of any Disposition of any Specified Collateral or the proceeds or investment thereof shall be deposited.

specified currency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.24.

“Specified Equity Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.11(b)(vii).

Specified Event of Default” means an Event of Default arising under clause (a), (b), (c) (solely with respect to any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in, or in connection with, any Borrowing Base Certificate), (h), (i) or (j) of Article VII.

Specified Indebtedness” means any Subordinated Indebtedness, the Senior Notes and any Consolidated Total Indebtedness incurred under Section 6.01(i), (j) or (o), as any such Indebtedness may be amended, restated, supplemented, extended, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the FILO Obligations be considered “Specified Indebtedness”.

Specified Permitted Disposition” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.04.

SSP Parties” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.18.

STA” means the Securities Transfer Act (Ontario) and the regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect; or any other similar legislation of any other province or territory of Canada.

Statements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(f).

Subject Division” means the Equity Interests and assets constituting the division or business described on Schedule 1.01.

Subject Note” has the meaning given such term on Schedule 1.01.

Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the FILO Obligations be considered “Subordinated Indebtedness”.

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity 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 corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity 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.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which (i) Equity Interests having ordinary voting power (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity are at the time owned by such Person; or (2) more than 50.0% of the Equity Interests are at the time owned by such Person. Unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement, all references to Subsidiaries will mean any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or a Loan Party, as applicable.

 

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Subsidiary Borrower” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.25.

Supermajority Revolving Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments representing 66 2/3% or more of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments at such time.

Supply Chain Finance Services” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Banking Services.

Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default 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 Borrowers or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements with a Swap Bank, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction with a Swap Bank.

Swap Agreement Obligations Reserve” means all Reserves which the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Swap Agreement Obligations then provided or outstanding.

Swap Bank” means any Person who was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender on the Effective Date (with respect to any Swap Agreement with the Company or its Subsidiaries entered into on or prior to the Effective Date) or at the time it enters into a Swap Agreement with the Company or its Subsidiaries, in its capacity as a party thereto, whether or not such Person subsequently ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Swingline Sublimit” means $50,000,000.

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

Swingline Lender” means JPMCB, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the Swingline Lender and any consent given by JPMCB in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by JPMCB in its capacity as Swingline Lender.

 

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Swingline Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(a).

Syndication Agent” means each of PNC Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association in its capacity as a syndication agent for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term Benchmark” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the CDOR Rate.

Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.

Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator.

Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term SOFR Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 am (Chicago time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.

Testing Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.

Testing Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.

Third Amendment” means that certain Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver dated as of March 6, 2023 by and among the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

Third Amendment Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the Third Amendment.

Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) (A) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter for

 

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which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) less (B) the amount of cash and Permitted Investments in excess of $500,000,000 that would be stated on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 ending immediately prior to such date (or, in each case, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).

Trading Day has the meaning assigned to such term in the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition.

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

Treasury Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the FILO Agent on the date three (3) Business Days prior to the date of prepayment, to be the yield expressed as a rate listed in The Wall Street Journal for United States Treasury securities having a term of no greater than the period for the remaining months until the 18th month anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date.

Treasury Services” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Banking Services.

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 Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, the CDOR Rate, the ABR or the Canadian Prime Rate.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or in any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

UK Financial Institutions” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, Capital Expenditures made during such period which are not financed from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Loans; it being understood and agreed that, to the extent any Capital Expenditures are financed with Revolving Loans, such Capital Expenditures shall be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures).

Unfunded Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender less its Revolving Exposure.

 

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Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (a) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (b) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (c) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

U.S.” means the United States of America.

U.S. Borrower” means the Company, BUY BUY BABY, INC., a Delaware corporation, Decorist, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Harmon Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation, BED BATH & BEYOND OF CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, a Delaware limited liability company, and each other U.S. Subsidiary of the Company that joins this Agreement as a Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof (in each case other than the Company, unless removed as a Borrower in accordance with the terms hereof), and “U.S. Borrowers” means all of them.

U.S. Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the U.S. Security Agreement, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement with respect to Intellectual Property of the U.S. Loan Parties or the Canadian Loan Parties and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Secured Obligations.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

U.S. Loan Parties” means, collectively, the U.S. Borrowers and any other U.S. Subsidiary of the Company who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement or otherwise and their successors and assigns, and the term “U.S. Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require (in each case other than the Company, unless removed in accordance with the terms hereof).

U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Security Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of August 31, 2022, among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, and any other pledge or security agreement entered into, after the date of this Agreement by any other Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or any other Person for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

U.S. Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that has been formed or is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof, or the District of Columbia.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).

 

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USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

Variance” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.

Variance Report” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 5.17.

Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve” means an amount equal to $25,000,000.

Voluntary Exercise means the voluntary exercise by a holder of the Equity Commitment Document described in clause (b) of such definition pursuant to the terms thereof during the Equity Commitment Period.

Wage Earner Protection Act Reserve” means, on any date of determination, a reserve established from time to time by the Administrative Agent in such amount as the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion reflects the amounts that may become due under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act (Canada) with respect to the employees of any Loan Party employed in Canada which would give rise to a Lien with priority under applicable law over the Lien of the Administrative Agent.

WARN Reserve” means an amount equal to $10,000,000.

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan” or a “FILO Term Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Loan” or a “Term Benchmark FILO Term Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing” or a “FILO Term Loan Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing” or a “Term Benchmark FILO Term Loan Borrowing”).

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally.

(a) 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 “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder

 

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having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. 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, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (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, (f) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (g) 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.

(b) For purposes of any Collateral located in the Province of Quebec or charged by any deed of hypothec (or any other Loan Document of any Canadian Loan Party) and for all other purposes pursuant to which the interpretation or construction of a Loan Document may be subject to the laws of the Province of Quebec or a court or tribunal exercising jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec, (i) “personal property” shall be deemed to include “movable property”, (ii) “real property” shall be deemed to include “immovable property”, (iii) “tangible property” shall be deemed to include “corporeal property”, (iv) “intangible property” shall be deemed to include “incorporeal property”, (v) “security interest”, “mortgage” and “lien” shall be deemed to include a “hypothec”, “prior claim” and a “resolutory clause”, (vi) all references to filing, registering or recording under the UCC or the PPSA shall be deemed to include publication under the Civil Code of Quebec, (vii) all references to “perfection” of or “perfected” Liens shall be deemed to include a reference to an “opposable” or “set up” Liens as against third parties, (viii) any “right of offset”, “right of setoff” or similar expression shall be deemed to include a “right of compensation”, (ix) “goods” shall be deemed to include “corporeal movable property” other than chattel paper, documents of title, instruments, money and securities, (x) an “agent” shall be deemed to include a “mandatory”, (xi) “construction liens” shall be deemed to include “legal hypothecs”, (xii) “joint and several” shall be deemed to include “solidary”, (xiii) “gross negligence or willful misconduct” shall be deemed to be “intentional or gross fault”, (xiv) “beneficial ownership” shall be deemed to include “ownership on behalf of another as mandatory”, (xv) “easement” shall be deemed to include “servitude”, (xvi) “priority” shall be deemed to include “prior claim”, (xvii) “survey” shall be deemed to include “certificate of location and plan”, (xviii) a “land surveyor” shall be deemed to include an “arpenteur-géomètre”; and (xix) “fee simple title” shall be deemed to include “absolute ownership”. The parties hereto confirm that it is their wish that this Agreement and any other document executed in connection with the transactions contemplated herein be drawn up in the English language only and that all other documents contemplated thereunder or relating thereto, including notices, may also be drawn up in the English language only. Les parties aux présentes confirment que c’est leur volonté que cette convention et les autres documents de crédit soient rédigés en langue anglaise seulement et que tous les documents, y compris tous avis, envisagés par cette convention et les autres documents peuvent être rédigés en la langue anglaise seulement.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP.

(a) 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 after the date hereof there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower Representative notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such change in GAAP or in the application thereof (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative that the Required Lenders or the Required FILO 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. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.04(a) or in the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations,” any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“FAS 842”), to the extent such adoption would require treating any lease (or similar arrangement conveying the right to use) as a capital lease where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have been required to be so treated under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, such lease shall not be considered a capital lease, and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made or delivered, as applicable, in accordance therewith.

SECTION 1.05. Interest Rates; Benchmark Notifications. The interest rate on a Loan denominated in dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 2.14(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrowers, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including

 

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direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

SECTION 1.06. Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions. To the extent any Borrower or any Subsidiary makes any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or Disposition outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05 during the period of four Fiscal Quarters of the Borrowers’ most recently ended Fiscal Year, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Total Net Leverage Ratio or Secured Net Leverage Ratio, as applicable, shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to the acquisition or the Disposition, are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer of such Borrower), as if such acquisition or such Disposition (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in the first day of such four-quarter period.

SECTION 1.07. Status of Obligations. The Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 1.08. Amendment and Restatement of Existing Credit Agreement; General Reaffirmations; Amendment to Security Documents.

(a) The parties to this Agreement agree that, upon (i) the execution and delivery by each of the parties hereto of this Agreement and (ii) satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.01, the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be and hereby are amended, superseded and restated in their entirety by the terms and provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement or any of the “Obligations” or “Secured Obligations” as defined therein. All Loans made and Obligations incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement which are outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date shall continue as Loans and Obligations under (and shall be governed by the terms of) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, upon the effectiveness hereof: (a) all references in the “Loan Documents” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) to the “Administrative Agent”, the “Credit Agreement” and the “Loan Documents” shall be deemed to refer to the Administrative Agent, this Agreement and the Loan Documents, (b) the Existing Letters of Credit which remain outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date shall continue as Letters of Credit under (and shall be governed by the terms of) this Agreement, (c) all obligations constituting “Secured Obligations” with any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender which are outstanding on the Restatement Effective Date shall continue as Secured Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (d) the Administrative Agent shall make such reallocations, sales, assignments or other relevant actions in respect of each Lender’s credit exposure under the Existing Credit Agreement as are necessary in order that each such Lender’s Credit Exposures and outstanding Loans hereunder reflects such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Aggregate Credit Exposure on the Restatement Effective Date.

(b) Each of the Loan Parties, as debtor, grantor, pledgor, guarantor, or another similar capacity in which such Loan Party grants liens or security interests in its properties or otherwise acts as a guarantor, joint or several obligor or other accommodation party, as the case may be, in each case under

 

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the Existing Loan Documents, and, in the case of BBB Value Services Inc., a Tennessee corporation, including in its capacity as successor by merger to BBB Value Services Inc., a Florida corporation, hereby each (i) ratifies and reaffirms all of its payment and performance obligations, contingent or otherwise, under each of the Existing Loan Documents to which it is a party, (ii) to the extent such Loan Party granted liens on or security interests in any of its properties pursuant to any of the Existing Loan Documents, hereby ratifies and reaffirms such grant of security (and, without limitation, any filings with Governmental Authorities made in connection therewith) and confirms that such liens and security interests continue to secure the applicable Secured Obligations intended to be secured thereby (as modified by this Agreement), and (iii) to the extent such Loan Party guaranteed, was jointly or severally liable, or provided other accommodations with respect to, the Secured Obligations or any portion thereof pursuant to the Existing Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Article X of the Existing Credit Agreement), hereby ratifies and reaffirms such guaranties, liabilities and other accommodations, in each case subject to the limitations set forth herein. Nothing herein shall limit any additional reaffirmations included in any other Loan Document.

(c) Immediately upon the effectiveness hereof, the Lenders hereby consent to any amendments to the Security Documents (including any Exhibits, Schedules or Annexes thereto) dated as of the date hereof.

SECTION 1.09. Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any Division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01. Revolving Commitments; FILO Term Loan.

(a) Revolving Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans in Dollars to the U.S. Borrowers and, prior to the Canadian Proceeding Date, in Canadian Dollars and Dollars to the Canadian Borrowers, in any such case, from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result (after giving effect to any application of proceeds of such Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.10(a)) in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Revolving Borrowing Base, subject to the Administrative Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Revolving Protective Advances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.04, or (iii) the Canadian Revolving Exposure exceeding the Canadian Sublimit. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

(b) FILO Term Loans.

(i) Initial FILO Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on the First Amendment Funding Date each Initial FILO Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make term loans (collectively, the “Initial FILO Term Loan”) in Dollars to the Borrowers in an amount equal to such FILO Term Loan Lender’s Initial FILO Term Loan Commitment. The FILO Specified Amount shall be added to the outstanding principal amount of the Initial FILO Term Loan on the Second Amendment Effective Date and shall be deemed an Initial FILO Term Loan for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

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(ii) 2023 FILO Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on the Second Amendment Effective Date each 2023 FILO Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make term loans (collectively, the “2023 FILO Term Loan”) in Dollars to the Borrowers in an amount equal to such 2023 FILO Term Loan Lender’s 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment.

(iii) The outstanding unpaid principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest on the FILO Term Loan shall be due and payable on the earlier of (i) the FILO Maturity Date and (ii) the date of the acceleration of the FILO Term Loan in accordance with the terms hereof. Any principal amount of the FILO Term Loan that is repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. All principal of, interest on, and other amounts payable in respect of the FILO Term Loan shall constitute Obligations hereunder.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.01(b), the Loan Parties hereby acknowledge, confirm and agree that (A) immediately prior to the Second Amendment Effective Date, the outstanding principal amount of the Initial FILO Term Loan is equal to the sum of (1) $375,000,000 plus (2) the FILO Specified Amount (such Indebtedness being hereinafter referred to as the “Existing FILO Term Loan Indebtedness”), (B) such Existing FILO Term Loan Indebtedness is owed by the Borrowers without setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, deduction or other defense to the Initial FILO Term Loan Lenders and shall not be repaid on the Second Amendment Effective Date, but rather shall be continued and re-evidenced by this Agreement as a portion of the FILO Term Loan outstanding hereunder, (C) the 2023 FILO Term Loan made on Second Amendment Effective Date shall be an amount equal to the original aggregate amount of the 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitments, and (D) for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the sum of the Existing FILO Term Loan Indebtedness immediately prior to the Second Amendment Effective Date ($428,897,500) and the 2023 FILO Term Loan made on the Second Amendment Effective Date ($100,000,000) shall constitute the FILO Term Loan outstanding on the Second Amendment Effective Date in the principal amount of $528,897,500.

SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments of the applicable Class. 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. Any Revolving Protective Advance and any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.04 and 2.05, respectively.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, (i) each Revolving Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans and (ii) each Revolving Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be comprised entirely of Canadian Prime Rate Loans or CDOR Loans, in each case, as the Borrower Representative may request in accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan or a Canadian Prime Rate Loan in the case of any Swingline Loan to a Canadian Borrower. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Term Benchmark Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 or Cdn$1,000,000, as applicable, and not less than $5,000,000 or Cdn$5,000,000, as applicable. At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 or Cdn$1,000,000, as applicable, and not less than $5,000,000 or Cdn$5,000,000, as applicable; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e). Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of ten (10) Term Benchmark Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower Representative shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

(e) Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, if on the First Amendment Effective Date, any Eurodollar Loans (as such term was defined in this Agreement, immediately prior the First Amendment Effective Date) that are Revolving Loans remain outstanding, such Eurodollar Loans shall, for the duration of the Interest Period (as such term was defined in this Agreement, immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date) be governed by the terms of this Agreement, immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date it being understood that, upon the expiration of such Interest Period, this Agreement, giving effect to the First Amendment, shall govern and control such Revolving Loans in all respects (and, for the avoidance of doubt, that such Eurodollar Loans may not be continued as Eurodollar Loans (as such term was defined in this Agreement, immediately prior the First Amendment Effective Date)).

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) by delivering a Borrowing Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative or through Electronic System (or if an Extenuating Circumstance shall exist, by telephone) not later than (a) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars, 12:00 noon New York City time, three (3) Business Days (or, with respect to any Borrowing on the First Amendment Effective Date, one (1) Business Day), before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing, (c) in the case of Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, not later than 11:00 a.m. Toronto time, three (3) Business Days (or, with respect to any Borrowing on the First Amendment Funding Date, one (1) Business Day) before the date of the proposed Borrowing, or (d) in the case of a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m. Toronto time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing ; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on the date of such proposed Borrowing. To request a FILO Term Loan Borrowing, the Borrower Representative shall notify the FILO Agent of such request either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) by delivering a Borrowing Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative or through Electronic System not later than (i) in the case of the Initial FILO Term Loan, 2:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the anticipated First Amendment Funding Date, requesting that the Initial FILO Term Loan Lenders make the Initial FILO Term Loan on the First Amendment Funding Date; provided that such Borrowing Request may be conditioned upon occurrence of the First Amendment Effective Date and the First Amendment Funding Date or (ii) in the case of the 2023 FILO Term Loan, 2:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the Second Amendment Effective Date (or such shorter period as

 

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agreed by the FILO Agent), requesting that the 2023 FILO Term Loan Lenders make the 2023 FILO Term Loan on the Second Amendment Effective Date. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and each such telephonic Borrowing Request, if permitted, shall be confirmed immediately upon the cessation of the Extenuating Circumstance by hand delivery, facsimile or a communication through Electronic System to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative. Each such written (or if permitted, telephonic) Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the name of the applicable Borrower(s);

(ii) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day (and with respect to the Borrowing of (A) the Initial FILO Term Loan, the First Amendment Funding Date and (B) the 2023 FILO Term Loan, the Second Amendment Effective Date);

(iv) with respect to Revolving Borrowings, the Agreed Currency for such Borrowing, and whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing by a Borrower, or a CDOR Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing by a Canadian Borrower;

(v) with respect to FILO Term Loan Borrowings, whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing by a Borrower; and

(vi) in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing or a CDOR Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If no election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, as applicable. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Term Benchmark Revolving Borrowing or CDOR Revolving Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower(s) shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the 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.

SECTION 2.04. Protective Advances. (a) Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers and the Revolving Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers, on behalf of all Revolving Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “Revolving Protective Advances”); provided that, (I) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of Revolving Protective Advances outstanding at any time shall not at any time exceed 10% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (II) after giving effect to any such Revolving Protective Advances, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed, by more than 2.5%, the Line

 

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Cap; provided further that, (x) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the Revolving Protective Advances being made shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Canadian Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the Canadian Sublimit. The Revolving Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder and Secured Obligations. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Revolving Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied (including with respect to Availability), the Administrative Agent may request the Revolving Lenders to make a Revolving Loan to repay a Revolving Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Revolving Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.04(b).

(b) Upon the making of a Revolving Protective Advance by the Administrative Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default), each Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Revolving Protective Advance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage. From and after the date, if any, on which any Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Revolving Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Revolving Lender, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Revolving Protective Advance.

(c) Subject to the limitations set forth below, the FILO Agent is authorized by the Borrowers and the FILO Term Loan Lenders, from time to time in the FILO Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to the Borrowers, on behalf of all FILO Term Loan Lenders, which the FILO Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof and (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the FILO Term Loan Loans and other FILO Obligations, or (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “FILO Protective Advances” and together with Revolving Protective Advances, “Protective Advances”); provided that, the FILO Protective Advances outstanding at any time shall not at any time exceed $47,500,000. The FILO Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute FILO Obligations hereunder and Secured Obligations. The FILO Agent’s authorization to make FILO Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required FILO Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the FILO Agent’s receipt thereof.

(d) Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied. The Borrowers shall be required to repay (or, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02, refinance with the proceeds of a Borrowing) each Protective Advance within forty-five days after such Protective Advance is made (any extension of such time period shall require the prior consent of the Required Lenders and the Required FILO Lenders). All Protective Advances shall be ABR Borrowings or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings. The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent to make any Protective Advance on any other occasion.

SECTION 2.05. Swingline Loans.

(a) The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the Revolving Lenders agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, promptly after the Borrower Representative requests an ABR Borrowing or, prior to the Canadian Proceeding Date, a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, the Swingline Lender may elect in its discretion to have the terms of

 

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this Section 2.05(a) apply to such Borrowing Request by advancing, on behalf of the Revolving Lenders and in the amount requested, same day funds to the applicable Borrowers, on the date of the applicable Borrowing to the Funding Account(s) (each such Loan made solely by the Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) is referred to in this Agreement as a “Swingline Loan”), with settlement among them as to the Swingline Loans to take place on a periodic basis as set forth in Section 2.05(c). Each Swingline Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other ABR Loans and Canadian Prime Rate Loans funded by the Revolving Lenders, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Swingline Lender solely for its own account. In addition, the Borrowers hereby authorize the Swingline Lender to, and the Swingline Lender may, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein (but without any further written notice required), not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Business Day, make available to the U.S. Borrowers and, prior to the Canadian Proceeding Date, the Canadian Borrowers by means of a credit to the Funding Account(s), the proceeds of a Swingline Loan to the extent necessary to pay items to be drawn on any Controlled Disbursement Account that Business Day; provided that, if on any Business Day there is insufficient borrowing capacity to permit the Swingline Lender to make available to the Borrowers a Swingline Loan in the amount necessary to pay all items to be so drawn on any such Controlled Disbursement Account on such Business Day, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested an ABR Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.03 in the amount of such deficiency to be made on such Business Day. The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan if after giving effect to such Swingline Loan, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will result in (i) the aggregate principal Dollar Equivalent of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Sublimit, (ii) the Swingline Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding its Revolving Commitment, (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Revolving Borrowing Base or (iv) the Canadian Revolving Exposure exceeding the Canadian Sublimit. All Swingline Loans shall be ABR Borrowings or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings; provided that, Swingline Loans consisting of Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings may only be made to a Canadian Borrower.

(b) Upon the making of a Swingline Loan (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default and regardless of whether a Settlement has been requested with respect to such Swingline Loan), each Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Swingline Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Swingline Loan in proportion to its Applicable Percentage of the Revolving Commitment. The Swingline Lender may, at any time, require the Revolving Lenders to fund their participations. From and after the date, if any, on which any Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Swingline Loan purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Swingline Loan.

(c) The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Swingline Lender, shall request settlement (a “Settlement”) with the Revolving Lenders on at least a weekly basis or on any date that the Administrative Agent elects, by notifying the Revolving Lenders of such requested Settlement by facsimile, telephone, or e-mail no later than 1:00 p.m. New York City time on the date of such requested Settlement (the “Settlement Date”). Each Revolving Lender (other than the Swingline Lender, in the case of the Swingline Loans) shall transfer the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Loan with respect to which Settlement is requested to the Administrative Agent, to such account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Settlement Date. Settlements may occur during the existence of a Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have then been satisfied. Such amounts transferred to the Administrative Agent shall be applied against the amounts of the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Loans and, together with Swingline

 

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Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan, shall constitute Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lenders, respectively. If any such amount is not transferred to the Administrative Agent by any Revolving Lender on such Settlement Date, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, as specified in Section 2.07.

SECTION 2.06. Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower Representative may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of another Borrower or Subsidiary of a Borrower denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any Letter of Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (i) the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (A) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (ii) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Restatement Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Restatement Effective Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, or (iii) if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed not to be in effect on the Restatement Effective Date for purposes of clause (ii) above, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented. For the avoidance of doubt, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be “Letters of Credit” for all purposes of the Loan Documents.

(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) on behalf of any U.S. Loan Party or, prior to the Canadian Proceeding Date, any Canadian Loan Party, the Borrower Representative shall deliver by hand or facsimile (or transmit through Electronic System) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of, but in any event no less than three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.06), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. In addition, as a condition to any such Letter of Credit issuance, the applicable Borrower shall have entered into a continuing agreement (or other letter of credit agreement) for the issuance of letters of credit and/or shall submit a letter of credit application in each case, as required by

 

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the Issuing Bank and using such Issuing Bank’s standard form (each, a “Letter of Credit Agreement”). 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 the Borrowers shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed $2217 5,000,000, (ii) no Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure shall exceed its Revolving Commitment, (iii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Revolving Borrowing Base and (iv) the Canadian Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the Canadian Sublimit. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained herein, no Issuing Bank shall be obligated to issue or modify any Letter of Credit if, immediately after giving effect thereto, the outstanding LC Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by such Person and its Affiliates would exceed such Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit. Without limiting the foregoing and without affecting the limitations contained herein, it is understood and agreed that the Borrower Representative may from time to time request that an Issuing Bank issue Letters of Credit in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit in effect at the time of such request, and each Issuing Bank agrees to consider any such request in good faith. Any Letter of Credit so issued by an Issuing Bank in excess of its individual Issuing Bank Sublimit then in effect shall nonetheless constitute a Letter of Credit for all purposes of this Agreement, and shall not affect the Issuing Bank Sublimit of any other Issuing Bank, subject to the limitations on the aggregate LC Exposure set forth in clause (i) of this Section 2.06(b).

(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination or non-renewal by notice from the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) 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, including, without limitation, any automatic renewal provision, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date; provided that, if any Letter of Credit is cash collateralized (or otherwise supported in a manner acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank) in an amount equal to 102.5% (or 105% in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars) of the face amount of such Letter of Credit prior to the Maturity Date as and when required by such Issuing Bank such Letter of Credit may expire after the Maturity Date (subject to the immediately preceding clause (i)).

(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrowers for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph 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 Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement (in the currency of such Letter of Credit or, if the Issuing Bank shall so elect, in Dollars equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such LC Disbursement) not later

 

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than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower Representative receives such notice; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is greater than or equal to the Dollar Equivalent of $1,000,000 the Borrowers may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing (in the case of any LC Disbursement denominated in Canadian Dollars), or Swingline Loan in the applicable Agreed Currency or a Dollar Equivalent and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, as applicable, or Swingline Loan. If the Borrowers fail to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrowers, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans, Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers’ joint and several obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 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, any Letter of Credit Agreement 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) any payment by the 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, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank or any of their respective 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 Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by any Borrower that are caused by the 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 willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the

 

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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, the 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.

(g) Disbursement Procedures. The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower by telephone (confirmed by fax or through Electronic Systems) of such demand for payment and whether the 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 the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h) Interim Interest. If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrowers 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 the Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Revolving Loans, as applicable, and such interest shall be payable on the date when such reimbursement is due; provided that, if the Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(i) Replacement and Resignation of an Issuing Bank. (i) The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (A) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (B) 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 then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(ii) Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and the Lenders, in which case, such resigning Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with clause (i) of Section 2.06(i) above.

(j) Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash

 

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collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 102.5% (or 105% in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Canadian Dollars) of the Dollar Equivalent amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus 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 any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. Such Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral in accordance with this paragraph as and to the extent required by Sections 2.10(b), 2.11(b) or 2.20. Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the LC Collateral Account and the Borrowers hereby grant the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account and all money or other assets on deposit therein or credited thereto. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the LC Collateral Account. Moneys in the LC Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the 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 Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers are 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 the Borrowers within three (3) Business Days after all such Events of Defaults have been cured or waived as confirmed in writing by the Administrative Agent. If the Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder under Section 2.22, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrowers as requested by the Borrowers so long as LC Exposure of the applicable Defaulting Lender has been fully reallocated or eliminated.

(k) Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank (other than the Administrative Agent acting in such capacity) shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancelations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) reasonably prior to the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the stated amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date and amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which any Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount of such LC Disbursement, and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

 

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(l) LC Exposure Determination. For all purposes of this Agreement, the amount of a Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at the time of determination.

(m) Letters of Credit Issued for Account of Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder supports any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, or states that a Subsidiary is the “account party,” “applicant,” “customer,” “instructing party,” or the like of or for such Letter of Credit, and without derogating from any rights of the Issuing Bank (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, the Borrowers (i) shall reimburse, indemnify and compensate the Issuing Bank hereunder for such Letter of Credit (including to reimburse any and all drawings thereunder) as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of a Borrower and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of such Letters of Credit for its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrowers, and that each Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

SECTION 2.07. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage; provided that, and Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower Representative by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to the Funding Account; provided that ABR Revolving Loans and or Canadian Prime Rate Loans made to finance the reimbursement of (i) an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank and (ii) a Revolving Protective Advance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Revolving Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Revolving Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Revolving Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Revolving Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Revolving Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Revolving Lender and the Borrowers each severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount 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 to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Revolving Lender, the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Bank of Canada overnight rate in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars) and (ii) in the case of the Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Revolving Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Revolving Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing, provided, that any interest received from a Borrower by the Administrative Agent during the period beginning when Administrative Agent funded the Borrowing until such Revolving Lender pays such amount shall be solely for the account of the Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower Representative may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower Representative 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 shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings or Revolving Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent (or FILO Agent, as applicable) of such election either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) by delivering an Interest Election Request signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative (or in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, through Electronic System if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent (or if an Extenuating Circumstance shall exist, by telephone)) by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrowers were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and each such telephonic Interest Election Request, if permitted (which for the avoidance of doubt is not permitted with respect to FILO Term Loans), shall be confirmed immediately upon the cessation of the Extenuating Circumstance by hand delivery, Electronic System or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative.

(c) Each written (or if permitted, telephonic) Interest Election Request (including requests submitted through Electronic System) shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the name of the applicable Borrower and the Borrowing to which such Interest Election 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 (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) the Agreed Currency of such Borrowing and whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Term Benchmark Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing by a Borrower, or a CDOR Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, in the case of a Borrowing by a Canadian Borrower; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Term Benchmark Borrowing or a CDOR Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrowers shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

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(e) If the Borrower Representative fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Term Benchmark Borrowing or a CDOR Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing or a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, respectively. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (x) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower Representative, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing, and each CDOR Borrowing shall be converted into a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (y) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the FILO Agent, at the request of the Required FILO Lenders, so notifies the Borrower Representative, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Term Benchmark Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing, and each CDOR Borrowing shall be converted into a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Expansion Option.

(a) Termination and Reduction of Commitments.

(i) Unless previously terminated, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

(ii) The Borrowers may at any time terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments upon the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.

(iii) The Borrowers may from time to time reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments; provided that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be in a Dollar Equivalent that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (B) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Revolving Borrowing Base.

(iv) The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments under paragraph (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower Representative pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments.

 

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(v) The Initial FILO Term Loan Commitments terminated upon the making of the Initial FILO Term Loan on the First Amendment Funding Date. The 2023 FILO Term Loan Commitments shall terminate upon the making of the 2023 FILO Term Loan on the Second Amendment Effective Date.

SECTION 2.10. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid amount of each Revolving Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent and (iii) to the FILO Agent for the account of each FILO Term Loan Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of each FILO Term Loan and FILO Protective Advance, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on the FILO Maturity Date. The Borrowers will repay to the FILO Agent for the account of each FILO Term Loan Lender on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter of the Borrowers, commencing with the last Business Day of the Fiscal Quarter of the Borrowers following the termination of the Equity Commitment Period, an aggregate principal amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the FILO Term Loans outstanding on the Second Amendment Effective Date (after giving effect to the 2023 FILO Term Loans).

(b) At all times during a Cash Dominion Period, on each Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall apply all funds credited to any Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, whether or not immediately available), first to prepay any Revolving Protective Advances that may be outstanding and second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) (without any reduction of Revolving Commitments) and to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure.

(c) 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 Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan (other than FILO Term Loans) made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof. The FILO Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each FILO Term Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers to each FILO Term Loan Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the FILO Agent hereunder for the account of the FILO Term Loan Lenders and each FILO Term Loan Lender’s share thereof.

(e) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender, the FILO Agent or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(f) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent (or the FILO Agent with respect to the FILO Term Loan).

 

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Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form.

(g) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrowers on account of principal of and interest on the FILO Term Loans shall be made ratably according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the FILO Term Loan then held by the FILO Term Loan Lenders of such FILO Term Loans, except, as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement as in effect from time to time. Amounts so repaid (or prepaid) on account of the FILO Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans.

(a) Optional Prepayments. The Borrowers shall have the right at any time and from time to time to (i) prepay any Revolving Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (gf) of this Section and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16 and (ii) prepay any FILO Term Loan in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (gf) of this Section, payment of the FILO Applicable Premium, accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16; provided, that prior to the Discharge of Revolving Obligations, no portion of the principal of any FILO Term Loan may be voluntarily prepaid (but, for the avoidance of doubt, any FILO Term Loan shall be permitted to be paid in accordance with Sections 2.01(b), 2.10(a) and 2.11(b)). Each such prepayment of the FILO Term Loan shall be applied (A) first, ratably against the remaining installments of principal due on the 2023 FILO Term Loan until paid in full and (B) second, ratably against the remaining installments of principal due on the Initial FILO Term Loan until paid in full. Any voluntary prepayment shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding of the applicable Class of Loans.

(b) Mandatory Prepayments:

(i) Within 5 (five) Business Days after the consummation of (A) any Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05(k), the Borrowers shall prepay the principal of FILO Term Loans in an amount equal to 75% of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Disposition, (B) any Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05(e), the Borrowers shall prepay the principal of FILO Term Loans in an amount equal to 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Disposition, (C) any Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05(l) after the 120th day following the First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers shall prepay the principal of FILO Term Loans in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Disposition, (D) any Disposition of the Subject Division, the Borrowers shall prepay the principal of FILO Term Loans in an amount equal to $75,000,000 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrowers shall be permitted to make such payment notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary), and (E) any other Disposition (other than any Disposition described in Section 6.05(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k), (l) or (m)), the Borrowers shall prepay the FILO Term Loans in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds from such Dispositions of Specified Collateral.

(ii) In the event and on such occasion that (i) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Revolving Borrowing Base or (ii) the Canadian Revolving Exposure exceeds the Canadian Sublimit, then the Borrowers shall immediately prepay first any Revolving Protective Advances that may be outstanding and second the Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and/or Swingline Loans or cash collateralize LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j), as applicable, in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

 

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(iii) In the event the aggregate amount of the FILO Term Loans exceeds the FILO Borrowing Base at such time, then the Borrowers will on such Business Day repay outstanding FILO Term Loans in the aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided that prior to the Discharge of Revolving Obligations, no such repayment shall be required under this Section 2.11(b)(iii) so long as the Administrative Agent shall have implemented the requisite FILO Deficiency Reserve.

(iv) Within 5 (five) Business Days after the consummation of any Disposition of the Subject Division, the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans in an amount equal to (x) the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Inventory Disposed of in such Disposition of the Subject Division, plus (y) the net book value of any other ABL Assets Disposed of in such Disposition of the Subject Division.

(v) Within one (1) Business Day after the consummation of any ARS Disposition (which shall mean the final settlement date of any such ARS Disposition), the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans (without any commitment reduction) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in respect of such ARS Disposition. On the date of the ARS Disposition, the Administrative Agent shall have implemented the ARS Disposition Reserve.

(vi) Within one (1) Business Day after the consummation of any Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition, the Net Cash Proceeds of which are not required to be applied to prepay the FILO Loans pursuant to any other clause of this Section 2.11(b), the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans (without any commitment reduction) in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received from such Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition which are not otherwise required to be applied to prepay the FILO Loans pursuant to any other clause of this Section 2.11(b). On the date of receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds from any such Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition, the Administrative Agent shall have implemented the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve.

(vii) Within one (1) Business Day after the Company receives the net cash proceeds of any portion or installment of the Equity Commitment funded under the Equity Commitment Documents pursuant to the Forced Exercise provisions of such Equity Commitment Documents or a Voluntary Exercisefrom any issuance or other Disposition of the Company’s Equity Interests pursuant to the Equity Documents (the “Specified Equity Proceeds”), the Borrowers shall first prepay the outstanding principal amount of any Revolving Loans (without any corresponding commitment reduction) in anand second cash collateralize LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j), as applicable, in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such net cash proceeds so received. Upon receipt of such proceeds, the Administrative Agent shall have implemented the applicableSpecified Equity Proceeds Reserve.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as long as any portion of a FILO Term Loan is outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall implement and maintain the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve, the Equity Proceeds Reserve, the LC Reserve, the Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve, the Investment Reserve, the WARN Reserve and the FILO Deficiency Reserve. For the purposes of determining the FILO Deficiency Reserve, each of the FILO Term Loan Secured Parties (as defined in Schedule 9.23) and the Loan Parties agrees that the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely solely on the calculation thereof made by the Borrowers as reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent, unless the Administrative Agent is notified in writing by the FILO Agent that such calculation is inaccurate and providing the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with the correct calculation, prepared in good faith, of the FILO Deficiency Reserve (a “FILO Deficiency

 

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Reserve Correction Notice”), and, in such event, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely solely on the calculation of the FILO Deficiency Reserve made by the FILO Agent as reflected in the FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Base Certificate or a FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have a two (2) Business Day period of time to implement any FILO Deficiency Reserve or any adjustments to the FILO Deficiency Reserve then in effect as set forth in such Borrowing Base Certificate or such FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice, as the case may be, and shall thereafter maintain such FILO Deficiency Reserve until further adjustment, if any, pursuant to receipt of a subsequent Borrowing Base Certificate or FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice. Each of the FILO Agent, on behalf of the FILO Term Loan Secured Parties, and the Loan Parties agrees that no Revolving Secured Party (as defined in Schedule 9.23) shall have any liability for relying on the calculation of the FILO Deficiency Reserve as set forth in a Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrowers or in any FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice delivered by the FILO Agent, as the case may be. Each of the FILO Agent, on behalf of the FILO Term Loan Secured Parties, and the Loan Parties agrees that in the event of any discrepancy or dispute between the FILO Term Loan Secured Parties and the Loan Parties as to the amount of the FILO Deficiency Reserve, the Revolving Secured Parties shall rely (and shall be entitled to rely) solely on the calculation of the FILO Deficiency Reserve as determined by the FILO Term Loan Secured Parties and shall have no liability to any Person for doing so. In all cases, the Revolving Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base shall be calculated based upon the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Schedule 9.23 or FILO Deficiency Reserve Correction Notice received by the Administrative Agent from the FILO Agent prior to the making of any Loan or other advance or extension of credit (it being understood and agreed that the use of cash collateral in a proceeding under any federal, state, provincial or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect as to which the Revolving Secured Parties have not given their consent (and as to which the Revolving Secured Parties have contested in good faith) shall not constitute a funding of a Loan or other advance or extension of credit).

(c) Each prepayment of the FILO Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.11(b) shall be (i) applied first, against the remaining installments of principal of the 2023 FILO Term Loan in the inverse order of maturity until paid in full, and (ii) then, against the remaining installments of principal of the Initial FILO Term Loan in the inverse order of maturity until paid in full, in the case of clause (i), accompanied by payment of the FILO Applicable Premium payable in connection therewith.

(d) If, prior to the date that is 36 months following the Second Amendment Effective Date, (i) the Borrowers make any prepayment of the 2023 FILO Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or Section 2.11(b) or (ii) the 2023 FILO Term Loans shall be accelerated (whether as a result of an Event of Default, by operation of law or otherwise), including as a result of any Event of Default under clauses (h) or (i) of Article VII, or there shall occur any satisfaction, release, payment, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the FILO Obligations in any bankruptcy, insolvency proceeding, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise) or deed in lieu of foreclosure or the making of a distribution of any kind in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding to any FILO Agent or any FILO Term Loan Lender in full or partial satisfaction of the FILO Obligations (each of the foregoing, a “Premium Event”), then in each case the Borrowers shall pay to the FILO Agent, for the ratable account of each applicable FILO Term Loan Lender, the applicable FILO Applicable Premium with respect to the aggregate principal amount of 2023 FILO Term Loans being prepaid, refinanced, amended, accelerated, satisfied, released, restructured, reorganized, replaced, reinstated, defeased or compromised, as applicable (such FILO Term Loans being “Prepaid” pursuant to each of the foregoing actions).

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it is understood and agreed that if any 2023 FILO Term Loans are accelerated (whether as a result of the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, by operation of law or otherwise), any FILO Applicable Premium applicable thereto pursuant to Section 2.11(e), determined as of the date of acceleration, will also be immediately due and payable as though the applicable 2023 FILO Term Loans were prepaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the FILO Obligations for all purposes herein. The FILO Applicable Premium, if any, shall also be payable in the event the FILO Obligations (and/or this Agreement) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), by deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other similar means. THE LOAN PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FILO APPLICABLE PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The parties hereto further acknowledge and agree that the FILO Applicable Premium is not intended to act as a penalty or to punish the Loan Parties for any repayment or prepayment of the 2023 FILO Term Loans. The Loan Parties expressly agree that (i) the FILO Applicable Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel, (ii) the FILO Applicable Premium, if any, shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made, (iii) there has been a course of conduct between the 2023 FILO Term Loan Lenders and the Loan Parties giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the FILO Applicable Premium, if any, (iv) the Loan Parties shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this Section 2.11(e), (v) their agreement to pay the FILO Applicable Premium is a material inducement to the 2023 FILO Term Loan Lenders to make the 2023 FILO Term Loans, and (vi) the FILO Applicable Premium represents a good-faith, reasonable estimate and calculation of the lost profits or damages of the 2023 FILO Term Loan Lenders and that it would be impractical and extremely difficult to ascertain the actual amount of damages to any FILO Term Loan Lender or profits lost by such 2023 FILO Term Loan Lender as a result of any Premium Event.

(f) The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender or in the case of prepayment of the FILO Term Loan, the FILO Agent) by telephone (confirmed by fax) or through Electronic System of any prepayment hereunder not later than 12:00 noon New York City time (A) in the case of prepayment of a Term Benchmark Borrowing, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (B) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09(a), then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09(a). Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to FILO Term Loan, the FILO Agent shall advise the FILO Term Loan Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16 (if any).

 

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SECTION 2.12. Fees. (a) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and October and on the date on which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment 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). For purposes of this Section 2.12(a), Available Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be calculated based on the Swingline Exposure of such Lender calculated assuming that all of the Lenders have funded their participations in all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. For the purposes of the Interest Act (Canada), the yearly rate of interest to which any rate calculated on the basis of a period of time different from the actual number of days in the year (360 days, for example) is equivalent is the stated rate multiplied by the actual number of days in the year (365 or 366, as applicable) and divided by the number of days in the shorter period (360 days, in the example).

(b) The Borrowers agree to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Revolving Loans and CDOR Revolving Loans on the average daily Dollar Equivalent of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily Dollar Equivalent of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of each calendar quarter shall be payable on the first Business Day of each January, April, July and October following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Restatement Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within twenty (20) days after demand. All participation fees and fronting 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).

(c) The Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, including, for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to the First Amendment Fee Letter.

(d) The Borrowers agree to pay to the FILO Agent, for its own account and/or for the account of the FILO Term Loan Lenders the fees in the amounts and on the dates set forth in the FILO Fee Letter.

(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

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SECTION 2.13. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising ABR Borrowings (including Swingline Loans) and each Protective Advance shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Rate; provided, that the FILO Protective Advance shall bear interest at the ABR plus the Applicable Rate for FILO Term Loans. The Revolving Loans comprising Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings shall bear interest at the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans (including, without limitation, the FILO Term Loan PIK Amount) comprising each Term Benchmark Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate. The Loans comprising each CDOR Rate Borrowing shall bear interest at the CDOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) With respect to each FILO Term Loan Facility, each FILO Term Loan (including, without limitation, the FILO Term Loan PIK Amount) comprising (i) ABR Borrowings shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at the ABR plus the Applicable Rate and (ii) Term Benchmark Borrowings shall bear interest at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Section 2.13 (but subject to Sections 2.08(e) and 2.14), the FILO Term Loans shall, at the end of any applicable Interest Period, be automatically continued as a single Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of three months unless the Borrowers otherwise elect.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrowers hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, 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 as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section, (ii) in the case of any other amount due in Dollars, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section and (iii) in the case of any other amount due in Canadian Dollars, 2% plus the rate applicable to Canadian Prime Rate Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(e) Accrued interest on each Loan (for ABR Loans and Canadian Prime Rate Loans, accrued through the last day of the prior calendar month) shall be payable in cash arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments or, with respect to the FILO Term Loans, the FILO Maturity Date; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan or Canadian Prime Rate Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion and (iv) notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this clause (e), interest accrued on the portion of the Initial FILO Term Loan constituting the FILO Specified Amount shall be paid by capitalizing such interest and adding such capitalized interest to the then outstanding principal amount of the FILO Specified Amount. Any interest to be so capitalized pursuant to this clause (e) shall be capitalized on each Interest Payment Date for the Initial FILO Term Loan and added to the then outstanding principal amount of the FILO Specified Amount and, thereafter, shall bear interest as provided hereunder as if it had originally been part of the outstanding principal of the FILO Specified Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, accrued interest on the Initial FILO Term Loan (excluding the portion constituting the FILO Specified Amount) shall be payable in cash in accordance with this clause (e).

 

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(f) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to (i) the Alternate Base Rate and the Canadian Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and (ii) the CDOR Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days, and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, Term SOFR Rate, Daily Simple SOFR, Canadian Prime Rate or CDOR Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality.

(a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this Section 2.14, if:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) (A) prior to commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or the Term SOFR Rate, as applicable (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable Daily Simple SOFR; or

(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period or (B) at any time, the Daily Simple SOFR will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or Loan) included in such Borrowing;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders through Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrowers deliver a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, (1) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term Benchmark Borrowing and any Borrowing Request that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a Borrowing Request, as applicable, for an ABR Borrowing or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, respectively on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then all other Types of Borrowings shall be permitted. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower Representative’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.14(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrowers deliver a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.08 or a new Borrowing Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Borrowing or Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing, respectively, on such day.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (f) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.14, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.14.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

 

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(f) Upon the Borrower Representative’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower Representative may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that the Borrower Representative will be deemed to have converted any request for (1) a Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in U.S. Dollars into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans or (2) a Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to Canadian Prime Rate Loans. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower Representative’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement for such Agreed Currency is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.14, (i) if such Term Benchmark Loan is denominated in U.S. Dollars, then on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), such Loan shall be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan denominated in U.S. Dollars on such day or (ii) if such Loan is denominated in Canadian Dollars, then on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), such Loan shall be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Canadian Prime Rate Loan on such day.

(g) If prior to the first day of a calendar month regarding any reference to the Applicable Rate for the FILO Term Loan, the FILO Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Applicable Rate for the FILO Term Loan, the FILO Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower Representative by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the FILO Agent notifies the Borrower Representative that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist the FILO Term Loans shall bear interest with reference to the ABR and such interest shall be calculated as provided in Section 2.13(c)(i).

(h) If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a CDOR Rate Borrowing:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the CDOR Rate (including because the CDOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis) for such Interest Period and the inability to ascertain such rate is unlikely to be temporary; or

(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the CDOR Rate for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders through Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a CDOR Rate Borrowing shall be ineffective and any such CDOR Rate Borrowing shall be repaid or converted into a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, and (B) if any Borrowing Request requests a CDOR Rate Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as a Canadian Prime Rate Borrowing.

 

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(i) If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or if any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, fund or continue any CDOR Rate Borrowing, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Canadian Dollars in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower Representative through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make, maintain, fund or continue CDOR Rate Loans, as applicable, or to convert Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings to CDOR Rate Borrowings will be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers will upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), either convert or prepay all CDOR Rate Borrowings of such Lender to Canadian Prime Rate Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Borrowings. Upon any such conversion or prepayment, the Borrowers will also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted or prepaid.

SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate) or the Issuing Bank;

(ii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the applicable offshore interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (e) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrowers will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

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

 

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(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within twenty (20) days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower Representative of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Term Benchmark Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(a)(iv) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Term Benchmark 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 Term Benchmark Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate or CDOR Rate, as applicable, that would have been applicable to such Term Benchmark 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 Term Benchmark Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the applicable offshore interbank market (in the case of a Term Benchmark Loan other than a CDOR Loan) or for Canadian Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period form other banks in the Canadian interbank market (in the case of a CDOR Loan). A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within twenty (20) days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.17. Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up. (a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction

 

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or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

(c) Evidence of Payment. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the 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 the Administrative Agent.

(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to setoff and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

(f) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such

 

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other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), an executed copy of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) an executed copy of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an executed copy of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

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(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph (g) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

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(h) On or before the date the FILO Agent (or any successor to the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent) becomes a party to this Agreement, the FILO Agent (or such successor agent) shall, deliver to the Borrower Representative whichever of the following is applicable: (i) if such agent is a U.S. person, two executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such agent is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding or (ii) if such agent is not a U.S. person, (A) with respect to payments received for its own account, two executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI and (B) with respect to payments received on account of any Lender, two executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (together with all required accompanying documentation) certifying that such agent is a U.S. branch and may be treated as a U.S. person for purposes of applicable U.S. federal withholding Tax. At any time thereafter, such agent shall provide updated documentation previously provided (or a successor form thereto) when any documentation previously delivered has expired or become obsolete or invalid or otherwise upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative.

(i) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments or the FILO Term Loan Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document (including the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations).

(j) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Setoffs. (a) The Borrowers shall make each payment or prepayment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due or the date fixed for any prepayment hereunder, in immediately available funds, without setoff, recoupment or counterclaim. Any amounts (other than with respect to the FILO Term Loan) received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the 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 the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois, except that payments (i) to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein (ii) pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and (iii) of principal, interest, fees and premiums in respect of the FILO Term Loans shall be made to the FILO Agent not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time. All payments received by the FILO Agent after 3:00 p.m., New York City time, shall, at the option of the FILO Agent, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. The Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. Unless otherwise provided for herein, 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. The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent shall distribute any such payments denominated in the same currency 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if, after the making of any Borrowing in Canadian Dollars, currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that the type of currency in which the extension of credit was made (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists, or any Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in such Original Currency, or the terms of this Agreement require the conversion of such extension of credit into Dollars, then all payments to be made by a Loan Party hereunder in such currency

 

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shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent (as of the date of repayment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrowers take all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations or conversion, and each Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from and against any loss resulting from any extension of credit made to or for the benefit of such Borrower denominated in Canadian Dollars that is not repaid to the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as the case may be, in the Original Currency.

(b) All payments and any proceeds of Collateral (other than Specified Collateral) received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrowers), (B) any payment pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or (C) amounts to be applied from a Collection Account during a Cash Dominion Period (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(b)) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, shall be applied ratably first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders (other than FILO Term Loan Lenders) from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third, to pay interest due in respect of the Revolving Protective Advances, fourth, to pay the principal of the Revolving Protective Advances, fifth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances or FILO Term Loans) ratably, sixth, to prepay principal on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances or FILO Term Loans) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, ratably, seventh, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to 102.5% of the aggregate LC Exposure (or 105% with respect to LC Exposure denominated in Canadian Dollars), to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighth, to payment of any amounts owing in respect of Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations, in each case (other than with respect to Treasury Services) for which a Banking Services Reserve or Swap Agreement Obligations Reserve, as applicable has been implemented and is in effect, ninth, [reserved], tenth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation (other than those relating to (i) the FILO Obligations or (ii) Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations in excess of the amount permitted to be paid pursuant to clause eighth above) due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrowers, eleventh, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the FILO Agent from the Borrowers, twelfth, to pay interest due in respect of the FILO Protective Advances, thirteenth, to pay the principal of the FILO Protective Advances, fourteenth, to pay the 2023 FILO Term Loan Obligations in respect of any fees (excluding the FILO Applicable Premium), indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the 2023 FILO Term Loan Lenders from the Borrowers, fifteenth, to pay interest then due and payable on the 2023 FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, sixteenth, to pay principal on the 2023 FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, seventeenth, to pay the Initial FILO Term Loan Obligations in respect of any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Initial FILO Term Loan Lenders from the Borrowers, eighteenth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Initial FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, nineteenth, to pay principal (including the FILO Term Loan PIK Amount) on the Initial FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, twentieth, to the payment of the FILO Applicable Premium and any other FILO Obligation due to the FILO Agent or any FILO Term Loan Lender by the Borrowers and twenty-first, to the payment of all other Secured Obligations (including, without limitation, Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations to the extent not paid pursuant to clause eighth above), ratably. Notwithstanding the foregoing amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower Representative, or unless a Default is in existence,

 

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neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Term Benchmark Loan, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding ABR Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans of the same Class and, in any such event, the Borrowers shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16 (if any). The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.

(c) At the election of the Administrative Agent, all payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, may be paid from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder whether made following a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.03 or a deemed request as provided in this Section or may be deducted from any deposit account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent. The Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorize (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans, but such a Borrowing may only constitute a Revolving Protective Advance if it is to reimburse costs, fees and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.04 or 2.05, as applicable, and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any deposit account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents.

(d) If, except as otherwise expressly provided herein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to any mandatory prepayment required by Section 2.11), any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender in the same Class, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders in the same Class to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders in the same Class ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective 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) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrowers 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 or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers 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 setoff 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.

 

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(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received, prior to any date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms hereof or any other Loan Document (including any date that is fixed for prepayment by notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.11(f)), notice from the Borrower Representative that the Borrowers will not make such payment or prepayment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the 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 the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Bank of Canada overnight rate in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars).

(f) The Administrative Agent may from time to time provide the Borrowers with account statements or invoices with respect to any of the Secured Obligations (the “Statements”). The Administrative Agent is under no duty or obligation to provide Statements, which, if provided, will be solely for the Borrowers’ convenience. Statements may contain estimates of the amounts owed during the relevant billing period, whether of principal, interest, fees or other Secured Obligations. If the Borrowers pay the full amount indicated on a Statement on or before the due date indicated on such Statement (which date shall not be earlier than the relevant due date for the payment of such Secured Obligations under the terms of the Credit Agreement), the Borrowers shall not be in default of payment with respect to the billing period indicated on such Statement; provided, that acceptance by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, of any payment that is less than the total amount actually due at that time (including but not limited to any past due amounts) shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ right to receive payment in full at another time.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 2.18(b), all payments on account of, and any proceeds of, Specified Collateral received by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrowers), (B) any payments pursuant to Section 2.11(b) or (C) amounts (other than identifiable proceeds of Specified Collateral) to be applied from a Collection Account during a Cash Dominion Period (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(b)) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the FILO Agent so elects or the Required FILO Lenders so direct, shall be applied ratably first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Administrative Agent from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the FILO Agent from the Borrowers, third, to pay interest due in respect of the FILO Protective Advances, fourth, to pay the principal of the FILO Protective Advances, fifth, to pay the 2023 FILO Term Loan Obligations in respect of any fees (excluding the FILO Applicable Premium), indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the 2023 FILO Term Loan Lenders from the Borrowers, sixth, to pay interest then due and payable on the 2023 FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, seventh, to pay principal on the 2023 FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, eighth, to pay the Initial FILO Term Loan Obligations in respect of any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Initial FILO Term Loan Lenders from the Borrowers, ninth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Initial FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, tenth, to pay principal (including the FILO Term Loan PIK Amount) on the Initial FILO Term Loan (other than FILO Protective Advances), ratably, eleventh, to the payment of FILO Applicable Premium and any other FILO Obligation due to the FILO Agent or any FILO Term Loan Lender by the Borrowers, twelfth, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders (other than FILO Term Loan Lenders) and the Issuing Bank from the Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap

 

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Agreement Obligations), thirteenth, to pay interest due in respect of the Revolving Protective Advances, fourteenth, to pay the principal of the Revolving Protective Advances, fifteenth, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances or FILO Term Loans) ratably, sixteenth, to prepay principal on the Loans (other than the Protective Advances or FILO Term Loans) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements, ratably, seventeenth, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to 102.5% of the aggregate LC Exposure (or 105% with respect to LC Exposure denominated in Canadian Dollars), to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighteenth, to payment of any amounts owing in respect of Banking Services Obligations (other than Supply Chain Finance Services) and Swap Agreement Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, nineteenth, to payment of any amounts owing in respect of Supply Chain Finance Services up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, and twentieth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Borrowers. Notwithstanding the foregoing amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower Representative, or unless a Default is in existence, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Term Benchmark Loan, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding ABR Loans or Canadian Prime Rate Loans of the same Class and, in any such event, the Borrowers shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16 (if any). The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.

SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 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 2.15 or 2.17, 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 Borrowers hereby agree to pay 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 2.15, or if the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and in circumstances where its consent would be required under Section 9.04, the Issuing Bank and the 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 funded 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

 

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outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of the FILO Applicable Premium and all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, 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 Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that (x) an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and (y) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

SECTION 2.20. Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

(b) any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Sections 2.18(b) or (g) or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to cash collateralize the Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with this Section; fourth, as the Borrower Representative may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) cash collateralize the Issuing Bank’s future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with this Section; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and

 

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(y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Commitments without giving effect to clause (d) below. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;

(c) such Defaulting Lender shall not have the right to vote on any issue on which voting is required (other than to the extent expressly provided in Section 9.02(b)) and the Revolving Commitments and Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or the Supermajority Revolving Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02) or under any other Loan Document; provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (c) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

(d) if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender (other than the portion of such Swingline Exposure referred to in clause (b) of the definition of such term) shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that such reallocation does not, as to any non-Defaulting Lender, cause such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Exposure to exceed its Revolving Commitment;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent

(x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii) if the Borrowers cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(iv) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

 

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(e) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew, extend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.20(d), and Swingline Exposure related to any such newly made Swingline Loan or LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(d)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to the Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrowers or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on the date of such readjustment such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

SECTION 2.21. Returned Payments. If after receipt of any payment which is applied to the payment of all or any part of the Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), the Administrative Agent or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment or proceeds to any Person because such payment or application of proceeds is invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, or for any other reason (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion), then the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued and this Agreement shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in reliance upon such payment or application of proceeds. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.22. Banking Services and Swap Agreements. Each Lender or Affiliate thereof (other than the Administrative Agent acting in such capacity) providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Banking Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of the Company or such Subsidiary to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof (or any Swap Bank that is no longer a Lender or Affiliate thereof) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations. The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations pursuant to Sections 2.18(b) or (g), as applicable.

 

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SECTION 2.23. Determination of Dollar Equivalent. The Dollar Equivalent of all Loans, Borrowings, Letters of Credit and LC Exposure, as applicable, denominated in Canadian Dollars hereunder shall be determined on each Revaluation Date.

SECTION 2.24. Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Loan Party hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agent’s main New York City office on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of a Loan Party in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency, the Loan Parties agree, jointly and severally, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Lenders as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Lender under Section 2.18, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, agrees to remit such excess to the applicable Loan Party.

SECTION 2.25. Designation and Removal of Borrowers.

(a) The Company may at any time and from time to time designate any U.S. Subsidiary or Canadian Subsidiary as a Borrower under the Revolving Commitments by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Joinder Agreement executed by such Subsidiary and the Company and the satisfaction of the other conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.03, and upon such delivery and satisfaction such Subsidiary shall for all purposes of this Agreement be a Borrower and a party to this Agreement.

(b) Any Borrower other than the Company (a “Subsidiary Borrower”) may be removed as a Borrower at the election of the Company, and such Subsidiary Borrower shall cease to be a Borrower hereunder at such time as the Company gives notice to the Administrative Agent of its intention to terminate such Subsidiary Borrower as a Borrower, in each case, solely with respect to the Revolving Commitments; provided that any such termination shall not be effective (other than to terminate such Subsidiary Borrower’s right to make further Borrowings or, except to the extent such Subsidiary Borrower remains a Loan Party after such termination, to obtain Letters of Credit) and such Subsidiary Borrower shall remain a Borrowing Subsidiary until such time as all Loans to such Borrowing Subsidiary and accrued interest thereon and all other amounts then due from such Borrowing Subsidiary have been paid in full and, unless such Subsidiary Borrower shall remain a Loan Party after such termination, no Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrowing Subsidiary shall be outstanding. Nothing herein shall limit the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ obligation to comply with the terms of this Agreement in connection with any Disposition (including any Investment or Restricted Payment), whether to a third-party or an Affiliate, or other transaction relating to the removal or reclassification of such Subsidiary Borrower.

 

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ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, 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.

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders. Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its 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.

SECTION 3.03. 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 such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture (including the indenture governing the Senior Notes), or other material agreement or instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of, or the requirement to create, any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including Liens securing the Senior Notes), except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the Fiscal Year ended on or around February 26, 2022, reported on by KPMG LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year ended on or around May 28, 2022, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b) No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since the Second Amendment Effective Date.

 

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SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) As of the date of the First Amendment Effective Date, Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is owned by or leased to any Loan Party. Each of such leases and subleases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect, and no default by any party to any such lease or sublease exists (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period) except to the extent any such failure of such leases to be in full force and effect, or any default, could not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.02. To the Loan Parties’ knowledge, no holding, injunction, decision or judgment has been rendered by any Governmental Authority and none of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries has entered into any settlement stipulation or other agreement (except license agreements in the ordinary course of business) which would cancel the validity of the Loan Parties’ or any of their Subsidiaries’ rights in any Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Borrower Intellectual Property”) in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Loan Parties’ knowledge, no pending claim has been asserted or threatened in writing by any Person challenging the use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Borrower Intellectual Property or the validity of any Borrower Intellectual Property, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Loan Parties’ knowledge, the use of any Borrower Intellectual Property by the Company or its Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any other Person in a manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken all commercially reasonable actions that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment should be taken to protect the Borrower Intellectual Property, including Borrower Intellectual Property that is confidential in nature, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or is validly licensed to use, all Material Intellectual Property used in, or necessary to conduct, its business as currently conducted, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, and the conduct of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of its business does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, and has not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person.

SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (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 or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

(b) Except with respect to any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has in the past three years failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with the terms and conditions of any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, become subject to any Environmental Liability or (iii) has in the past three years (or earlier if unresolved) received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability.

SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and all indentures (including the Senior Notes), agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to be in compliance could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary is required to register as an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

SECTION 3.09. Taxes. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to file such Tax returns or reports, or to pay such Taxes, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary, has applied for, claimed or received a refund of tax under the ITA (or an amount deemed for purposes of the ITA to be an overpayment of tax) to which it was not entitled pursuant to applicable law.

SECTION 3.10. ERISA; Labor Matters; Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefits.

(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) each Borrower and each Benefit Plan maintained or sponsored by any Borrower is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, (iii) copies of each non-routine agreement entered into with the PBGC, the U.S. Department of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Benefit Plan maintained or sponsored by any Borrower have been delivered to the Agents, (iv) each Benefit Plan maintained or sponsored by a Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and (v) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened claims, actions, proceedings or lawsuits (other than claims for benefits in the normal course) asserted or instituted against (A) any Benefit Plan maintained or sponsored by any Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower or its assets, (B) any fiduciary with respect to any Benefit Plan maintained or sponsored by any Borrower, or (C) any Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower with respect to any Benefit Plan. Except as described in the Borrower’s most recent Form 10-K or as required by Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code or could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower maintains an employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides health benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee or has any obligation to provide any such benefits for any current employee after such employee’s termination of employment. .

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) there are no strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or any other labor disputes against Company or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened, (ii) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of (A) the U.S. Loan Parties have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, (B) the Canadian Loan Parties have not been in violation of the Employee Standards Act (Ontario) and (C) the Loan Parties have not been in violation of any other applicable federal, state, provincial, territorial, local or foreign law dealing with such matters (in each case, to the extent applicable) and (iii) all payments due from any Loan Party on account of employee wages and employee health and welfare insurance, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of Company or such Loan Party to the extent required by GAAP or other applicable accounting standards.

 

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(c) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the Canadian Pension Plans are duly registered under the ITA and all other applicable laws which require registration. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect , (i) each Loan Party has complied with and performed all of its obligations under and in respect of the Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans under the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws (including any fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations), (ii) all employer and employee payments, contributions or premiums to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan have been paid in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreement and all applicable laws, (iii) there have been no improper withdrawals or applications of the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans,(iv) to the knowledge of the Borrowers, no facts or circumstances have occurred or existed that have resulted, or could be reasonably anticipated to result, in the declaration of a termination of any Canadian Pension Plan by any Governmental Authority under applicable laws and (v) all employer contributions have been made to the Canadian Pension Plans in accordance with the Requirements of Law. No promises of benefit improvements under the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans have been made except where such improvement could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and, in any event, no such improvements will result in a solvency deficiency or going concern unfunded liability in the affected Canadian Pension Plans which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding disputes, or to the knowledge of any Loan Party threatened disputes, concerning the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) No Loan Party maintains or contributes to, or has in the past six years maintained or contributed to, any Canadian Defined Benefit Plans or any Multiemployer Plan.

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. (a) None of the written reports, data, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrowers represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, it being understood that any such projected financial information may vary from actual results and such variations could be material.

(b) As of the First Amendment Effective Date, to the knowledge of any Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.

SECTION 3.12. [Reserved].

SECTION 3.13. Solvency.

(a) On the First Amendment Effective Date, immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the First Amendment Effective Date and giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the First Amendment Funding Date, including the incurrence of the FILO Term Loan and the application of the proceeds thereof, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Restatement Effective Date.

 

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(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries do not intend to, and the Company and its Subsidiaries do not believe that they will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by them and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of their Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.14. Insurance. Schedule 3.14 sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as of the First Amendment Effective Date. As of the First Amendment Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance that are due and payable have been paid. Each Borrower maintains, and has caused each Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all their personal property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as are adequate and customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

SECTION 3.15. Capitalization and Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.15 sets forth as of the First Amendment Effective Date (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to the Company of each and all of the Company’s Subsidiaries, (b) the ownership of each class of each Subsidiary’s authorized Equity Interests (other than the Company), all of which issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.15, and (c) the type of entity of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries.

SECTION 3.16. Security Interest in Collateral. The provisions of the Security Agreements create legal and valid Liens on all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and such Liens constitute perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral, securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except for (a) Permitted Encumbrances, to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law and (b) other Liens permitted under Section 6.02 that are not required to be junior in priority to the extent any such Liens would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law or agreement.

SECTION 3.17. Margin Regulations. No Loan Party is engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit hereunder will be used whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, in any manner that would result in a violation of Regulations T, U or X.

SECTION 3.18. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans have been used and will be used, whether directly or indirectly as set forth in Section 5.08.

SECTION 3.19. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Each Loan Party has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions; provided, however, that such representation shall not be applicable with respect to Sanctions for a period of 120 days following the First Amendment Effective Date (or such

 

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later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent), and such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and, to the knowledge of such Loan Party, its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects (but in all respects in connection with use of proceeds as required by Section 5.08) and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Loan Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of (a) any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of any such Loan Party or Subsidiary, any agent of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds, Transaction or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations given in this Section 3.19 shall not be made by nor apply to any Person that qualifies as a corporation that is registered or incorporated under the laws of Canada or any province thereof and that carries on business in whole or in part in Canada within the meaning of Section 2 of the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures (United States) Order, 1992 passed under the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (Canada) in so far as such representations would result in a violation of or conflict with the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (Canada) or any similar law.

SECTION 3.20. Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The operations of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened.

SECTION 3.21. Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.

SECTION 3.22. Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. No Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations), and neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, including the making of any Loan and the issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code that could reasonably be expected to result in a material Liability for the Borrowers.

SECTION 3.23. Specified IndebtednessSpecified Indebtedness. There are no scheduled principal payments due under any Specified Indebtedness prior to the FILO Maturity Date.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Conditions.

SECTION 4.01. Restatement Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank 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 9.02):

(a) Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, (ii) either (A) a counterpart of each other Loan Document signed on behalf of each party thereto or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page thereof) that each such party has signed a counterpart of such Loan Document and (iii) such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any promissory notes requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10 payable to the order of each such requesting Lender and written opinions of the Loan Parties’ U.S. and Canadian counsel (including local counsel), addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, including opinions which provide customary perfection coverage with respect to Collateral located in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

(b) Financial Statements and Projections. The Lenders shall have received the audited annual financial statements and the unaudited quarterly financial statements of the Company referred to in Section 3.04(a), and (ii) satisfactory projections through the Company’s Fiscal Year ending in February 2026.

(c) Closing Certificates; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date and executed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, its Financial Officers, and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.

(d) No Default Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date (i) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) stating that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct as of such date, (iii) stating the total amount on deposit in Permitted Non-Collateral Accounts (as defined in this Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness of the First Amendment Effective Date) as of the Restatement Effective Date and a calculation of such amount in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iv) certifying as to any other factual matters as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

(e) Fees. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid on the Restatement Effective Date, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) within one (1) Business Day before the Restatement Effective Date. All such amounts will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent on or before the Restatement Effective Date.

 

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(f) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g) [Reserved].

(h) Funding Account. The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice setting forth the deposit account(s) of the Borrowers (the “Funding Account”) to which the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

(i) Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of the Restatement Effective Date.

(j) Borrowing Base Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the initial Revolving Borrowing Base as of June 26, 2021, accompanied by such supporting documentation and reporting as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

(k) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document (including any UCC or PPSA financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

(l) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance coverage in form, scope, and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in compliance with the terms of Section 5.10 hereof and Section 4.12 of each Security Agreement.

(m) Letter of Credit Application. If a Letter of Credit is requested to be issued on the Restatement Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed letter of credit application (whether standalone or pursuant to a master agreement, as applicable).

(n) Tax Withholding. The Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, for each Loan Party.

(o) Corporate Structure. The corporate structure, capital structure and other material debt instruments, material accounts and governing documents of the Borrowers and their Affiliates shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(p) Legal Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have completed all legal due diligence, the results of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(q) USA PATRIOT Act, Etc. (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Restatement Effective Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrowers requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrowers at least ten (10) days prior to the Restatement Effective Date, and

 

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(ii) to the extent any Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five (5) days prior to the Restatement Effective Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrowers at least ten (10) days prior to the Restatement Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to each Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).

(r) Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or their respective counsel may have reasonably requested.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank of the Restatement Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date, and that any representation or warranty which is subject to any materiality qualifier or Material Adverse Effect shall be required to be true and correct in all respects).

(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing for a period of more than one (1) Business Day.

(c) After giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, (i) Availability shall not be less than zero and (ii) the Canadian Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the Canadian Sublimit.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

SECTION 4.03. Designation of a Subsidiary Borrower. The designation of a U.S. Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary as a Borrower pursuant to Section 2.25 is subject to the condition precedent that the Company or such proposed Borrower shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Administrative Agent (unless waived by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent) (the date on which such Subsidiary is joined, the “Joinder Date”):

(a) Execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement;

(b) Copies, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or such other officer or representative acceptable to the Administrative Agent) of such Subsidiary, of its Board of Directors’ resolutions (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are deemed necessary by counsel for the Administrative Agent) approving the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement and any other Loan Documents to which such Subsidiary is becoming a party and such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of such Subsidiary;

 

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(c) An incumbency certificate, executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or such other officer or representative acceptable to the Administrative Agent) of such Subsidiary, which shall identify by name and title and bear the signature of the officers of such Subsidiary authorized to request Borrowings hereunder and sign the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Subsidiary is becoming a party, upon which certificate the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely until informed of any change in writing by the Company or such Subsidiary;

(d) Opinions of counsel to such Subsidiary, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, with respect to the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and such other matters as are reasonably requested by counsel to the Administrative Agent and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;

(e) Any promissory notes requested by any Lender, and any other instruments and documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent;

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Joinder Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(g) Evidence of insurance coverage with respect to such Subsidiary, in form, scope and substance evidencing compliance with the terms of any applicable Loan Document;

(h) A notice from the Company setting forth the Funding Accounts of such Subsidiary to which the Lenders are authorized to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement;

(i) Prior to the initial Borrowing hereunder by such Subsidiary (but without limiting or further conditioning the right of any other Borrower to request or obtain a Borrowing under Section 4.02), satisfactory appraisals of Inventory and field exams from Acceptable Appraisers (which shall not count towards the limitations on appraisals or field exams set forth herein) and a Borrowing Base Certificate redetermining the Revolving Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base, as of a date reasonably near but on or prior to the Joinder Date;

(j) Each document (including any UCC or PPSA financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral of such Subsidiary described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation;

(k) Payment of all fees required to be paid and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of legal counsel), in each case, in connection with the designation of such Subsidiary as a Borrower; and

 

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(l) (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Joinder Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrowers requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrowers at least ten (10) days prior to the Restatement Effective Date, and (ii) to the extent any Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five (5) days prior to the Joinder Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Company at least ten (10) days prior to the Joinder Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Subsidiary shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants.

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements; Borrowing Base Certificate and Other Information. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and each Lender:

(a) as soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Company (or, if earlier, by the date that the annual report on Form 10-K of the Company for such Fiscal Year would be required to be filed under the rules and regulations of the SEC, giving effect to any automatic extension available thereunder for the filing of such form), its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all reported on by KPMG or other independent public accountants 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, other than a qualification or exception related solely to the maturity of any Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement or with respect to the potential inability to satisfy any financial covenant on a future date or in a future period; provided, that, with respect to the absence of a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, this requirement shall not apply to the Fiscal Year of the Company ending on or around February 25, 2023) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b) as soon as available, and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Company (or, if earlier, by the date that the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for such Fiscal Quarter would be required to be filed under the rules and regulations of the SEC, giving effect to any automatic extension available thereunder for the filing of such form), its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, 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 one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

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(c) (x) for each of the first twelve fiscal months following the First Amendment Effective Date and (y) thereafter, at any time that Availability is less than $300,000,000 for five (5) consecutive Business Days during any fiscal month, at the election of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, with respect to the immediately succeeding fiscal month, in each case, as soon as available, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each of each fiscal month of each Fiscal Year of the Company, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such month and the then elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year, 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 one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a Compliance Certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit D attached hereto (i) certifying, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (b), as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (ii) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.14, (iv) identifying any change to the list of Material Subsidiaries on Schedule IV to the Compliance Certificate, as such schedule may be updated from time to time, (v) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof which affects the Company or its Subsidiaries has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate, (vi) indicating updates to Collateral disclosures to the extent required by any Security Agreement and (vii) to the extent not previously disclosed to the FILO Agent or the Administrative Agent, a description of any new Subsidiary and a listing of any new registrations, and applications for registration, of Intellectual Property acquired or made by any Loan Party since the date of the most recent list delivered pursuant to this clause (vii) (or, in the case of the first such list so delivered, since the First Amendment Effective Date);

(e) as soon as available but in any event no later than the end of, and no earlier than thirty days prior to the end of, each Fiscal Year of the Company, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement) of the Company for each month of the upcoming Fiscal Year in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent;

(f) (i) as soon as available but in any event within three Business Days after the end of each calendar week, (ii) on the date of, and giving pro forma effect to, any Disposition of any Collateral whether to a third-party or an Affiliate other than a Loan Party (including pursuant to an Investment or a Restricted Payment) or any casualty or condemnation event affecting Collateral, in either case, having a fair market value individually or in the aggregate valued in excess of $25,000,000, (iii) on the date on which any Loan Party is released as a Borrower or Loan Guarantor prior to Payment in Full, giving pro forma effect to such release, (iv) at the Administrative Agent’s or FILO Agent’s request at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, (v) each time a Reserve is implemented pursuant to Section 5.18(a) or (b) and (vi) at such other times as may be required under this Agreement, a Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information in connection therewith (including, in respect of any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered for a month which is also the end of any Fiscal Quarter of the Company, a calculation of Average Quarterly Availability for such quarter then ended and an indication

 

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of what the Borrowers estimate the Applicable Rate is as a result of such Average Quarterly Availability), together with any additional reports with respect to the Revolving Borrowing Base or FILO Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, may reasonably request (it being understood that (A) in connection with the preceding clauses (ii) and (iii), such Borrowing Base Certificate shall (x) be based on the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to another clause of this Section 5.01(f), as adjusted on a pro forma basis to reflect the removal of any assets disposed of or released, as the case may be, and (y) demonstrate that no overadvance will exist after giving effect to any such Disposition or release); and (B) in connection with the preceding clause (v), such Borrowing Base Certificate shall be based on the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to another clause of this Section 5.01(f), as adjusted on a pro forma basis to reflect the implementation of such Reserve and the amount of any Revolving Loan borrowed on such day and any change in the L/C Exposure on such day);

(g) as soon as available but in any event within twenty days after the end of each calendar month, as of the period then ended, all delivered electronically in a text formatted file reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent:

(i) a detailed aging of the Loan Parties’ Credit Card Receivables, including all invoices aged by invoice date and due date (with an explanation of the terms offered), prepared in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, together with a summary specifying the name, address, and balance due for each Account Debtor;

(ii) a schedule detailing the Loan Parties’ Inventory, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, (1) by location (showing Inventory in transit, any Inventory located with a third party under any consignment, bailee arrangement, or warehouse agreement), by class (raw material, work-in-process and finished goods), by product type, and by volume on hand, which Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost (determined on a weighted average cost basis) or market and adjusted for Reserves as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, has previously indicated to the Borrower Representative are deemed by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent, as applicable, to be appropriate, and (2) including a report of any variances or other results of Inventory counts performed by the Loan Parties since the last Inventory schedule (including information regarding sales or other reductions, additions, returns, credits issued by Borrowers and complaints and claims made against the Loan Parties);

(iii) a worksheet of calculations prepared by the Loan Parties to determine Eligible Credit Card Receivables and Eligible Inventory, such worksheets detailing the Accounts and Inventory excluded from Eligible Credit Card Receivables and Eligible Inventory and the reason for such exclusion;

(iv) a reconciliation of the Loan Parties’ Credit Card Receivables and Inventory between (A) the amounts shown in the Loan Parties’ general ledger and financial statements and the reports delivered pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above and (B) the amounts and dates shown in the reports delivered pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above and the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to clause (f) above as of such date; and

(v) a reconciliation of the loan balance per the Loan Parties’ general ledger to the loan balance under this Agreement;

 

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(h) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(i) as soon as available, and in any event within twenty (20) days of the end of each calendar month commencing with the Fiscal Month ending on or about March 31, 2023, information reasonably requested by the then-current Acceptable Appraiser sufficient to enable such firm to update the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory; and

(j) promptly following any request therefor, (i) such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (including, in either case, on behalf of any Lender) may reasonably request, and (ii) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (including, in either case, on behalf of any Lender) for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, the Proceeds of Crime Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (h) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which such materials are publicly available as posted on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR); or (ii) on which such documents are posted on a Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether made available by the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt (but in any event within any time period that may be specified below) written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Loan Parties that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $25,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance;

(d) within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, any and all notices indicating any landlord’s or warehouseman’s termination or imminent intent to terminate any lease or warehouse agreement and/or refuse the Company or its Subsidiaries access to the premises, as applicable, if such terminations or inability to access such premises, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) any indication that credit card issuers or credit card processors are implementing holdbacks or reserves of amounts due to any Loan Party;

(f) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(g) any loss or infringement of any Material Intellectual Property;

(h) any material amendment, modification or waiver to any Equity Commitment Document;

(i) the occurrence of any Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition on the earlier of (1) one (1) Business Day following actual knowledge of the receipt of proceeds with respect to any such Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition and (2) any Loan Party having actual knowledge of the occurrence of such Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition, together with detailed information with respect to the proceeds received from any such Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition; and

(j) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower Representative setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, governmental authorizations and Intellectual Property rights related to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except in each case with respect to such rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, governmental authorizations and Intellectual Property rights or requisite authority to conduct business, where the failure to do so could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03; provided further that, unless required in order to comply with Section 6.03, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be required to preserve or maintain the corporate existence of any Subsidiary if the Board of Directors of the parent of such Subsidiary, or an executive officer of such parent to whom such Board of Directors has delegated the requisite authority, shall determine that the preservation and maintenance thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of such parent, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Lenders (it being understood that if such Subsidiary is a Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent shall maintain a continuous perfected security interest on such Subsidiary’s Collateral having the priority required by the Loan Documents).

SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or discharge all Material Indebtedness and all other material liabilities and obligations, including Taxes, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a)(i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) such Loan Party or Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, remit withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to appropriate Governmental Authorities as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions.

SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party 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, ordinary wear and tear excepted; provided, however, nothing contained in this Section 5.05 shall prevent any Loan Party from discontinuing (or from allowing any of its Subsidiaries to discontinue) the operation, repair or maintenance of any such property if such discontinuance could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any consultants, accountants, lawyers, agents and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent), upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to conduct at such Loan Party’s premises field examinations of such Loan Party’s assets, liabilities, books and records, including examining and making 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 and as often as reasonably requested; provided, that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall be limited to two such visits at the Loan Parties’ expense in any successive twelve-month period; provided, further, that while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may do any of the foregoing at the Loan Parties’ expense during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice. Each Loan Party acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the FILO Agent and the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to each Loan Party’s assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders. The Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of one field examination during any twelve-month period and one additional field examination (for a total of two such field examinations during any twelve-month period) initiated at any time after Availability falls below the greater of (i) 20% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment in effect at such time (giving effect to any reduction in accordance with the terms hereof) and (ii) 20% of the Line Cap for five consecutive Business Days (until such time as Availability is equal to or greater than the greater of (i) 20% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment in effect at such time (giving effect to any reduction in accordance with the terms hereof) and (ii) 20% of the Line Cap for twenty consecutive days); provided, that, in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” as used in determining “Line Cap” for purposes of the foregoing clause of this Section 5.06 (but for the avoidance of doubt, not in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” as used in determining “Line Cap” for purposes of the “Availability” as used herein), such calculation of the “Revolving Borrowing Base” shall be made without giving effect to the FILO Deficiency Reserve, if any; provided, that the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of all field examinations conducted (x) while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (y) at the request of a Loan Party in connection with the addition of a new Loan Party or new Revolving Borrowing Base or FILO Borrowing Base assets hereto. It is understood and agreed that the inspections and examinations referred to in this Section 5.06 shall also be for the benefit of the FILO Agent and the FILO Term Loan Lenders, and the FILO Agent shall have the right to conduct any such inspections and examinations, at the Loan Parties’ expense, to the extent such any such inspections and examinations are not conducted by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 5.06.

SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations; Compliance with Leaseholds.

(a) Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, (a) comply with each Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (b) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to (i) not allow any leases to which any Loan Party is a party to lapse or be terminated, or any rights to renew such leases to be forfeited or cancelled, and (ii) cooperate with the Administrative Agent in all respects to cure any default under a lease and/or take such other actions as may be requested by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion in connection therewith, except to the extent any such lapse, termination, forfeit, cancellation or default could not be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Each Loan Party will, within 120 days after the First Amendment Effective Date (or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent), maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds.

(a) The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Letters of Credit will be used for general corporate purposes, including to finance the working capital needs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and other lawful uses to the extent permitted by this Agreement. The proceeds of the Initial FILO Term Loans were used to repay, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, a portion of the Revolving Loans outstanding as of the First Amendment Effective Date or the First Amendment Funding Date and otherwise to finance the working capital needs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and other lawful uses to the extent permitted by this Agreement. The proceeds of the 2023 FILO Term Loans will be used to repay, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, a portion of the Revolving Loans outstanding as of the Second Amendment Effective Date. No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, including Regulations T, U and X.

(b) No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and each Borrower shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

SECTION 5.09. Insurance. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers having a financial strength rating of at least A- by A.M. Best Company (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks (including, without limitation: loss or damage by fire and loss in transit; theft, burglary, pilferage, larceny, embezzlement, and other criminal activities; business interruption; and general liability) and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents. The Borrowers will furnish to the Lenders, upon request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

SECTION 5.10. Casualty and Condemnation. The Borrowers will (a) furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) ensure that the net proceeds of Collateral from any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and deposited into Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts subject to the perfected Lien of the Administrative Agent in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.

 

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SECTION 5.11. Appraisals.

(a) Within 80 days of the Second Amendment Effective Date (or such later date agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent), the Loan Parties will provide the Administrative Agent with an Acceptable Inventory Appraisal, effective as of March 31, 2023 (the “Initial Post-Closing Appraisal”). At any time that the Administrative Agent reasonably requests (but for the avoidance of doubt, no new inventory appraisal shall be requested until after the delivery of the Initial Post-Closing Appraisal), each Loan Party will provide the Administrative Agent with Acceptable Inventory Appraisals but no more than once during each successive six-month period after the delivery of the Initial Post-Closing Appraisal after the Second Amendment Effective Date; provided, that there shall only be two Inventory appraisals required prior to the first anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date (inclusive of the Initial Post-Closing Appraisal). Such appraisals and updates to include, without limitation, information required by any applicable Requirement of Law. From and after the first anniversary of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of one Acceptable Inventory Appraisal of Inventory during each successive twelve-month period after the Second Amendment Effective Date (for a total of one such Acceptable Inventory Appraisals during each such successive twelve-month period); provided however that additional Acceptable Inventory Appraisals may be initiated at the Borrowers’ cost and expense at any time after Availability falls below the greater of (i) $214,700,000 and (ii) 20% of the Line Cap for five consecutive Business Days (until such time as Availability is equal to or greater than the greater of (i) $214,700,000 and (ii) 20% of the Line Cap for twenty consecutive days); provided, further that, in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” as used in determining “Line Cap” for purposes of the foregoing clause of this Section 5.11(a) (but for the avoidance of doubt, not in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” as used in determining “Line Cap” for purposes of the “Availability” as used herein), such calculation of the “Revolving Borrowing Base” shall be made without giving effect to the FILO Deficiency Reserve, if any. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of any calculations hereunder or otherwise, any new Acceptable Inventory Appraisal shall not take effect until the delivery of the first Borrowing Base Certificate that is delivered immediately after the delivery of such new Acceptable Inventory Appraisal. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of Inventory appraisals if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any such appraisals conducted (x) while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (y) at the request of a Loan Party in connection with the addition of a new Loan Party or new Revolving Borrowing Base or FILO Borrowing Base assets hereto. It is understood and agreed that the Acceptable Inventory Appraisals referred to in this clause (a) shall also be for the benefit of the FILO Agent and the FILO Term Loan Lenders, and so long as the FILO Term Loans remain outstanding, the FILO Agent have the right to conduct any such Acceptable Inventory Appraisals described in this clause (a) during any such twelve-month period at the Loan Parties’ expense to the extent such Acceptable Inventory Appraisals are not conducted by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this clause (a); provided, however, that the FILO Agent shall not conduct any such Acceptable Inventory Appraisals until the date that is at least six (6) months after the Initial Post-Closing Appraisal after the Second Amendment Effective Date and no more frequently than the greater of (i) two times during each successive twelve-month period after the Second Amendment Effective Date; and (ii) the maximum number permitted by this clause (a). In the event the FILO Agent conducts any such Acceptable Inventory Appraisals pursuant to the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days of receipt of the results of such appraisal from the FILO Agent) implement the Net Orderly Liquidation Value set forth in such appraisal to the calculation of the Revolving Borrowing Base and the FILO Borrowing Base.

 

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(b) At any time that the FILO Agent reasonably requests after the date that is at least 120 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date (or such later date agreed to by the FILO Agent), each Loan Party will provide the FILO Agent with Acceptable IP Appraisals but no more than once during each successive six-month period after such date (for a total of two such Intellectual Property appraisals during each successive twelve-month period after such date), such appraisals and updates to include, without limitation, information required by any applicable Requirement of Law. The Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs of expenses of one Acceptable IP Appraisal during each successive six-month period after the Second Amendment Effective Date (for a total of two such Intellectual Property appraisals during each such successive twelve-month period); provided however that additional Acceptable IP Appraisals may be initiated at the Borrowers’ cost and expense at any time. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of Acceptable IP Appraisals if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Loan Parties shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any such appraisals conducted (x) while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (y) at the request of a Loan Party in connection with the addition of a new Loan Party or new FILO Borrowing Base assets hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of any calculations hereunder or otherwise, any new Acceptable IP Appraisal shall not take effect until the delivery of the first Borrowing Base Certificate that is delivered immediately after the delivery of such new Acceptable IP Appraisal.

SECTION 5.12. [Reserved].

SECTION 5.13. Canadian Pension Plans and Canadian Benefit Plans.

(a) For each existing, or hereafter adopted, Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Benefit Plan, each Loan Party will in a timely fashion comply with and perform in all material respects all of its obligations under and in respect of such Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, including under any funding agreements and all applicable laws (including any fiduciary, funding, investment and administration obligations), unless any failure to so comply or perform could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) All employer or employee payments, contributions or premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan shall be paid or remitted by each Loan Party in a timely fashion in accordance with the terms thereof, any funding agreements and all applicable laws, unless any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.14. Additional Loan Parties and Collateral; Further Assurances. (a) Subject to applicable Requirements of Law, each Loan Party will cause each U.S. Subsidiary or Canadian Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement to become a Loan Party by executing a Joinder Agreement within thirty (30) days of becoming a Material Subsidiary (or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent). In addition to the foregoing, the Company may, at its option, cause any other Subsidiary to become a Loan Party by executing a Joinder Agreement. In connection with any such execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information regarding such newly formed or acquired Material Subsidiaries as may be required to comply with the applicable “know your customer” rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Proceeds of Crime Act. Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such Person (i) shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor hereunder and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (ii) will grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in any property of such Loan Party which constitutes Collateral. For the avoidance of doubt, the addition of a Subsidiary as a Borrower is also subject to Section 2.25 and Section 4.03.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Canadian Subsidiary that was or is acquired after the Effective Date (including any Canadian Subsidiary formed to acquire one or more other Persons formed or organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof or assets consisting of a Canadian trade or business) and no CFC Holdco or Foreign Subsidiary that was acquired after the Effective Date shall be required to guarantee the debt of any U.S. Borrower, unless any such guarantee would not give rise to adverse tax consequences (pursuant to U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 956 or any other provision of applicable U.S. or non-U.S. law), as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion in consultation with its tax advisors and communicated to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent in writing.

(c) Without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of UCC and PPSA financing statements, and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all at the expense of the Loan Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Loan Party shall be required to make any filings or take any actions, or to reimburse the Administrative Agent for making such filings or taking such actions, to record or to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any Intellectual Property other than any such actions taken or filings made in the United States or Canada in respect of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in Intellectual Property.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section (including the preceding clause (b)), if at any time after the Effective Date any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Loan Party shall have guaranteed or shall guaranty the obligations under the Senior Notes, any Subordinated Indebtedness or any other Material Indebtedness with respect to which any U.S. Loan Party is a primary obligor, the Company shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, concurrently with such guaranty cause such Subsidiary to comply with Section 5.14(a) hereof; it being understood that such Person shall only be required to grant Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the preceding clause (c) to the extent required by Section 6.02(j).

SECTION 5.15. Post-Closing Matters. The Loan Parties shall satisfy each of the requirements set forth on Schedule 5.15 attached hereto on or before the date specified on such Schedule for each such requirement (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 5.16. Financial Advisor.

(a) The Loan Parties shall continue to engage and retain Alix, or such other financial advisor as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent (each, a “Financial Advisor”). The retention of any such Financial Advisor shall be on terms and conditions (including as to scope of engagement) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent. The Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent hereby confirm that, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the existing engagement of Alix as the Financial Advisor shall satisfy the applicable requirements set forth in this clause (a). The Financial Advisor shall be retained by and at the sole cost and expense of the Loan Parties and solely on behalf of the Loan Parties at all times.

 

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(b) The Loan Parties shall continue to engage and retain the officer referenced in Section 3(h) of the Second Amendment or a replacement officer reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent (the “Specified Officer”). The retention of any such Specified Officer shall be on terms and conditions (including as to scope of engagement) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, and such Specified Officer shall report directly to the board of directors of the Company. The Specified Officer shall be retained by and at the sole cost and expense of the Loan Parties and solely on behalf of the Loan Parties at all times.

(c) The Loan Parties shall cooperate with the Financial Advisor in all material respects. During the Equity Commitment Period or during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, the The Loan Parties hereby (i) authorize the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent (and their respective agents and advisors) to communicate directly with the Financial Advisor regarding any and all matters related to the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, including, without limitation, all financial reports and projections developed, reviewed or verified by the Financial Advisor and all additional information, reports and statements reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (it being understood that a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative will be invited to participate in such communications), (ii) authorize and direct the Financial Advisor to provide the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent (or their respective agents or advisors), with updates to the Lender Presentation in a form substantially consistent with the initial Lender Presentation delivered prior to the First Amendment Effective Date (or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent); provided, that, at any time that Availability is less than $300,000,000 for five (5) consecutive Business Days during any fiscal month, such updates to the Lender Presentation shall occur not less frequently than monthly starting with the immediately succeeding fiscal month and continuing so long as Availability for each successive fiscal month thereafter is less than $300,000,000 for five (5) consecutive Business Days during any such fiscal month and (iii) authorize and direct the Specified Officer to host conference calls (at a minimum on a weekly basis) with the advisors to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent at times to be mutually agreed between the Company, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, to review the financial information delivered under Section 5.17(a).

SECTION 5.17. Approved Budget; Budget Testing; Variance Reports; Disbursement Report; Purchase Orders.

(a) The aggregate amount of cash disbursements made by the Company and its Subsidiaries during any Testing Period (as defined below) shall not be greater than the aggregate amount of budgeted cash disbursements for such Testing Period set forth in the Approved Budget (subject to Permitted Variances); provided, that any cash disbursements under the line item “Professional Fees” shall not be subject to this Section 5.17(a).

(b) The Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, on or prior to AprilMay 18, 2023 and the first Business Day of each calendar month thereafter, a budget in substantially the form attached hereto to as Exhibit J and otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent (the “Approved Budget”) containing a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast, prepared by Alix, with the assistance of the Loan Parties, which cash flow forecast shall depict, on a weekly basis, cash revenues, receipts, expenses and other disbursements of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and Availability, and which shall extend out the 13-week period from the date of preparation thereof for the 13-week period commencing as of the Sunday of the previous week; provided, that, the budget, dated as of March 629, 2023, and delivered to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent on or around the Third Amendment Effective DateMarch 29, 2023, shall constitute, and be treated as, an Approved Budget for all purposes under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents prior to AprilMay 18, 2023.

 

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(c) By not later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on March 16, 2023 (the “First Testing Date”) and the fourth Business Day of each calendar week thereafter (together with the First Testing Date, each a “Testing Date”), the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent a variance report for the applicable Testing Period (as defined below) (a “Variance Report”) showing comparisons of actual cumulative cash disbursements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Testing Period compared to the projected cumulative cash disbursements for such Testing Period as set forth in the Approved Budget (any such difference, a “Variance”). The term “Testing Period” means, as of any Testing Date, the four consecutive week period ended on the Saturday of the week most recently ended as of such Testing Date. Each Variance Report shall indicate whether there are any variances that exceed the Permitted Variances (as defined below) and shall provide a written explanation for such variances. “Permitted Variances” shall mean, as of any Testing Date: Variance up to 12.50% for the cumulative amount of cash disbursements contained in the Approved Budget for the applicable Testing Period; provided that solely with respect to the Testing Period ending March 11, 2023, such percentage in this definition shall be 15%.

(d) On the last Business Day of each calendar week following the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent a report of any disbursements to be made to counterparties in excess of $250,000 during such calendar week. For the avoidance of doubt, no prior approval of the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent is required for the Borrowers’ disbursement of payment to counterparties.

(e) As of the last Business Day of each calendar week, the Borrowers shall provide purchase orders in excess of $250,000 to Hilco for review following the issuance of any such purchase order during such calendar week.

(f) Without consultation with Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent and excluding any adjustments contemplated by an Approved Budget, no material adjustments will be made to the cash compensation of any officer, director, insider or other Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the Second Amendment Effective Date.

(g) From and after the Third Amendment Effective Date and solely for informational purposes and not for any other purpose under this Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent may, upon reasonable prior written notice to the Company, perform desktop appraisals. The Loan Parties hereby agree to provide information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent in order to conduct such desktop appraisals.

SECTION 5.18. Specified Equity Proceeds.

(a) On the date of receipt of any Specified Equity Proceeds, the Borrower shall implement a Reserve in an amount equal to (i) prior to May 3, 2023, 25% of the amount of such Specified Equity Proceeds and (ii) on and after May 3, 2023, 50% of the amount of such Specified Equity Proceeds (the “Minimum Equity Proceeds Reserve Amount”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, during each of the Equity Proceeds Testing Periods ending on May 9, 2023, May 16, 2023 and May 23, 2023, Reserves in the amount of $ 1,250,000 shall be implemented on each Business Day of each such Equity Proceeds Testing Period.

 

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(b) For any consecutive seven (7) day period specified below (each, an “Equity Proceeds Testing Period”), if the aggregate amount of Reserves implemented pursuant to Section 5.18(a) during such Equity Proceeds Testing Period is less than the amount specified as the “Minimum Specified Equity Proceeds Reserve Amount” for such Equity Proceeds Testing Period, the Borrowers shall implement, on the last day of such Equity Proceeds Testing Period, an additional Reserve in an amount equal to such difference.

 

Equity Proceeds Testing Period

   Minimum Specified Equity
Proceeds Reserve Amount
 

Start

   End

03/29/23

   04/04/23    $ 10,000,000.00  

04/05/23

   04/11/23    $ 12,500,000.00  

04/12/23

   04/18/23    $ 12,500,000.00  

04/19/23

   04/25/23    $ 12,500,000.00  

04/26/23

   05/02/23    $ 12,500,000.00  

05/03/23 and each

Wednesday thereafter

   05/09/23 and each
Tuesday thereafter
   $ 6,250,000.00  

For the avoidance of doubt, any Reserve implemented pursuant to this Section 5.18 shall be maintained at all times as long as any portion of a FILO Term Loan is outstanding.

SECTION 5.19. Equity Documents. The Company shall take all actions under the Equity Documents and applicable Requirements of Law to entitle the Company to issue shares of common stock under the Form S-3 and any prospectus supplement filed thereunder with respect to the Sales Agreement and under the Form S-1 to be filed with the SEC by the Company with respect to the Equity Commitment Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants.

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Secured Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the First Amendment Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.01 (including the Senior Notes existing on the date hereof and set forth on such Schedule) and any extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness solely in accordance with clause (f) hereof;

(c) Indebtedness of any Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent;

 

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(d) Guarantees by any Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section 6.01, (ii) Guarantees by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04 and (iii) Guarantees permitted under this clause (d) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations;

(e) Indebtedness of any Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets (whether or not constituting purchase money Indebtedness), including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is originally incurred prior to or within 180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) below, shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(f) Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing, exchanges, replacements, tenders, payments, prepayments, repayments, repurchases, acquisitions, redemptions, retirements, cancellations, terminations or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced, exchanged, tendered, paid, prepaid, repaid, repurchased, acquired, redeemed, cancelled, terminated or replaced being referred to herein as the “Refinance Indebtedness”) of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b) and (i) hereof (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “Original Indebtedness”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount of the Original Indebtedness (plus unpaid accrued interest and premiums thereon and underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, fees, commissions and expenses), (ii) if the Original Indebtedness was unsecured, such Refinance Indebtedness shall also be unsecured; provided, that such Refinance Indebtedness may be secured if such Refinance Indebtedness shall be subject to an Intercreditor Agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent and, in any case, any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness shall be junior to the Liens securing the Obligations (including the FILO Obligations) in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (iv) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Original Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (v) (x) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the weighted average life to maturity of such Original Indebtedness unless there is no principal amortization or maturity date in respect of such Refinance Indebtedness until at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Obligations and the FILO Obligations and (y) with respect to the 2024 Senior Notes, the maturity date in respect of such Refinance Indebtedness is no earlier than at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Obligations and the FILO Obligations, (vi) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness and (vii) with respect to any series of Senior Notes, such Refinance Indebtedness transaction shall be “cash-neutral” (or better) to the Loan Parties as determined on an annual basis as of the date of the consummation of such transaction as set forth in the documentation as of such date (and to the extent amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, as set forth in any such amendment, supplement or modification); provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of the amount of annual cash interest shall exclude (x) any one-time, non-recurring consent or other similar fees and (y) any reasonable (as determined by the Company) costs and expenses incurred or payable in connection therewith; provided, further, that the interest rate of any such Refinance

 

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Indebtedness may be increased so long as, as of the date of the consummation of the transaction as set forth in the documentation as of such date (and to the extent amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, as set forth in any such amendment, supplement or modification), the annual cash interest expense for such Refinance Indebtedness does not exceed the annual cash interest expense for the Senior Notes, taken as a whole, as of the date hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the determination of whether a Refinance Indebtedness transaction is “cash neutral” (or better) shall be determined without taking into account any accrual of paid-in-kind interest over time on such Refinance Indebtedness;

(g) Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h) Indebtedness of any Loan Party in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

(i) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time; provided that such Indebtedness (i) exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and (ii) was not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(j) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties; provided that, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to this clause (j) shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time;

(k) [reserved];

(l) Indebtedness incurred under the terms of leases of real property whereby the landlords provide financing for tenant improvements;

(m) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums and (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(n) obligations under any agreement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services; and

(o) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $100,000,000 at any time outstanding.

SECTION 6.02. Liens. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including Accounts) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

 

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(c) any Lien on any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary existing on the First Amendment Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of such Borrower or Subsidiary or any other Borrower or Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by any Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Borrower or Subsidiary or any other Borrower or Subsidiary;

(e) any Lien assumed in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that secures Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i);

(f) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-210 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

(g) Liens arising out of sale and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.05;

(h) Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Borrower or another Loan Party or any other Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary;

(i) Liens securing Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties permitted under Section 6.01(j);

(j) [reserved];

(k) in connection with the sale or transfer of any Equity Interests or other assets in a transaction permitted under Section 6.05, customary rights and restrictions contained in agreements relating to such sale or transfer pending the completion thereof;

(l) in the case of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary or (ii) the Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction, including any put and call arrangements, related to Equity Interests in such Subsidiary or such other Person set forth in the organizational documents of such Subsidiary or such other Person or any related joint venture, shareholders’ or similar agreement; and

(m) Liens on assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries not constituting Collateral securing Indebtedness or other obligations; provided that the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness or other obligations secured by such Liens does not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding; and

(n) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under Section 6.01(f) that is permitted to be secured in accordance with Section 6.01(f) (for the avoidance of doubt, subject to an Intercreditor Agreement subordinating the priority of such Liens to the Liens granted to secure the Secured Obligations), so long as at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness (or, at the Company’s option, as of the date any exchange transaction is offered to holders of the Senior Notes so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness is consummated no more than 35 days of such offer (or such longer period as agreed to by the FILO Agent) after such offer date), Liquidity is at least $300,000,000.

 

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SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes. (a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, except as permitted pursuant to Section 6.05, merge into or consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate or amalgamate with it, or otherwise Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Subsidiary of the Company may merge into, or consolidate or amalgamate with, the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving entity, (ii) any Subsidiary of any Borrower may merge into, or consolidate or amalgamate with, a Loan Party (other than the Company) in a transaction in which such Loan Party is the surviving entity, (iii) any Loan Party (other than a Borrower) may merge into, or consolidate or amalgamate with, any other Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Loan Party and (iv) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge into, or consolidate or amalgamate with, any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, or may liquidate or dissolve if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Company and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 6.04.

(b) No Loan Party will consummate a Division as the Dividing Person, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, if any Loan Party that is a limited liability company consummates a Division (with or without the prior consent of Administrative Agent as required above), each Division Successor shall be required to comply with the obligations set forth in Section 5.14 and the other further assurances obligations set forth in the Loan Documents and become a Loan Party under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(c) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related, complementary or ancillary thereto.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, including this Section 6.03, or in any other Loan Document, each of the Canadian Entities shall be permitted to Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, as approved and implemented in a Canadian Proceeding.

SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to make any Investments, except:

(a) cash and Permitted Investments;

(b) Investments in existence on the First Amendment Effective Date and described in Schedule 6.04;

(c) Investments (including Guarantees) by the Company in any Subsidiary or by any Subsidiary in the Company or any other Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate amount of Investments by Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties made after the Restatement Effective Date shall not exceed, together with Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(o) below, $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, further, that, to the extent constituting an Investment, the payment and guarantee by Loan Parties of operating lease obligations of a non-Loan Party shall be permitted and shall not be counted against the maximum amount of Investments permitted under this clause (c), so long as such payments and guarantees are related solely to such operating lease obligations and any Investments in non-Loan Parties required in connection therewith are made substantially concurrently with any required payments of such obligations;

 

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(d) notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by Account Debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor’s Accounts in the ordinary course of business and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(e) Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(f) Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of a Borrower or consolidates, amalgamates or merges with a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (including in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation;

(g) Investments received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;

(h) Investments constituting deposits described in the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrances”;

(i) at any time after the FILO Obligations have been paid in full in cash, Permitted Acquisitions;

(j) [reserved];

(k) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(l) deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers, lessors and landlords made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

(m) advances by the Company or any Subsidiary to employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes;

(n) phantom stock or similar plans providing for payments on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries; and

(o) other Investments (excluding Acquisitions) not to exceed, together with Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(c) above, $2,500,000, in the aggregate at any time;

provided, (x) except with respect to Dispositions described in clauses (h), (j) (with respect to the rights to use Intellectual Property in connection with the Canadian business) or (k) of Section 6.05 (each a “Specified Permitted Disposition”), no Investments of Material Intellectual Property (or, at any time that any FILO Term Loans remain outstanding, any Intellectual Property) shall be made in any Person (other than a Loan Party) and (y) notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, from and after the First Amendment Effective Date, no additional Investments by any Loan Party in either of Home & More, S.A. de C.V. or assets comprising the Equity Interests of entities organized in Canada or assets, revenue, inventory and other operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries comprising the business that is located in Canada (whether in whole or in part) shall be permitted without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Required Lenders, except Investments in such entities to fund day-to-day operations consistent with past practice.

 

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SECTION 6.05. Asset Sales. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, Dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will any Borrower permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to another Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04), except:

(a) Dispositions of (i) Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Dispositions of assets to any Borrower or any other Loan Party;

(c) Dispositions of Accounts in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof;

(d) Liens permitted by Section 6.02, Investments permitted by Section 6.04 and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08;

(e) as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, Dispositions of real estate, including fee and/or leasehold interests (or Dispositions of any Person or Persons created to hold such real estate interests or the Equity Interests in such Person or Persons), including sale and leaseback transactions involving any such real estate pursuant to leases on market terms, as long as such Disposition is made for fair market value;

(f) Dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) Dispositions of Inventory and other assets of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course of business in connection with store closings, at arm’s length; provided, that (i) all Net Cash Proceeds received in connection therewith are applied to the Obligations if then required in accordance with Section 2.11(b)(ii) and, (ii) such store closures and related Inventory or other asset Dispositions shall not exceed in the aggregate from and after the Second Amendment Effective Date, fifty (50.0%) of the number of the Loan Parties’ stores in existence as of the Second Amendment Effective Date (net of new store openings); provided, further, that (x) all sales of Inventory in connection with store closings shall be in accordance with liquidation agreements and with professional liquidators reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent and (y) Dispositions under any Canadian Proceeding shall be pursuant to court orders that are acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, acting reasonably;

(h) (i) non-exclusive licenses and non-exclusive sub-licenses of Intellectual Property granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not (x) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, taken as a whole, or (y) secure any Indebtedness, (ii) the allowance of the abandonment, cancellation, lapse or other Disposition of Intellectual Property (other than any Material Intellectual Property) that is immaterial to or no longer used, useful or economically practicable to maintain in the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) in connection with the Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05(j) or (k), an exclusive license, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent with respect to customary sell-through provisions, with respect to such geographic territory, of limited time

 

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duration, in fields of use or of customized products for specific customers in exchange for royalty payments; provided, however, in connection with any such exclusive license of Intellectual Property in connection with a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05(j), the FILO Agent may engage an appraiser to conduct an Acceptable IP Appraisal (for the avoidance of doubt, the number of any such appraisals shall not be limited by the terms of Section 5.11(b) and shall be at the Loan Parties’ expense);

(i) Dispositions of assets that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 during the term of this Agreement, provided that as a condition to any such Disposition (i) such Disposition shall be made for fair value and at least 75% cash consideration, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of, or would result from, such Disposition, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have implemented the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve to the extent such Disposition is a Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition, and (iv) all Net Cash Proceeds received in connection therewith are applied to the Obligations if then required in accordance with Section 2.11(b);

(j) Dispositions of assets comprising the Equity Interests of entities organized in Canada or assets, revenue, inventory and other operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries comprising the business that is located in Canada (whether in whole or in part), so long as, (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result therefrom and (ii) the Company shall have redetermined the Revolving Borrowing Base, the FILO Borrowing Base and Availability and shall deliver an updated Borrowing Base Certificate on the date of, and giving pro forma effect to such Disposition (for the avoidance of doubt, eliminating the value of the Eligible Tradenames attributable to the Canadian operations so Disposed);

(k) Dispositions of Equity Interests or assets, revenue, inventory and other operations comprising the business and stores relating to Home & More, S.A. de C.V. (whether in whole or in part), so long as, (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result therefrom, and (ii) the Company shall have redetermined the Revolving Borrowing Base, the FILO Borrowing Base and Availability; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with any such Disposition, exclusive licenses contemplated by Section 6.05(h) shall be permitted;

(l) Dispositions of assets comprising the Subject Note, so long as, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result therefrom; and

(m) ARS Dispositions so long as (i) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received in connection therewith are applied to the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.11(b) and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have implemented the ARS Disposition Reserve in accordance with Section 2.11(b).

provided, (x) except with respect to Specified Permitted Dispositions, no Dispositions of Material Intellectual Property (or, at any time that any FILO Term Loans remain outstanding, any Intellectual Property) shall be made by any Person (other than to a Loan Party) and (y) in no event shall the Loan Parties consummate any Disposition of the Subject Division without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders and the FILO Agent.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Certain Liens. No Loan Party shall grant a security interest on “Property” as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture as in effect on the First Amendment Effective Date in favor of any Person to secured Indebtedness for borrowed money, unless a security interest senior or pari to the security interest securing such Indebtedness is granted thereon by such Loan Party in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder) and such Person enters into an Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of any Borrower or any Subsidiary.

SECTION 6.08. Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness.

(a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (i) the Company may pay dividends with respect to its common stock payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, and, with respect to its preferred stock, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred stock or in shares of its common stock, subject to the restrictions under Section 6.04(c), (ii) Subsidiaries may distribute any cash, property or assets to the Company or to any other Loan Party and Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties may distribute cash, property or assets to any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (iii) Subsidiaries may pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests; provided, that if any Subsidiary is non-wholly-owned, such Subsidiary may only pay dividends ratably with respect to its Equity Interests held or owned by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of such Loan Party, (iv) the Company may repurchase Equity Interests upon the exercise of stock options, deferred stock units and restricted shares held by any future, present or former employee, officer, director, manager or consultant (or any spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributes of any of the foregoing), to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such stock options, deferred stock units or restricted shares, and (v) the Company may make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares representing insignificant interests in the Company in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock in the Company;

provided, however, no Restricted Payments of Material Intellectual Property (or, at any time that any FILO Term Loans remain outstanding, any Intellectual Property) shall be made by any Person (other than to a Loan Party).

(b) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Specified Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Specified Indebtedness, except:

(i) payment of regularly scheduled interest, and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Specified Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, other than payments in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

(ii) refinancings, exchanges, tenders, repayments, prepayments, repurchases, acquisitions, redemptions, retirements, cancellations or terminations (including Indebtedness for Indebtedness exchanges) of Specified Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01(f);

(iii) [intentionally omitted];

 

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(iv) payments, refinancings, exchanges, tenders, repayments, prepayments, repurchases, acquisitions, redemptions, retirements, cancellations or terminations of or in respect of Specified Indebtedness by (x) issuing any Equity Interests of the Company to be utilized as the form of consideration to repay, refinance, exchange, tender, prepay, repurchase, acquire, redeem, retire, cancel or terminate any such Specified Indebtedness, (y) an aggregate amount equal to the sum of (1) the net cash proceeds received from the issuance or exercise of any Equity Interests of the Company and (2) the Net Cash Proceeds from any Disposition otherwise permitted by this Agreement or otherwise consented to in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not required to be used to prepay the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.11(b), in each case, with respect to any such equity issuances or Dispositions occurring on or after the First Amendment Effective Date, or (z) utilizing any other cash or cash equivalents, including proceeds of any Revolving Loans (solely upon the maturity of any such Specified Indebtedness), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000; provided, that no proceeds received pursuant to the Equity Commitment Documents shall be used to make any payment in respect of any Specified Indebtedness other than scheduled interest payments thereunder; and

(v) payments, refinancings, exchanges, tenders, repayments, prepayments, repurchases, acquisitions, redemptions, retirements, cancellations or terminations by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party of or in respect of Specified Indebtedness incurred by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

provided, in no event shall any proceeds of any Revolving Loans be utilized to consummate any of the foregoing transactions specifically described under clause (b)(ii) or (b)(iv) above with respect to Section 6.01(f)(vii) except in accordance with clause (z) of Section 6.08(b)(iv); provided, further, that during the Equity Commitment Period, no payment, or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Specified Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Specified Indebtedness, in each case, may be made pursuant to this Section 6.08(b) other than pursuant to Sections 6.08(b)(i), 6.08(b)(ii) or 6.08(b)(iv)(x).

SECTION 6.09. Transactions with Affiliates. Subject to Section 5.17(f), no Loan Party will, nor will it 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 its Affiliates, except (a) transactions that (i) are in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among any Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any Investment permitted by Sections 6.04, (d) any intercompany Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, (e) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 6.04, (g) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of any Borrower or any Subsidiary who are not employees of such Borrower or Subsidiary, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (h) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by a Borrower’s or Subsidiary’s board of directors.

SECTION 6.10. Restrictive Agreements.

(a) No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of such Loan Party or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon the Collateral to secure the Secured Obligations, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or

 

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advances to any Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by any Requirement of Law or by any Loan Document or other agreement evidencing Secured Obligations, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of assets or Equity Interests or of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the assets or Equity Interests or such Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof, (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on Equity Interests in joint ventures contained in any documents relating to the formation or governance thereof, (vii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to cash required to secure letters of credit, surety bonding obligations or similar obligations, and (viii) clause (b) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions pursuant to any other indenture or agreement governing the issuance of Indebtedness permitted hereunder, provided that such restrictions and conditions are customary for such Indebtedness as reasonably determined in the good faith judgment of the Company.

(b) No Loan Party will, directly or indirectly enter into any material agreement relating to the financing or Disposition of ABL Assets consisting of assets of the type described in clauses (a), (b) and (d) of the definition of ABL Assets, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent.

(c) No Loan Party will, directly or indirectly enter into, participate in or sell any goods in connection with any consignment or similar arrangement.

SECTION 6.11. Amendment of Material Documents. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a)(i) any agreement relating to the Senior Notes, any Subordinated Indebtedness or any Material Intellectual Property, (ii) its charter, articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents, (iii) any Credit Card Agreement or (iv) the Equity Commitment Documents, (x) in each case to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (y) with respect to clause (a)(iv) of this Section 6.11 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, without limiting Section 7.01(r) of this Agreement), to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would be materially adverse to the Lenders (it being understood and agreed that any amendment, modification or waiver to the Forced Exercise Eligibility Date or to extend the timing of, reduce the amount of (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the reduction of the amount of the Forced Exercise on the final Forced Exercise Date by approximately $35,000,000, which amount shall be funded and made available to the Company by March 7, 2023), or add conditions with respect to any of the Forced Exercise provisions of the Equity Commitment Documents shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders), or (b) any agreement evidencing the Specified Indebtedness if as a result of such amendment, modification or waiver, any scheduled principal or interest payments required to be made in respect of such Specified Indebtedness are advanced to a date that is earlier than the date such scheduled payments are due as of the Second Amendment Effective Date.

SECTION 6.12. Canadian Pension Plans. The Loan Parties shall not (a) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, or (b) acquire an interest in any Person if such Person sponsors, administers, maintains or contributes to or has any liability in respect of any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan, or at any time in the five-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, administered, maintained, or contributed to a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 6.13. Applications Under the CCAA and BIA. Each Borrower and each other Loan Party and its Subsidiaries acknowledges that its business and financial relationships with the Lenders are unique from its relationship with any other of its creditors. Each Borrower and each other Loan Party and its Subsidiaries agrees that it shall not file any plan of arrangement under the CCAA or proposal under the BIA which provides for, or would permit, directly or indirectly, the Lenders to be classified with any other creditors of such Borrower and each other Loan Party and its Subsidiaries for purposes of such CCAA plan of arrangement, BIA proposal or otherwise.

SECTION 6.14. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Following the termination of the Equity Commitment Period, the Company will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter (commencing with the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which Borrowers’ financial statements have been (or should have been) delivered prior to the date on which Availability is less than the greater of (a) 12.5% of the sum of (i) the Line Cap and (ii) the FILO Borrowing Base and (b) $165,000,000), to be less than 1.0 to 1.0; provided, that in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” as used in determining the “Line Cap” for purposes of the foregoing clause of this Section 6.14 and (but for the avoidance of doubt, not in calculating the “Revolving Borrowing Base” used in determining the “Line Cap” for purposes of “Availability” as used herein), such calculation of the “Revolving Borrowing Base” shall be made without giving effect to the FILO Deficiency Reserve, if any. Once such covenant is in effect, subsequent testing of such covenant will be discontinued on the first day immediately succeeding the last day of the Fiscal Quarter which includes the twentieth consecutive day on which Availability remains in excess of the level specified in above, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION 6.15. FILO Borrowing Base; Certain Reserves. The Loan Parties shall not deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate as and when required hereunder which does not contain (i) the FILO Borrowing Base, the Investment Reserve, the WARN Reserve and the Variance Reporting Holiday Reserve and (ii) the Equity Proceeds Reserve, the ARS Disposition Reserve, the Non-Revolving Borrowing Base Disposition Reserve, the LC Reserve, and the FILO Deficiency Reserve (in each case of this clause (ii), to the extent required hereunder); provided, that it shall not constitute a violation of this Section 6.15 if the Borrowers rely on, in calculating the FILO Deficiency Reserve (if any), the amount of Reserves applicable to the Revolving Borrowing Base reflected in the last Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(f) so long as the Borrower Representative was not notified by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent prior to the delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate that the FILO Deficiency Reserve has increased.

SECTION 6.16. Specified Collateral Account. The Loan Parties shall not fail to deposit any proceeds of any Specified Collateral (i) in excess of $1,000,000 into the Specified Collateral Account or (ii) upon written notice from the FILO Agent identifying any such proceeds as Specified Collateral (together with reasonably satisfactory supporting details thereof); provided, that to the extent the Loan Parties receive mixed proceeds of Specified Collateral and ABL Assets, the Loan Parties shall allocate any such proceeds of Specified Collateral (in the good faith determination of such Loan Parties) for deposit into the Specified Collateral Account as required by this Section 6.16; provided, further, however, that for a period of 120 days following the First Amendment Effective Date, the Subject Note shall not be subject to clauses (i) or (ii) above. Each Loan Party authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to pay over to the FILO Agent all such amounts as required under Section 6(c) of the Agreement Among Lenders.

 

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SECTION 6.17. April Equity Tranche. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the April Equity Tranche is not received by the Company, the Loan Parties shall not fail to take any commercially reasonable action reasonably requested by either the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent to minimize certain potential liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a result of the Company’s failure to receive the April Equity Tranche.

SECTION 6.18. Minimum Specified Equity Proceeds Amount. As of the last day of any Equity Proceeds Testing Period, the Borrowers shall not fail to receive Specified Equity Proceeds in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than either (i) the amount set forth below as the “Minimum Specified Equity Proceeds Amount” during such Equity Proceeds Testing Period or (ii) the amount set forth below as the “Minimum Cumulative Specified Equity Proceeds Amount” during the period commencing on March 29, 2023 and ending on such date of determination. For purposes of clarity, the satisfaction of either of the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) in the immediately preceding sentence with respect to any Equity Proceeds Testing Period shall satisfy the requirement set forth in this Section 6.18 with respect to such Equity Proceeds Testing Period.

 

Equity Proceeds Testing Period

   Minimum Specified
Equity Proceeds  Amount
     Minimum  Cumulative
Specified Equity  Proceeds
Amount
 

Start

   End

03/29/23

   04/04/23    $ 15,000,000.00      $ 15,000,000.00  

04/05/23

   04/11/23    $ 25,000,000.00      $ 40,000,000.00  

04/12/23

   04/18/23    $ 36,000,000.00      $ 76,000,000.00  

04/19/23

   04/25/23    $ 35,000,000.00      $ 111,000,000.00  

04/26/23

   05/02/23    $ 29,000,000.00      $ 140,000,000.00  

05/03/23

   05/09/23    $ 0.00      $ 150,000,000.00  

05/10/23

   05/16/23    $ 0.00      $ 150,000,000.00  

05/17/23

   05/23/23    $ 0.00      $ 150,000,000.00  

05/24/23

   05/30/23    $ 7,500,000.00      $ 157,500,000.00  

05/31/23

   06/06/23    $ 19,500,000.00      $ 177,000,000.00  

06/07/23

   06/13/23    $ 20,600,000.00      $ 197,600,000.00  

06/14/23

   06/20/23    $ 18,900,000.00      $ 216,500,000.00  

06/21/23

   06/27/23    $ 15,630,000.00      $ 232,130,000.00  

06/28/23 and  each

Wednesday  thereafter

   07/04/23 and each
Tuesday thereafter
    






$                     12,500,000.00
but, solely after June 28,
2023, excluding any Equity
Proceeds Testing Period that
occurs during a blackout
period established pursuant
to the Company’s insider
trading policy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    













Amount to increase by
$                 12,500,000
each Equity Proceeds
Testing Period from the
prior Equity Proceeds
Testing Period but,
solely after June 28,
2023, excluding any
Equity Proceeds
Testing Period that
occurs during a
blackout period
established pursuant to
the Company’s insider
trading policy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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ARTICLE VII

Events of Default.

SECTION 7.01. Events of Default.

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

(a) the Borrowers 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) the Borrowers 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) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, without limitation, the FILO Applicable Premium), when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made (or in any respect if such representation or warranty is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect);

(d) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in (i) Section 5.01(f)(ii) or (iii), 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to a Borrower’s existence), 5.08, 5.14, 5.16, 5.17(a) or, 5.17(f), 5.18 or 5.19 or in Article VI of this Agreement, (ii)(A) Section 5.01(f)(i) of this Agreement and such failure under this clause (ii)(A) shall continue unremedied for a period of two Business Days; provided, that with respect to such two Business Days grace period, such grace period shall only be permitted on two occasions within any six-month period, commencing on the date that is sixty (60) days following the Second Amendment Effective Date), or (B) Section 5.01(f)(v) of this Agreement and such failure under this clause (ii)(B) shall continue unremedied for a period of one Business Day; provided, that with respect to such one Business Day grace period, such grace period shall only be permitted on three occasions within any calendar month, (iii) Section 5.17(b), 5.17(c), 5.17(d) or 5.17(e) of this Agreement and such failure under this clause (iii) shall continue unremedied for a period of two Business Days; provided, that with respect to such two Business Days grace period, such grace period shall only be permitted on two occasions within any six-month period, commencing on the date that is sixty (60) days following the Second Amendment Effective Date), (iv) Section 5.02(i) of this Agreement and such failure under this clause (iv) shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days or (v) Section 4.15 or Article VII of the U.S. Security Agreement or Section 4.15 or Article VII of the Canadian Security Agreement;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those which constitute a default under another Section of this Article VII) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower Representative (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to any other provision of any Loan Document;

 

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(f) any Loan Party or Subsidiary 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 (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods or notice requirements);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods or notice requirements) 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 clause (g) shall not apply to (x) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or (y) any Indebtedness that is convertible into Equity Interests, cash or a combination thereof, any redemption, repurchase, conversion or settlement pursuant to its terms unless such redemption, repurchase, conversion or settlement results from a default thereunder;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of a Loan Party or Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any federal, state, provincial or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver monitor, administrator, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary or for all or a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition or proposal seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state, provincial or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, other than a Canadian Proceeding, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, monitor, administrator, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party or Material Subsidiary or for all or a substantial part of its assets, other than a Canadian Proceeding, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) other than with respect to a Canadian Proceeding in respect of the Canadian Entities, any Loan Party or Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability, or publicly declare its intention not to, or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage) shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed or bonded, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment, which judgments are not stayed on appeals or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued;

 

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(l) (i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) any Lien arises (except for contribution amounts not yet due) in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan and any such event could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(m) a Change in Control shall occur;

(n) the Loan Guaranty shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty, or any Loan Guarantor shall fail to comply with any of the terms or provisions of the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party, or any Loan Guarantor shall deny that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party, or shall give notice to such effect, including, but not limited to notice of termination delivered pursuant to Section 10.08;

(o) except as permitted by the terms of any Loan Document (i) any Collateral Document shall for any reason fail to create a valid security interest in any Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or (ii) any Lien, securing any Secured Obligation shall cease to be a perfected, first priority Lien subject to Liens permitted under Section 6.02;

(p) any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Loan Party shall challenge the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction that evidences its assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms);

(q) the subordination provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement shall, in whole or in part, terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against any holder of the applicable Indebtedness; or

(r) the occurrence of a Funding Failurean Equity Termination Event;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article VII), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower Representative, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, whereupon the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall terminate immediately, (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), whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any break funding payments) and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become due and payable immediately, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers, and (iii) require cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j) hereof; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article VII, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding and the cash collateral for the LC Exposure, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any break funding payments) and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the

 

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request of the Required Lenders shall, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and other Obligations as set forth in this Agreement and exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent and FILO Agent.

SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action.

(a) Each Lender, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and the Issuing Bank authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than within the United States, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute and enforce any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s behalf. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents. Each FILO Term Loan Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as FILO Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the FILO Agent under the Loan Documents and each FILO Term Loan Lender authorizes the FILO Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the FILO Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

(a) As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and the Issuing Bank (or in the case of the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders); provided, however, that the Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (or in the case of the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders) with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders or the Required FILO Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or

 

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obtained by the Person serving as Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(b) In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register) (or in the case of the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i) the Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Agent in connection with this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby;

(ii) where the Administrative Agent is required or deemed to act as a trustee in respect of any Collateral over which a security interest has been created pursuant to a Loan Document, or is required or deemed to hold any Collateral “on trust” pursuant to the foregoing, the obligations and liabilities of the Administrative Agent to the Secured Parties in its capacity as trustee shall be excluded to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law;

(iii) to the extent that English law is applicable to the duties of the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 of the United Kingdom shall not apply to the duties of the Administrative Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by that Loan Document; where there are inconsistencies between the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000 of the United Kingdom and the provisions of this Agreement or such Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000 of the United Kingdom, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act; and

(iv) nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Agent for its own account.

(c) The Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Agent. The Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.

 

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(d) None of any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent or any Arranger shall have obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.

(e) In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

(f) Without limiting the powers of the Administrative Agent, for the purposes of holding any hypothec granted to the Attorney (as defined below) pursuant to the laws of the Province of Québec to secure the prompt payment and performance of any and all Secured Obligations by any Loan Party, each of the Secured Parties hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and, to the extent necessary, ratifies the appointment and authorization of the Administrative Agent, to act as the hypothecary representative of the creditors as contemplated under Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Québec (in such capacity, the “Attorney”), and to enter into, to take and to hold on their behalf, and for their benefit, any hypothec, and to exercise such powers and duties that are conferred upon the Attorney under any related deed of hypothec. The Attorney shall: (a) have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise, except as may be otherwise specifically restricted by the terms hereof, all rights and remedies given to the Attorney pursuant to any such deed of hypothec and applicable law, and (b) benefit from and be subject to all provisions hereof with respect to the Administrative Agent mutatis mutandis, including, without limitation, all such provisions with respect to the liability or responsibility to and indemnification by the Secured Parties and Loan Parties. Any person who becomes a Secured Party shall, by its execution of an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, be deemed to have consented to and

 

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confirmed the Attorney as the person acting as hypothecary representative holding the aforesaid hypothecs as aforesaid and to have ratified, as of the date it becomes a Secured Party, all actions taken by the Attorney in such capacity. The substitution of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.06 also constitutes the substitution of the Attorney.

(g) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrowers’ right to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, no Borrower nor any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article.

SECTION 8.02. Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Indemnification, Etc.

(a) Neither the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent nor any of their respective Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or any of their respective Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s or FILO Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.

The Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of default”) is given to the Agent by the Borrower Representative, a Lender or the Issuing Bank, and the Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Agent, (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any claim, liability, loss, cost or expense suffered by any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary, any Lender or any Issuing Bank as a result of, any determination of the Revolving Exposure, any of the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender or Issuing Bank, or any exchange rate or Dollar Equivalent.

 

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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.04, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 9.04(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to 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 in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).

SECTION 8.03. Posting of Communications.

(a) The Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank by posting the Communications on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic system chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”).

(b) Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Restatement Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and each Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

(c) THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF

 

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MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER, ANY DOCUMENTATION AGENT, ANY SYNDICATION AGENT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM.

Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.

(d) Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.

(e) Each of the Lenders, Issuing Bank and each Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(f) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

SECTION 8.04. The Agent Individually. With respect to its Revolving Commitments, FILO Term Loan Commitments (if any), Loans (including Swingline Loans) and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be. The terms “Issuing Bank”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Bank or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank.

 

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SECTION 8.05. Successor Agent.

(a) The Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower Representative (or in the case of the FILO Agent, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders and the Borrower Representative), whether or not a successor Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, (x) the Required Lenders shall have the right, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent and (y) the Required FIL Lenders shall have the right, to appoint a successor FILO Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders (or the Required FILO Lenders, as applicable) and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (or in the case of the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders), appoint a successor Agent (which in the case of the Administrative Agent shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank). In either case, such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower Representative (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall succeed to and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Agent by a successor Agent, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the retiring Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Agent its rights as Agent under the Loan Documents.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower Representative (or in the case of the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders), whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Collateral Document and Loan Document, and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders (or the Required FILO Lenders with respect to the FILO Agent) shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Agent for the account of any Person other than the Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and Issuing Bank (or the FILO Term Loan Lenders, as applicable). Following the effectiveness of the Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article, Section 2.17(d) and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (a) above.

 

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(c) Simultaneously with the Discharge of Revolving Obligations, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (or its successor or assigns) shall resign as the Administrative Agent, and the Required FILO Lenders shall appoint successor Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, such appointment shall not require the prior written approval of Borrower Representative if the successor Administrative Agent is the FILO Agent.

SECTION 8.06. Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Bank.

(a) Each Lender represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, the FILO Agent or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, the FILO Agent or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrowers and their Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Restatement Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or the Lenders on the Restatement Effective Date or the effective date of any such Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall have become a Lender hereunder.

(c) (i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent (as applicable) has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent or any of their respective Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Bank of Canada overnight rate in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars) from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable), any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) to any Lender under this Section 8.06(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(ii) Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) or any of their respective Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable), or any of their respective Affiliates, with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable), it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Bank of Canada overnight rate in the case of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars) from time to time in effect.

(iii) The Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent (as applicable) shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party.

(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Section 8.06(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.

SECTION 8.07. Collateral Matters; Agents for Perfection.

(a) Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.08 or with respect to a Secured Party’s right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof. In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC. In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Banking Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations and no Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Obligations, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor

 

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of any Secured Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each Secured Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Banking Services or Swap Agreement, as applicable, shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.

(c) The Secured Parties irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(d). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Secured Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

(d) Each Lender, for and on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates, agrees to hold all Control Collateral and Cash Collateral that is part of the Collateral in its possession, custody, or control (or in the possession, custody, or control of agents or bailees for either) as agent for each Secured Party solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent for itself and each Secured Party in such Control Collateral or Cash Collateral. The duties or responsibilities of any such Lender (or Affiliate thereof) under this Section 8.07(d) are and shall be limited solely to holding or maintaining control of the Control Collateral and the Cash Collateral in its possession as agent for the Secured Parties for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Lender (or Affiliate). No Lender (or Affiliate) is, or shall be deemed to be, a fiduciary of any kind for any other Secured Party or any other Person. Nothing in this Section 8.07(d) shall be construed to limit (a) the obligations of the Loan Parties to comply with the requirements of the Collateral Documents or any other Loan Document with respect to any Control Collateral or Cash Collateral or (b) any Lender’s obligation to share the benefits of any right of setoff or counterclaim with respect to any Control Collateral or Cash Collateral pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. As used in this Section 8.07(d), (i) “Cash Collateral” means cash, Permitted Investments, Security Entitlement or Financial Assets, and (ii) “Control Collateral” means any Collateral consisting of any certificated Security, Securities Account, Investment Property, Deposit Account, Instruments or any other Collateral as to which a Lien may be perfected through possession or control by the secured party, or any representative therefor (with capitalized terms not defined herein having the meanings set forth in the UCC).

SECTION 8.08. Credit Bidding. The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated

 

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portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership interests, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata with their original interest in such Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the foregoing paragraph credit bidding with respect to the FILO Obligations shall be governed by Schedule 9.23.

SECTION 8.09. Intercreditor Agreements. Without limiting the authority granted to the Administrative Agent in Section 8.01(a) hereof, each Lender (and each Person that becomes a Lender hereunder) hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent (with the prior consent of the FILO Agent) to enter into and to amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify any subordination or intercreditor agreement (including any Intercreditor Agreement) on behalf of such Lender and its Affiliates, and agrees that the Administrative Agent (with the prior consent of the FILO Agent) may take such actions on its behalf as is contemplated by the terms of such agreement. In the event of any conflict between the terms of any such subordination and intercreditor agreement and this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern and control.

SECTION 8.10. Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date

 

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such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments,

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement,

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the Collateral or the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto).

(c) The Administrative Agent and each Arranger, Syndication Agent and Documentation Agent hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Documents, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Revolving Commitments

 

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by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous.

SECTION 9.01. Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone or Electronic Systems (and subject in each case 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, as follows:

(i) if to any Loan Party, to the Borrower Representative at:

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

650 Liberty Avenue

Union, New Jersey 07083

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

E-mail: David.kastin@bedbath.com

with a copy to

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

650 Liberty Avenue

Union, New Jersey 07083

Attention: Interim Chief Financial Officer

E-mail: hetlin@alixpartners.com

with a copy to

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

2049 Century Park East, 37th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Attention: David M. Nemecek, P.C., Nisha Kanchanapoomi, P.C., Joshua

A. Sussberg, P.C. and Emily E. Geier, P.C.

E-mail: david.nemecek@kirkland.com;

nisha.kanchanapoomi@kirkland.com;

joshua.sussberg@kirkland.com;

emily.geier@kirkland.com

Fax: (310) 552-5900

 

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(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, JPMCB in its capacity as the Swingline Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

10 S. Dearborn Street, Floor L2

Suite IL1-0480

Chicago, Illinois 60603-2300

Attention: Alexis Johnson

Email: alexis.johnson@chase.com

Phone: (980) 296-6582

with a copy to:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Middle Market Servicing

10 S. Dearborn Street, Floor L2

Suite IL1-0480

Chicago, Illinois 60603-2300

Attention: Commercial Banking Group

Email: jpm.agency.cri@jpmorgan.com;

jpm.agency.servicing.1@jpmorgan.com

Fax: (844) 490-5663

(iii) if to JPMCB in its capacity as the Issuing Bank, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

10 S. Dearborn Street, Floor L2

Suite IL1-0480

Chicago, Illinois 60603-2300

Attention: LC Agency Team

Email: chicago.lc.agency.activity.team@jpmchase.com

Phone: 800-364-1969

Fax: 856-294-5267

with a copy to:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

10 S. Dearborn Street, Floor L2

Suite IL1-0480

Chicago, Illinois 60603-2300

Attention: Loan & Agency Services Group

Attention: Alexis Johnson

Email: alexis.johnson@chase.com;

Phone: (980) 296-6582

(iv) if to the FILO Agent, to Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. at:

 

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2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201

Email: SLXAccounting@sixthstreet.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to

Proskauer Rose LLP

11 Times Square

New York, New York 10036

Attention:    Frederic Ragucci and Ji Hye You

Telephone:  212-969-3000

Telecopier:  212-969-2900

(v) if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address or facsimile number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

All such notices and other communications (A) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, (B) sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent, provided that if not given during normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient, or (C) delivered through Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below shall be effective as provided in such paragraph.

(b) Notices and other communications hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, or pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Each of the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Borrower Representative (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic Systems or Approved Electronic Platforms, as applicable, pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent or FILO Agent (as applicable) otherwise proscribes, all such notices and other communications (i) sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan

 

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Document 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 the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under any other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, 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 the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14(c) and (d) and Section 9.02(e) below, neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or (y) in the case of any Collateral Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that, subject to Section 2.14(c) and (d) and Section 9.02(e) below, no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender), (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby (provided that any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or any defined term used therein) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Obligations payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (d) in a manner that would alter the ratable reduction of Commitments or the manner in which payments are shared, or change the order of the payment waterfall provisions of Section 2.18(b), in each case, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (v) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of Borrowing Base or, subject to clause (vi) below, otherwise change the definitions of “Borrowing Base” if the effect of such modification is to increase borrowing availability, in any such case, without the written consent of the Supermajority Revolving Lenders; provided that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Administrative Agent to change, establish, eliminate or reduce any Reserve in its Permitted Discretion, (vi) add a new category of eligible assets to the Borrowing Base without the written consent of each Revolving Lender; provided that the addition of Accounts (other than Credit Card Receivables, to the extent constituting Accounts) as eligible assets shall only require the written consent of the Supermajority Revolving Lenders, (vii) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definitions of “Required Lenders,” “Supermajority Revolving Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (viii) [reserved]; (ix) (A) release the Company from its obligation under its Loan Guaranty or (B) release all or substantially all of the other Loan Guarantors from their obligations under the Loan Guaranty (except, in the case of this clause (B), as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (x) except as provided in clause (c) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the

 

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written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (xi) except as expressly permitted herein or in any other Loan Document with respect to Non-ABL Assets, subordinate the Obligations hereunder or the Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent under the Collateral Documents, to any other Indebtedness or Lien, as the case may be, without the written consent of each Lender, (xii) add any real property as Collateral without the consent of each Lender, (xiii) add a new Agreed Currency or a Borrower that is not organized under the laws of the U.S. or Canada without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, or (xiv) increase the percentage set forth in Section 9.04(a)(iii) without the consent of all Lenders; provided, further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any amendment to Section 2.20 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.07 or any letter of credit application and any bilateral agreement between the Borrower Representative and the Issuing Bank regarding the Issuing Bank’s Issuing Bank Sublimit or the respective rights and obligations between any Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, respectively. The Administrative Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04. Any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of one or more Classes (but not the Lenders of any other Class), may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the requisite number or percentage in interest of each affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time.

(c) The Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, and the cash collateralization of all Unliquidated Obligations in a manner satisfactory to each affected Lender, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if the Loan Party disposing of such property certifies to the Administrative Agent that the sale or disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), and to the extent that the property being sold or disposed of constitutes the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent is authorized to release any Loan Guaranty provided by such Subsidiary (other than pursuant to a transaction the primary purpose of which is to cause the release of such Loan Guaranty), (iii) constituting property leased to a Loan Party under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, or (iv) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent will not release any Liens on Collateral without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders (it being agreed that the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on one or more certificates of the Borrowers as to the value of any Collateral to be so released, without further inquiry). Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

(d) If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but

 

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has not been obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrowers may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrowers shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees (including without limitation the FILO Applicable Premium) and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrowers hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement (if any) had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the assignee (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants), and the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to an be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender, provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower Representative only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency or correct any typographical error or other manifest error in any Loan Document or (ii) to reflect the addition of new types of Collateral (other than real property) and any Intercreditor Agreement relating thereto in connection with Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement.

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Limitation of Liability; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, pay all (i) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and their respective Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent and one primary counsel to the FILO Agent plus, in each case and if reasonably necessary, one specialist counsel and one local counsel in each applicable material jurisdiction (excluding allocated costs of in-house counsel) for each of the Administrative Agent and the FILO Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through any Electronic System or Approved Electronic Platform) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by advisors to the (x) Administrative Agent (including FTI Consulting, Inc.) and (y) FILO Agent (including Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. and M3 Advisory Partners, LP) and (iv) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent, the

 

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Issuing Bank or any Lender (other than any FILO Term Loan Lender), taken as a whole, and one primary counsel to the FILO Agent and any FILO Term Loan Lender, taken as a whole, plus, in each case and if reasonably necessary, one specialist counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, and, in the case of an actual conflict of interest, one additional specialist or local counsel to all such affected persons (in each case taken as a whole and excluding allocated costs of in-house counsel and paralegals) in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit. Expenses being reimbursed by the Loan Parties under this Section include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with:

(A) appraisals and insurance reviews;

(B) field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Administrative Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Administrative Agent with respect to each field examination;

(C) background checks regarding senior management and/or key investors, as deemed necessary or appropriate in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent or the FILO Agent;

(D) Taxes, fees and other charges for (1) lien searches and (2) recording the filing financing statements and continuations, and other actions to perfect, protect, and continue the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(E) sums paid or incurred to take any action required of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents that such Loan Party fails to pay or take; and

(F) forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral.

All of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses may be charged to the Borrowers as Revolving Loans or to another deposit account, all as described in Section 2.18(c).

(b) The Loan Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Arranger, each Syndication Agent, each Documentation Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, incremental taxes, liabilities and related expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of (I) one counsel to (x) the Indemnitees (other than the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders and each Related Party of any of the foregoing) (the “Revolving Indemnitees”) and (y) the FILO Agent, the FILO Term Loan Lenders and each Related Party of any of the foregoing (the “FILO Indemnitees”) (in each case of clauses (x) and (y), taken as a whole and excluding allocated costs of in-house counsel) and (II) if reasonably necessary, one specialist counsel and local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction to (x) all such Revolving Indemnitees and (y) all such FILO Indemnitees (in each case of clauses (x) and (y), taken as a whole and excluding allocated costs of in-house counsel) and (III) in the case of an actual conflict of interest, one additional specialist or local counsel to (x) all such affected Revolving Indemnitees and (y) all such affected FILO Indemnitees (in each case taken as a whole and excluding allocated costs of in-house counsel), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or

 

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any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof (including any application or related issuing document or drawing document referred to in or related to any Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary during or as a result of such ownership or operation thereof, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, (iv) the failure of a Loan Party to deliver to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence with respect to a payment made by a Loan Party for Taxes pursuant to Section 2.17, or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation, arbitration or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from (1) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (2) a claim against an Indemnitee for a material breach of such Indemnitee’s express obligations hereunder or (B) relate to a dispute solely among Indemnitees (not arising as a result of any act or omission by the Company or any of its affiliates) other than claims against an indemnified person acting in its capacity or fulfilling its role as an agent, bookrunner, arranger, issuing lender, swingline lender or other similar role. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) Each Lender severally agrees to pay any amount required to be paid by any Loan Party under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 9.03 to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Agent Indemnitee”) (to the extent not reimbursed by a Loan Party and without limiting the obligation of any Loan Party to do so), ratably according to their respective Applicable Percentage in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Applicable Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of the Revolving Commitments, the FILO Term Loan Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent Indemnitee under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in its capacity as such; provided, further, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent Indemnitee’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law (i) neither Company nor any other Loan Party shall assert, and the Company and each other Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent any Issuing Bank and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a “Lender-Related Person”) for any Liabilities arising from the use by others of

 

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information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), and (ii) no party hereto shall assert, and each such party hereby waives, any Liabilities against any other party hereto, 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, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this Section 9.03(d) shall relieve the Company or any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee, as provided in Section 9.03(b), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than twenty (20) days after written demand therefor.

The agreements under this Section 9.03 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Letters of Credit and the Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.

SECTION 9.04. 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 the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its 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), (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section and (iii) neither the FILO Agent, any FILO Term Loan Lender or any of their respective Affiliates shall hold in excess of twenty-five percent (25.0%) of the Revolving Commitments; provided, that such limitation shall not apply upon an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(a), (b), (h), (i) or (j). 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 the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

(A) the Borrower Representative, provided that the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment of all or a portion of the Loans and Revolving Commitments unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof, and provided further that no consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if a Specified Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;

(B) the Administrative Agent;

(C) (except in the case of the FILO Term Loans) the Issuing Bank;

 

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(D) (except in the case of the FILO Term Loans) the Swingline Lender; and

(E) in the case of the FILO Term Loans, the FILO Agent.

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

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Revolving Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500;

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; and

(E) each assignee shall acquire an equal proportionate share (as determined by the assigned Revolving Commitments in relation to the Aggregate Revolving Commitments of all Lenders), either directly, or through an Affiliate or a branch, of the Canadian Sublimit.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Parent, (c) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof; provided that, with respect to clause (c), such company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Revolving Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $25,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business; or (d) a Loan Party or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of a Loan Party.

 

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(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, 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, have 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 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 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 paragraph (c) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to an Approved Electronic Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) other than an Ineligible Institution in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitment and/or 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 Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and 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

 

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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 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) and (g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender and the information and documentation required under Section 2.17(g) will be delivered to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.

Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers’ request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Revolving Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Revolving Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. The Register and Participant Register are intended to cause each Loan and other obligation hereunder to be in registered form within the meaning of Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations and within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code.

(d) 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 without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 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.

SECTION 9.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative

 

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Agent, the Issuing Bank 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 Aggregate Revolving Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Aggregate Revolving Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. (a) 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 (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) increases or reductions of the Issuing Bank Sublimit of the Issuing Bank constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent 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.

(b) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 9.01), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic Signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each Loan Party hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Company and the other Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect,

 

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validity and enforceability as any paper original, (ii) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (iii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (iv) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Company and/or any other Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.

SECTION 9.07. Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document 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 thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each of their respective 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, the Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the Secured Obligations held by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender or the Issuing Bank different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The applicable Lender, the Issuing Bank or such Affiliate shall notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent of such setoff or application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff or application under this Section. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have.

SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) The Loan Documents (other than those containing a contrary express choice of law provision) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.

 

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(b) Each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, notwithstanding the governing law provisions of any applicable Loan Document, any claims brought against the Administrative Agent by any Secured Party relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Collateral or the consummation or administration of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(c) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and any U.S. federal court sitting in New York County, Borough of Manhattan, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, the transactions relating hereto or thereto, 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 (and any such claims, cross-claims or third party claims brought against the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties may only) be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court; provided that claims with respect to (i) the Canadian Security Agreement may, as provided therein, also be tried in the courts of the Province of Ontario (or such other Canadian jurisdiction in regard to the validity, perfection or effect of perfection of any Lien or in regard to procedural matters that would govern under applicable law) and (ii) any deed of hypothec may, as provided therein, also be tried in the courts of Quebec. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(d) Each Loan Party 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 or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(e) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 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 OR OTHER AGENT (INCLUDING ANY 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.

 

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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.

SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, 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 Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any 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 the Loan Parties and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower Representative, (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 the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers, (i) to its current or prospective limited partners, or (j) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating any Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of identification numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein.

For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers and other than information pertaining to this Agreement provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION (AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION 9.12) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATES, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED

 

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PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

SECTION 9.13. Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law. The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board) for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrowers in violation of any Requirement of Law.

SECTION 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

SECTION 9.15. Disclosure. Each Loan Party, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates.

SECTION 9.16. Appointment for Perfection. Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC, the PPSA, the STA or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

SECTION 9.17. Interest Rate Limitation.

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of Section 9.17, if any provision of any of the Loan Documents would obligate any Canadian Loan Party to make any payment

 

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of interest with respect to the Secured Obligations in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by any Requirement of Law or would result in the receipt of interest with respect to the Secured Obligations at a criminal rate (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rates 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 the applicable recipient of interest with respect to the Secured Obligations at a criminal rate, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary, as follows: (i) first, by reducing the amount or rates of interest required to be paid by the Canadian Loan Parties to the applicable recipient under the Loan Documents; and (ii) thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts required to be paid by the Canadian Loan Parties to the applicable recipient which would constitute interest with respect to the Secured Obligations for purposes of Section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and after giving effect to all adjustments contemplated thereby, if the applicable recipient shall have received an amount in excess of the maximum permitted by that section of the Criminal Code (Canada), then Canadian Loan Parties shall be entitled, by notice in writing to Agent, to obtain reimbursement from the applicable recipient in an amount equal to such excess, and pending such reimbursement, such amount shall be deemed to be an amount payable by the applicable recipient to the applicable Canadian Loan Party. Any amount or rate of interest with respect to the Secured Obligations referred to in this Section 9.17 shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles as an effective annual rate of interest over the term that any Loan to any Canadian Borrower remains outstanding on the assumption that any charges, fees or expenses that fall within the meaning of “interest” (as defined in the Criminal Code (Canada)) shall, if they relate to a specific period of time, be pro-rated over that period of time and otherwise be pro-rated over the period from the Restatement Effective Date to the date of full payment of the Secured Obligations, and, in the event of a dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries appointed by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive for the purposes of such determination.

SECTION 9.18. Marketing Consent. Subject to Section 9.12, the Borrowers hereby authorize JPMCB and its affiliates (collectively, the “JPMCB Parties”) and the FILO Agent and its affiliates (collectively, the “SSP Parties”), at their respective sole expense, but without any prior approval by the Borrowers, to publish such tombstones and give such other publicity to this Agreement as each may from time to time determine in its sole discretion. The foregoing authorization shall remain in effect unless and until the Borrower Representative notifies JPMCB and the FILO Agent in writing that such authorization is revoked.

SECTION 9.19. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an Affected Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an Affected Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

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(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any Affected Resolution Authority.

SECTION 9.20. No Fiduciary Duty, etc. (a) Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to each Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, any Borrower or any other person. Each Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising any Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. Each Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated herein or in the other Loan Documents, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to any Borrower with respect thereto.

(b) Each Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its Affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, any Borrower and other companies with which any Borrower may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.

(c) In addition, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which a Borrower may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from any Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with such Borrower in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. Each Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to any Borrower, confidential information obtained from other companies.

SECTION 9.21. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated

 

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thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

SECTION 9.22. Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation.

(a) Each Loan Party acknowledges that, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act and other applicable anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, government sanction and “know your client” laws (collectively, including any guidelines or orders thereunder, “AML Legislation”), the Secured Parties may be required to obtain, verify and record information regarding the Loan Parties and their respective directors, authorized signing officers, direct or indirect shareholders or other Persons in control of the Loan Parties, and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Loan Party shall promptly provide all such information, including supporting documentation and other evidence, as may be reasonably requested by any Secured Party or any prospective assignee or participant of a Secured Party, in order to comply with any applicable AML Legislation, whether now or hereafter in existence.

(b) If the Administrative Agent has ascertained the identity of any Loan Party or any authorized signatories of the Loan Parties for the purposes of applicable AML Legislation, then the Administrative Agent:

(i) shall be deemed to have done so as an agent for each Secured Party, and this Agreement shall constitute a “written agreement” in such regard between each Secured Party and the Administrative Agent within the meaning of the applicable AML Legislation; and

(ii) shall provide to each Secured Party copies of all information obtained in such regard without any representation or warranty as to its accuracy or completeness.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence and except as may otherwise be agreed in writing, each of the Lenders agrees that the Administrative Agent has no obligation to ascertain the identity of the Loan Parties or any authorized signatories of the Loan Parties on behalf of any Lender, or to confirm the completeness or accuracy of any information it obtains from any Loan Party or any such authorized signatory in doing so

 

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SECTION 9.23. Agreement Among Lenders. Pursuant to the provisions of Schedule 9.23 to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Required Lenders have agreed to certain arrangements relating to matters requiring the consent or approval of some or all of the Required Revolving Lenders (as defined in Schedule 9.23) and to such other matters as set forth therein (such agreement, the “Agreement Among Lenders”). Each Person who becomes a Lender pursuant to an assignment permitted under Section 9.04 shall be bound by the terms of such Agreement Among Lenders as if such Person was an original party hereto. The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge and agree to the provisions of the Agreement Among Lenders in effect on the Second Amendment Effective Date; provided, that it is understood and agreed that no Loan Party is a party to such Agreement Among Lenders or a third party beneficiary of such agreement.

ARTICLE X

Loan Guaranty.

SECTION 10.01. Guaranty. Each Loan Guarantor (other than those that have delivered a separate guaranty) hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Secured Parties, the prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations and all reasonable and documented costs and expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of (I) one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent and (II) one primary counsel to the FILO Agent, plus (II) if reasonably necessary, one specialist counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and reasonable expenses paid or incurred by (x) the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders and (y) the FILO Agent and the FILO Term Loan Lenders (in each case of clauses (x) and (y) taken as a whole and excluding allocated costs of in-house counsel and paralegals) in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Secured Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured Obligations (such costs and expenses, together with the Secured Obligations, collectively the “Guaranteed Obligations”; provided, however, that the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor). Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. All terms of this Loan Guaranty apply to and may be enforced by or on behalf of any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of any Lender that extended any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.02. Guaranty of Payment. This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor of, or any other Person obligated for, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “Obligated Party”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.03. No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty. (a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower or any

 

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other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.

(b) The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.

(c) Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of any Borrower for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act, omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations).

SECTION 10.04. Defenses Waived. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other Obligated Party, other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party or any other Person. Each Loan Guarantor confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations hereunder. The Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been Paid in Full. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.

 

175


SECTION 10.05. Rights of Subrogation. No Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification, that it has against any Obligated Party or any collateral, until the Loan Parties and the Loan Guarantors have fully performed all their obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders.

SECTION 10.06. Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration. If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), each Loan Guarantor’s obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made and whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders are in possession of this Loan Guaranty. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 10.07. Information. Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrowers’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

SECTION 10.08. Common Enterprise. The successful operation and condition of each of the Loan Guarantors is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group of the Loan Guarantors as a whole and the successful operation of each of the Loan Guarantors is dependent on the successful performance and operation of each other Loan Guarantor. Each Loan Guarantor expects to derive benefit (and its board of directors or other governing body has determined that it may reasonably be expected to derive benefit), directly and indirectly, from (a) successful operations of each of the other Loan Guarantors and (b) the credit extended by the Lenders to the Borrowers hereunder, both in their separate capacities and as members of the group of companies. Each Loan Guarantor has determined that execution, delivery, and performance of this Loan Guaranty and any other Loan Documents to be executed by such Loan Guarantor is within its purpose, in furtherance of its direct and/or indirect business interests, will be of direct and/or indirect benefit to such Loan Guarantor, and is in its best interest.

SECTION 10.09. Taxes. Each payment of the Guaranteed Obligations will be subject to the provisions of Section 2.17.

SECTION 10.10. Maximum Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Loan Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, Uniform Voidable Transactions Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Loan Guarantor may have under this Loan Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

 

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SECTION 10.11. Contribution.

(a) To the extent that any Loan Guarantor shall make a payment under this Loan Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Loan Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Loan Guarantor if each Loan Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Loan Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Loan Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guarantor Payment and the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Loan Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

(b) As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Loan Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Loan Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Loan Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Loan Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Loan Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

(c) This Section 10.11 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Loan Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Loan Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Loan Guaranty.

(d) The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Loan Guarantor or Loan Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

(e) The rights of the indemnifying Loan Guarantors against other Loan Guarantors under this Section 10.11 shall be exercisable upon the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.12. Liability Cumulative. The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.

SECTION 10.13. Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guarantee in respect of a Swap Obligation (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 10.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.13 or otherwise under this Loan Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section

 

177


10.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Swap Obligations. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 10.13 constitute, and this Section 10.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

SECTION 10.14. Releases.

(a) A Loan Guarantor (other than the Company) will be automatically and unconditionally released from its obligations under this Loan Guaranty:

(i) in connection with any Disposition of (x) Equity Interests of such Loan Guarantor or (y) all or substantially all of the assets of such Loan Guarantor, in each case, if (i) such Disposition is permitted hereunder (or consented to by the Required Lenders) and (ii) such Disposition is not being made for the primary purpose of causing the release of the Loan Guaranty; or

(ii) upon Payment in Full.

(b) The Company will be automatically and unconditionally released from its obligations under this Loan Guaranty upon Payment in Full.

(c) Upon any occurrence giving rise to a release of a Loan Guarantor as specified above, the Administrative Agent will, at the direction of and sole cost of the Loan Parties, execute any documents reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative in order to evidence or effect such release, termination and discharge in respect of this Loan Guaranty. Upon any release of a Loan Guarantor from its Guarantee, such Loan Guarantor shall also be released from its obligations under the Collateral Documents subject to the provisions of Section 9.02(c).

(d) Any release of a Loan Guarantor shall be subject to the prior redetermination of the Revolving Borrowing Base and FILO Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 5.01(e) and Availability and, if applicable, prepayment of Obligations pursuant to Section 2.11, in each case, after giving pro forma effect to such release.

ARTICLE XI

The Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.01. Appointment; Nature of Relationship. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is hereby appointed by each of the Borrowers as its contractual representative (herein referred to as the “Borrower Representative”) hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of the Borrowers irrevocably authorizes the Borrower Representative to act as the contractual representative of such Borrower with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this Article XI. Additionally, each U.S. Borrower hereby appoints the Borrower Representative as their agent to receive all of the proceeds of the Loans requested by such U.S. Borrower in the Funding Account(s), at which time the Borrower Representative shall promptly disburse such Loans to the appropriate Borrower(s), provided that, in the case of a Revolving Loan, such amount shall not exceed Availability. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall not be liable to the Borrower Representative or any Borrower for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 11.01.

 

178


SECTION 11.02. Powers. The Borrower Representative shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Borrower Representative by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Borrower Representative shall have no implied duties to the Borrowers, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by the Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.03. Employment of Agents. The Borrower Representative may execute any of its duties as the Borrower Representative hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through authorized officers.

SECTION 11.04. Notices. Each Borrower shall immediately notify the Borrower Representative of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder referring to this Agreement describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Borrower Representative receives such a notice, the Borrower Representative shall give prompt notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Any notice provided to the Borrower Representative hereunder shall constitute notice to each Borrower on the date received by the Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.05. Successor Borrower Representative. Upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative may resign at any time, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Borrower Representative. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt written notice of such resignation to the Lenders.

SECTION 11.06. Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate. The Borrowers hereby empower and authorize the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Loan Documents and all related agreements, certificates, documents, or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Borrowing Base Certificates and the Compliance Certificates. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Borrower Representative of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Borrowers.

SECTION 11.07. Reporting. Each Borrower hereby agrees that such Borrower shall furnish promptly after each fiscal month to the Borrower Representative a copy of its Borrowing Base Certificate and any other certificate or report required hereunder or requested by the Borrower Representative on which the Borrower Representative shall rely to prepare the Borrowing Base Certificates and Compliance Certificate required pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

179


COMMITMENT SCHEDULE

 

(a)

Commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date and at all times thereafter:

 

Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
     Canadian Sublimit**  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 90,000,000.0047,761,061.93      $ 11,250,000.000  

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

   $ 7539,823,000,0008.0085      $ 9,375,000.000  

PNC Bank, National Association

   $ 70,8337,63337,168 .3315      $ 9,375,000.000  

Bank of Montreal

   $ 6233,18 500,00840.0071      $ 9,375,000.000  

MUFG Bank, Ltd.

   $ 6031,000858,40007.008      $ 7,500,000.000  

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 56,666,666.6730,088,495.58      $ 7,500,000.000  

Capital One, National Association

   $ 4523,000893,80005.0031      $ 5,250,000.000  

TD Bank, N.A.

   $ 422,50066,000371 .0068      $ 6,375,000.000  

Truist Bank

   $ 318,584 ,000,0070.8 00      $ 5,250,000.000  

Siemens Financial Services, Inc.

   $ 15,000,000.007,964,601.77      $ 1,875,000.000  

Webster Bank

   $ 12,500,000.006,637,168.14      $ 1,875,000.000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 565300,000,000.00      $ 75,000,000.000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(b)

2023 FILO Term Loan Commitments:

 

2023 FILO Term Loan Lender

   2023 FILO Term Loan Commitment  

Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.

   $ 15,452,380.95  

Sixth Street Lending Partners

   $ 28,095,238.10  

TAO Talents

   $ 35,119,047.62  

GB Funding, LLC

   $ 6,666,666.67  

WhiteHawk Finance LLC

   $ 5,333,333.33  

Second Avenue Capital Partners LLC

   $ 5,333,333.33  

Callodine Commercial Finance SPV, LLC

   $ 2,000,000.00  

Callodine Perpetual ABL Fund SPV, LLC

   $ 2,000,000.00  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 100,000,000.00  
  

 

 

 

 

**

The Canadian Sublimit is a sub-facility of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and is not in addition to thereto. Upon, and applicable from and after, the Canadian Proceeding Date, the Canadian Sublimit with respect to each Lender set forth herein shall automatically reduce to $0.


EXHIBIT A

EXHIBIT A

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the [Administrative] [FILO] Agent as contemplated below, (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and other rights of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.   

Assignor:

                                                                
2.   

Assignee:

                                                                
     

[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1]

3.   

Borrowers:

                                                                                
4.   

Administrative Agent:

  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the

     

Credit Agreement

5.   

[FILO Agent:]

  

[Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO agent under the Credit

     

Agreement]

6.   

Credit Agreement:

  

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9,

     

2021 among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the other U.S. Borrowers party

 

1 

Select as applicable.

 

A-1


thereto, the Canadian Borrowers party thereto, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time).

 

6.

Assigned Interest:

 

Facility Assigned2

  

Aggregate Amount of Commitment/
Loans

for all Lenders

  

Amount of

Commitment/Loans

Assigned

  

Percentage Assigned of Commitment/
Loans3

     $    $    %
     $    $    %
     $    $    %

Effective Date: _____________ ___, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR FILO AGENT, AS APPLICABLE, AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The Assignee agrees to deliver to the [Administrative] [and FILO] Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:    
  Title:

 

ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:    
  Title:

 

2 

Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g. “Revolving Commitment,” “Term Loan Commitment,” etc.)

3 

Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Revolving Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

A-2


[Consented to and]4 Accepted:
[JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as ]
  [Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender]
By    
  Title:

 

[SIXTH STREET SPECIALTY LENDING, INC., as ]
[FILO Agent]
By    
  Title:

 

[Consented to:]5
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
By    
  Title:

 

4 

To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and/or Swingline Lender, as applicable, is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

5 

To be added only if the consent of the Borrowers and/or other parties (e.g. Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

A-3


ANNEX 1

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1. Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, (iv) any requirements under applicable law for the Assignee to become a lender under the Credit Agreement or to charge interest at the rate set forth therein from time to time, or (v) the performance or observance by any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement and under applicable law that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) and (b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Arranger, the Assignor or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties, and (v) attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, any Arranger, any Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the [Administrative] [FILO] Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

A-4


3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Acceptance and adoption of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Approved Electronic Platform shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

A-5


EXHIBIT B-1

EXHIBIT B-1

[Reserved]


EXHIBIT B-2

EXHIBIT B-2

[Reserved]

 

B-2-1


EXHIBIT C-1

EXHIBIT C

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

[TO BE ATTACHED]

 

C-1-1


EXHIBIT D

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To:

The Lenders parties to the

Credit Agreement Described Below

This Compliance Certificate (this “Certificate”) is furnished pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 9, 2021, among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (the “Company”), the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto, the Canadian Borrowers party thereto, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders (in such capacity, the “FILO Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES, ON ITS BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF THE BORROWERS, THAT:

1. I am the duly elected                  of the Borrower Representative.

2. I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements [for quarterly or monthly financial statements add: and such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes].

3. The examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose, except as set forth below, and I have no knowledge of (i) the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Certificate or (ii) any change in GAAP or in the application thereof which affects the Company or its Subsidiaries that has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 of the Credit Agreement.

4. Schedule I attached hereto sets forth financial data and computations evidencing the Borrowers’ compliance with Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter ended [    ], all of which data and computations are true, complete and correct.6

5. I hereby certify that no Loan Party has changed (i) its name as it appears in official filings in the state of its incorporation or organization, (ii) its chief executive office, principal place of business, mailing address or corporate offices, (iii) the type of entity it is, (iv) its organization identification number, if any, issued by its state of incorporation or other organization or (v) its state of incorporation or

 

6

Schedule I will include detailed calculation tables for all components of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio calculation.

 

D-1


organization without having given the Administrative Agent the notice required by Section 4.15 of the Security Agreement, and Schedule II hereto sets forth updated versions of the Exhibits to each Security Agreement, to the extent required thereunder (or, with respect to any Exhibit(s) to which no changes have been made since the previous updating thereof, an indication that there has been “no change” to such Exhibit(s)).

6. To the extent not previously disclosed to the FILO Agent or the Administrative Agent, Schedule III sets forth a description of any new Subsidiary and a listing of any new registrations, and applications for registration, of Intellectual Property acquired or made by any Loan Party since the date of the most recent Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(d) of the Credit Agreement (or, in the case of the first such list so delivered, since the First Amendment Effective Date).

7. Schedule IV identifies all Material Subsidiaries of the Company with an indication of which Subsidiaries are new Material Subsidiaries since the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate.

8. To the extent any Grantor (as defined in the applicable Security Agreement) has acquired any After-Acquired Intellectual Property (as defined in the applicable Security Agreement), attached hereto as Schedule V is an appropriate supplement to the U.S. Security Agreement or Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable, substantially in the form of the applicable IP Agreement[s] (as defined in the applicable Security Agreement) thereto together with[ a] fully executed agreement[s] in the form of the applicable IP Agreement[s], with respect to such After-Acquired Intellectual Property owned by such Grantor as of the date of such supplement that is a registered Patent (as defined in the applicable Security Agreement) (or published application therefor), registered Trademark (as defined in the applicable Security Agreement) (or application there-for) or a registered Copyright (as defined in the applicable Security Agreement) which is registered or pending with, as applicable, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, to the extent that such After-Acquired Intellectual Property is not covered by any previous short form agreement in the form of IP Agreements so signed and delivered by it.

Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 by listing, in detail, the nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Borrowers have taken, are taking, or propose to take with respect to each such condition or event:

 

             
    
    

The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in Schedule I and Schedule II hereto and the financial statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this __ day of _______, ____.

 

 

BED BATH & BEYOND INC., as

Borrower Representative

By:    
 

Name:                                                                                  

 

Title:                                                                                    

 

D-2


SCHEDULE I

Compliance as of _________, ____ with

Provisions of Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement

[Schedule I must include detailed calculation tables for all components of the Fixed Charge Coverage

Ratio calculation, if applicable, at the time of delivery of the Certificate.]

 

D-3


SCHEDULE II

Updated Exhibits to the Security Agreements

Attached.

 

D-4


SCHEDULE III

New Subsidiaries and Intellectual Property

Attached.

 

D-5


SCHEDULE IV

Material Subsidiaries

*Denotes a new Material Subsidiary since the prior Compliance Certificate.

 

D-6


SCHEDULE V

After-Acquired Intellectual Property IP Agreements

Attached.

 

D-7


EXHIBIT E

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of                     ,         , 20        , is entered into between                                                  , a                                      (the “New Subsidiary”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) under that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August

9, 2021 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto and the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent (the “FILO Agent”) for the FILO Term Loan Lenders. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, hereby agree as follows:

1. The New Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Subsidiary will be deemed to be a [“Borrower” and a] Loan Party under the Credit Agreement and a “Loan Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and shall have all of the obligations of a [Borrower, a] Loan Party and a Loan Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement. The New Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement, including without limitation (a) all of the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement, *[and]* (b) all of the covenants set forth in Articles V and VI of the Credit Agreement *[and (c) all of the guaranty obligations set forth in Article X of the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the New Subsidiary, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 10.10 and 10.13 of the Credit Agreement, hereby guarantees, jointly and severally with the other Loan Guarantors, to the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent, and the Lenders, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof and agrees that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not paid or performed in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise), the New Subsidiary will, jointly and severally together with the other Loan Guarantors, promptly pay and perform the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.]* *[The New Subsidiary has delivered to the Administrative Agent an executed guaranty.]*

2. If required, the New Subsidiary is, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, executing and delivering such Collateral Documents (and such other documents and instruments) as requested by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

3. The address of the New Subsidiary for purposes of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement is as follows:

 

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

 

E-1


4. The New Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent, the FILO Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the New Subsidiary upon the execution of this Agreement by the New Subsidiary.

5. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

6. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officer, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NEW SUBSIDIARY]
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
Acknowledged and accepted:

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

E-2


EXHIBIT F-1

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto and the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Date:  

                ,         ,20[    ]

 

F-1-1


EXHIBIT F-2

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto and the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Date:  

                ,         ,20[    ]

 

F-2-1


EXHIBIT F-3

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto and the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by a withholding statement together with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Date:  

                ,         ,20[    ]

 

F-3-1


EXHIBIT F-4

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto and the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Date:  

                ,         ,20[    ]

 

F-4-1


EXHIBIT G

[FORM OF] BORROWING REQUEST

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders referred to below

10 South Dearborn Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attention: Arpan Patel

Facsimile: 312-235-2438

Re: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

[Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (the “Company”), the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto, the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (collectively, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower Representative hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower Representative specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowing requested hereby:

 

1.

Name of the applicable Borrower:                    

 

2.

Aggregate principal amount of Borrowing:7                    

 

3.

Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day):                    

 

4.

Agreed Currency and Type of Borrowing (ABR or Term Benchmark; Canadian Prime Rate or CDOR Rate):                    

 

5.

Interest Period and the last day thereof (if a Term Benchmark Borrowing):8                    

 

5.

Location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower to which proceeds of Borrowing are to be disbursed and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising the Borrowing:                     

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

7

Not less than applicable amounts specified in Section 2.02(c).

8

Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Maturity Date.

 

G-1


The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the conditions to lending specified in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement are satisfied as of the date hereof.

 

Very truly yours,

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.,

as the Borrower Representative

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

G-2


EXHIBIT H

[FORM OF] INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

[JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders referred to below

10 South Dearborn Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attention: Arpan Patel

Facsimile: 312-235-2438]

[OR]

[Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.,

as FILO Agent

for the FILO Term Loan Lenders referred to below

2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1500

Dallas, Texas 75201]

Re: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

[Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2021 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (the “Company”), the other U.S. Borrowers party thereto, the Canadian Borrowers party thereto (collectively, the “Borrowers”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO Agent for the FILO Term Loan Lenders (in such capacity, the “FILO Agent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower Representative hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.08 of the Credit Agreement that it requests to [convert][continue] an existing Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower Representative specifies the following information with respect to such [conversion][continuation] requested hereby:

 

1.

Name of applicable Borrower:                        

 

2.

List date, Type, principal amount and Interest Period (if applicable) of existing Borrowing:                            

 

3.

Aggregate principal amount of resulting Borrowing: 9                            

 

 

9

If different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, then the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing must be listed, and the information to be specified in lines 5 and 6 must be specified for each resulting Borrowing.

 

H-1


4.

Effective date of interest election (which shall be a Business Day):                        

 

5.

Agreed Currency and Type of resulting Borrowing (ABR or Term Benchmark; Canadian Prime Rate or CDOR Rate):                        

 

6.

Interest Period and the last day thereof (if a Term Benchmark Borrowing):10                            

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Very truly yours,

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.,

as Borrower Representative

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

10

Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Maturity Date.

 

H-2


ANNEX B

Form of Sales Agreement

[See attached]


ANNEX C

Form of Equity Commitment Agreement

[See attached]

 

Exhibit 10.2

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Dated as of March 30, 2023

by and between

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

and

B. RILEY PRINCIPAL CAPITAL II, LLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS      1  
ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK      2  

Section 2.1.

  Purchase and Sale of Stock      2  

Section 2.2.

  Closing Date; Settlement Dates      2  

Section 2.3.

  Initial Public Announcements and Required Filings      2  
ARTICLE III PURCHASE TERMS      3  

Section 3.1.

  VWAP Purchases      3  

Section 3.2.

  Intraday VWAP Purchases      4  

Section 3.3.

  Settlement      5  

Section 3.4.

  Compliance with Rules of Trading Market      6  

Section 3.5.

  Beneficial Ownership Limitation      7  
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR      7  

Section 4.1.

  Organization and Standing of the Investor      7  

Section 4.2.

  Authorization and Power      7  

Section 4.3.

  No Conflicts      8  

Section 4.4.

  Investment Purpose      8  

Section 4.5.

  Accredited Investor Status      8  

Section 4.6.

  Reliance on Exemptions      9  

Section 4.7.

  Information      9  

Section 4.8.

  No Governmental Review      9  

Section 4.9.

  No General Solicitation      9  

Section 4.10.

  Not an Affiliate      9  

Section 4.11.

  No Prior Short Sales      10  

Section 4.12.

  Statutory Underwriter Status      10  

Section 4.13.

  Resales of Securities      10  
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY      10  

Section 5.1.

  Organization, Good Standing and Power      10  

Section 5.2.

  Authorization, Enforcement      11  

Section 5.3.

  Capitalization      11  

Section 5.4.

  Issuance of Securities      12  

Section 5.5.

  No Conflicts      12  

Section 5.6.

  Commission Documents, Financial Statements; Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting; Accountants      13  

Section 5.7.

  Subsidiaries      16  

Section 5.8.

  No Material Adverse Effect or Material Adverse Change      16  

Section 5.9.

  No Undisclosed Liabilities      16  

Section 5.10.

  No Material Defaults on Indebtedness      16  

Section 5.11.

  Solvency      17  

Section 5.12.

  Title to Real and Personal Property      17  

 

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Section 5.13.

  Litigation      17  

Section 5.14.

  Compliance With Laws      17  

Section 5.15.

  Certain Fees      18  

Section 5.16.

  Disclosure      18  

Section 5.17.

  Material Permits      18  

Section 5.18.

  Environmental Matters      19  

Section 5.19.

  Intellectual Property Rights      19  

Section 5.20.

  Material Contracts      20  

Section 5.21.

  Transactions With Affiliates      20  

Section 5.22.

  Labor Relations      20  

Section 5.23.

  Use of Proceeds      20  

Section 5.24.

  Investment Company Act Status      20  

Section 5.25.

  Tax Matters      21  

Section 5.26.

  Insurance      21  

Section 5.27.

  Exemption from Registration      21  

Section 5.28.

  No General Solicitation or Advertising      21  

Section 5.29.

  No Integrated Offering      21  

Section 5.30.

  Dilutive Effect      22  

Section 5.31.

  Manipulation of Price      22  

Section 5.32.

  Securities Act      22  

Section 5.33.

  Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility      22  

Section 5.34.

  Application of Takeover Protections      23  

Section 5.35.

  Foreign Corrupt Practices      23  

Section 5.36.

  Office of Foreign Assets Control      23  

Section 5.37.

  Money Laundering      23  

Section 5.38.

  ERISA      24  

Section 5.39.

  IT Systems and Data Privacy      24  

Section 5.40.

  U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation      25  

Section 5.41.

  Margin Rules      25  

Section 5.42.

  Emerging Growth Company Status   

Section 5.43.

  Smaller Reporting Company Status   

Section 5.44.

  No Disqualification Events      25  

Section 5.45.

  Broker/Dealer Relationships; FINRA Information      25  

Section 5.46.

  Acknowledgement Regarding Relationship with Investor and BRS      25  

Section 5.47.

  Acknowledgement Regarding Investor’s Affiliate Relationships      26  
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COVENANTS      27  

Section 6.1.

  Securities Compliance      27  

Section 6.2.

  Reservation of Common Stock      27  

Section 6.3.

  Registration and Listing      28  

Section 6.4.

  Compliance with Laws      28  

Section 6.5.

  Keeping of Records and Books of Account; Due Diligence      29  

Section 6.6.

  No Frustration; No Variable Rate Transactions      29  

Section 6.7.

  Corporate Existence      29  

Section 6.8.

  Fundamental Transaction      30  

Section 6.9.

  Selling Restrictions      30  

Section 6.10.

  Effective Registration Statement      31  

 

ii


Section 6.11.

  Blue Sky      31  

Section 6.12.

  Non-Public Information      31  

Section 6.13.

  Broker-Dealer      31  

Section 6.14.

  FINRA Filing      32  

Section 6.15.

  QIU      32  

Section 6.16.

  Disclosure Schedule      32  

Section 6.17.

  Delivery of Compliance Certificates, Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letters and Bring-Down Comfort Letters Upon Occurrence of Certain Events      33  
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING, COMMENCEMENT AND PURCHASES      35  

Section 7.1.

  Conditions Precedent to Closing      35  

Section 7.2.

  Conditions Precedent to Commencement      36  

Section 7.3.

  Conditions Precedent to Purchases after Commencement Date      40  
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION      44  

Section 8.1.

  Automatic Termination      44  

Section 8.2.

  Other Termination      45  

Section 8.3.

  Effect of Termination      46  
ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION      47  

Section 9.1.

  Indemnification of Investor      47  

Section 9.2.

  Indemnification Procedures      48  
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS      49  

Section 10.1.

  Certain Fees and Expenses; Commitment Shares; Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions      49  

Section 10.2.

  Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Jury Trial      51  

Section 10.3.

  Entire Agreement      52  

Section 10.4.

  Notices      52  

Section 10.5.

  Waivers      53  

Section 10.6.

  Amendments      54  

Section 10.7.

  Headings      54  

Section 10.8.

  Construction      54  

Section 10.9.

  Binding Effect      54  

Section 10.10.

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      54  

Section 10.11.

  Governing Law      54  

Section 10.12.

  Survival      55  

Section 10.13.

  Counterparts      55  

Section 10.14.

  Publicity      55  

Section 10.15.

  Severability      55  

Section 10.16.

  Further Assurances      55  

Annex I. Definitions

 

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COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of March 30, 2023 (this “Agreement”), by and between B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein, the Company may issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided herein, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the lesser of (i) $1,000,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable under Section 3.4);

WHEREAS, such sales of Common Stock by the Company to the Investor will be made in reliance upon the provisions of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2)”) and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act (“Regulation D”), and upon such other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act as may be available with respect to any or all of the sales of Common Stock to the Investor to be made hereunder;

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are concurrently entering into a Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company shall register under the Securities Act the resale of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) by the Investor, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

WHEREAS, in consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will, immediately following the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock concurrently causing its transfer agent to issue to the Investor the Commitment Shares pursuant to and in accordance with Section 10.1(ii); and

WHEREAS, the Company acknowledges that the Investor is an Affiliate of the B. Riley group of entities, and its Affiliate, B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), is acting as the Investor’s representative in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Annex I hereto, and hereby made a part hereof, or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.


ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK

Section 2.1. Purchase and Sale of Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, during the Investment Period, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the lesser of (i) $1,000,000,000 (the “Total Commitment”) in aggregate gross purchase price of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock and (ii) the Exchange Cap, to the extent applicable under Section 3.4 (such lesser amount of shares of Common Stock, the “Aggregate Limit”), by the delivery to the Investor of VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices as provided in Article III.

Section 2.2. Closing Date; Settlement Dates. This Agreement shall become effective and binding (the “Closing”) upon (a) the delivery of counterpart signature pages of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto and thereto, and (b) the delivery of all other documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered at the Closing, in each case as provided in Section 7.1(iv), to the offices of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, 7 Times Square, New York, NY 10036, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date. In consideration of and in express reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants contained in, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of, this Agreement, during the Investment Period, the Company, at its sole option and discretion, may issue and sell to the Investor, and, if the Company elects to so issue and sell, the Investor shall purchase from the Company, the Shares in respect of each VWAP Purchase and each Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable). The delivery of Shares in respect of each VWAP Purchase and each Intraday VWAP Purchase, and the payment for such Shares, shall occur in accordance with Section 3.3.

Section 2.3. Initial Public Announcements and Required Filings. The Company shall, not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately after the date of this Agreement, file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the execution of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company and the Investor and describing the material terms thereof, including, without limitation, the obligation to issue the Commitment Shares to the Investor in accordance with Section 10.1(ii), and attaching as exhibits thereto copies of each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and, if applicable, any press release issued by the Company disclosing the execution of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company (including all exhibits thereto, the “Current Report”). The Company shall provide the Investor a reasonable opportunity to comment on a draft of the Current Report prior to filing the Current Report with the Commission and shall give due consideration to all such comments. From and after the filing of the Current Report with the Commission, the Company shall have publicly disclosed all material, nonpublic information delivered to the Investor (or the Investor’s representatives or agents) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives (if any) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company as described in this Section 2.3, the Investor shall maintain the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including the existence and terms of the transactions contemplated thereby), except that the Investor may disclose the terms of such

 

2


transactions to its financial, accounting, legal and other advisors (provided that the Investor directs such Persons to maintain the confidentiality of such information). Not later than 15 calendar days following the Closing Date, the Company shall file a Form D with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities in accordance with Regulation D and shall provide a copy thereof to the Investor promptly after such filing. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline, file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement covering only the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the Securities Act and the Registration Rights Agreement. At or before 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), the Company shall file with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act the final Prospectus to be used in connection with resales of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to such Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment thereto).

ARTICLE III

PURCHASE TERMS

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article VII, the parties agree as follows:

Section 3.1. VWAP Purchases. Upon the initial satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 (the “Commencement” and the date of initial satisfaction of all of such conditions, the “Commencement Date”) and from time to time thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.3, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its timely delivery to the Investor of a VWAP Purchase Notice for a VWAP Purchase (each, a “VWAP Purchase”), specifying in such VWAP Purchase Notice (a) the VWAP Purchase Percentage for such VWAP Purchase and (b) whether a Limit Order Continue Election or a Limit Order Discontinue Election shall apply to such VWAP Purchase, on the applicable Purchase Date therefor, to purchase a specified VWAP Purchase Share Amount, which shall not exceed the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, at the applicable VWAP Purchase Price therefor on such Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement. The Company may timely deliver to the Investor a VWAP Purchase Notice for a VWAP Purchase on any Trading Day selected by the Company as the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, so long as (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding such Purchase Date is not less than the Threshold Price, and (ii) all Shares subject to all prior VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases (as applicable) pursuant to this Agreement have been received by the Investor as DWAC Shares prior to the Company’s delivery to the Investor of such VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase on such Purchase Date. The Investor is obligated to accept each VWAP Purchase Notice prepared and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in this Agreement. If the Company delivers any VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase a VWAP Purchase Share Amount in excess of the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such VWAP Purchase Notice (taking into account the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase), such VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the VWAP Purchase Share Amount

 

3


set forth in such VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds such applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase, and shall not purchase, such excess Shares pursuant to such VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount pursuant to such VWAP Purchase. At or prior to 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date for each VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall provide to the Company, by email correspondence to each of the individual notice recipients of the Company set forth in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice, a written confirmation for such VWAP Purchase, setting forth the applicable VWAP Purchase Price per Share to be paid by the Investor for the Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, and the total aggregate VWAP Purchase Price to be paid by the Investor for the total VWAP Purchase Share Amount purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor during the PEA Period, any Allowable Grace Period or any MPA Period.

Section 3.2. Intraday VWAP Purchases. Upon the initial satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 on the Commencement Date and from time to time thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.3, in addition to VWAP Purchases as described in Section 3.1, the Company shall also have the right, but not the obligation, to direct the Investor, by its timely delivery to the Investor of an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for an Intraday VWAP Purchase (each, an “Intraday VWAP Purchase”), specifying in such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (a) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage for such Intraday VWAP Purchase and (b) whether a Limit Order Continue Election or a Limit Order Discontinue Election shall apply to such Intraday VWAP Purchase, on the applicable Purchase Date therefor, to purchase a specified Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount, which shall not exceed the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, at the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Price therefor on such Purchase Date in accordance with this Agreement. The Company may timely deliver to the Investor an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for an Intraday VWAP Purchase on any Trading Day selected by the Company as the Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, so long as (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding such Purchase Date is not less than the Threshold Price, and (ii) all Shares subject to all prior VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases (as applicable) have been received by the Investor as DWAC Shares prior to the Company’s delivery to the Investor of such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase on such Purchase Date. The Investor is obligated to accept each Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice prepared and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in this Agreement. If the Company delivers any Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice directing the Investor to purchase an Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount in excess of the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount that the Company is then permitted to include in such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (taking into account the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase), such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice shall be void ab initio to the extent of the amount by which the Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount set forth in such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice exceeds such applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, and the Investor shall have no obligation to purchase, and shall not purchase, such excess Shares pursuant to such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice; provided, however, that the Investor shall remain obligated to purchase the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount pursuant to such Intraday VWAP Purchase. At or prior to 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the

 

4


Purchase Date on which one or more Intraday VWAP Purchases shall have occurred, the Investor shall provide to the Company, by email correspondence to each of the individual notice recipients of the Company set forth in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, a written confirmation for each such Intraday VWAP Purchase, setting forth the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Price per Share to be paid by the Investor for the Shares purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and the total aggregate Intraday VWAP Purchase Price to be paid by the Investor for the total Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not deliver any Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices to the Investor during the PEA Period, any Allowable Grace Period or any MPA Period.

Section 3.3. Settlement. The Shares constituting the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Amount purchased by the Investor in each VWAP Purchase, and the Shares constituting the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount purchased by the Investor in each Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), in each case shall be delivered to the Investor as DWAC Shares not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase and for each such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) (the “Purchase Share Delivery Date”). For (a) each VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall pay to the Company an amount in cash equal to the product of (1) the total number of Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase and (2) the applicable VWAP Purchase Price for such Shares, as full payment for such Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, and (b) each Intraday VWAP Purchase, the Investor shall pay to the Company an amount in cash equal to the product of (1) the total number of Shares purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase and (2) the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Price for such Shares, as full payment for such Shares purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase, in each case via wire transfer of immediately available funds, not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date for such VWAP Purchase and for each such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), provided the Investor shall have timely received, as DWAC Shares, all of such Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase and such Intraday VWAP Purchase(s) (as applicable) on such Purchase Share Delivery Date in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 3.3, or, if any of such Shares are received by the Investor after 1:00 p.m., New York City time, then the Company’s receipt of such funds in its designated account may occur on the Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which the Investor shall have received all of such Shares as DWAC Shares, but not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such next Trading Day. If the Company or its transfer agent shall fail for any reason to deliver to the Investor, as DWAC Shares, any Shares purchased by the Investor in a VWAP Purchase or an Intraday VWAP Purchase prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date for such VWAP Purchase and for each such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), and if on or after such Trading Day the Investor purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Investor of such Shares that the Investor anticipated receiving from the Company on such Purchase Share Delivery Date in respect of such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), then the Company shall, within one (1) Trading Day after the Investor’s request, either (i) pay cash to the Investor in an amount equal to the Investor’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (the “Cover Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to deliver such Shares as DWAC Shares shall terminate,

 

5


or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Investor such Shares as DWAC Shares and pay cash to the Investor in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Cover Price over the total purchase price paid by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement for all of the Shares purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable). The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of Common Stock to the Investor in connection with any VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase effected pursuant to this Agreement. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up or down to the nearest whole share. All payments to be made by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Company may from time to time designate by written notice to the Investor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 3.4. Compliance with Rules of Trading Market.

(a) Exchange Cap. Subject to Section 3.4(b), the Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, to the extent that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that would be issued pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby would exceed such number of shares equal to 19.99% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, which number of shares shall be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the Trading Market (such maximum number of shares of Common Stock, the “Exchange Cap”), unless the Company’s stockholders have approved the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the Trading Market. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may, but shall be under no obligation to, request its stockholders to approve the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement; provided, that if such stockholder approval is not obtained, the Exchange Cap shall be applicable for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at all times during the term of this Agreement (except as set forth in Section 3.4(b)).

(b) At-Market Transaction. Notwithstanding Section 3.4(a) above, the Exchange Cap shall not be applicable for any purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, solely to the extent that (and only for so long as) the Average Price shall equal or exceed the Base Price (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the Exchange Cap shall be applicable for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at all other times during the term of this Agreement, unless the stockholder approval referred to in Section 3.4(a) is obtained). The parties acknowledge and agree that the Minimum Price used to determine the Base Price hereunder represents the lower of (i) the Nasdaq official closing price of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) on the Trading Day immediately preceding Closing and (ii) the average Nasdaq official closing price of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the date of Closing (subject to adjustment for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Agreement).

 

6


(c) General. The Company shall not issue or sell any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if such issuance or sale would reasonably be expected to result in (A) a violation of the Securities Act or (B) a breach of the rules of the Trading Market. The provisions of this Section 3.4 shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 3.4 only if necessary to ensure compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules of the Trading Market.

Section 3.5. Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not issue or sell, and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire, any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement which, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock then beneficially owned by the Investor and its Affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in the beneficial ownership by the Investor of more than 4.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Upon the written request of the Investor, the Company shall promptly (but not later than the next business day on which the Company’s transfer agent is open for business) confirm orally or in writing to the Investor the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. The Investor and the Company shall each cooperate in good faith in the determinations required under this Section 3.5 and the application of this Section 3.5. The Investor’s written certification to the Company of the applicability of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the resulting effect thereof hereunder at any time, shall be conclusive with respect to the applicability thereof and such result absent manifest error. The provisions of this Section 3.5 shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 3.5 to the extent necessary to properly give effect to the limitations contained in this Section 3.5.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE INVESTOR

The Investor hereby makes the following representations, warranties and covenants to the Company:

Section 4.1. Organization and Standing of the Investor. The Investor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 4.2. Authorization and Power. The Investor has the requisite limited liability company power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and to purchase or acquire the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action, and no further consent or authorization of the Investor, its officers or its sole member is required. Each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Investor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application (including any limitation of equitable remedies).

 

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Section 4.3. No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of such Investor’s certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other applicable organizational instruments, (ii) conflict with, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Investor is a party or is bound, (iii) create or impose any lien, charge or encumbrance on any property of the Investor under any agreement or any commitment to which the Investor is party or under which the Investor is bound or under which any of its properties or assets are bound, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Entity applicable to the Investor or by which any of its properties or assets are bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with, in any material respect, the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. The Investor is not required under any applicable federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Entity in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement or to purchase or acquire the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, other than as may be required by FINRA; provided, however, that for purposes of the representation made in this sentence, the Investor is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the relevant representations and warranties and the compliance with the relevant covenants and agreements of the Company in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

Section 4.4. Investment Purpose. The Investor is acquiring the Securities for its own account, for investment purposes and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, the Investor does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with, or pursuant to, a registration statement filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. The Investor does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to sell or distribute any of the Securities. The Investor is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.

Section 4.5. Accredited Investor Status. The Investor is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D.

 

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Section 4.6. Reliance on Exemptions. The Investor understands that the Securities are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of U.S. federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Investor’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Investor set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Securities.

Section 4.7. Information. All materials relating to the business, financial condition, management and operations of the Company and materials relating to the offer and sale of the Securities which have been requested by the Investor have been furnished or otherwise made available to the Investor or its advisors, including, without limitation, the Commission Documents. The Investor understands that its investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk. The Investor is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of a proposed investment in the Securities. The Investor and its advisors have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from representatives of the Company concerning the financial condition and business of the Company and other matters relating to an investment in the Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by the Investor or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party or the Investor’s right to rely on any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the opinions of the Company’s counsel delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1(iv), 7.2(xvi) and 7.3(x)). The Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities. The Investor understands that it (and not the Company) shall be responsible for its own tax liabilities that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.8. No Governmental Review. The Investor understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or Governmental Entity has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of an investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.

Section 4.9. No General Solicitation. The Investor is not purchasing or acquiring the Securities as a result of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

Section 4.10. Not an Affiliate. The Investor is not an officer, director or an Affiliate of the Company. As of the date of this Agreement, the Investor does not beneficially own any shares of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock, other than the Commitment Shares. During the Investment Period, the Investor will not acquire for its own account any shares of Common Stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock, other than pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or be deemed to prohibit the Investor from purchasing, in an open market transaction or otherwise, shares of Common Stock necessary to make delivery by the Investor in satisfaction of a sale by the Investor of Shares that the Investor anticipated receiving from the Company in connection with the settlement of a VWAP Purchase or an Intraday VWAP Purchase

 

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(as applicable) if the Company or its transfer agent shall have failed for any reason (other than a failure of the Investor or its Broker-Dealer to set up a DWAC and required instructions) to electronically transfer all of the Shares subject to such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) to the Investor on the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date by crediting the Investor’s or its designated Broker-Dealer’s account at DTC through its DWAC delivery system in compliance with Section 3.3 of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing restriction does not apply to any Affiliate of the Investor, provided that any such purchases do not cause the Investor to violate any applicable Exchange Act requirement, including Regulation M.

Section 4.11. No Prior Short Sales. At no time prior to the date of this Agreement has the Investor, its sole member, any of their respective officers, or any entity managed or controlled by the Investor or its sole member, engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, for its own account or for the account of any of its Affiliates, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, in either case which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock, warrants of the Company, preferred stock of the Company or any other security of the Company.

Section 4.12. Statutory Underwriter Status. The Investor acknowledges that it will be disclosed as an “underwriter” and a “selling stockholder” in each Registration Statement and in any Prospectus contained therein to the extent required by applicable law and to the extent the Prospectus is related to the resale of Registrable Securities.

Section 4.13. Resales of Securities. The Investor represents, warrants and covenants that it will resell Securities purchased or acquired by the Investor from the Company pursuant to this Agreement only pursuant to the Registration Statement in which the resale of such Securities is registered under the Securities Act and the Prospectus contained therein, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement and Prospectus, and in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and applicable state securities laws, rules and regulations.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to the Investor (which is hereby incorporated by reference in, and constitutes an integral part of, this Agreement) (the “Disclosure Schedule”), the Company hereby makes the following representations, warranties and covenants to the Investor:

Section 5.1. Organization, Good Standing and Power. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York and has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing (or equivalent status as applicable) in each jurisdiction in which the assets owned or leased by it or the character of its activities require it to be licensed or qualified or in good standing (or equivalent status as applicable), except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.2. Authorization, Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. Except for approvals of the Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof as may be required in connection with any issuance and sale of Shares to the Investor hereunder (which approvals shall be obtained prior to the delivery of any VWAP Purchase Notice and any Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice), the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no further consent or authorization of the Company, its Board of Directors or its stockholders is required. Each of the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application (including any limitation of equitable remedies).

Section 5.3. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company and the shares thereof issued and outstanding were as set forth in the Commission Documents as of the dates reflected therein. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, there are no agreements or arrangements under which the Company is obligated to register the sale of any securities under the Securities Act. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, no shares of Common Stock are entitled to preemptive rights and there are no outstanding debt securities and no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of the capital stock of the Company or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock of the Company other than those issued or granted in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive and/or compensatory plans or arrangements. Except for customary transfer restrictions contained in agreements entered into by the Company to sell restricted securities or as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company is not a party to, and it has no Knowledge of, any agreement restricting the voting or transfer of any shares of the capital stock of the Company. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, there are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, or the consummation of the transactions described herein or therein. The Company has filed with the Commission true and correct copies of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as amended and in effect on the Closing Date (the “Charter”), and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws as in effect on the Closing Date (the “Bylaws”).

 

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Section 5.4. Issuance of Securities. The Commitment Shares have been, and the Shares to be issued under this Agreement have been, or with respect to Shares to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to a particular VWAP Purchase Notice or pursuant to a particular Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable), will be, prior to the delivery to the Investor hereunder of such VWAP Purchase Notice and prior to the delivery to the Investor hereunder of such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable), duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The Commitment Shares, when issued to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement, and the Shares, when issued and sold against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, shall be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all liens, charges, taxes, security interests, encumbrances, rights of first refusal, preemptive or similar rights and other encumbrances with respect to the issue thereof, and the Investor shall be entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. An aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to be determined immediately prior to the Closing shall have been duly authorized and reserved by the Company for issuance and sale to the Investor as Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases under this Agreement.

Section 5.5. No Conflicts. The Company is not in violation of its charter or by laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, or is in default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (any such default, a “Default”) under the Credit Agreement Amendment (as defined below) or any indenture, loan, credit agreement, note, lease, license agreement, contract, franchise or other instrument (including, without limitation, any pledge agreement, security agreement, mortgage or other instrument or agreement evidencing, guaranteeing, securing or relating to indebtedness) to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of their respective properties or assets are subject (each, an “Existing Instrument”), except for such Defaults as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the issuance and sale of the Shares (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, of the Company, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument, except for (x) the requisite consents that have been obtained, (y) the Debt Repayment Triggering Events solely related to mandatory prepayments required under the Amended Credit Agreement in connection with the Specified Equity Proceeds (as such term is defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, or (z) such conflicts, breaches, Defaults, Debt Repayment Triggering Events, liens, charges or encumbrances as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company, except for such violations as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (including the issuance of the Shares) and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except (i) such as have been obtained or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under, or as may be required by, the Securities Act and

 

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such as may be required under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or FINRA (as defined below), (ii) the notification of listing additional shares as required by the Principal Market or (iii) such as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect. As used herein, a “Debt Repayment Triggering Event” means any event or condition which gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

Section 5.6. Commission Documents, Financial Statements; Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting; Accountants.

(a) Since February 27, 2022, except for the quarterly report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period ended November 26, 2022, filed on January 26, 2023, the Company has timely filed (giving effect to permissible extensions in accordance with Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act) all Commission Documents required to be filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, including those required to be filed with or furnished to the Commission under Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. As of the Closing Date, no Subsidiary of the Company is required to file or furnish any report, schedule, registration, form, statement, information or other document with the Commission. As of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the Closing Date, as of the date of such amended or superseded filing), each Commission Document filed with or furnished to the Commission prior to the Closing Date complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable. Each Registration Statement, on the date it is filed with the Commission, on the date it is declared effective by the Commission and on each Purchase Date, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 415 under the Securities Act) and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, except that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from such Registration Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. The Prospectus and each Prospectus Supplement required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement after the Closing Date, when taken together, on its date and on each Purchase Date, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act) and shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the

 

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statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use therein. Each Commission Document (other than the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto) to be filed with or furnished to the Commission after the Closing Date and filed as part of or incorporated by reference in the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, or the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, the Current Report), when such document is filed with or furnished to the Commission and, if applicable, when such document becomes effective, as the case may be, shall comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable. The Company has delivered or made available to the Investor via EDGAR or otherwise true and complete copies of all comment letters and substantive correspondence received by the Company from the Commission relating to the Commission Documents filed with or furnished to the Commission as of the Closing Date, together with all written responses of the Company thereto in the form such responses were filed via EDGAR. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments or undertakings in such comment letters received by the Company from the Commission. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

(b) The consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the periods specified (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which will not be material, either individually or in the aggregate) and have been prepared in compliance with the published requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except (i) for such adjustments to accounting standards and practices as are noted therein and (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) during the periods involved. The pro forma financial statements or data included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, if any, comply with the requirements of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, including, without limitation, Article 11 thereof, and the assumptions used in the preparation of such pro forma financial statements and data are reasonable, the pro forma adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the circumstances referred to therein and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements and data. The other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries contained or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, if any, are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company. There are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents that are not included or incorporated by reference as required. All disclosures contained or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.

 

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(c) Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Commission Documents fairly present the information called for in all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, since the date of the latest audited financial statements of the Company included in the Commission Documents, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the Company has established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year most recently ended (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year most recently ended the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the most recent Evaluation Date and, except as set forth in such Form 10-K or any Commission Document filed with the Commission for a period subsequent to the period covered by such Form 10-K, the “disclosure controls and procedures” are effective.

(d) KPMG LLP (the “Accountant”), whose report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company is to be filed with the Commission as part of the Initial Registration Statement, are and, during the periods covered by their report, were independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). To the Company’s Knowledge, the Accountant is not in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) with respect to the Company.

(e) Since February 27, 2022, except for the quarterly report on Form 10-Q, for the quarterly period ended November 26, 2022, filed on January 26, 2023, the Company has timely filed all certifications and statements the Company is required to file under (i) Rule 13a-14 or Rule 15d-14 under the Exchange Act or (ii) 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) with respect to all Commission Documents with respect to which the Company is required to file such certifications and statements thereunder.

 

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Section 5.7. Subsidiaries. Section 5.7 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth each Subsidiary of the Company as of the Closing Date, other than those that may be omitted pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, and the Company does not have any other Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, other than those that may be omitted pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Each Subsidiary of the Company has been duly formed or organized, is validly existing under the applicable laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has the organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing (or equivalent status as applicable) as a foreign corporation (or other entity, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which the assets owned or leased by it or the character of its activities require it to be licensed or qualified or in good standing (or equivalent status as applicable), except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Commission Documents or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.8. No Material Adverse Effect or Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in any Commission Documents, since February 27, 2022: (i) the Company has not experienced or suffered any Material Adverse Effect, and there exists no current state of facts, condition or event which would have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company from that set forth in the Commission Documents; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; and (iv) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends.

Section 5.9. No Undisclosed Liabilities. The Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations or any “variable interest entities” as that term is used in Accounting Standards Codification Paragraph 810-10-25-20), not described in Commission Documents which are required to be described in the Commission Documents.

Section 5.10. [Reserved]

 

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Section 5.11. [Reserved]

Section 5.12. Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and valid title in fee simple to all items of real property and good and valid title to all personal property described in the Commission Documents as being owned by them that are material to the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims, except those that would reasonably be expected to not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property described in the Commission Documents as being leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries is held by them under valid, existing and enforceable leases, except those that would not be reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.13. Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, there is no Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, if adversely decided or resolved, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Proceeding involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, there has not been, and to the Knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any current or former director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 5.14. Compliance With Laws. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been and is presently being conducted in compliance with all applicable Laws, except for such non-compliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any Order applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except in all cases for any such violations which could not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.15. Certain Fees. No brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Investor shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section 5.15 incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries that may be due or payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

Section 5.16. Disclosure. The Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided the Investor or any of its agents, advisors or counsel with any information that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute material, nonpublic information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the existence of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting resales of Shares under the Registration Statement. All disclosure provided to Investor regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their businesses and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents to which it is a party (as modified by the Disclosure Schedule)) furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of or in connection with the Transaction Documents, taken together, is true and correct in all material respects on the date on which such information is dated or certified, and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading at such time. Each press release issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during the 12 months preceding the Closing Date did not at the time of release (or, if amended or superseded by a later dated press release issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date or by a later dated Commission Document filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company prior to the Closing Date, at the time of issuance of such later dated press release or filing or furnishing of such Commission Document, as applicable) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

Section 5.17. Material Permits. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all Permits that are required to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business as currently conducted, except for such Permits that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (the “Material Permits”). Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the Company’s Knowledge, each Material Permit is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, (ii) no written notice of revocation, cancellation or termination of any Material Permit has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) there are, and have been, no Proceedings pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened relating to the suspension, revocation or material and adverse modification of any of such Material Permit. This Section 5.17 does not relate to environmental matters, such items being the subject of Section 5.18.

 

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Section 5.18. Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, and would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (b) there has been no release of any Hazardous Substance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on or upon any site (including soils, groundwater, surface water, air, buildings, or other structures) currently owned, leased or otherwise operated or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or formerly owned, leased, or otherwise operated or used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice, demand, letter, claim or request for information alleging that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be in violation of or liable under any Environmental Law, and (d) to the Company’s Knowledge, there are no underground storage tanks located on, no PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PCB-containing equipment used or stored on and no Hazardous Substance stored on, any site owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except in compliance with Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with and have all Permits required pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the operation of the Company’s business as currently conducted. The representations and warranties contained in this Section 5.18 are the only representations and warranties being made by the Company with respect to (i) compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws, (ii) any release of Hazardous Substances or (iii) with respect to any environmental matter related to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 5.19. Intellectual Property Rights. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights as necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, none of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement, except for such expiration, termination or abandonment that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any Knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except for such violation or infringement that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.20. Material Contracts. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, the descriptions in the Commission Documents of the material Contracts therein described present fairly in all material respects the information required to be shown, and there are no material Contracts of a character required to be described in the Commission Documents or to be filed as exhibits thereto which are not described or filed as required; all material Contracts between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and third parties expressly referenced in the Commission Documents are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles, and except where the failure of any such Contract to be enforceable in accordance with its terms would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.21. Transactions With Affiliates. Except as set forth in the Commission Documents, none of the officers or directors of the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Company’s stockholders, the officers or directors of any stockholder of the Company who is the beneficial owner of more than five per cent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or any immediate family member or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, has either directly or indirectly any material interest in, or is a party to, any transaction that is required to be disclosed as a related party transaction pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.

Section 5.22. Labor Relations. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, no labor dispute exists or, to the Knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, none of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.23. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Company to Investor shall be used by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the manner as will be set forth in the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement (and any post-effective amendment thereto) and any Prospectus Supplement thereto filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 5.24. Investment Company Act Status. The Company is not, and as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as will be set forth in the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement (and any post-effective amendment thereto) and any Prospectus Supplement thereto filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement the Company will not be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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Section 5.25. Tax Matters. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject as and when due subject to any applicable extensions, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, whether or not shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the Company has no Knowledge of any basis for any such claim.

Section 5.26. Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.

Section 5.27. Exemption from Registration. Subject to, and in reliance on, the representations, warranties and covenants made herein by the Investor, the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Investor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D; provided, however, that at the request of and with the express agreement of the Investor (including, without limitation, the representations, warranties and covenants of Investor set forth in Sections 4.10 through 4.13), the Securities to be issued from and after Commencement to or for the benefit of the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued to the Investor or its designee only as DWAC Shares and will not bear legends noting restrictions as to resale of such securities under federal or state securities laws, nor will any such securities be subject to stop transfer instructions.

Section 5.28. No General Solicitation or Advertising. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

Section 5.29. No Integrated Offering. None of the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the offer, issuance and sale by the Company to the Investor of any of the Securities under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise, or cause this offering of the Securities to require approval of stockholders of the Company under any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, their Affiliates nor any Person acting on their behalf will take any action or steps referred to in the preceding sentence that would require registration of the offer, issuance and sale by the Company to the Investor of any of the Securities under the Securities Act or cause the offering of any of the Securities to be integrated with any other offering of securities of the Company.

 

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Section 5.30. Dilutive Effect. The Company is aware and acknowledges that issuance of the Securities could cause dilution to existing stockholders and could significantly increase the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue the Commitment Shares and to issue the Shares pursuant to the terms of a VWAP Purchase Notice and pursuant to the terms of an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) in accordance with this Agreement is, in each case, absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company.

Section 5.31. Manipulation of Price. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates has, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed or intended to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, or which caused or resulted in, or which would in the future reasonably be expected to cause or result in, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company, in each case to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its officers, directors or Affiliates will during the term of this Agreement, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person acting on their behalf will during the term of this Agreement, take any of the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence.

Section 5.32. Securities Act. The Company has complied and shall comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder, including, without limitation, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act. Each Registration Statement, upon filing with the Commission and at the time it is declared effective by the Commission, shall satisfy all of the requirements of the Securities Act to register the resale of the Registrable Shares included therein by the Investor in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then-prevailing market prices, and not fixed prices. The Company is not currently, and has never been, an issuer identified in, or subject to, Rule 144(i)(1).

Section 5.33. Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its Knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not received notice from the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, from such Eligible Market) to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of the Trading Market (or of such Eligible Market, as applicable). The Company is in compliance with all applicable listing and maintenance requirements of the Trading Market. The Common Stock may be issued and transferred electronically to third parties via DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian (“DWAC”) delivery system. The Company has not received notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated.

 

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Section 5.34. Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s Charter or the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, that is or could become applicable to the Investor as a result of the Investor and the Company fulfilling their respective obligations or exercising their respective rights under the Transaction Documents (as applicable), including, without limitation, as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Investor’s ownership of the Securities.

Section 5.35. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any agent or other Person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has: (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any Person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of Law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”).

Section 5.36. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company any of the directors, officers or employees, agents, affiliates or representatives of the Company or its Subsidiaries, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by an individual or entity that is: (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the transactions contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity: (i) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any individual or entity or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transactions contemplated hereby, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). For the past five years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowingly engaged in, and is not now knowingly engaged in, any dealings or transactions with any individual or entity, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

Section 5.37. Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.

 

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Section 5.38. ERISA. To the Knowledge of the Company, (i) each material employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its Affiliates for employees or former employees of the Company has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred which would result in a material liability to the Company with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption, and (iii) for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions, other than, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.39. IT Systems and Data Privacy.

(a) The Company IT Systems are owned by, or validly licensed, leased or supplied under contracts to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries. The Company IT Systems are adequate and sufficient, in all material respects, for the respective operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted and as contemplated to be conducted after the Closing Date.

(b) Except as disclosed in the Commission Documents, to the Company’s Knowledge, since February 27, 2022, there have been no material data security breach or material unauthorized access of, and no failure, breakdown, performance reduction, disruption, or other adverse event that materially adversely affected the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business or operations with respect to, any Company IT Systems, or any other material unauthorized access, use, loss, disclosure, or publication of any Personal Confidential Information, in each case owned or controlled by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or to the Knowledge of the Company, by any third Person on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, including any unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or publication of Personal Confidential Information that would constitute a breach for which notification to individuals and/or Governmental Entities is required under any applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws to which the Company or such Subsidiary is subject.

(c) The Company and each Subsidiary has established and maintains commercially reasonable measures that are designed to protect the Company IT Systems and all trade secrets, the data collected, generated, or received in connection with the marketing, delivery, or use of any Company Product, and any third party data howsoever obtained or collected by or for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including Personal Confidential Information and other customer data processed in connection with use of any Company Product, and control against unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure or other misuse, including, without limitation, through written internal and external policies and procedures, and organizational, administrative, technical and physical safeguards. The Company and its Subsidiaries have materially aligned their cybersecurity practices with relevant industry standards and have remediated any and all material identified vulnerabilities.

 

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(d) The collection, maintenance, transmission, transfer, use, disclosure, storage, disposal, and security of Personal Confidential Information by the Company and each Subsidiary has complied in all material respects with (i) applicable Information Privacy and Security Laws, (ii) Contracts that govern Personal Confidential Information, (iii) Payment Card Industry Data Standards, and (iv) applicable privacy policies of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries. No Proceeding is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge threatened in writing against the Company or any Subsidiary relating to the processing or security of Personal Confidential Information.

Section 5.40. U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has ever been, and so long as any of the Securities are held by the Investor, shall become a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code.

Section 5.41. Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in the Commission Documents will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

Section 5.42. No Disqualification Events. None of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering contemplated hereby, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale (each, an “Issuer Covered Person”) is subject to any of the “Bad Actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3) under the Securities Act. The Company has exercised reasonable care to determine whether any Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event.

Section 5.43. Broker/Dealer Relationships; FINRA Information. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) is required to register as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act or (ii) directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is a “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” (within the meaning set forth in the FINRA Manual). All of the information provided to the Investor, BRS or to their counsel, specifically for use by BRS in connection with the FINRA Filing (and related disclosure) with FINRA, by the Company, its counsel, its officers and directors and the holders of any securities (debt or equity) or options to acquire any securities of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents is true, complete, correct and compliant with FINRA’s rules and any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rules.

Section 5.44. Acknowledgement Regarding Relationship with Investor and BRS. The Company acknowledges and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s-length purchaser with respect to this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and BRS is acting as a representative of the Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and of no other party, including the Company. The

 

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Company further acknowledges that while the Investor will be deemed to be a statutory “underwriter” with respect to certain of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with interpretive positions of the Staff of the Commission, the Investor is a “trader” that is not required to register with the Commission as a broker-dealer under Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor and its representatives are not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives (including BRS) or agents in connection therewith is merely incidental to the Investor’s acquisition of the Securities. The Company and Investor understand and acknowledge that employees of BRS may discuss market color, VWAP Purchase Notice and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice timing and parameter considerations and other related capital markets considerations with the Company in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, in all cases on behalf of the Investor. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor has not made and does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents other than those specifically set forth in Article IV.

Section 5.45. Acknowledgement Regarding Investors Affiliate Relationships. Affiliates of the Investor, including BRS, engage in a wide range of activities for their own accounts and the accounts of customers, including corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, merchant banking, equity and fixed income sales, trading and research, derivatives, foreign exchange, futures, asset management, custody, clearance and securities lending. In the course of their respective business, Affiliates of the Investor may, directly or indirectly, hold long or short positions, trade and otherwise conduct such activities in or with respect to debt or equity securities or bank debt of, or derivative products relating to, the Company. Any such position will be created, and maintained, independently of the position the Investor takes in the Company. In addition, at any given time Affiliates of the Investor, including BRS, may have been or in the future may be engaged by one or more entities that may be competitors with, or otherwise adverse to, the Company in matters unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and Affiliates of the Investor, including BRS may have or may in the future provide investment banking or other services to the Company in matters unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Activities of any of the Investor’s Affiliates performed on behalf of the Company may give rise to actual or apparent conflicts of interest given the Investor’s potentially competing interests with those of the Company. The Company expressly acknowledges the benefits it receives from the Investor’s participation in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, on the one hand, and the Investor’s Affiliates’ activities, if any, on behalf of the Company unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, on the other hand, and understands the conflict or potential conflict of interest that may arise in this regard, and has consulted with such independent advisors as it deems appropriate in order to understand and assess the risks associated with these potential conflicts of interest. Consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, applicable Affiliates of the Investor have adopted policies and procedures to establish and maintain the independence of their research departments and personnel from their investment banking groups and the Investor. As a result, research analysts employed by Affiliates of the Investor may hold views, make statements or investment recommendations or publish research reports with respect to the Company or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents that differ from the views of the Investor.

 

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ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

The Company covenants with the Investor, and the Investor covenants with the Company, as follows, which covenants of one party are for the benefit of the other party, during the Investment Period (and with respect to the Company, for the period following the termination of this Agreement specified in Section 8.3 pursuant to and in accordance with Section 8.3):

Section 6.1. Securities Compliance. The Company shall notify the Commission and the Trading Market, if and as applicable, in accordance with their respective rules and regulations, of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and shall take all necessary action, undertake all proceedings and obtain all registrations, permits, consents and approvals for the legal and valid issuance of the Securities to the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, as applicable.

Section 6.2. Reservation of Common Stock. The Company has available and the Company shall reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive and other similar rights of stockholders, the requisite aggregate number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to enable the Company to timely effect (i) the issuance and delivery of all Commitment Shares to be issued and delivered to the Investor under Section 10.1(ii) hereof within the time period specified in Section 10.1(ii) hereof, (ii) the issuance, sale and delivery of all Shares to be issued, sold and delivered in respect of each VWAP Purchase effected under this Agreement, in the case of this clause (ii), at least prior to the delivery by the Company to the Investor of the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice in connection with such VWAP Purchase, and (iii) the issuance, sale and delivery of all Shares to be issued, sold and delivered in respect of each Intraday VWAP Purchase effected under this Agreement, in the case of this clause (iii), at least prior to the delivery by the Company to the Investor of the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice in connection with such Intraday VWAP Purchase. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) as of the date of this Agreement, the Company shall reserve, out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock to be determined immediately prior to the Closing shall solely for the purpose of issuing all of the Commitment Shares under this Agreement to be issued and delivered to the Investor under Section 10.1(ii) hereof within the time period specified in Section 10.1(ii) hereof, and (b) as of the date of this Agreement the Company shall reserve, and as of the Commencement Date shall have continued to reserve, out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock to be determined immediately prior to the Closing shall solely for the purpose of issuing Shares pursuant to one or more VWAP Purchases and pursuant to one or more Intraday VWAP Purchases (as applicable) that may be effected by the Company, in its sole discretion, from time to time from and after the Commencement Date under this Agreement. The number of shares of Common Stock so reserved for the purpose of effecting issuances of Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases and pursuant to Intraday VWAP Purchases under this Agreement (as applicable) may be increased from time to time by the Company from and after the Commencement Date, and such number of reserved shares may be reduced from and after the Commencement Date only by the number of Shares actually issued, sold and delivered to the Investor pursuant to any VWAP Purchase and any Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) effected from and after the Commencement Date pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.3. Registration and Listing. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to continue to be registered as a class of securities under Sections 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and to comply with its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act, and shall not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act or Securities Act, except as permitted herein. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock and the listing of the Securities purchased or acquired by the Investor hereunder on the Trading Market (or another Eligible Market) and to comply with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or other Eligible Market, as applicable). The Company shall not take any action which could be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or other Eligible Market, as applicable). If the Company receives any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or other Eligible Market, as applicable) shall be terminated on a date certain, the Company shall promptly (and in any case within 24 hours) notify the Investor of such fact in writing and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Common Stock to be listed or quoted on another Eligible Market.

Section 6.4. Compliance with Laws.

(i) During the Investment Period, the Company (a) shall comply, and cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the business and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect and (b) with applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including Regulation M thereunder, applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, and applicable listing rules of the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Company to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect or for Investor to conduct resales of Securities under the Registration Statement in any material respect. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees or any other Persons acting on their behalf shall, in connection with the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses, (1) use any corporate funds for unlawful contributions, payments, gifts or entertainment or to make any unlawful expenditures relating to political activity to government officials, candidates or members of political parties or organizations, (2) pay, accept or receive any unlawful contributions, payments, expenditures or gifts, or (3) violate or operate in noncompliance with any export restrictions, anti-boycott regulations, embargo regulations or other applicable domestic or foreign laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the FCPA and Money Laundering Laws.

(ii) The Investor shall comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement and its investment in the Securities, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect. Without limiting the foregoing, the Investor shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including Regulation M thereunder, the rules and regulations of FINRA, and all applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws.

 

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Section 6.5. Keeping of Records and Books of Account; Due Diligence.

(i) The Investor and the Company shall each maintain records showing the remaining Total Commitment, the remaining Aggregate Limit, the dates and VWAP Purchase Share Amount for each VWAP Purchase, and the dates and Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount for each Intraday VWAP Purchase.

(ii) Subject to the requirements of Section 6.12, from time to time from and after the Closing Date, the Company shall make available for inspection and review by the Investor during normal business hours and after reasonable notice, customary documentation reasonably requested by the Investor and/or its appointed counsel or advisors to conduct due diligence; provided, however, that after the Closing Date, the Investor’s continued due diligence shall not be a condition precedent to the Commencement or to the Investor’s obligation to accept each VWAP Purchase Notice and each Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice timely delivered by the Company to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement.

Section 6.6. No Frustration; No Variable Rate Transactions.

(i) No Frustration. The Company shall not enter into, announce or recommend to its stockholders any agreement, plan, arrangement or transaction in or of which the terms thereof would restrict, materially delay, conflict with or impair the ability or right of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, including, without limitation, the obligation of the Company to deliver (i) the Commitment Shares to the Investor not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Closing Date in accordance with Section 10.1(ii), and (ii) the Shares to the Investor in respect of each VWAP Purchase and each Intraday VWAP Purchase effected by the Company, in each case not later than the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date with respect to such VWAP Purchase and not later than the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date with respect to such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) in accordance with Section 3.3. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 6.6(i) shall in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.2 (subject in all cases to Section 8.3).

(ii) No Variable Rate Transactions. The Company shall not effect or enter into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction, other than in connection with an Exempt Issuance. The Investor shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief against the Company and its Subsidiaries to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

Section 6.7. Corporate Existence. The Company shall take all steps necessary to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6.8, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prohibit the Company from engaging in any Fundamental Transaction with another Person. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 6.7 shall in any way limit the Company’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.2 (subject in all cases to Section 8.3).

 

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Section 6.8. Fundamental Transaction. If a VWAP Purchase Notice or an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice has been delivered to the Investor and the transactions contemplated therein have not yet been fully settled in accordance with Section 3.3 of this Agreement, the Company shall not effect any Fundamental Transaction until the expiration of five (5) Trading Days following the date of full settlement thereof and the issuance to the Investor of all of the Shares that are issuable to the Investor pursuant to the VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) to which such VWAP Purchase Notice or Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) relates.

Section 6.9. Selling Restrictions.

(i) Except as expressly set forth below, the Investor covenants that from and after the Commencement Date through and including the Trading Day next following the expiration or termination of this Agreement as provided in Article VIII (the “Restricted Period”), none of the Investor, its sole member, any of their respective officers, or any entity managed or controlled by the Investor or its sole member (collectively, the “Restricted Persons” and each of the foregoing is referred to herein as a “Restricted Person”) shall, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in any Short Sales of the Common Stock or the Company’s publicly traded warrants or the Company’s publicly traded preferred stock (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Stock or the Company’s publicly traded warrants or the Company’s publicly traded preferred stock, with respect to each of clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, either for its own account or for the account of any other Restricted Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained herein shall (without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true) prohibit any Restricted Person during the Restricted Period from: (1) selling “long” (as defined under Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO) the Securities; or (2) selling a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Shares that the Investor is unconditionally obligated to purchase under any pending VWAP Purchase Notice or any pending Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable), but has not yet received from the Company or its transfer agent pursuant to this Agreement, so long as (X) the Investor (or its Broker-Dealer, as applicable) delivers the Shares purchased pursuant to such pending VWAP Purchase Notice and the Shares purchased pursuant to such pending Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) to the purchaser thereof promptly upon the Investor’s receipt of such Shares from the Company in accordance with Section 3.3 of this Agreement and (Y) neither the Company or its transfer agent shall have failed for any reason to deliver such Shares to the Investor or its Broker-Dealer so that such Shares are timely received by the Investor as DWAC Shares on the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date for such VWAP Purchase and on the applicable Purchase Share Delivery Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchases (as applicable) in accordance with Section 3.3 of this Agreement.

(ii) In addition to the foregoing, in connection with any sale of Securities (including any sale permitted by paragraph (i) above), the Investor shall comply in all respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, including, without limitation, the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

 

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Section 6.10. Effective Registration Statement. During the Investment Period, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the continuous effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement and each New Registration Statement filed with the Commission under the Securities Act for the applicable Registration Period pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 6.11. Blue Sky. The Company shall take such action, if any, as is necessary by the Company in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify the Securities for sale by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the Transaction Documents, and at the request of the Investor, the subsequent resale of Registrable Securities by the Investor, in each case, under applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Investor from time to time following the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6.11, (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.

Section 6.12. Non-Public Information. Neither the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall disclose any material non-public information about the Company to the Investor, unless a simultaneous public announcement thereof is made by the Company in the manner contemplated by Regulation FD. In the event of a breach of the foregoing covenant by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Investor), (i) the Investor shall promptly provide written notice of such breach to the Company and (ii) after such notice has been provided to the Company and, provided that the Company shall have failed to publicly disclose such material, non-public information within 24 hours following demand therefor by the Investor, in addition to any other remedy provided herein or in the other Transaction Documents, the Investor shall have the right to make a public disclosure, in the form of a press release, public advertisement or otherwise, of such material, non-public information without the prior approval by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents. The Investor shall not have any liability to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders or agents, for any such disclosure.

Section 6.13. Broker-Dealer. The Investor shall use one or more broker-dealers (one of which is BRS, an Affiliate of the Investor) to effectuate all sales, if any, of the Securities that it may purchase or otherwise acquire from the Company pursuant to the Transaction Documents, as applicable, which (or whom) shall be a DTC participant (collectively, the “Broker-Dealer”). The Investor shall, from time to time, provide the Company and the Company’s transfer agent with all information regarding the Broker-Dealer reasonably requested by the Company. The Investor shall be solely responsible for all fees and commissions of the Broker-Dealer (if any), which shall not exceed customary brokerage fees and commissions and shall be responsible for designating only a DTC participant eligible to receive DWAC Shares.

 

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Section 6.14. FINRA Filing. The Company shall assist the Investor and BRS with BRS’ preparation and filing with FINRA’s Corporate Financing Department via the Public Offering System of all documents and information required to be filed with FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 with regard to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “FINRA Filing”). In connection therewith, on or prior to the date the FINRA Filing is first made by BRS with FINRA, the Company shall pay to FINRA by wire transfer of immediately available funds the applicable filing fee with respect to the FINRA Filing, and the Company shall be solely responsible for payment of such fee. The parties hereby agree to provide each other and BRS all requisite information and otherwise to assist each other and BRS in a timely fashion in order for BRS to complete the preparation and submission of the FINRA Filing in accordance with this Section 6.14 and to assist BRS in promptly responding to any inquiries or requests from FINRA or its staff. Each party hereto shall (a) promptly notify the other party and BRS of any communication to that party or its Affiliates from FINRA, including, without limitation, any request from FINRA or its staff for amendments or supplements to or additional information in respect of the FINRA Filing and permit the other party and BRS to review in advance any proposed written communication to FINRA and (b) furnish the other party and BRS with copies of all written correspondence, filings and communications between them and their affiliates and their respective representatives and advisors, on the one hand, and FINRA or members of its staff, on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Each of the parties hereto agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other party and BRS in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable in order for BRS to obtain as promptly as practicable written confirmation from FINRA to the effect that FINRA’s Corporate Financing Department has determined not to raise any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Commencement Date shall not occur, unless and until BRS shall have received written confirmation from FINRA to the effect that FINRA’s Corporate Financing Department has determined not to raise any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.15. QIU. If the Investor or any of its Affiliates, including BRS, reasonably determines that a Qualified Independent Underwriter is required to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in order for such transactions to be in full compliance with the rules and regulations of FINRA, including, without limitation, FINRA Rule 5121, each of the parties hereto shall have executed such documentation as may reasonably be required to engage a Qualified Independent Underwriter to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA, including, without limitation, FINRA Rule 5121.

Section 6.16. Disclosure Schedule.

(i) The Company may, from time to time, update the Disclosure Schedule as may be required to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(i) and Section 7.3(i) (to the extent such condition set forth in Section 7.3(i) relates to the condition in Section 7.2(i) as of a specific Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time). For purposes of this Section 6.16, any disclosure made in a schedule to the Compliance Certificate shall be deemed to be an update of the Disclosure Schedule. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no update to the Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Section 6.16 shall cure any breach of a representation or warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement and made prior to the update and shall not affect any of the Investor’s rights or remedies with respect thereto.

 

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(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Disclosure Schedule or in this Agreement, the information and disclosure contained in any Schedule of the Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to be disclosed and incorporated by reference in any other Schedule of the Disclosure Schedule as though fully set forth in such Schedule for which applicability of such information and disclosure is readily apparent on its face. The fact that any item of information is disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be construed to mean that such information is required to be disclosed by this Agreement. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, such information and the thresholds (whether based on quantity, qualitative characterization, dollar amounts or otherwise) set forth herein shall not be used as a basis for interpreting the terms “material” or “Material Adverse Effect” or other similar terms in this Agreement.

Section 6.17. Delivery of Compliance Certificates, Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letters and Additional Comfort Letters Upon Occurrence of Certain Events. Within three (3) Trading Days immediately following: (i) each date on which the Company files with the Commission (A) an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act, (B) a Form 10-K/A containing amended (or restated) financial information or a material amendment to a previously filed annual report on Form 10-K, (C) a quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act, (D) a form 10-Q/A containing amended or restated financial information on a material amendment to a previously filed quarterly report Form 10-Q, or (E) a current report on Form 8-K containing amended (or restated) financial information of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto (other than information “furnished” pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K) under the Exchange Act; and (ii) the effective date of (A) each post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, (B) each New Registration Statement and (C) each post-effective amendment to each New Registration Statement (each, a “Representation Date”) the Company shall (I) deliver to the Investor a Compliance Certificate, dated the date of delivery to the Investor, (II) cause to be furnished to the Investor an opinion and negative assurance letter from outside counsel to the Company, dated the date of delivery to the Investor, substantially in the form mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement, modified, as necessary, to relate to a New Registration Statement or a post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or a New Registration Statement, and the Prospectus contained in a Registration Statement or post-effective amendment as then amended or supplemented by any Prospectus Supplement thereto as of the date of such letter, as applicable (each, a “Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letter”) and (III) a letter from the Accountant or any successor independent registered public accounting firm for the Company (as applicable) addressed to the Investor and dated as of the date of delivery to the Investor, in substantially the form, scope and substance consistent with the Initial Comfort Letter; provided, however, that any such comfort letter will only be required on such date to the extent that the filing contains financial statements filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a Prospectus. If requested by the Investor, the Company shall also cause a comfort letter to be furnished to the Investor promptly after the occurrence of any material transaction or event requiring the filing of a current report on Form 8-K containing material amended financial information of the Company, including the restatement

 

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of the Company’s financial statements (each, an “Additional Comfort Letter”). On each Representation Date, the Investor shall cause to be furnished to the Investor a Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letter from outside counsel to the Investor, dated the date of delivery to the Investor. The requirement to provide the documents identified above in this Section 6.17 shall be tolled with respect to any Representation Date, if (A) the Company has given written notice to the Investor (with a copy to its counsel) in accordance with Section 10.4, not later than one (1) Trading Day prior to the applicable Representation Date, of the Company’s decision to suspend delivery of VWAP Purchase Notices for future VWAP Purchases and delivery of Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices for future Intraday VWAP Purchases (each, a “Future Purchase Suspension”) (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that no Future Purchase Suspension shall limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect any of the Company’s or the Investor’s rights or obligations under the Transaction Documents with respect to any pending VWAP Purchase and any pending Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) that has not been fully settled in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and that the parties shall fully perform their respective obligations with respect to any such pending VWAP Purchase and any pending Intraday VWAP Purchase under the Transaction Documents), and (B) such Representation Date does not occur during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase or an Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) and ending on the third (3rd) Trading Day following the date of full settlement thereof and the issuance to the Investor of all of the Shares that are issuable to the Investor pursuant to such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), which tolling shall continue until the earlier to occur of (1) the Trading Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for a VWAP Purchase or an Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date, and (2) the next occurring Representation Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to deliver a VWAP Purchase Notice or an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice following a Representation Date when a Future Purchase Suspension was in effect and did not provide the Investor with the documents identified in clauses (I), (II) and (III) of the first sentence of this Section 6.17, then prior to the Company’s delivery to the Investor of such VWAP Purchase Notice or such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) on a Purchase Date, the Company shall provide the Investor with the documents identified in clauses (I), (II) and (III) of the first sentence of this Section 6.17, dated as of the applicable Purchase Date.

Section 6.18. Default. The Company will promptly notify the Investor (i) if it has knowledge of, or receives notice of, (X) a Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement or (y) a Default under any other Existing Instrument pursuant to which, in each case, the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its subsidiaries thereunder exceeds $100,000,000, or (II) if the Credit Agreement Amendment is terminated or becomes ineffective for any reason.

 

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ARTICLE VII

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING, COMMENCEMENT AND PURCHASES

Section 7.1. Conditions Precedent to Closing. The Closing is subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 7.1 on the Closing Date.

(i) Accuracy of the Investor’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Investor contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.

(ii) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.

(iii) Payment of Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement; Issuance of Commitment Shares. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor (or the Investor’s counsel) on or prior to the date hereof, the Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement in accordance with Section 10.1(i), all of which Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement shall be fully earned and non-refundable as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether the Commencement occurs or whether any VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Immediately following the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to its transfer agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock, a certificate or book-entry statement representing the Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the delivery date), in consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement. Such certificate or book-entry statement shall be delivered to the Investor by email and by overnight courier at its address set forth in Section 10.4 hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, all of the Commitment Shares shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether the Commencement occurs or whether any VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement.

(iv) Closing Deliverables. At the Closing, counterpart signature pages of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto shall be delivered as provided in Section 2.2. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, the Investor’s counsel shall have received (a) the opinions and negative assurance letters of outside counsel to the Company and the Investor, dated the Closing Date, in the forms mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement, (b) the closing certificate from the Company, dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and (c) a copy of the irrevocable instructions to the Company’s transfer agent regarding the issuance to the Investor or its designee of the certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Commitment Shares pursuant to and in accordance with Section 10.1(ii) hereof.

 

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Section 7.2. Conditions Precedent to Commencement. The right of the Company to commence delivering VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices under this Agreement, and the obligation of the Investor to accept VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices timely delivered to the Investor by the Company under this Agreement, are subject to the initial satisfaction, at Commencement, of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 7.2.

(i) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (a) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Commencement Date with the same force and effect as if made on such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (b) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall have been true and correct when made and shall be true and correct as of the Commencement Date with the same force and effect as if made on such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date.

(ii) Performance of the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Commencement. The Company shall deliver to the Investor on the Commencement Date the compliance certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Compliance Certificate”).

(iii) Initial Registration Statement Effective. The Initial Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities included therein required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission, and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein to resell (i) all of the Commitment Shares and (ii) all of the Shares included in such Prospectus.

(iv) No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (a) receipt of any request by the Commission or any other Governmental Entity for any additional information relating to the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or for any amendment of or supplement to the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto; (b) the issuance by the Commission or any other Governmental Entity of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or of the suspension of

 

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qualification or exemption from qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (c) the objection of FINRA to the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or (d) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Initial Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or which requires an amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or a supplement to the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto to comply with the Securities Act, any applicable state securities laws or any other law. The Company shall have no Knowledge of any event that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of causing the suspension of the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or the prohibition or suspension of the use of the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor.

(v) Other Commission Filings. The Current Report and the Form D shall have been filed with the Commission as required pursuant to Section 2.3. The final Prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission prior to Commencement in accordance with Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material required to have been filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to Commencement shall have been filed with the Commission.

(vi) No Suspension of Trading in or Notice of Delisting of Common Stock. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Trading Market or FINRA (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the Commencement Date), the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date certain, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market), nor shall there have been imposed any suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock that is continuing, the Company shall not have received any notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated (unless, prior to such suspension or restriction, DTC shall have notified the Company in writing that DTC has determined not to impose any such suspension or restriction).

 

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(vii) Compliance with Laws. The Company shall have complied with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws, rules, regulations and ordinances in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Investor and the subsequent resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor (or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom).

(viii) No Injunction. No statute, regulation, order, decree, writ, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated, threatened or endorsed by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of or which would materially modify or delay any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

(ix) No Proceedings or Litigation. No action, suit or proceeding before any arbitrator or any court or Governmental Entity shall have been commenced, and no inquiry or investigation by any Governmental Entity shall have been commenced, against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of the officers, directors or Affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary, seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, or seeking material damages in connection with such transactions.

(x) Listing of Securities. All of the Securities that have been and may be issued pursuant to this Agreement shall have been approved for listing or quotation on the Trading Market (or on an Eligible Market) as of the Commencement Date, subject only to notice of issuance.

(xi) No Material Adverse Effect. No condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing.

(xii) No Bankruptcy Proceedings; Solvency. No Person shall have commenced a proceeding against the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law. The Company shall not have, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, (a) commenced a voluntary case or taken any steps in furtherance of commencing a voluntary case, (b) consented to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (c) consented to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or (d) made a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors. A court of competent jurisdiction shall not have entered an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (I) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (II) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or (III) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(xiii) Commitment Shares Issued as DWAC Shares. The Company shall have caused the Company’s transfer agent to credit the Investor’s or its designee’s account at DTC as DWAC Shares such number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Commitment Shares issued to the Investor pursuant to Section 10.1(ii) hereof, in accordance with Section 10.1(iv) hereof.

 

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(xiv) Delivery of Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and Notice of Effectiveness. The Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions shall have been executed by the Company and delivered to acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent, and the Notice of Effectiveness relating to the Initial Registration Statement shall have been executed by the Company’s outside counsel and delivered to the Company’s transfer agent, in each case directing such transfer agent to issue to the Investor or its designated Broker-Dealer all of the Commitment Shares and all of the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement as DWAC Shares in accordance with this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

(xv) Amended Credit Agreement. The Company and each of the other parties thereto shall have executed and delivered the Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver, by and among the Company, certain of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO agent, and the lenders party thereto (as amended by the Fourth Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), and such Amended Credit Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

(xvi) No Default. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (I) in Default (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) under the Amended Credit Agreement, or under any other document related thereto, except for such Defaults with respect to which the agents and lenders under the Amended Credit Agreement have effectively agreed to forbear enforcement of rights and remedies and the exercise of remedies pursuant thereto and as to which the Amended Credit Agreement remains in full force and effect or (II) in Default under any other Existing Instrument, except for any such Default as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xvii) Reservation of Shares. As of the Commencement Date, the Company shall have reserved out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock to be determined immediately prior to the Closing shall solely for the purpose of issuing Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases that may be effected by the Company, in its sole discretion, from and after the Commencement Date under this Agreement.

(xviii) Opinions and Negative Assurance of Company Counsel and Counsel for the Investors. On the Commencement Date, the Investor shall have received the opinions and negative assurance from outside counsel to the Company and outside counsel to the Investors, in each case, dated the Commencement Date, in the forms mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

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(xix) Initial Comfort Letter of Company Auditor. On the Commencement Date, the Investor shall have received from the Accountant, or a successor independent registered public accounting firm for the Company (as applicable), a letter dated the Commencement Date and addressed to the Investor, in substantially the form, scope and substance mutually agreed to by the Company and the Investor at least one (1) Trading Day prior to the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is first filed with the Commission, (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and (ii) stating the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the audited and unaudited financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (as supplemented by any Prospectus Supplement filed with the Commission on or prior to the Commencement Date), and certain other matters customarily covered by auditor “comfort letters,” except that the specific date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures shall be no more than three (3) Trading Days prior to the Commencement Date (the “Initial Comfort Letter”).

(xx) FINRA No Objections. Prior to the Commencement Date, FINRA’s Corporate Financing Department shall have confirmed in writing that it has determined not to raise any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms and arrangements of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

Section 7.3. Conditions Precedent to Purchases after Commencement Date. The right of the Company to deliver VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices under this Agreement after the Commencement Date, and the obligation of the Investor to accept VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices timely delivered to the Investor by the Company under this Agreement after the Commencement Date, are subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in this Section 7.3, (X) with respect to a VWAP Purchase Notice for a VWAP Purchase that is timely delivered by the Company to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement, as of the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time of the applicable VWAP Purchase Period for such VWAP Purchase to be effected pursuant to such VWAP Purchase Notice and (Y) with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for an Intraday VWAP Purchase that is timely delivered by the Company to the Investor in accordance with this Agreement, as of the Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time of the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase to be effected pursuant to such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (each such VWAP Purchase Commencement Time (with respect to a VWAP Purchase Notice) and each such Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time (with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice), at which time all such conditions must be satisfied, a “Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time”).

(i) Satisfaction of Certain Prior Conditions. Each of the conditions set forth in subsections (i), (ii), and (vii) through (xvi) set forth in Section 7.2 shall be satisfied at the applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time after the Commencement Date (with the terms “Commencement” and “Commencement Date” in the conditions set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) of Section 7.2 replaced with “applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time”); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to deliver the Compliance Certificate after the Commencement Date, except as provided in Section 6.17 and Section 7.3(x).

 

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(ii) Initial Registration Statement Effective. The Initial Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities included therein filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement, and any post-effective amendment thereto required to be filed by the Company with the Commission after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Purchase Date pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in each case shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission and shall remain effective for the applicable Registration Period, and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, to resell (a) all of the Commitment Shares and (b) all of the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that have been issued and sold to the Investor hereunder pursuant to all VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor prior to such applicable Purchase Date and (c) all of the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that are issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice or Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to a VWAP Purchase or an Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) to be effected hereunder on such applicable Purchase Date.

(iii) Any Required New Registration Statement Effective. Any New Registration Statement covering the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities included therein, and any post-effective amendment thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), in each case shall have been declared effective under the Securities Act by the Commission and shall remain effective for the applicable Registration Period, and the Investor shall be permitted to utilize the Prospectus therein, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, to resell (a) all of the Commitment Shares (if any) included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, (b) all of the Shares included in such New Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that have been issued and sold to the Investor hereunder pursuant to all VWAP Purchase Notices and Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor prior to such applicable Purchase Date and (c) all of the Shares included in such new Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendment thereto, that are issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice or Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to a VWAP Purchase or an Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) to be effected hereunder on such applicable Purchase Date.

(iv) Delivery of Subsequent Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions and Notice of Effectiveness. With respect to any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case declared effective by the Commission after the Commencement Date, the Company shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Company’s transfer agent (a) irrevocable instructions in the form substantially similar to the Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by its transfer agent and (b) the Notice of Effectiveness, in each case modified as necessary to refer to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and the Registrable Securities included therein, to issue the Registrable Securities included therein as DWAC Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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(v) No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (a) receipt of any request by the Commission or any other Governmental Entity for any additional information relating to the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or for any amendment of or supplement to the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto; (b) the issuance by the Commission or any other Governmental Entity of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or prohibiting or suspending the use of the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto, or of the suspension of qualification or exemption from qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or contemplated initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (c) the objection of FINRA to the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or (d) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition or state of facts, which makes any statement of a material fact made in the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto untrue or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in order to state a material fact required by the Securities Act to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements then made therein (in the case of the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or which requires an amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto to comply with the Securities Act, any applicable state securities laws or any other law (other than the transactions contemplated by the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to a VWAP Purchase, or the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice delivered by the Company to the Investor with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) to be effected hereunder on such applicable Purchase Date and the settlement thereof). The Company shall have no Knowledge of any event that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of causing the suspension of the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the prohibition or suspension of the use of the Prospectus contained in any of the foregoing or any Prospectus Supplement thereto in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Investor.

(vi) Other Commission Filings. The final Prospectus included in any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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The final Prospectus included in any New Registration Statement and in any post-effective amendment thereto, and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 2.3 and the Registration Rights Agreement. All reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents required to have been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material required to have been filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the Commencement Date and prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), shall have been filed with the Commission and, if any Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement on Form S-3, such filings shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing under the Exchange Act.

(vii) No Suspension of Trading in or Notice of Delisting of Common Stock. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable) or FINRA (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase or such Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable)), the Company shall not have received any final and non-appealable notice that the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable) shall be terminated on a date certain (unless, prior to such date certain, the Common Stock is listed or quoted on any other Eligible Market), nor shall there have been imposed any suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock that is continuing, the Company shall not have received any notice from DTC to the effect that a suspension of, or restriction on, accepting additional deposits of the Common Stock, electronic trading or book-entry services by DTC with respect to the Common Stock is being imposed or is contemplated (unless, prior to such suspension or restriction, DTC shall have notified the Company in writing that DTC has determined not to impose any such suspension or restriction).

(viii) Certain Limitations. The issuance and sale of the Shares issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice or the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) shall not (a) exceed, in the case of a VWAP Purchase Notice, the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount applicable to such VWAP Purchase Notice or, in the case of an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, the Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount applicable to such Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, (b) cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement to exceed the Aggregate Limit, (c) cause the Investor to beneficially own (under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder) shares of Common Stock in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, or (d) if and to the extent the Exchange Cap is then applicable under Section 3.4, cause the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement to exceed the Exchange Cap, unless in the case of this clause (d), the Company’s stockholders have theretofore approved the issuance of such shares of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the Trading Market.

 

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(ix) Shares Authorized and Delivered. All of the Shares issuable pursuant to the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice or Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice (as applicable) shall have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company. All Shares relating to all prior VWAP Purchase Notices and all prior Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices required to have been received by the Investor as DWAC Shares under this Agreement prior to the applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) shall have been delivered to the Investor as DWAC Shares in accordance with this Agreement.

(x) Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letters; Additional Comfort Letters and Compliance Certificates. The Investor shall have received (a) all Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letters from outside counsel to the Company and outside counsel to the Investor, as applicable, which the Company or the Investors, as the case may be, was obligated to instruct its outside counsel to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), (b) all Additional Comfort Letters from the Accountant, or a successor independent registered public accounting firm for the Company (as applicable), which the Company was obligated to instruct such firm to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), and (c) all Compliance Certificates from the Company that the Company was obligated to deliver to the Investor prior to the applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), in each case in accordance with Section 6.17.

(xi) Payment of Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall have paid, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor, all Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement payments that the Company was obligated to pay to the Investor prior to the applicable Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time for the applicable VWAP Purchase or Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) in accordance with Section 10.1(i), each of which Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement payments shall be fully earned and non-refundable as of the date such payments are made by the Company to the Investor, regardless of whether any additional VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

TERMINATION

Section 8.1. Automatic Termination. Unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate automatically on the earliest to occur of (i) the first day of the month next following the 24-month anniversary of the Commencement Date, (ii) the date on which the Investor shall have purchased from the Company, pursuant to all VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases that have occurred and fully settled pursuant to this Agreement, an aggregate number of Shares for a total aggregate gross purchase price to the Company equal to the Total Commitment, (iii) the date on which the Common Stock shall have failed to be listed or quoted on the Trading Market or any Eligible Market for a period of one (1) Trading Day, (iv) the thirtieth (30th) Trading Day next following the date on which, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or any Person commences a proceeding against the Company, in each case that is not discharged or dismissed prior to such thirtieth (30th) Trading Day, and (v) the date on which, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, a Custodian is appointed for the Company or for all or substantially all of its property, or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors.

 

 

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Section 8.2. Other Termination. Subject to Section 8.3, the Company may terminate this Agreement after the Commencement Date effective upon ten (10) Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Investor in accordance with Section 10.4; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall have issued all of the Commitment Shares required to be issued to the Investor pursuant to Section 10.1(ii) of this Agreement, and shall have paid the Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement and all Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement payments required to be paid to the Investor pursuant to Section 10.1(i) of this Agreement, in each case prior to such termination, and (ii) prior to issuing any press release, or making any public statement or announcement, with respect to such termination, the Company shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of such press release or other disclosure. Subject to Section 8.3, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent. Subject to Section 8.3, the Investor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement effective upon ten (10) Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 10.4, if: (a) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event constituting a Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing; (b) a Fundamental Transaction shall have occurred; (c) the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement is not filed by the applicable Filing Deadline therefor or declared effective by the Commission by the applicable Effectiveness Deadline (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) therefor, or the Company is otherwise in breach or default in any material respect under any of the other provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, and, if such failure, breach or default is capable of being cured, such failure, breach or default is not cured within ten (10) Trading Days after notice of such failure, breach or default is delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 10.4; (d) while a Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, is required to be maintained effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and the Investor holds any Registrable Securities, the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order by the Commission) or such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, the Prospectus contained therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto otherwise becomes unavailable to the Investor for the resale of all of the Registrable Securities included therein in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of twenty (20) consecutive Trading Days or for more than an aggregate of sixty (60) Trading Days in any 365-day period, other than due to acts of the Investor; (e) trading in the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, trading in the Common Stock on such Eligible Market) shall have been suspended and such suspension continues for a period of three (3) consecutive Trading Days; or (f) the Company is in material breach or default of this Agreement, and, if such breach or default is capable of being cured, such breach or default is not cured within ten (10) Trading Days after notice of such breach or default is delivered to the Company pursuant to Section 10.4. Unless notification thereof is required elsewhere in this Agreement (in which case such notification shall be provided in accordance with such other provision), the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours) notify the Investor (and, if required under applicable law, including, without limitation, Regulation FD promulgated by the Commission, or under the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable), the Company shall publicly disclose such information in accordance with Regulation FD and the applicable rules and regulations of the Trading Market (or Eligible Market, as applicable)) upon becoming aware of any of the events set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

 

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Section 8.3. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination by the Company or the Investor (other than by mutual termination) pursuant to Section 8.2, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party as provided in Section 10.4 and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be terminated without further action by either party. If this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, this Agreement shall become void and of no further force and effect, except that (i) the provisions of Article V (Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company), Article IX (Indemnification), Article X (Miscellaneous) and this Article VIII (Termination) shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely notwithstanding such termination, and, (ii) so long as the Investor owns any Securities, the covenants and agreements of the Company contained in Article VI (Additional Covenants) shall remain in full force and notwithstanding such termination for a period of six (6) months following such termination. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no termination of this Agreement by any party shall (i) become effective prior to the fifth (5th) Trading Day immediately following the settlement date related to any pending VWAP Purchase or any pending Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable) that has not been fully settled in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that no termination of this Agreement shall limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect any of the Company’s or the Investor’s rights or obligations under the Transaction Documents with respect to any pending VWAP Purchase and any pending Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable), and that the parties shall fully perform their respective obligations with respect to any such pending VWAP Purchase and any pending Intraday VWAP Purchase under the Transaction Documents), (ii) limit, alter, modify, change or otherwise affect the Company’s or the Investor’s rights or obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, all of which shall survive any such termination, (iii) affect any Commitment Shares issued or issuable to the Investor pursuant to Section 10.1(ii), all of which Commitment Shares shall be fully earned as of the Closing Date, regardless of whether the Commencement shall have occurred, whether any VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement, (iv) affect the Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement payable or paid to the Investor, all of which Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement shall be fully earned and non-refundable when paid on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 10.1(i), regardless of whether the Commencement shall have occurred, whether any VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement, or (v) affect any Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement payments payable or paid to the Investor, all of which Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement payments shall be fully earned and non-refundable when paid pursuant to Section 10.1(i), regardless of whether any additional VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are made or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this Section 8.3 shall be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for any breach or default under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or to impair the rights of the Company and the Investor to compel specific performance by the other party of its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

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ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 9.1. Indemnification of Investor. In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and acquiring the Securities hereunder and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, subject to the provisions of this Section 9.1, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, each of its directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title), each Person, if any, who controls the Investor (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act), and the respective directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Investor Party”), from and against all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses (including all judgments, amounts paid in settlement, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of defense and investigation) (collectively, “Damages”) that any Investor Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party or (b) any action, suit, claim or proceeding (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) instituted against such Investor Party arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Transaction Documents, other than claims for indemnification within the scope of Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that (x) the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to any Damages to the extent, but only to the extent, that such Damages resulted directly and primarily from a breach of any of the Investor’s representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, and (y) the Company shall not be liable under subsection (b) of this Section 9.1 to the extent, but only to the extent, that a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a final judgment (from which no further appeals are available) that such Damages resulted directly and primarily from any acts or failures to act, undertaken or omitted to be taken by such Investor Party through its fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or willful or reckless misconduct.

The Company shall reimburse any Investor Party promptly upon demand (with accompanying presentation of sufficiently detailed documentary evidence) for all legal and other costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such Investor Party in connection with (i) any action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, to enforce compliance by the Company with any provision of the Transaction Documents or (ii) any other any action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether at law or in equity, with respect to which it is entitled to indemnification under this Section 9.1; provided that the Investor shall promptly reimburse the Company for all such legal and other costs and expenses to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any Investor Party was not entitled to such reimbursement.

 

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An Investor Party’s right to indemnification or other remedies based upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company set forth in the Transaction Documents shall not in any way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of such Investor Party. Such representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall not be affected or deemed waived by reason of the fact that an Investor Party knew or should have known that any representation or warranty might be inaccurate or that the Company failed to comply with any agreement or covenant. Any investigation by such Investor Party shall be for its own protection only and shall not affect or impair any right or remedy hereunder.

To the extent that the foregoing undertakings by the Company set forth in this Section 9.1 may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Damages which is permissible under applicable law.

Section 9.2. Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after an Investor Party receives notice of a claim or the commencement of an action for which the Investor Party intends to seek indemnification under Section 9.1, the Investor Party will notify the Company in writing of the claim or commencement of the action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from liability under Section 9.1, except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by the failure to give notice. The Company will be entitled to participate in the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding as to which indemnification is being sought, and if the Company acknowledges in writing the obligation to indemnify the Investor Party against whom the claim or action is brought, the Company may (but will not be required to) assume the defense against the claim, action, suit or proceeding with counsel satisfactory to it. After the Company notifies the Investor Party that the Company wishes to assume the defense of a claim, action, suit or proceeding, the Company will not be liable for any further legal or other expenses incurred by the Investor Party in connection with the defense against the claim, action, suit or proceeding except that if, in the opinion of counsel to the Investor Party, it would be inappropriate under the applicable rules of professional responsibility for the same counsel to represent both the Company and such Investor Party. In such event, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel for all such Investor Parties promptly as such fees and expenses are incurred. Each Investor Party, as a condition to receiving indemnification as provided in Section 9.1, will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the Company in the defense of any action or claim as to which indemnification is sought. The Company will not be liable for any settlement of any action effected without its prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. The Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Investor Party, effect any settlement of a pending or threatened action with respect to which an Investor Party is, or is informed that it may be, made a party and for which it would be entitled to indemnification, unless the settlement includes an unconditional release of the Investor Party from all liability and claims which are the subject matter of the pending or threatened action.

The remedies provided for in this Article IX are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Investor Party at law or in equity.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1. Certain Fees and Expenses; Commitment Shares; Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions.

(i) Certain Fees and Expenses. Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company, (a) on or prior to the Closing Date, shall have paid to the Investor, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor on or prior to the Closing Date, an aggregate amount equal to $100,000 as reimbursement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Investor’s legal counsel incurred by the Investor prior to the Closing (the “Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement”), and (b) within ten (10) Business Days after each Representation Date (provided a Future Purchase Suspension is not then in effect), shall have paid to the Investor, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Investor, an additional $15,000 per fiscal quarter as reimbursement for the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Investor’s legal counsel incurred by the Investor in connection with the Investor’s ongoing due diligence and review of deliverables subject to Section 6.17; provided, however, that such additional reimbursement shall be $25,000 if such fiscal quarter is also the fiscal quarter in which the Company files its Form 10-K (the “Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement”), in each case in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, (1) the Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement shall be fully earned and non-refundable when paid on or prior to the Closing Date in accordance with this Section 10.1(i) and (2) each Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement payment shall be fully earned and non-refundable when paid in accordance with this Section 10.1(i), regardless of whether any additional VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are effected by the Company or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all U.S. federal, state and local stamp and other similar transfer and other taxes and duties levied in connection with issuance of the Securities pursuant hereto.

(ii) Commitment Shares. In consideration for the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement on the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver irrevocable instructions to its transfer agent to issue to the Investor, not later than 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock, one or more certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Commitment Shares in the name of the Investor or its designee (in which case such designee name shall have been provided to the Company prior to the delivery date). Such certificate or book-entry statement shall be delivered to the Investor by overnight courier at its address set forth in Section 10.4. For the avoidance of doubt, all of the Commitment Shares shall be fully earned as of the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock, regardless of whether the Commencement shall have occurred, any VWAP Purchases or Intraday VWAP Purchases are effected by the Company or settled hereunder or any subsequent termination of this Agreement. Upon issuance pursuant to this Section 10.1(ii), the Commitment Shares shall constitute “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and, subject to the provisions of subsection (iv) of this Section 10.1, the certificate or book-entry statement representing the Commitment Shares shall bear the restrictive legend set forth below in subsection (iii) of this Section 10.1. The Commitment Shares shall constitute Registrable Securities and shall be included in the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, and the Prospectus included therein, and, if necessary to register the resale thereof by the Investor under the Securities Act, in any New Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, and the Prospectus included therein, in each case in accordance with this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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(iii) Legends. The certificate(s) or book-entry statement(s) representing the Commitment Shares issued prior to the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement, except as set forth below, shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and stop transfer instructions may be placed against transfer of the Commitment Shares):

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO: (1) RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (2) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A CUSTOMARY FORM, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, all Shares to be issued in respect of each VWAP Purchase Notice and all Shares to be issued in respect of each Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice delivered to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, in each case shall be issued to the Investor in accordance with Section 3.3 by crediting the Investor’s or its designees’ account at DTC as DWAC Shares, and the Company shall not take any action or give instructions to any transfer agent of the Company otherwise.

(iv) Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions; Notice of Effectiveness. On the earlier of (a) the Commencement Date and (b) such time that the Investor shall request, provided all conditions of Rule 144 are met, the Company shall, no later than one (1) Trading Day following the delivery by the Investor to the Company or its transfer agent of one or more legended certificates or book-entry statements representing the Commitment Shares issued to the Investor pursuant to Section 10.1(ii) (which certificates or book-entry statements the Investor shall promptly deliver on or prior to the first to occur of the events described in clauses (a) and (b) of this sentence), cause the Company’s transfer agent to credit the Investor’s or its designee’s account at DTC as DWAC Shares such number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Commitment Shares issued to the Investor pursuant to Section 10.1(ii). The Company shall take all actions to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, including, without limitation, delivering all such legal opinions, consents, certificates, resolutions and instructions to its transfer agent, and any successor transfer agent of the Company, as may be requested from time to time by the Investor or necessary or desirable to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of the immediately preceding sentence. On the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and prior to Commencement, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its transfer agent (and thereafter, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any subsequent transfer agent of the Company), (i) irrevocable instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent (the “Commencement

 

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Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions”) and (ii) the notice of effectiveness in the form attached as an exhibit to the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Notice of Effectiveness”) relating to the Initial Registration Statement executed by the Company’s outside counsel, in each case directing the Company’s transfer agent to issue to the Investor or its designee all of the Commitment Shares and the Shares included in the Initial Registration Statement as DWAC Shares in accordance with this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. With respect to any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to any New Registration Statement, in each case declared effective by the Commission after the Commencement Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to its transfer agent (and thereafter, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to any subsequent transfer agent of the Company) (i) irrevocable instructions in the form substantially similar to the Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions executed by the Company and acknowledged in writing by the Company’s transfer agent and (ii) the Notice of Effectiveness, in each case modified as necessary to refer to such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment and the Registrable Securities included therein, to issue the Registrable Securities included therein as DWAC Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, all Shares and Commitment Shares to be issued and delivered from and after Commencement to or for the benefit of the Investor pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued and delivered to the Investor or its designee only as DWAC Shares. The Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, while this Agreement is effective, no instruction other than those referred to in this Section 10.1(iv) will be given by the Company to its transfer agent, or any successor transfer agent of the Company, with respect to the Shares and the Commitment Shares from and after Commencement, and the Shares and the Commitment Shares covered by the Initial Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereof, or any New Registration Statement or post-effective amendment thereof, as applicable, shall otherwise be freely transferable on the books and records of the Company and no stop transfer instructions shall be maintained against the transfer thereof. The Company agrees that if the Company fails to fully comply with the provisions of this Section 10.1(iv) within three (3) Trading Days after the date on which the Investor has provided the deliverables referred to above that the Investor is required to provide to the Company or its transfer agent, the Company shall, at the Investor’s written instruction, purchase from the Investor all shares of Common Stock acquired by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement that contain the restrictive legend referred to in Section 10.1(iii) hereof (or any similar restrictive legend), or that have any stop transfer orders maintained that prohibit or impede the transfer thereof in any respect, at the greater of (i) the purchase price paid for such shares of Common Stock (as applicable) and (ii) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date of the Investor’s written instruction.

Section 10.2. Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction, Waiver of Jury Trial.

(i) The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that either party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which either party may be entitled by law or equity.

 

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(ii) Each of the Company and the Investor (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court and other courts of the United States sitting in the State of New York for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and (b) hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Company and the Investor consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section 10.2 shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

(iii) EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTOR HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR DISPUTES RELATING HERETO. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE INVESTOR (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE 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 PARTY HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.2.

Section 10.3. Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, with respect to such matters. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by either party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents. The Disclosure Schedule and all exhibits to this Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Agreement as if set forth in full herein.

Section 10.4. Notices. Any notice, demand, request, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a) upon hand delivery or electronic mail delivery at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The address for such communications shall be:

 

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If to the Company:

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

650 Liberty Avenue

Union, New Jersey 07083

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

E-mail: david.kastin@bedbath.com

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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Christian Nagler; Tamar Donikyan

E-mail: cnagler@kirkland.com; tamar.donikyan@kirkland.com

If to the Investor:

B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC

11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800

Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone Number: (310) 966-1444

Email: legal@brileyfin.com

Attention: General Counsel

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

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

7 Times Square

New York, New York 10036

Telephone Number: (212) 415-9214

Email: jeeholee@omm.com

Attention: Jeeho Lee

Either party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving at least five (5) days’ advance written notice of such changed address to the other party hereto.

Section 10.5. Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. No failure or delay in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercises thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.

 

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Section 10.6. Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be amended by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.

Section 10.7. Headings. The article, section and subsection headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

Section 10.8. Construction. The parties agree that each of them and their respective counsel has reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents. In addition, each and every reference to share prices (including the Threshold Price) and number of shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall, in all cases, be subject to adjustment for any stock splits, stock combinations, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations and other similar transactions that occur on or after the date of this Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to “Dollars” or “$” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Any references to “Section” or “Article” in this Agreement shall, unless otherwise expressly stated herein, refer to the applicable Section or Article of this Agreement.

Section 10.9. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors. Neither the Company nor the Investor may assign this Agreement or any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder to any Person.

Section 10.10. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided in Article IX, this Agreement is intended only for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

Section 10.11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal procedural and substantive laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any laws or rules of such state that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 10.12. Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery hereof until the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that (i) the provisions of Article V (Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company), Article VIII (Termination), Article IX (Indemnification) and this Article X (Miscellaneous) shall remain in full force and effect indefinitely notwithstanding such termination, and, (ii) so long as the Investor owns any Securities, the covenants and agreements of the Company and the Investor contained in Article VI (Additional Covenants), shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination for a period of six (6) months following such termination.

Section 10.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.

Section 10.14. Publicity. The Company shall afford the Investor and its counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, shall consult with the Investor and its counsel on the form and substance of, and shall give due consideration to all such comments from the Investor or its counsel on, any press release, Commission filing or any other public disclosure made by or on behalf of the Company relating to the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, including any press release disclosing the execution of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company, prior to the issuance, filing or public disclosure thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be required to submit for review any such disclosure (i) contained in periodic reports filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act if it shall have previously provided substantially the same disclosure to the Investor or its counsel for review in connection with a previous filing or (ii) any Prospectus Supplement if it contains disclosure that does not reference the Investor, its purchases hereunder or any aspect of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby.

Section 10.15. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and, in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any one or more of the provisions or part of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or part of a provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be reformed and construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of such provision, had never been contained herein, so that such provisions would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

Section 10.16. Further Assurances. From and after the Closing Date, upon the request of the Investor or the Company, each of the Company and the Investor shall execute and deliver such instrument, documents and other writings as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

THE COMPANY:
BED BATH & BEYOND INC.:

By:

 

/s/ Sue Grove

Name:

 

Sue Grove

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

THE INVESTOR:
B. RILEY PRINCIPAL CAPITAL II, LLC:

By:

 

/s/ Patrice McNicoll

Name: Patrice McNicoll

Title: Authorized Signatory


ANNEX I TO THE

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

DEFINITIONS

Accountant” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(d).

Additional Comfort Letter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.17.

Additional Investor Expense Reimbursement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(i).

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 144.

Aggregate Limit” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.

Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

Allowable Grace Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Amended Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(xv).

Average Price” means a price per Share (rounded to the nearest tenth of a cent) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate gross purchase price paid by the Investor for all Shares purchased pursuant to this Agreement, by (ii) the aggregate number of Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar U.S. federal or state bankruptcy Law or any Law for the relief of debtors.

Base Price” means a price per Share equal to the sum of (i) the Minimum Price and (ii) a dollar amount to be determined immediately prior to the Closing (subject to adjustment for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Agreement).

Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5.

Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

Bring-Down Opinion and Negative Assurance Letter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.17.

Broker-Dealer” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.13.

BRS” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

Bylaws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.3.

 

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Charter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.3.

Closing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2.

Closing Date” means the date of Closing.

Closing Sale Price” means, for the Common Stock as of any date, the last closing trade price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing trade price for the Common Stock, then the last trade price for the Common Stock prior to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, as reported by Bloomberg. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.

Code” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.38.

Commencement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.

Commencement Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.

Commencement Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(iv).

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity.

Commission Documents” shall mean (1) all reports, schedules, registrations, forms, statements, information and other documents filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including all material filed with or furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since February 27, 2022, and which hereafter shall be filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company, including, without limitation, the Current Report, (2) each Registration Statement, as the same may be amended from time to time, the Prospectus contained therein and each Prospectus Supplement thereto and (3) all information contained in such filings and all documents and disclosures that have been and heretofore shall be incorporated by reference therein.

Commitment Shares” means a number of shares of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock representing 0.25% of the Total Commitment, divided by the VWAP during the 5 consecutive Trading Days (y) immediately following a reverse stock split of the Common Stock or (z) if no such reverse stock split occurs, immediately prior to the Commencement Date, adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction (in each case, rounded to the nearest whole share), which, on the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock, the Company has caused its transfer agent to issue and deliver to the Investor not later than 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the earlier of (A) the Commencement Date and (B) the date which is 5 consecutive Trading Days immediately following the date on which the Company completes a reverse stock split of its Common Stock pursuant to Section 10.1(ii).

 

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Common Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries which entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

Company IT Systems” means any computer hardware, servers, networks, platforms, peripherals, data communication lines, and other information technology equipment and related systems and services (including so-called SaaS/PaaS/IaaS services), that are owned or controlled by, or relied upon in the conduct of the business of, the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Company Product” means the products or services provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(ii).

Contracts” means any legally binding contracts, agreements, subcontracts, leases, and purchase orders.

Cover Price” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3.

COVID-19” means SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions thereof or any other related or associated epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks.

Current Report” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3.

Custodian” shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Damages” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1.

Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5.

Disclosure Schedule” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to Article V.

Disqualification Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.42.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or any successor thereto.

DWAC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.33.

 

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DWAC Shares” means shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement that are (i) issued in electronic form, (ii) freely tradable and transferable and without restriction on resale and without stop transfer instructions maintained against the transfer thereof and (iii) timely credited by the Company’s transfer agent to the Investor’s (or its designee’s) specified DWAC account with DTC under its Fast Automated Securities Transfer (FAST) Program, or any similar program hereafter adopted by DTC performing substantially the same function.

EDGAR” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.

Effective Date” means, with respect to the Initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) or any New Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(c) of the Registration Rights Agreement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), as applicable, the date on which the Initial Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) or any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto) is declared effective by the Commission.

Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Eligible Market” means The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Global Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American (or any nationally recognized successor to any of the foregoing).

Environmental Laws” means any Laws relating to (a) releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Substances, (b) pollution, protection, investigation, or restoration of the environment or natural resources, (c) the manufacture, handling, transport, use, presence, treatment, storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances, (d) wetlands, pollution, contamination, or any injury or threat of injury to persons or property as a result of exposure to Hazardous Substances, and includes but is not limited to United States federal statutes known as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Endangered Species Act, Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, or any similar Law applicable to the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts business or provides or offers goods or services.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Exchange Cap” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.4(a).

Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) Common Stock, options or other equity incentive awards to employees, officers, directors or vendors of the Company pursuant to any equity incentive plan duly adopted for such purpose, by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of the Board of Directors established for such purpose, (b) (1) any Securities issued to the Investor (or its designee) pursuant to the Transaction

 

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Documents, (2) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents held by the Investor at any time, or (3) any securities issued upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Common Stock Equivalents issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities referred to in this clause (3) have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of directors established for such purpose, which acquisitions, divestitures, licenses, partnerships, collaborations or strategic transactions can have a Variable Rate Transaction component, provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities, (d) shares of Common Stock issued by the Company to the Investor (or its designee) in connection with any “equity line of credit” or other continuous offering or similar offering of Common Stock (other than the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents) pursuant to one or more written agreements between the Company and the Investor or an Affiliate of the Investor executed after the date of this Agreement (if any), whereby the Company may sell shares of Common Stock to the Investor or an Affiliate of the Investor at a future determined price, or (e) shares of Common Stock issued by the Company in any “at the market offering” or “equity distribution program” or similar offering of Common Stock exclusively to or through B. Riley Securities, Inc. pursuant to one or more written agreements between the Company and B. Riley Securities, Inc.

Existing Instrument” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5.

FCPA” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.35.

Filing Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

FINRA Filing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.14.

 

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Fundamental Transaction” means that (i) the Company shall, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions, (1) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Person, with the result that the holders of the Company’s capital stock immediately prior to such consolidation or merger together beneficially own less than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation, or (2) sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company to another Person, or (3) take action to facilitate a purchase, tender or exchange offer by another Person that is accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (excluding any shares of Common Stock held by the Person or Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the Persons making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer), or (4) consummate a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with another Person whereby such other Person acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (not including any shares of Common Stock held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination), or (5) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its Common Stock, or (ii) any “person” or “group” (as these terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or shall become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock.

Future Purchase Suspension” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.17.

GAAP” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(b).

Governmental Entity” means any federal, state, local or foreign government or political subdivision thereof, or any supra-national governing body, or any court, agency, commission, authority or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any such government, political subdivision thereof, or supra-national governing body, including any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority or quasi-governmental authority (to the extent that the rules, regulations or Orders of such organization or authority have the force of law), or any arbitrator or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction.

Hazardous Substance” means (a) those substances defined in or regulated as hazardous or toxic substances, materials, or wastes under any Environmental Law, (b) petroleum and petroleum products or by-products including crude oil and any fractions thereof, (c) natural gas, synthetic gas, and any mixtures thereof, (d) friable asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials, radon, (e) any other substance regulated as a pollutant or contaminant under Environmental Law, or (f) any biological or chemical substance, material or waste regulated or classified as toxic, hazardous, or radioactive by any Governmental Entity with jurisdiction applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts business or provides or offers goods or services.

 

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Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any time, without duplication, (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements, indemnities and other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, “Indebtedness” of any Person shall not include any item that would otherwise constitute “Indebtedness” of such Person that is an obligation between such Person and any wholly owned Subsidiary of such Person or between any two or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Information Privacy and Security Laws” means all applicable Laws concerning the privacy, data protection, transfer or security of Personal Confidential Information, including, to the extent applicable, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, guidance of each Governmental Entity that pertains to such Laws, and other local, state, federal, and foreign data security Laws, data breach notification laws, and consumer protection Laws.

Initial Comfort Letter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2(xvi).

Initial Investor Expense Reimbursement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(i).

Initial Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.19.

Intraday VWAP Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.2.

Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the time that is the latest of: (i) the VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the VWAP Purchase Period for the VWAP Purchase preceding the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase occurring on the same Purchase Date as such earlier VWAP Purchase, if the Company has timely delivered a VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase on such Purchase Date, (ii) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for the most recent prior Intraday VWAP Purchase, if any, occurring on the same Purchase Date as such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and (iii) the Investor’s timely receipt (acknowledged by email correspondence to each of the individual notice recipients of the Company set forth in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice, other than via auto-reply) from the Company of the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase on the applicable Purchase Date therefor.

 

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Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the time on the Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase that is the earliest of: (i) 3:59 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, or such earlier time publicly announced by the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) as the official close of the primary (or “regular”) trading session on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such Purchase Date; (ii) immediately at such time following the Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time of the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase that the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period has exceeded the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (taking into account the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase); provided, however, that the calculation of the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period shall exclude from such calculation all shares of Common Stock traded in any of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (C) provided the Company shall have specified in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice that clause (iii) below shall not trigger the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (such specification by the Company, whether in an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice or in a VWAP Purchase Notice, a “Limit Order Continue Election”), all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold; and (iii) provided the Company shall have specified in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice that this clause (iii) shall trigger the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (such specification by the Company, whether in an Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice or in a VWAP Purchase Notice, a “Limit Order Discontinue Election”), immediately at such time following the Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time of the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase that the Sale Price of any share of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period is less than the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold; provided, however, that the determination of whether the Sale Price of any share of Common Stock traded during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period is less than the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold shall exclude (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date and (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable). All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction.

 

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Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, such number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of: (i) a number of shares of Common Stock to be determined immediately prior to the Closing, and (ii) the product of (A) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, multiplied by (B) the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) during the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase; provided, however, that the calculation of the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period referred to in clause (ii)(B) above shall exclude from such calculation all shares of Common Stock traded in any of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (1) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (2) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (3) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction.

Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, either (a) the dollar amount specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase as the per share minimum Sale Price threshold to be used in determining whether the event in clause (iii) of the definition of “Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time” shall have occurred during the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, if the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Discontinue Election in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, or (b) the dollar amount specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase as the per share minimum Sale Price threshold to be used in determining the sales of Common Stock during the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Period that shall be excluded from the calculation of the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period, if the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase; provided, however, that in each case if the Company has not specified any such dollar amount as the per share minimum Sale Price threshold in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, then the per share minimum Sale Price threshold to be used in such Intraday VWAP Purchase shall be such dollar amount equal to the product of (a) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, multiplied by (b) a number to be determined immediately prior to the Closing. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction.

 

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Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, an irrevocable written notice from the Company to the Investor, specifying the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage that shall apply to such Intraday VWAP Purchase and whether a Limit Order Continue Election or a Limit Order Discontinue Election shall apply to such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and directing the Investor to subscribe for and purchase a specified Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount (such specified Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 3.2 as necessary to give effect to the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount for such Intraday VWAP Purchase), at the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Price therefor on the Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement, that is delivered by the Company to the Investor and received by the Investor (i) after the latest of (X) 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date, if the Company has not timely delivered a VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase on such Purchase Date, (Y) the VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the VWAP Purchase Period for the VWAP Purchase preceding the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase occurring on the same Purchase Date as such earlier VWAP Purchase, if the Company has timely delivered a VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase on such Purchase Date, and (Z) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for the most recent prior Intraday VWAP Purchase, if any, occurring on the same Purchase Date as such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and (ii) prior to the earlier of (X) 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date and (Y) such time that is exactly thirty (30) minutes immediately prior to the official close of the primary (or “regular”) trading session on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) on such Purchase Date, if the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) has theretofore publicly announced that the official close of the primary (or “regular”) trading session on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such Purchase Date shall be earlier than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Purchase Date.

Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, which shall not exceed 25.0%, for purposes of calculating, among other things, the Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, the Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount and the Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum, in each case applicable to such Intraday VWAP Purchase.

Intraday VWAP Purchase Period” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the period on the Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, beginning at the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Commencement Time and ending at the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time on such Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase.

Intraday VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the purchase price per Share to be purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase, equal to the product of (i) 0.97, multiplied by (ii) the VWAP of the Common Stock for the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Period on the applicable Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase; provided, that if the VWAP of the Common Stock for the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Period on the applicable Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase is (A) less than $1.00, (i) above shall be 0.95 and (B) less than $0.50, (i) above

 

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shall be 0.93; provided, further, however, that the calculation of the VWAP for the Common Stock for the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for an Intraday VWAP Purchase shall exclude each of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (C) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold for such Intraday VWAP Purchase. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction.

Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the total number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase as specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, which total number of Shares shall not exceed the Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount applicable to such Intraday VWAP Purchase, taking into account the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (and such number of Shares specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase shall be subject to automatic adjustment in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof as necessary to give effect to the Intraday VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount limitation applicable to such Intraday VWAP Purchase, taking into account the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, as set forth in this Agreement).

Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means, with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be subscribed for and purchased by the Investor in such Intraday VWAP Purchase, by (ii) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).

Investment Period” means the period commencing on the Commencement Date and expiring on the date this Agreement is subsequently terminated pursuant to Article VIII.

Investor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

Investor Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.1.

Issuer Covered Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.44.

 

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Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of any of the Company’s (i) Chief Executive Officer, (ii) Chief Financial Officer and (iii) Chief Legal Officer, in each case after reasonable inquiry of all officers, directors and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries under such Person’s direct supervision who would reasonably be expected to have knowledge or information with respect to the matter in question.

Law” means any federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, national or supranational statute, law (including common law), act, statute, ordinance, treaty, rule, code, regulation or other binding directive issued, promulgated or enforced by a Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over a given matter.

Limit Order Continue Election” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time,” which election shall be applicable to an Intraday VWAP Purchase, if such election is specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and shall be applicable to a VWAP Purchase, if such election is specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, as the case may be.

Limit Order Discontinue Election” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time,” which election shall be applicable to an Intraday VWAP Purchase, if such election is specified by the Company in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and shall be applicable to a VWAP Purchase, if such election is specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, as the case may be.

Material Adverse Effect” means (i) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event having, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely have, any effect on the business, operations, properties or financial condition of the Company that is material and adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding any facts, circumstances, changes or effects, individually or in the aggregate, exclusively and directly resulting from, relating to or arising out of any of the following: (a) changes in conditions in the U.S. or global capital, credit or financial markets generally, including changes in the availability of capital or currency exchange rates, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies, (b) changes generally affecting the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies, (c) any effect of the announcement of, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement on the Company’s relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, vendors, bank lenders, strategic venture partners or employees, (d) changes arising in connection with earthquakes, hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions or any escalation or material worsening of any such hostilities, acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or military actions existing as of the date hereof, (e) any effect of COVID-19 or any Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline issued by a Governmental Entity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization or industry group providing for business closures, changes to business operations, “sheltering-in-place” or other restrictions that relate to, or arise out of, an epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 pandemic)

 

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or any change in such Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline or interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement, (f) any action taken by the Investor, any of its officers, its sole member or the Investor’s Broker-Dealer, or any of such Person’s successors with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and (g) the effect of any changes in applicable laws or accounting rules, provided such changes shall not have affected the Company in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other similarly situated companies; (ii) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event having, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely have, any material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby; or (iii) any condition, occurrence, state of facts or event that would, or insofar as reasonably can be foreseen would likely, prohibit or otherwise materially interfere with or delay the ability of the Company to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

Material Permits” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17.

Minimum Price” means a dollar amount, representing the lower of the Nasdaq official closing price of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Closing or the average Nasdaq official closing price of the Common Stock on the Trading Market (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Closing Date (subject to adjustment for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction that occurs on or after the date of this Agreement).

Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.37.

MPA Period” means the period commencing at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Trading Day on which any Affiliate of the Investor, including, without limitation, BRS, shall have published or distributed any research report (as such term is defined in Rule 500 of Regulation AC) concerning the Company, and ending at 6:00 a.m., New York City time, on the sixth (6th) Trading Day immediately following the Trading Day on which any Affiliate of the Investor, including, without limitation, BRS, shall have published or distributed any research report (as such term is defined in Rule 500 of Regulation AC) concerning the Company.

New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Notice of Effectiveness” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(iv).

Order” means any writ, judgment, injunction, determination, consent, order, decree, stipulation, award or executive order of or by any Governmental Entity.

PEA Period” means the period commencing at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the fifth (5th) Trading Day immediately prior to the filing of any post-effective amendment to the Initial Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement, and ending at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following, the Effective Date of such post-effective amendment.

 

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Permits” means any approvals, authorizations, clearances, licenses, registrations, permits or certificates of a Governmental Entity.

Person” means any person or entity, whether a natural person, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture or Governmental Entity.

Personal Confidential Information” means any information, in any form, that could reasonably be used to identify, contact, or locate a single person, that is governed, regulated, or protected by one or more Information Privacy and Security Laws or that is covered by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

Proceeding” means any lawsuit, litigation, action, audit, investigation, examination, claim, complaint, charge, proceeding, suit, arbitration, investigation, or mediation (in each case, whether civil, criminal or administrative and whether public or private) pending by or before or otherwise involving any Governmental Entity.

Prospectus” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Prospectus Supplement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Purchase Condition Satisfaction Time” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.3.

Purchase Date” means, (i) with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the Trading Day on which the Investor timely receives, (A) after 6:00 a.m., New York City time, and (B) prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day, a valid VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement, and (ii) with respect to an Intraday VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.2, the Trading Day on which the Investor timely receives a valid Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement, (A) after the latest of (X) 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day, if the Company has not timely delivered a valid VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase on such Trading Day, (Y) the VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the VWAP Purchase Period for the VWAP Purchase preceding the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for such Intraday VWAP Purchase occurring on the same Trading Day as such earlier VWAP Purchase, if the Company has timely delivered a valid VWAP Purchase Notice to the Investor for a VWAP Purchase on such Trading Day, and (Z) the Intraday VWAP Purchase Ending Time of the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for the most recent prior Intraday VWAP Purchase, if any, occurring on the same Trading Day as such Intraday VWAP Purchase, and (B) prior to the earlier of (X) 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day for such Intraday VWAP Purchase and (Y) such time that is exactly thirty (30) minutes immediately prior to the official close of the primary (or “regular”) trading session on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market) on such Trading Day, if the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) has publicly announced that the official close of the primary (or “regular”) trading session shall be earlier than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day.

 

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Purchase Share Delivery Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3.

Qualified Independent Underwriter” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in FINRA Rule 5121(f)(12).

Registrable Securities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Registration Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Registration Rights Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereof.

Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Regulation D” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Representation Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.17.

Restricted Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9(i).

Restricted Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9(i).

Restricted Persons” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9(i).

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect.

Sale Price” means any trade price for a share of Common Stock on the Trading Market, or if the Common Stock is then traded on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market, as reported by Bloomberg.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6(d).

Section 4(a)(2)” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Securities means, collectively, the Shares and the Commitment Shares.

 

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

Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by the Investor under this Agreement pursuant to one or more VWAP Purchase Notices or one or more Intraday VWAP Purchase Notices, but not including the Commitment Shares.

Short Sales” shall mean “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act.

Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interest having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by the Company and/or any of its other Subsidiaries.

Threshold Price” means $0.20.

Total Commitment” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1.

Trading Day” shall mean any day on which the Trading Market or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, such Eligible Market is open for “regular” trading, including any day on which the Trading Market (or such Eligible Market, as applicable) is open for “regular” trading for a period of time less than the customary “regular” trading period.

Trading Market” means The Nasdaq Capital Market (or any nationally recognized successor thereto).

Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement (as qualified by the Disclosure Schedule) and the exhibits hereto, the Registration Rights Agreement, and the exhibits thereto, and each of the other agreements, documents, certificates and instruments entered into or furnished by the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any equity or debt securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price, exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such equity or debt securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such equity or debt security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock (including, without limitation, any “full ratchet” or “weighted average” anti-dilution provisions, but not including any standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), (ii) issues or sells any equity or debt securities, including, without limitation, Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, either (A) at a price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or

 

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the market for the Common Stock (other than standard anti-dilution protection for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction), or (B) that are subject to or contain any put, call, redemption, buy-back, price-reset or other similar provision or mechanism (including, without limitation, a “Black-Scholes” put or call right, other than in connection with a “fundamental transaction”) that provides for the issuance of additional equity securities of the Company or the payment of cash by the Company, or (iii) enters into any agreement, including, but not limited to, an “equity line of credit” or “at the market offering” or other continuous offering or similar offering of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, whereby the Company may sell Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents at a future determined price.

VWAP” means, for the Common Stock for a specified period, the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, on such Eligible Market), for such period, as reported by Bloomberg through its “AQR” function; provided, however, that (i) the calculation of the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock for the VWAP Purchase Period for each VWAP Purchase shall exclude each of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (C) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold for such VWAP Purchase; and (ii) the calculation of the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock for the Intraday VWAP Purchase Period for each Intraday VWAP Purchase shall exclude each of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (C) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice for such Intraday VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such Intraday VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable Intraday VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold for such Intraday VWAP Purchase. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction.

VWAP Purchase” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1.

VWAP Purchase Commencement Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, 9:30:01 a.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, or such later time on such Purchase Date publicly announced by the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) as the official open of the primary (or “regular”) trading session on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such Purchase Date.

 

 

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VWAP Purchase Ending Time” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the time on the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase that is the earliest of: (i) 3:59 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, or such earlier time publicly announced by the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) as the official close of the primary (or “regular”) trading session on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) on such Purchase Date; (ii) immediately at such time following the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time of the VWAP Purchase Period for such VWAP Purchase that the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period has exceeded the applicable VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum for such VWAP Purchase (taking into account the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase); provided, however, that the calculation of the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period shall exclude from such calculation all shares of Common Stock traded in any of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (C) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold; and (iii) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Discontinue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, immediately at such time following the VWAP Purchase Commencement Time of the VWAP Purchase Period for such VWAP Purchase that the Sale Price of any share of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period is less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold; provided, however, that the determination of whether the Sale Price of any share of Common Stock traded during such VWAP Purchase Period is less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold shall exclude (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date and (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable). All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction.

 

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VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, such number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of: (i) a number to be determined immediately prior to the Closing, and (ii) the product of (A) the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, multiplied by (B) the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or, if the Common Stock is then listed on an Eligible Market, by such Eligible Market) during the VWAP Purchase Period for such VWAP Purchase; provided, however, that the calculation of the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period referred to in clause (ii)(B) above shall exclude from such calculation all shares of Common Stock traded in any of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (1) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (2) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (3) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction.

VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, either (a) the dollar amount specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase as the per share minimum Sale Price threshold to be used in determining whether the event in clause (iii) of the definition of “VWAP Purchase Ending Time” shall have occurred during the applicable VWAP Purchase Period for such VWAP Purchase, if the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Discontinue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, or (b) the dollar amount specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase as the per share minimum Sale Price threshold to be used in determining the sales of Common Stock during the applicable VWAP Purchase Period that shall be excluded from the calculation of the total number (or volume) of shares of Common Stock traded on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period, if the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase; provided, however, that in each case if the Company has not specified any such dollar amount as the per share minimum Sale Price threshold in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, then the per share minimum Sale Price threshold to be used in such VWAP Purchase shall be such dollar amount equal to the product of (a) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, multiplied by (b) a number to be determined immediately prior to the Closing. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction.

VWAP Purchase Notice” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, an irrevocable written notice delivered by the Company to the Investor, and received by the Investor, after 6:00 a.m., New York City time, and prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, specifying the VWAP Purchase Percentage that shall apply to such VWAP Purchase and whether a Limit Order Continue Election or a Limit Order Discontinue Election shall apply to such VWAP Purchase, and directing the Investor to subscribe for and purchase a specified VWAP Purchase Share Amount (such specified VWAP Purchase Share Amount subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 3.1 as necessary to give effect to the applicable VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount for such VWAP Purchase), at the applicable VWAP Purchase Price therefor on such Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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VWAP Purchase Percentage” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, which shall not exceed 25.0%, for purposes of calculating, among other things, the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount, the VWAP Purchase Share Amount and the VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum, in each case applicable to such VWAP Purchase.

VWAP Purchase Period” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the period on the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase, beginning at the applicable VWAP Purchase Commencement Time and ending at the applicable VWAP Purchase Ending Time on such Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase.

VWAP Purchase Price” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the purchase price per Share to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, equal to the product of (i) 0.97, multiplied by (ii) the VWAP of the Common Stock for the applicable VWAP Purchase Period on the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase; provided, that if the VWAP of the Common Stock for the applicable VWAP Purchase Period on the applicable Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase is (A) less than $1.00, (i) above shall be 0.95 and (B) less than $0.50, (i) above shall be 0.93; provided, further, however, that the calculation of the VWAP for the Common Stock for the VWAP Purchase Period for a VWAP Purchase shall exclude each of the following transactions, to the extent they occur during such VWAP Purchase Period (as applicable): (A) the opening or first purchase of Common Stock at or following the official open of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date, (B) the last or closing sale of Common Stock at or prior to the official close of such primary (or “regular”) trading session that is reported in the consolidated system on such Purchase Date (as applicable), and (C) provided the Company shall have specified a Limit Order Continue Election in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, all sales of Common Stock on the Trading Market (or on such Eligible Market, as applicable) during such VWAP Purchase Period at a Sale Price that is less than the applicable VWAP Purchase Minimum Price Threshold for such VWAP Purchase. All such calculations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction.

VWAP Purchase Share Amount” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, the total number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase as specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, which total number of Shares shall not exceed the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount applicable to such VWAP Purchase, taking into account the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase (and such number of Shares specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase shall be subject to automatic adjustment in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof as necessary to give effect to the VWAP Purchase Maximum Amount limitation applicable to such VWAP Purchase, taking into account the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase, as set forth in this Agreement).

 

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VWAP Purchase Share Volume Maximum” means, with respect to a VWAP Purchase made pursuant to Section 3.1, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the VWAP Purchase Share Amount to be subscribed for and purchased by the Investor in such VWAP Purchase, by (ii) the VWAP Purchase Percentage specified by the Company in the applicable VWAP Purchase Notice for such VWAP Purchase (to be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar transaction).

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

[TO BE FURNISHED SEPARATELY]

 

A-1


EXHIBIT B

CLOSING CERTIFICATE

[    ], 2023

The undersigned, the [    ] of Bed Bath & Beyond, a New York corporation (the “Company”), delivers this certificate in connection with the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2023 (the “Agreement”), by and between the Company and B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and hereby certifies on the date hereof that (capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement):

1. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true, complete and correct copy of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended through the date hereof, as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Incorporation”). The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company has not been further amended or restated, and no document with respect to any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company has been filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware since the date shown on the face of the state certification relating to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, which is in full force and effect on the date hereof, and no action has been taken by the Company in contemplation of any such amendment or the dissolution, merger or consolidation of the Company.

2. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and complete copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended through, and as in full force and effect on, the date hereof (the “Bylaws”), and no proposal for any amendment, repeal or other modification to the Bylaws of the Company has been taken or is currently pending before the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Company.

3. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; said approval has not been amended, rescinded or modified and remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof. Attached hereto as Exhibit C are true, correct and complete copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on [    ], 2023.

4. Each person who, as an officer of the Company, or as attorney-in-fact of an officer of the Company, signed the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party, was duly elected, qualified and acting as such officer or duly appointed and acting as such attorney-in-fact, and the signature of each such person appearing on any such document is his genuine signature.

5. Each of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and O’Melveny & Myers LLP may rely on the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company, as to factual matters, contained in the Transaction Documents and in all documents, certificates or instruments referred to therein or delivered in connection therewith.

6. I fully understand the above statements that I am making herein and that each of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and O’Melveny & Myers LLP, in rendering its opinions to the Investor required to be rendered under the Purchase Agreement, will be relying significantly on the completeness and accuracy of such statements.

 

B-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed my name as of the date first above written.

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

B-2


EXHIBIT C

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

The undersigned, the [    ] of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), delivers this certificate in connection with the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2023 (the “Agreement”), by and between the Company and B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and hereby certifies, solely in such person’s capacity as an officer of the Company, on the date hereof that, to the best of his or her knowledge after reasonable investigation, on behalf of the Company (capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement):

1. The undersigned is the duly appointed [    ] of the Company.

2. Except as set forth in the attached Disclosure Schedule, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article V of the Agreement (i) that are not qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” are true and correct in all material respects as of [the Commencement Date] [the date hereof] with the same force and effect as if made on [the Commencement Date] [the date hereof], except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects as of such other date and (ii) that are qualified by “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” are true and correct as of [the Commencement Date] [the date hereof] with the same force and effect as if made on [the Commencement Date] [the date hereof], except to the extent such representations and warranties are as of another date, in which case, such representations and warranties are true and correct as of such other date.

3. The Company has performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company [at or prior to Commencement][on or prior to the date hereof].

4. The Shares issuable in respect of each VWAP Purchase Notice and each Intraday VWAP Purchase Notice effected pursuant to the Agreement shall be delivered to the Investor electronically as DWAC Shares, and shall be freely tradable and transferable and without restriction on resale and without any stop transfer instructions maintained against such Shares. In accordance with Section 10.1(iv) of the Agreement, the Commitment Shares have been delivered to the Investor electronically as DWAC Shares, and the Commitment Shares are freely tradable and transferable and without restriction on resale and without any stop transfer instructions maintained against the Commitment Shares.

5. As of [the Commencement Date][the date hereof], the Company does not possess any material non-public information.

6. As of [the Commencement Date][the date hereof], the Company has reserved out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, [    ] shares of Common Stock solely for the purpose of issuing Shares pursuant to VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases effected under the Agreement.

7. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of the Prospectus under the Securities Act has been issued and no proceedings for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act are pending before or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission.

 

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8. The undersigned fully understand the above statements that [he]/[she] is making herein and that each of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and O’Melveny & Myers LLP, in rendering its opinions to the Investor required to be rendered under the Purchase Agreement, will be relying significantly on the completeness and accuracy of such statements.

The undersigned has executed this Certificate this [•] day of [•], 202[•].

 

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   

 

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DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE

RELATING TO THE COMMON STOCK

PURCHASE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MARCH 30, 2023

BETWEEN BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND B. RILEY PRINCIPAL CAPITAL II,

LLC

This disclosure schedule is made and given pursuant to Article V of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2023 (the “Agreement”), by and between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms are used herein as defined in the Agreement. The numbers below correspond to the section numbers of representations and warranties in the Agreement most directly modified by the below exceptions.

Section 5.7 Subsidiaries

Bed Bath & Beyond of California Limited Liability Company

Bed Bath & Beyond Canada L.P.
buybuy BABY, Inc.
Harmon Stores, Inc.
Liberty Procurement Co. Inc.

Exhibit 10.3

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 30, 2023, is by and between B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Investor”), and Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”).

RECITALS

A. The Company and the Investor have entered into that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company may issue, from time to time, to the Investor up to the lesser of (i) $1,000,000,000 in aggregate gross purchase price of newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and (ii) the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable under Section 3.4 of the Purchase Agreement), as provided for therein.

B. Pursuant to the terms of, and in consideration for the Investor entering into, the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall cause to be issued to the Investor the Commitment Shares in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement.

C. Pursuant to the terms of, and in consideration for the Investor entering into, the Purchase Agreement, and to induce the Investor to execute and deliver the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the Investor with certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as set forth herein.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and in the Purchase Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Investor hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions.

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement

(b) “Allowable Grace Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(p).

(c) “Blue Sky Filing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).


(d) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

(e) “Claims” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).

(f) “Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor entity.

(g) “Common Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

(h) “Company” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

(i) “Company Party” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(b).

(j) “Effective Date” means the date that the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission.

(k) “Effectiveness Deadline” means (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed to pursuant to Section 2(a), the earlier of (A) the sixtieth (60th) calendar day immediately after the Filing Deadline with respect to the Initial Registration Statement, if the Initial Registration Statement is subject to review by the Commission, and (B) if the Company is notified (orally or in writing) by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, the fifth (5th) calendar day after the date the Company is notified (orally, or if subsequently confirmed in writing, in writing, whichever is later) by the Commission that the Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, and (ii) with respect to any New Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the earlier of (A) the sixtieth (60th) calendar day immediately after the Filing Deadline with respect to such New Registration Statement, if such New Registration Statement is subject to review by the Commission, and (B) if the Company is notified (orally or in writing) by the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission, the fifth (5th) calendar day after the date the Company is notified (orally, or if subsequently confirmed in writing, in writing, whichever is later) by the Commission that such New Registration Statement will not be reviewed by the Commission.

(l) “Filing Deadline” means (i) with respect to the Initial Registration Statement required to be filed to pursuant to Section 2(a), the twentieth (20th) Business Day after the date of this Agreement and (ii) with respect to any New Registration Statements that may be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the tenth (10th) Business Day following the sale of substantially all of the Registrable Securities included in the Initial Registration Statement or the most recent prior New Registration Statement, as applicable, or such other date as permitted by the Commission.

(m) “FINRA Filing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Purchase Agreement.

 

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(n) “Indemnified Damages” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).

(o) “Initial Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(a).

(p) “Investor” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble of this Agreement.

(q) “Investor Party” and “Investor Parties” shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in Section 6(a).

(r) “Legal Counsel” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(b).

(s) “New Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(c).

(t) “Person” means any person or entity, whether a natural person, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, business association, firm, joint venture, governmental agency or authority.

(u) “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form included in the Registration Statement at the applicable Effective Date of the Registration Statement, as supplemented from time to time by any Prospectus Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.

(v) “Prospectus Supplement” means any prospectus supplement to the Prospectus filed with the Commission from time to time pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.

(w) “Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

(x) “register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements in compliance with the Securities Act and pursuant to Rule 415 and the declaration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the Commission.

(y) “Registrable Securities” means all of (i) the Shares, (ii) the Initial Commitment Shares, and (iii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to such Shares, Initial Commitment Shares, including, without limitation, (1) as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise and (2) shares of capital stock of the Company into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged and shares of capital stock of a successor entity into which the shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, in each case until such time as such securities cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(f).

 

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(z) “Registration Statement” means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act covering the resale by the Investor of Registrable Securities, as such registration statement or registration statements may be amended and supplemented from time to time, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein.

(aa) “Registration Period” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(a).

(bb) “Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit the Investor to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration.

(cc) “Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any other similar or successor rule or regulation of the Commission providing for offering securities on a delayed or continuous basis.

(dd) “Staff” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(c).

(ee) “Violations” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6(a).

2. Registration.

(a) Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare and, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Filing Deadline, file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement on Form S-1 (or any successor form) covering the resale by the Investor of (i) all of the Initial Commitment Shares, and (iii) the maximum number of additional Registrable Securities as shall be permitted to be included thereon in accordance with applicable Commission rules, regulations and interpretations so as to permit the resale of such Registrable Securities by the Investor under Rule 415 under the Securities Act at then prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) (the “Initial Registration Statement”). The Initial Registration Statement shall contain the “Selling Stockholder” and “Plan of Distribution” sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline.

(b) Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Investor shall have the right to select one legal counsel to review, solely on its behalf, any registration pursuant to this Section 2 (“Legal Counsel”), which shall be O’Melveny & Myers LLP, or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the Investor. Except as provided under Section 10.1(i) of the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall have no obligation to reimburse the Investor for any and all legal fees and expenses of the Legal Counsel incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. If at any time all Registrable Securities are not covered by the Initial Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) as a result of Section 2(e) or otherwise, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission one or more additional Registration Statements so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities not covered by the Initial Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as

 

4


practicable (taking into account any position of the staff of the Commission (“Staff”) with respect to the date on which the Staff will permit such additional Registration Statement(s) to be filed with the Commission and the rules and regulations of the Commission) (each such additional Registration Statement, a “New Registration Statement”), but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline for such New Registration Statement(s). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such New Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing thereof with the Commission, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline for such New Registration Statement.

(d) No Inclusion of Other Securities. In no event shall the Company include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(c) without consulting the Investor and Legal Counsel prior to filing such Registration Statement with the Commission.

(e) Offering. If the Staff or the Commission seeks to characterize any offering pursuant to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement as constituting an offering of securities that does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investor on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), or if after the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(c), the Company is otherwise required by the Staff or the Commission to reduce the number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement, then the Company shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration Statement (after consultation with the Investor and Legal Counsel as to the specific Registrable Securities to be removed therefrom) until such time as the Staff and the Commission shall so permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used as aforesaid. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if after giving effect to the actions referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the Staff or the Commission does not permit such Registration Statement to become effective and be used for resales by the Investor on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415 at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices), the Company shall not request acceleration of the Effective Date of such Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than 48 hours) request the withdrawal of such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 477 under the Securities Act, and the Effectiveness Deadline shall automatically be deemed to have elapsed with respect to such Registration Statement at such time as the Staff or the Commission has made a final and non-appealable determination that the Commission will not permit such Registration Statement to be so utilized (unless prior to such time the Company has received assurances from the Staff or the Commission that a New Registration Statement filed by the Company with the Commission promptly thereafter may be so utilized). In the event of any reduction in Registrable Securities pursuant to this paragraph, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file one or more New Registration Statements with the Commission in accordance with Section 2(c) until such time as all Registrable Securities have been included in Registration Statements that have been declared effective and the Prospectuses contained therein are available for use by the Investor.

(f) Any Registrable Security shall cease to be a “Registrable Security” at the earliest of the following: (i) when a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security becomes or has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective Registration Statement; and (ii) the date that is the later of (A) the first (1st) anniversary of the effective date of termination of the Purchase Agreement in accordance with Article VIII of the Purchase Agreement and (B) the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the last sale of any Registrable Securities by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

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3. Related Obligations.

The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof, and, pursuant thereto, during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall have the following obligations:

(a) The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission the Initial Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof and one or more New Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof with respect to the Registrable Securities, but in no event later than the applicable Filing Deadline therefor, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, but in no event later than the applicable Effectiveness Deadline therefor. Subject to Allowable Grace Periods, the Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective (and the Prospectus contained therein available for use) pursuant to Rule 415 for resales by the Investor on a continuous basis at then-prevailing market prices (and not fixed prices) at all times until the earlier of (i) the date on which the Investor shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and (ii) the date of termination of the Purchase Agreement if as of such termination date the Investor holds no Registrable Securities (or, if applicable, the date on which such securities cease to be Registrable Securities after the date of termination of the Purchase Agreement) (the “Registration Period”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (but subject to the provisions of Section 3(p) hereof), the Company shall ensure that, when filed and at all times while effective, each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the Prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of Prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. The Company shall submit to the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date that the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the Staff or that the Staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement (as the case may be), a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date as soon as reasonably practicable in accordance with Rule 461 under the Securities Act.

(b) Subject to Section 3(p) of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection with each such Registration Statement, which Prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep each such Registration Statement effective (and the Prospectus contained therein current and available for use) at all times during the Registration Period for such Registration Statement, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all

 

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Registrable Securities of the Company required to be covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Investor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company covenants and agrees that (i) at or before 8:30 a.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of the Initial Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement (or any post-effective amendment thereto), the Company shall file with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act the final Prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Registration Statement (or post-effective amendment thereto), and (ii) if the transactions contemplated by any one or more VWAP Purchases and/or any one or more Intraday VWAP Purchases are material to the Company (individually or collectively), the material terms of which have not previously been described in the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement filed with the Commission under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (or in any periodic report, statement, schedule or other document filed by the Company with the Commission under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus), or if otherwise required under the Securities Act (or the public written interpretive guidance of the Staff of the Commission relating thereto), in each case as reasonably and mutually determined by the Company and the Investor, then, no later than (i) 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date for such VWAP Purchase and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable on the Purchase Date for such Intraday VWAP Purchase(s), the Company shall file with the Commission a Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act with respect to such VWAP Purchase(s) and such Intraday VWAP Purchase(s) (as applicable) requiring such filing, disclosing the total number of Shares that are to be issued and sold to the Investor pursuant to such VWAP Purchase(s) and Intraday VWAP Purchase(s) (as applicable), the total purchase price for the Shares subject thereto, the applicable purchases price(s) for such Shares and the estimated net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of such Shares. To the extent not previously disclosed in the Prospectus or a Prospectus Supplement, the Company shall disclose in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in its Annual Reports on Form 10-K the information described in the immediately preceding sentence relating to all VWAP Purchase(s) and all Intraday VWAP Purchase(s) (as applicable) effected and settled during the relevant fiscal quarter and shall file such Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such report under the Exchange Act. In the case of amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement on Form S-1 or Prospectus related thereto which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q or Form 10-K or any analogous report under the Exchange Act, the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement and Prospectus, if applicable, or shall promptly file such amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus with the Commission, for the purpose of including or incorporating such report into such Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company consents to the use of the Prospectus (including, without limitation, any supplement thereto) included in each Registration Statement in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act and with the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the jurisdictions in which the Registrable Securities may be sold by the Investor, in connection with the resale of the Registrable Securities and for such period of time thereafter as such Prospectus (including, without limitation, any supplement thereto) (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Securities Act) is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with resales of Registrable Securities.

 

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(c) The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel an opportunity to review and comment upon (i) each Registration Statement at least two (2) Business Days prior to its filing with the Commission and (ii) all amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, the Prospectus contained therein) (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports or Prospectus Supplements the contents of which is limited to that set forth in such reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the Commission, and (B) shall reasonably consider any comments of the Investor and Legal Counsel on any such Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto or to any Prospectus contained therein. The Company shall promptly furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) electronic copies of any correspondence from the Commission or the Staff to the Company or its representatives relating to each Registration Statement (which correspondence shall be redacted to exclude any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), (ii) after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus, which may be provided in .PDF format) to Legal Counsel to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.

(d) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Investor, without charge, (i) after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, at least one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, all exhibits thereto, (ii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time) and (iii) such other documents, including, without limitation, copies of any final Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement thereto, as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Investor; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus, which may be provided in .PDF format) to the Investor to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.

(e) The Company shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “Blue Sky” laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for

 

8


sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

(f) The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of such event, as a result of which the Prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, aside from the existence of such notice being provided hereunder), and, subject to Section 3(p), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and such Prospectus contained therein to correct such untrue statement or omission and deliver one (1) electronic copy of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and the Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or the Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and the Investor by facsimile or e-mail on the same day of such effectiveness), and when the Company receives written notice from the Commission that a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment will be reviewed by the Commission, (ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate and (iv) of the receipt of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for any additional information relating to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any related Prospectus. The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and the Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of such event , as a result of which makes any statement made in the FINRA Filing an untrue statement of a material fact or which requires the making of any additions to or changes to the statements then made in the FINRA Filing in order to comply with FINRA Rules 5110 and 5121. The Company shall respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment thereto. Nothing in this Section 3(f) shall limit any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement.

(g) The Company shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus contained therein, or the suspension of the qualification, or the loss of an exemption from qualification, of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible time and (ii) notify Legal Counsel and the Investor of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding.

 

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(h) The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning the Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required to be disclosed in such Registration Statement pursuant to the Securities Act, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning the Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to the Investor and allow the Investor, at the Investor’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

(i) Without limiting any obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement to be listed on the Trading Market, or (ii) secure designation and quotation of all of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement on another Eligible Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(i).

(j) The Company shall cooperate with the Investor and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of Registrable Securities, as DWAC Shares, to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such DWAC Shares to be in such denominations or amounts (as the case may be) as the Investor may reasonably request from time to time and registered in such names as the Investor may request. Investor hereby agrees that it shall cooperate with the Company, its counsel and its transfer agent in connection with any issuances of DWAC Shares, and hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Company that it will resell such DWAC Shares only pursuant to the Registration Statement in which such DWAC Shares are included, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement, and in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. At the time such DWAC Shares are offered and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, such DWAC Shares shall be free from all restrictive legends may be transmitted by the Company’s transfer agent to the Investor by crediting an account at DTC as directed in writing by the Investor.

(k) Upon the written request of the Investor, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of notice from the Investor and subject to Section 3(p) hereof, (i) incorporate in a Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the Investor reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other

 

10


terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus Supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement or Prospectus contained therein if reasonably requested by the Investor.

(l) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other U.S. governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

(m) The Company shall make generally available to its security holders (which may be satisfied by making such information available on EDGAR) as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the Securities Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company’s fiscal quarter next following the applicable Effective Date of each Registration Statement.

(n) The Company shall otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission in connection with any registration hereunder.

(o) Within one (1) Business Day after each Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investor) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

(p) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (but subject to the last sentence of this Section 3(p)), at any time after the Effective Date of a particular Registration Statement, the Company may, upon written notice to Investor, suspend Investor’s use of any Prospectus that is a part of any Registration Statement (in which event the Investor shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, but shall settle any previously made sales of Registrable Securities) if the Company (x) is pursuing an acquisition, merger, tender offer, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction and the Company determines in good faith that (A) the Company’s ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in such Registration Statement or other registration statement or (B) such transaction renders the Company unable to comply with Commission requirements, in each case under circumstances that would make it impractical or inadvisable to cause any Registration Statement (or such filings) to be used by Investor or to promptly amend or supplement any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement on a post effective basis, as applicable, or (y) has experienced or is about to experience some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Company, would be significantly detrimental to the Company (each, an “Allowable Grace Period”); provided, however, that in no event shall the Investor be suspended from selling Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement for a period that exceeds forty (40)

 

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consecutive Trading Days or an aggregate of ninety (90) Trading Days in any 365-day period; and provided, further, the Company shall not effect any such suspension during (A) the first ten (10) consecutive Trading Days after the Effective Date of the particular Registration Statement or (B) (1) the five-Trading Day period commencing on the Purchase Date for each VWAP Purchase and (2) the five-Trading Day period commencing on the Purchase Date for each Intraday VWAP Purchase (as applicable). Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, the Company shall provide prompt notice, but in any event within one Business Day of such disclosure or termination, to the Investor and shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other reasonable actions to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement (including as set forth in the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3(p), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver DWAC Shares to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which (i) the Company has made a sale to Investor and (ii) the Investor has entered into a contract for sale, and delivered a copy of the Prospectus included as part of the particular Registration Statement to the extent applicable, in each case prior to the Investor’s receipt of the notice of an Allowable Grace Period and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

4. Obligations of the Investor.

(a) At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated filing date of each Registration Statement (or such shorter period to which the parties agree), the Company shall notify the Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from the Investor with respect to such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of the Investor that the Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it, as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.

(b) The Investor, by its acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of each Registration Statement hereunder, unless the Investor has notified the Company in writing of the Investor’s election to exclude all of the Investor’s Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

(c) The Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(p) or the first sentence of 3(f), the Investor shall immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until the Investor’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(p) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4(c), the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver DWAC Shares to a transferee of the Investor in accordance with the terms of the

 

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Purchase Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which the Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor’s receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(p) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

(d) The Investor covenants and agrees that it shall comply with the prospectus delivery and other requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

5. Expenses of Registration.

Each party shall bear its own fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall pay for all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company; and the Investor shall pay any sales or brokerage commissions and fees and disbursements of counsel for, and other expenses of, the Investor incurred in connection with the registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Section 2 and 3, and all U.S. federal, state and local stamp and other similar transfer and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the sale of the Securities pursuant hereto.

6. Indemnification.

(a) In the event any Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement under this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Investor, each of its directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) and each Person, if any, who controls the Investor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each of the directors, officers, stockholders, members, partners, employees, advisors, representatives (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding the lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling Persons (each, an “Investor Party” and collectively, the “Investor Parties”), against any losses, obligations, claims, damages, liabilities, contingencies, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs (including, without limitation, court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs of defense and investigation), amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, “Claims”) reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the Commission, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an Investor Party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “Blue Sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in

 

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any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or in any Prospectus Supplement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being, collectively, “Violations”). Subject to Section 6(e), the Company shall reimburse the Investor Parties, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Investor Party arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Investor Party for such Investor Party expressly for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the written information set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto is the only written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement); (ii) shall not be available to the Investor to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to deliver or to cause to be delivered the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) made available by the Company (to the extent applicable), including, without limitation, a corrected Prospectus, if such Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) or corrected Prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d) and then only if, and to the extent that, following the receipt of the corrected Prospectus no grounds for such Claim would have existed; and (iii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Investor Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement in which the Investor is participating, the Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, a “Company Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case, to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company by the Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement, the Prospectus included therein or any Prospectus Supplement thereto (it being hereby acknowledged and agreed that the written information set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto is the only written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor expressly for use in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement); and, subject to Section 6(e) and the below provisos in this Section 6(b), the Investor shall reimburse a Company Party any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Company Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim

 

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if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and provided, further that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Investor as a result of the applicable sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectus Supplement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Company Party and shall survive the transfer of any of the Registrable Securities by the Investor pursuant to Section 9.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including, without limitation, any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Investor Party or the Company Party (as the case may be); provided, however, an Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by the indemnifying party if: (i) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses; (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such Claim and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) in any such Claim within thirty (30) days of notice from such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be); or (iii) the named parties to any such Claim (including, without limitation, any impleaded parties) include both such Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) and the indemnifying party, and such Investor Party or such Company Party (as the case may be) shall have been advised by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to represent such Investor Party or such Company Party and the indemnifying party (in which case, if such Investor Party or such Company Party (as the case may be) notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, then the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof on behalf of the indemnified party and such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party, provided further that in the case of clause (iii) above the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one (1) separate legal counsel for all Investor Parties or Company Parties (as the case may be). The Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) that relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) reasonably apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the

 

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giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation, and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Company Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to Sections 6(a) and 6(b) hereof. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Company Party or Investor Party (as the case may be) with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Investor Party or Company Party (as the case may be) under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially and adversely prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

(d) No Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities who is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to indemnification from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who is not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred; provided that any Person receiving any payment pursuant to this Section 6 shall promptly reimburse the Person making such payment for the amount of such payment to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such Person receiving such payment was not entitled to such payment.

(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Company Party or Investor Party against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

7. Contribution.

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement, (ii) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the applicable sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, the Investor shall not be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds actually received by the Investor from the applicable sale of the Registrable Securities subject to the Claim exceeds the amount of any damages that the Investor has otherwise been required to pay, or would otherwise be required to pay under Section 6(b), by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

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8. Reports Under the Exchange Act.

With a view to making available to the Investor the benefits of Rule 144, the Company agrees to:

(a) use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

(b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit any of the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144;

(c) furnish to the Investor so long as the Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting, submission and posting requirements of Rule 144 and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company with the Commission if such reports are not publicly available via EDGAR, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investor to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration; and

(d) take such additional action as is reasonably requested by the Investor to enable the Investor to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, including, without limitation, delivering all such legal opinions, consents, certificates, resolutions and instructions to the Company’s transfer agent as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Investor and otherwise fully cooperate with Investor and Investor’s broker to effect such sale of securities pursuant to Rule 144.

9. Assignment of Registration Rights.

Neither the Company nor the Investor shall assign this Agreement or any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that any transaction, whether by merger, reorganization, restructuring, consolidation, financing or otherwise, whereby the Company remains the surviving entity immediately after such transaction shall not be deemed an assignment.

10. Amendment or Waiver.

No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived by the parties from and after the date that is one (1) Trading Day immediately preceding the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the Commission. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence, no provision of this Agreement may be (i) amended other than by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto or (ii) waived other than in a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement of such waiver is sought. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

 

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11. Miscellaneous.

(a) Solely for purposes of this Agreement, a Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from such record owner of such Registrable Securities.

(b) Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.4 of the Purchase Agreement.

(c) Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof. The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that either party shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required), this being in addition to any other remedy to which either party may be entitled by law or equity.

(d) All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any law or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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(e) The Transaction Documents set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties solely with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written, solely with respect to such matters. There are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by either party relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true, nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit, modify or affect in any manner whatsoever (i) the conditions precedent to a VWAP Purchase and an Intraday VWAP Purchase contained in Article VII of the Purchase Agreement or (ii) any of the Company’s obligations under the Purchase Agreement.

(f) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors. This Agreement is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any Person, other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and the Persons referred to in Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

(g) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, each pronoun herein shall be deemed to include the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and plural forms thereof. The terms “including,” “includes,” “include” and words of like import shall be construed broadly as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The terms “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof” and words of like import refer to this entire Agreement instead of just the provision in which they are found.

(h) This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature or signature delivered by e-mail in a “.pdf” format data file, including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com, www.echosign.adobe.com, etc., shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original signature.

(i) Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(j) The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Investor and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

THE COMPANY:
BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
By:   /s/ Sue Grove
  Name: Sue Grove
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Investor and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

THE INVESTOR:
B. RILEY PRINCIPAL CAPITAL II, LLC
By:   /s/ Patrice McNicoll
  Name: Patrice McNicoll
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS

OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

[ADD TRANSFER AGENT INFORMATION]

Attention:

Re: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated March 30, 2023 (the “Purchase Agreement”), entered into by and between the Company and the Investor named therein (the “Holder”), pursuant to which the Company has issued and may issue to the Holder from time to time shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2023, with the Holder (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the offer and sale by the Holder of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection with the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on [    ], 2023, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-[    ]) (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the resale by the holder of Registrable Securities and which names the Holder as an underwriter and a selling stockholder thereunder.

This letter delivered pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, is intended to provide you with written notification that, based solely on our review of the Commission’s EDGAR website, the Registration Statement became effective under the Securities Act on [    ], 2023.

We assume no obligation to update or supplement this letter to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention with respect to the statements expressed above, including any changes in applicable law that may hereafter occur.

This letter is being delivered solely for the benefit of the person to whom it is addressed; accordingly, it may not be quoted, filed with any governmental authority or other regulatory agency or otherwise circulated or utilized for any purposes without our prior written consent.

 

Very truly yours,
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

cc: B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC


EXHIBIT B

SELLING STOCKHOLDER

This prospectus relates to the offer and sale by B. Riley of up to [_________] shares of our Common Stock that have been and may be issued by us to B. Riley under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement. For additional information regarding the shares of our Common Stock included in this prospectus, see the section titled “Committed Equity Financing” above. We are registering the shares of our Common Stock included in this prospectus pursuant to the provisions of the Committed Equity Registration Rights Agreement we entered into with B. Riley on March [__], 2023 in order to permit the selling stockholder to offer the shares included in this prospectus for resale from time to time. Except for the transactions contemplated by the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement and the Committed Equity Registration Rights Agreement and as set forth in the section titled “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)” in this prospectus, B. Riley has not had any material relationship with us within the past three years. As used in this prospectus, the term “selling stockholder” means B. Riley.

The table below presents information regarding the selling stockholder and the shares of our Common Stock that may be resold by the selling stockholder from time to time under this prospectus. This table is prepared based on information supplied to us by the selling stockholder, and reflects holdings as of [    ], 2023. The number of shares in the column “Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Offered Pursuant to this Prospectus” represents all of the shares of our Common Stock being offered for resale by the selling stockholder under this prospectus. The selling stockholder may sell some, all or none of the shares being offered for resale in this offering. We do not know how long the selling stockholder will hold the shares before selling them and, except as set forth in the section titled “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)” in this prospectus, we are not aware of any existing arrangements between the selling stockholder and any other stockholder, broker, dealer, underwriter or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the shares of our Common Stock being offered for resale by this prospectus.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d) promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, and includes shares of our Common Stock with respect to which the selling stockholder has sole or shared voting and investment power. The percentage of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholder prior to the offering shown in the table below is based on an aggregate of [    ] shares of our Common Stock outstanding on [    ], 2023. Because the purchase price to be paid by the selling stockholder for shares of our Common Stock, if any, that we may elect to sell to the selling stockholder in one or more VWAP Purchases and one or more Intraday VWAP Purchases from time to time under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement will be determined on the applicable Purchase Dates therefor, the actual number of shares of our Common Stock that we may sell to the selling stockholder under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement may be fewer than the number of shares being offered for resale under this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the resale by the selling stockholder of all of the shares of our Common Stock being offered for resale pursuant to this prospectus.




Name of Selling Stockholder

   Number of Shares
of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
Prior to Offering
     Maximum Number of
Shares of Common Stock
to be Offered Pursuant
to this Prospectus
     Number of Shares
of Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned After
Offering
 
     Number(1)      Percent             Number      Percent  

B. Riley (2)

        *           —          —    

 

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock.

 

(1)

Represents the [_____] shares of our Common Stock we issued to B. Riley on [    ], 2023 as Initial Commitment Shares in consideration for entering into the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement with us. In accordance with Rule 13d-3(d) under the Exchange Act, we have excluded from the number of shares beneficially owned prior to the offering all of the shares of our Common Stock that B. Riley may be required to purchase under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, because the issuance of such shares is solely at our discretion and is subject to conditions contained in the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, the satisfaction of which are entirely outside of B. Riley’s control, including the registration statement that includes this prospectus becoming and remaining effective,. Furthermore, the VWAP Purchases and the Intraday VWAP Purchases of our Common Stock under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement are subject to certain agreed upon maximum amount limitations set forth in the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement. Also, the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement prohibits us from issuing and selling any shares of our Common Stock to B. Riley to the extent such shares, when aggregated with all other shares of our Common Stock then beneficially owned by B. Riley, would cause B. Riley’s beneficial ownership of our Common Stock to exceed the 4.99% Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The Committed Equity Purchase Agreement also prohibits us from issuing or selling shares of our Common Stock under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement in excess of the 19.99% Exchange Cap, unless we obtain stockholder approval to do so, or unless sales of our Common Stock are made by us to B. Riley at a price equal to or greater than the applicable “minimum price” (as defined in the applicable listing rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market) of the Common Stock, calculated at the time VWAP Purchases and Intraday VWAP Purchases are effected by us under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, if any, as adjusted such that the Exchange Cap limitation would not apply under applicable Nasdaq rules. Neither the Beneficial Ownership Limitation nor the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable under Nasdaq rules) may be amended or waived under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement.

(2)

The business address of B. Riley is 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025. B. Riley’s principal business is that of a private investor. B. Riley is a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC (“BRPI”). As a result, BRPI may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley. B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“BRF”) is the parent company of B. Riley and BRPI. As a result, BRF may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley and indirectly beneficially owned by BRPI. Bryant R. Riley is the Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BRF. As a result, Bryant R. Riley may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley and indirectly beneficially owned by BRPI. Each of BRF, BRPI and Bryant R. Riley expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley, except to the extent of its/his pecuniary interest therein. We have been advised that none of BRF, BRPI or B. Riley is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or an independent broker-dealer; however, each of BRF, BRPI, B. Riley and Bryant R. Riley is an affiliate of B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member, and Bryant R. Riley is an associated person of BRS. BRS will act as an executing broker that will effectuate resales of our Common Stock that have been and may be acquired by B. Riley from us pursuant to the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement to the public in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution (Conflict of Interest)” for more information about the relationship between B. Riley and BRS.


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICT OF INTEREST)

The shares of our Common Stock offered by this prospectus are being offered by the selling stockholder, B. Riley. The shares may be sold or distributed from time to time by the selling stockholder directly to one or more purchasers or through brokers, dealers, or underwriters who may act solely as agents at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices, or at fixed prices, which may be changed. The sale of the shares of our Common Stock offered by this prospectus could be effected in one or more of the following methods:

 

   

ordinary brokers’ transactions;

 

   

transactions involving cross or block trades;

 

   

through brokers, dealers, or underwriters who may act solely as agents;

 

   

“at the market” into an existing market for our Common Stock;

 

   

in other ways not involving market makers or established business markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected through agents;

 

   

in privately negotiated transactions; or

 

   

any combination of the foregoing.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the shares may be sold only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, the shares may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the state or an exemption from the state’s registration or qualification requirement is available and complied with.

B. Riley is an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act.

B. Riley has informed us that it presently anticipates using, but is not required to use, B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member and an affiliate of B. Riley, as a broker to effectuate resales, if any, of our Common Stock that it may acquire from us pursuant to the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, and that it may also engage one or more other registered broker-dealers to effectuate resales, if any, of such Common Stock that it may acquire from us. Such resales will be made at prices and at terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price. Each such registered broker-dealer will be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act. B. Riley has informed us that each such broker-dealer it engages to effectuate resales of our Common Stock on its behalf, excluding BRS, may receive commissions from B. Riley for executing such resales for B. Riley and, if so, such commissions will not exceed customary brokerage commissions.

B. Riley is an affiliate of BRS, a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member, which will act as an executing broker that will effectuate resales of our Common Stock that may be acquired by B. Riley from us pursuant to the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement to the public in this offering. Because B. Riley will receive all the net proceeds from such resales of our Common


Stock made to the public through BRS, BRS is deemed to have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. Consequently, this offering will be conducted in compliance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121[, which requires that a “qualified independent underwriter,” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121, participate in the preparation of the registration statement that includes this prospectus and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect thereto. Accordingly, we have engaged [                .], a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member (“[    ]”), to be the qualified independent underwriter in this offering and, in such capacity, participate in the preparation of the registration statement that includes this prospectus and exercise the usual standards of “due diligence” with respect thereto. B. Riley has agreed to pay [    ] a cash fee of $[    ] upon the completion of this offering as consideration for its services and to reimburse [    ] up to $[    ] for expenses incurred in connection with acting as the qualified independent underwriter in this offering]. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, such cash fee and expense reimbursement to be paid to [    ] for acting as the qualified independent underwriter in this offering are deemed to be underwriting compensation in connection with sales of our Common Stock by B. Riley to the public. [    ] will receive no other compensation for acting as the qualified independent underwriter in this offering.]1 In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BRS is not permitted to sell shares of our Common Stock in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder.

Except as set forth above, we know of no existing arrangements between the selling stockholder and any other stockholder, broker, dealer, underwriter or agent relating to the sale or distribution of the shares of our Common Stock offered by this prospectus.

Brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the shares of our Common Stock offered by this prospectus may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts, or concessions from the purchasers, for whom the broker-dealers may act as agent, of the shares sold by the selling stockholder through this prospectus. The compensation paid to any such particular broker-dealer by any such purchasers of shares of our Common Stock sold by the selling stockholder may be less than or in excess of customary commissions. Neither we nor the selling stockholder can presently estimate the amount of compensation that any agent will receive from any purchasers of shares of our Common Stock sold by the selling stockholder.

We may from time to time file with the SEC one or more supplements to this prospectus or amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part to amend, supplement or update information contained in this prospectus, including, if and when required under the Securities Act, to disclose certain information relating to a particular sale of shares offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholder, including with respect to any compensation paid or payable by the selling stockholder to any brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents that participate in the distribution of such shares by the selling stockholder, and any other related information required to be disclosed under the Securities Act.

We will pay the expenses incident to the registration under the Securities Act of the offer and sale of the shares of our Common Stock covered by this prospectus by the selling stockholder.

 

1 

To be included if necessary based on the public float at filing of the S-1.


As consideration for its irrevocable commitment to purchase our Common Stock under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, we have agreed to issue to B. Riley up to [________] shares of our Common Stock as Commitment Shares, which Commitment Shares have a total aggregate value equal to [1.0]% of B. Riley’s $[_______] total dollar amount purchase commitment under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement (assuming a purchase price $[_______] per Commitment Share, representing the average of the daily volume weighted average prices per share of our Common Stock for the five-consecutive trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the effectiveness of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement), and [________] of which Commitment Shares we issued as Initial Commitment Shares upon our execution of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement and the Committed Equity Registration Rights Agreement,. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, the [________] Commitment Shares are deemed to be underwriting compensation in connection with sales of our Common Stock by B. Riley to the public. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse B. Riley for the reasonable legal fees and disbursements of B. Riley’s legal counsel in an amount not to exceed (i) $100,000 upon our execution of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement and Committed Equity Registration Rights Agreement and (ii) $15,000 per fiscal quarter (except that in the fiscal quarter in which we file our Form 10K, such amount shall be $25,000), in each case in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Committed Equity Registration Rights Agreement. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, these reimbursed fees and expenses are deemed to be underwriting compensation in connection with sales of our Common Stock by B. Riley to the public. Moreover, in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110, the [___]% fixed discount to current market prices of our Common Stock reflected in the purchase prices payable by B. Riley for our Common Stock that we may require it to purchase from us from time to time under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement is deemed to be underwriting compensation in connection with sales of our Common Stock by B. Riley to the public.

We also have agreed to indemnify B. Riley and certain other persons against certain liabilities in connection with the offering of shares of our Common Stock offered hereby, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act or, if such indemnity is unavailable, to contribute amounts required to be paid in respect of such liabilities. B. Riley has agreed to indemnify us against liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from certain written information furnished to us by B. Riley specifically for use in this prospectus or, if such indemnity is unavailable, to contribute amounts required to be paid in respect of such liabilities. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore, unenforceable.

We estimate that the total expenses for the offering will be approximately $[    ].

B. Riley has represented to us that at no time prior to the date of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement has B. Riley, its sole member, any of their respective officers, or any entity managed or controlled by B. Riley or its sole member, engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, for its own account or for the account of any of its affiliates, any short sale (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of our Common Stock or any hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to our Common Stock. B. Riley has agreed that during the term of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, none of B. Riley, its sole member, any of their respective officers, or any entity managed or controlled by B. Riley or its sole member, will enter into or effect, directly or indirectly, any of the foregoing transactions for its own account or for the account of any other such person or entity.


We have advised the selling stockholder that it is required to comply with Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act. With certain exceptions, Regulation M precludes the selling stockholder, any affiliated purchasers, and any broker-dealer or other person who participates in the distribution from bidding for or purchasing, or attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase any security which is the subject of the distribution until the entire distribution is complete. Regulation M also prohibits any bids or purchases made in order to stabilize the price of a security in connection with the distribution of that security. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the securities offered by this prospectus.

This offering will terminate on the date that all shares of our Common Stock offered by this prospectus have been sold by the selling stockholder.

Our Common Stock is currently listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BBBY”.

B. Riley and/or one or more of its affiliates has provided, currently provides and/or from time to time in the future may provide various investment banking and other financial services for us and/or one or more of our affiliates that are unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement and the offering of shares for resale by B. Riley to which this prospectus relates, for which investment banking and other financial services they have received and may continue to receive customary fees, commissions and other compensation from us, aside from any discounts, fees and other compensation that B. Riley has received and may receive in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, including (i) the up to [_________] Commitment Shares we have agreed to issue to B. Riley as consideration for its irrevocable commitment to purchase shares of our Common Stock from us under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, (ii) the [___]% fixed discount to current market prices of our Common Stock reflected in the purchase prices payable by B. Riley for our Common Stock that we may require it to purchase from us from time to time under the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement, and (iii) our reimbursement of up to an aggregate of $240,000 of B. Riley’s legal fees ($100,000 upon execution of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement and $15,000 per fiscal quarter for three fiscal quarters per annum and $25,000 for one fiscal quarter per annum for the maximum two year term of the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement and the Committed Equity Registration Rights Agreement.


EXHIBIT C

The business address of B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC (“B. Riley”) is 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, California 90025. B. Riley’s principal business is that of a private investor. B. Riley is a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley Principal Investments, LLC (“BRPI”). As a result, BRPI may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley. B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“BRF”) is the parent company of B. Riley and BRPI. As a result, BRF may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley and indirectly beneficially owned by BRPI. Bryant R. Riley is the Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BRF. As a result, Bryant R. Riley may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley and indirectly beneficially owned by BRPI. Each of BRF, BRPI and Bryant R. Riley expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities of the company held of record by B. Riley, except to the extent of its/his pecuniary interest therein. None of BRF, BRPI or B. Riley is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or an independent broker-dealer; however, each of BRF, BRPI, B. Riley and Bryant R. Riley is an affiliate of B. Riley Securities, Inc. (“BRS”), a registered broker-dealer and FINRA member, and Bryant R. Riley is an associated person of BRS. BRS will act as an executing broker that will effectuate resales of Common Stock that have been and may be acquired by B. Riley from the company pursuant to the Committed Equity Purchase Agreement to the public in this offering.

Exhibit 10.4

SALES AGREEMENT

March 30, 2023

B. RILEY SECURITIES, INC.

299 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10171

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell from time to time through B. Riley Securities, Inc., as sales agent and/or principal (the “Agent”), shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”), on the terms set forth in this agreement (this “Agreement”).

Section 1. DEFINITIONS

(a) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the following respective meanings:

Affiliate” of a Person means another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first- mentioned Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agency Period” means the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and expiring on the earliest to occur of (x) the date on which the Agent shall have placed the Maximum Program Amount pursuant to this Agreement and (y) the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Floor Price” means the minimum price set by the Company in the Issuance Notice below which the Agent shall not sell Shares during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice, which may be adjusted by the Company at any time during the period set forth in the Issuance Notice by delivering written notice of such change to the Agent.

Issuance Amount” means the aggregate Sales Price of the Shares to be sold by the Agent pursuant to any Issuance Notice.

Issuance Notice” means a written notice delivered to the Agent by the Company in accordance with this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that is executed by its Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer.


Issuance Notice Date” means any Trading Day during the Agency Period that an Issuance Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).

Issuance Price” means the Sales Price less the Selling Commission.

Maximum Program Amount” means Common Shares with an aggregate Sales Price of the least of (a) the number or dollar amount of Common Shares registered under the effective Registration Statement (defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made, (b) the number of authorized but unissued Common Shares and treasury Common Shares (less Common Shares issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding securities of the Company or otherwise reserved from the Company’s authorized capital stock), (c) the number or dollar amount of Common Shares permitted to be sold under Form S-3 (including General Instruction I.B.6 thereof, if applicable), and (d) the number or dollar amount of Common Shares for which the Company has filed a Prospectus (defined below).

Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental authority or other entity of any kind.

Principal Market” means the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other national securities exchange on which the Common Shares, including any Shares, are then listed.

Sales Price” means the actual sale execution price of each Share placed by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Selling Commission” means up to three percent (3.0%) of the gross proceeds of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Agent with respect to any Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement.

Settlement Date” means the second business day following each Trading Day during the period set forth in the Issuance Notice on which Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement, when the Company shall deliver to the Agent the amount of Shares sold on such Trading Day and the Agent shall deliver to the Company the Issuance Price received on such sales.

Shares” shall mean the Company’s Common Shares issued or issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

Trading Day” means any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading.

 

2


Section 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Agent that as of (1) the date of this Agreement, (2) each Issuance Notice Date, (3) each Settlement Date, (4) each Triggering Event Date (as defined below) with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) and (5) as of each Time of Sale (each of the times referenced above is referred to herein as a “Representation Date”), except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto) on or before a Representation Date:

(a) Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-267173), which became automatically effective on August 31, 2022, that contains a base prospectus (the “Base Prospectus”), and such amendments and supplements thereto as may have been required to the date of this Agreement, including Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement, which became automatically effective on November 9, 2022, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement, which became automatically effective on February 6, 2023. Such registration statement registers the issuance and sale by the Company of the Shares under the Securities Act. The Company may file one or more additional registration statements from time to time that will contain a base prospectus and related prospectus or prospectus supplement, if applicable, with respect to the Shares. Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement(s), including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, including all financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act as from time to time amended or supplemented, is herein referred to as the “Registration Statement,” and the prospectus constituting a part of such registration statement(s), together with any prospectus supplement filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act relating to a particular issuance of the Shares, including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, in each case, as from time to time amended or supplemented, is referred to herein as the “Prospectus,” except that if any revised prospectus is provided to the Agent by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Shares that is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, the term “Prospectus” shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the Agent for such use. The Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective is herein called the “Original Registration Statement.” As used in this Agreement, the terms “amendment” or “supplement” when applied to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing by the Company with the Commission of any document under the Exchange Act after the date hereof that is or is deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any document under the Exchange Act which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date. The Company’s obligations under this Agreement to furnish, provide, deliver or make available (and all other references of like import) copies of any report or statement shall be deemed satisfied if the same is filed with the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”).

 

3


At the time the Original Registration Statement became or becomes effective and at the time the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K was filed with the Commission, if later, the Company met the then-applicable requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act. During the Agency Period, until the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 25, 2023 (“February 2023 10-K”), the Company will meet the then-applicable requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Original Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement have been declared or are deemed effective by the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has complied to the Commission’s satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.

The Prospectus when filed complied or will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed with the Commission through EDGAR (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the Agent for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became or becomes effective and at each Representation Date, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the date of this Agreement, the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) considered together (collectively, the “Time of Sale Information”) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date and at each Representation Date, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the three immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent furnished to the Company in writing by the Agent expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information described in Section 6 below. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been described or filed as required. The Registration Statement and the offer and sale of the Shares as contemplated hereby meet the requirements of Rule 415 under the Securities Act and comply in all material respects with said rule.

 

4


(c) Ineligible Issuer Status. The Company is not an “ineligible issuer” in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act. Each Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or on behalf of or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending, and each such Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at each Representation Date did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts with or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein. Except for the Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, and electronic road shows, if any, furnished to the Agent before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without the Agent’s prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any Free Writing Prospectus in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company satisfied and will satisfy the eligibility requirements set forth under General Instruction I. A. of Form S-3 and General Instruction I.B. and I.D. of Form S-3 at the time of the initial effectiveness of the Registration Statement and as of each Representation Date.

(d) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, at the time they were filed and will be filed with the Commission, complied or will comply with in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable, and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, do not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(e) Exchange Act Compliance. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, and any Free Writing Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective and at each Time of Sale (as defined below), as the case may be, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent furnished in writing to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto.

 

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(f) Statistical and Market-Related Data. All statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes, after reasonable inquiry, to be reliable and accurate in all material respects. To the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent for the use of such data from such sources.

(g) Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Deficiencies in or Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act), which (i) are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the Exchange Act are being prepared; (ii) have been evaluated by management of the Company for effectiveness as of the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter; and (iii) are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter. Since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there have been no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company is not aware of any change in its internal control over financial reporting that has occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(h) This Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(i) Authorization of the Shares. The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and the issuance and sale of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase the Shares.

(j) No Applicable Registration or Other Similar Rights. There are no persons with registration or other similar rights to have any equity, convertible or debt securities registered for sale under the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, except for such rights as have been duly waived.

(k) No Material Adverse Change. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus: (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in (A) the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business, properties, operations, operating results, assets, liabilities or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity or (B) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or perform its obligations hereunder (any such change being referred to herein as a “Material Adverse Change”); (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity,

 

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have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, including without limitation any losses or interference with their business from fire, explosion, flood, earthquakes, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity, and have not entered into any transactions not in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) there has not been any material decrease in the capital stock or any material increase in any short-term or long-term indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries and there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company or, except for dividends paid to the Company or other subsidiaries, by any of the Company’s subsidiaries on any class of capital stock, or any repurchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock.

(l) Independent Accountants. KPMG LLP or other accountants, which has expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) and supporting schedules, if any, included in or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, is (i) an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), (ii) in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (iii) a registered public accounting firm as defined by the PCAOB whose registration has not been suspended or revoked and who has not requested such registration to be withdrawn.

(m) Financial Statements. The financial statements filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods specified. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects the information required to be stated therein. Such financial statements and supporting schedules have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States (“GAAP”) on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be expressly stated in the related notes thereto. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. No other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. The financial data set forth in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that constitute non-GAAP financial measures (as defined by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) comply in all material respects with Regulation G under the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable. To the Company’s knowledge, no person who has been suspended or barred from being associated with a registered public accounting firm, or who has failed to comply with any sanction pursuant to Rule 5300 promulgated by the PCAOB, has participated in or otherwise aided the preparation of, or audited, the financial statements, supporting schedules or other financial data filed with the Commission as a part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

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(n) Company’s Accounting System. The Company and each of its subsidiaries make and keep accurate books and records and maintain a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(o) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified or in such standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(p) Subsidiaries. Each of the Company’s “significant subsidiaries” (for purposes of this Agreement, as defined in 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) has been duly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has the power and authority (corporate or other) to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except where the failure to be so incorporated or organized, so validly existing, in such good standing, or to have such power or authority, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Each of the Company’s significant subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to be so qualified or in such good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity or ownership interests of each of the Company’s significant subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or adverse claim. None of the outstanding capital stock or equity interest in any significant subsidiary was issued in violation of preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of such significant subsidiary. The constitutive or organizational

 

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documents of each of the significant subsidiaries comply in all material respects with the requirements of applicable laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and are in full force and effect. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity that is considered a significant subsidiary other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21 to the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(q) Capitalization and Other Capital Stock Matters. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans or upon the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, in each case described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus). The Common Shares (including the Shares) conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws. None of the outstanding Common Shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than those described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The descriptions of the Company’s stock option, stock bonus and other stock plans or arrangements, and the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus accurately and fairly presents in all material respects the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

(r) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and are listed on the Principal Market, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Shares from the Principal Market nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the Principal Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing. To the Company’s knowledge, it is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable listing requirements of the Principal Market.

(s) Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, or is in default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in default) (any such default, a “Default”) under the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined below) or any indenture, loan, credit agreement, note, lease, license agreement, contract, franchise or other instrument (including, without limitation, any pledge agreement, security agreement, mortgage or other instrument or agreement evidencing, guaranteeing, securing or relating to indebtedness) to which the Company or any of its

 

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subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of their respective properties or assets are subject (each, an “Existing Instrument”), except for such Defaults as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and the issuance and sale of the Shares (including the use of proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by laws, partnership agreement or operating agreement or similar organizational documents, as applicable, of the Company or any subsidiary, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument, except for (x) the requisite consents that have been obtained, (y) the Debt Repayment Triggering Events solely related to mandatory prepayments required under the Amended Credit Agreement in connection with the Specified Equity Proceeds (as such term is defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) or (z) such conflicts, breaches, Defaults, Debt Repayment Triggering Events, liens, charges or encumbrances as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change and (iii) will not result in any violation of any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for such violations as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency, is required for the Company’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except (i) such as have been obtained or made by the Company and are in full force and effect under, or as may be required by, the Securities Act and such as may be required under applicable state securities or blue sky laws or FINRA (as defined below), (ii) the notification of listing additional shares as required by the Principal Market or (iii) such as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. As used herein, a “Debt Repayment Triggering Event” means any event or condition which gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(t) No Material Actions or Proceedings. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation brought by or before any legal or governmental entity now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or to which any property, right or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be the subject, which would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(u) No Labor Disputes. No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or with the employees of any principal supplier, manufacturer, customer or contractor of the Company, exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any collective bargaining agreement to which it is a party.

 

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(v) Intellectual Property Rights. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries own, or have obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or otherwise have sufficient rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks, trade names, service names, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as being owned or licensed by them or which are necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted (collectively, “Intellectual Property”), except where the failure to so own, license or otherwise hold or acquire would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, and, to the Company’s knowledge, the conduct of their respective businesses does not and will not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise conflict in any material respect with any such rights of others. The Intellectual Property of the Company has not been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such adjudication, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

To the Company’s knowledge: (i) there are no third parties who have rights to any material Intellectual Property, except for customary reversionary rights of third-party licensors with respect to Intellectual Property that is disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as licensed to the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries; and (ii) there is no material infringement by third parties of any Intellectual Property. There is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others: (A) challenging the Company’s rights in or to any Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (B) challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of any Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; or (C) asserting that the Company or any of its subsidiaries infringes or otherwise violates, or would, upon the commercialization of any product or service described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as under development, infringe or violate, any patent, trademark, trade name, service name, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company and its subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with the terms of each agreement pursuant to which Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company or any subsidiary, and all such agreements are in full force and effect. To the Company’s knowledge, there are no material defects in any of the patents or patent applications included in the Intellectual Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have taken all reasonable steps to protect, maintain and safeguard their Intellectual Property, including the execution of appropriate nondisclosure, confidentiality agreements and invention assignment agreements and invention assignments with their employees, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company is in or has been in violation of any term of any employment contract, patent disclosure agreement, invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement, or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such

 

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employee’s employment with the Company, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. The duty of candor and good faith as required by the United States Patent and Trademark Office during the prosecution of the United States patents and patent applications included in the Intellectual Property have been complied with in all material respects; and in all foreign offices having similar requirements, all such requirements have been complied with in all material respects. None of the Company owned Intellectual Property or technology (including information technology and outsourced arrangements) employed by the Company or its subsidiaries has been obtained or is being used by the Company or its subsidiary in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or its subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors or employees or otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons, except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(w) All Necessary Permits, etc. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and each subsidiary possess such valid and current certificates, authorizations or permits required by state, federal or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted and as described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (“Permits”), except where the failure to possess such Permits would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of, or in default under, any of the Permits or has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of, or non-compliance with, any such certificate, authorization or permit, except where such violation or default or such proceedings would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(x) Title to Properties. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all of the real and personal property and other assets reflected as owned in the financial statements referred to in Section 2(m) above (or elsewhere in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus), in each case free and clear of any security interests, mortgages, liens, encumbrances, equities, adverse claims and other defects. The real property, improvements, equipment and personal property held under lease by the Company or any of its subsidiaries are held under valid and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property, improvements, equipment or personal property by the Company or such subsidiary.

(y) Tax Law Compliance. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, the Company and its subsidiaries have filed all necessary federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns or have properly requested extensions thereof and have paid all taxes required to be paid by any of them and, if due and payable, any related or similar assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them except as may be being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings. The Company has made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements referred to in Section 2(m) above in respect of all federal, state and foreign income and franchise taxes for all periods covered by such financial statements as to which the tax liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has not been finally determined.

 

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(z) Company Not an “Investment Company.” The Company is not, and will not be, either after receipt of payment for the Shares or after the application of the proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the “Investment Company Act”).

(aa) Insurance. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, each of the Company and its subsidiaries are insured by recognized, financially sound and reputable institutions with policies in such amounts and with such deductibles and covering such risks as are generally deemed adequate and customary for their businesses including, but not limited to, policies covering real and personal property owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries against theft, damage, destruction, acts of vandalism and earthquakes and policies covering the Company and its subsidiaries for product liability claims. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its subsidiaries will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been denied any material insurance coverage which it has sought or for which it has applied.

(bb) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation; Compliance with Regulation M. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Shares or of any “reference security” (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act (“Regulation M”)) with respect to the Common Shares, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and has taken no action which would directly or indirectly violate Regulation M.

(cc) Related Party Transactions. There are no material business relationships or related-party transactions involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which have not been described as required.

(dd) FINRA Matters. To the extent applicable, all of the information provided to the Agent or to counsel for the Agent by the Company, its counsel, its officers and directors and the holders of any securities (debt or equity) or options to acquire any securities of the Company in connection with the offering of the Shares is true, complete, correct and compliant with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.’s (“FINRA”) rules and any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rules or NASD Conduct Rules is true, complete and correct in all material respects. The Company meets the definition of the term “experienced issuer” specified in FINRA Rule 5110(j)(6).

 

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(ee) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee or agent of the Company or any subsidiary, has made any contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state or foreign office in violation of any law or of the character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

(ff) Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Prospectus or except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change; (i) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (iv) to the Company’s knowledge, there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

(gg) Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance. In the ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties). No facts or circumstances have come to the Company’s attention that could result in costs or liabilities that could be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(hh) ERISA Compliance. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or their “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”) of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member.

 

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Except where the failure to so comply would not reasonable be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) no “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, (ii) no “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA), (iii) neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (A) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (B) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code and (iv) each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

(ii) Brokers. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Prospectus, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(jj) No Outstanding Loans or Other Extensions of Credit. The Company does not have any outstanding extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan, to or for any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) of the Company except for such extensions of credit as are expressly permitted by Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

(kk) Compliance with Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries have been and are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, except where failure to be so in compliance could not be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(ll) Dividend Restrictions. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is prohibited or restricted, directly or indirectly, from paying dividends to the Company, or from making any other distribution with respect to such subsidiary’s equity securities or from repaying to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company any amounts that may from time to time become due under any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any property or assets to the Company or to any other subsidiary.

(mm) Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any agent, Affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken any act in furtherance of an offer, promise, or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or public international organization, or any political party, party official, or candidate for political office; (iii) knowingly violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”), the

 

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UK Bribery Act 2010, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, authorized, requested, or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company’s Affiliates have conducted their respective businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(nn) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are, and have been conducted at all times, in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(oo) Sanctions. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any directors, officers, or employees, any agent, Affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”); nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and so-called Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, or any joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of or business with any person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of such financing, is the subject or the target of Sanctions or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of applicable Sanctions. For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.

(pp) Sarbanes-Oxley. The Company is in compliance, in all material respects, with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(qq) Duties, Transfer Taxes, Etc. No stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains, income, withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of the Agent in the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Company or the sale and delivery by the Company of the Shares.

 

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(rr) Cybersecurity. The Company’s and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, and to the Company’s knowledge, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable physical, technical and administrative controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data, including “Personal Data,” used in connection with their businesses. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, driver’s license number, passport number, credit card number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as “personally identifying information” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) “personal data” as defined by GDPR (as defined below); (iv) any information which would qualify as “protected health information” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (collectively, “HIPAA”); and (v) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any data related to an identified person’s health or sexual orientation. To the Company’s knowledge, there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same, except for those that would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except where the failure to be in compliance would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(ss) Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. Except as would not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, the Company and its subsidiaries are, and at all prior times were, in compliance with all applicable state and federal data privacy and security laws and regulations, including without limitation HIPAA, and the Company and its subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to prepare to comply with, and since May 25, 2018, have been and currently are in compliance with, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) (EU 2016/679) (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”). To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Company and its subsidiaries have in place, comply in all material respects with, and take commercially reasonable steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling, and analysis of

 

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Personal Data (the “Policies”). The Company and its subsidiaries have at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable Privacy Laws, except where the failure to do so would not result in a Material Adverse Change, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any Policy have, to the knowledge of the Company, been inaccurate or in violation of any applicable Privacy Laws in any material respect. The Company further certifies that neither it nor any subsidiary: (i) has received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law; in each case except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

(tt) Forward-Looking Statement. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included in any of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(uu) Other Underwriting Agreements. Other than the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2023, between the Company and B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC, the Company is not a party to any agreement with an agent or underwriter for any other “at the market” or continuous equity transaction.

(vv) WKSI. Except as otherwise disclosed to the Agent pursuant to Section 4(b), (i) at the original effectiveness of the Registration Statement; (ii) at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment or incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or in the form of a prospectus); and (iii) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) under the Securities Act) made any offer relating to the Shares in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 under the Securities Act, the Company was and is a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405).

(ww) No Insolvency Proceedings. The Company is not in or subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding in any jurisdiction. No proceeding or action is pending or being taken, or being contemplated, by the Company, in contemplation of the merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, or reorganization of the Company or for the sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of its assets.

Any certificate signed by any officer or representative of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and delivered to the Agent or counsel for the Agent in connection with an issuance of Shares shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Agent as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.

The Company acknowledges that the Agent and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Agent, will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and hereby consents to such reliance.

 

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Section 3. ISSUANCE AND SALE OF COMMON SHARES

(a) Sale of Securities. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and the Agent agree that the Company may from time to time seek to sell Shares through the Agent, acting as sales agent, or directly to the Agent, acting as principal, as follows, with an aggregate Sales Price of up to the Maximum Program Amount, based on and in accordance with Issuance Notices as the Company may deliver, during the Agency Period.

(b) Mechanics of Issuances.

(i) Issuance Notice. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, on any Trading Day during the Agency Period on which the conditions set forth in Section 5(a) and Section 5(b) shall have been satisfied, the Company may exercise its right to request an issuance of Shares by delivering to the Agent an Issuance Notice; provided, however, that (A) in no event may the Company deliver an Issuance Notice to the extent that (I) the sum of (x) the aggregate Sales Price of the requested Issuance Amount, plus (y) the aggregate Sales Price of all Shares issued under all previous Issuance Notices effected pursuant to this Agreement, would exceed the Maximum Program Amount; and (B) prior to delivery of any Issuance Notice, the period set forth for any previous Issuance Notice shall have expired or been terminated. An Issuance Notice shall be considered delivered on the Trading Day that it is received by e-mail to any of the Agent persons set forth in Schedule A hereto, by any of the Company persons set forth in Schedule A hereto, and confirmed by the Company by telephone (including a voicemail message to the persons so identified), with the understanding that, with adequate prior written notice, the Agent may modify the list of such persons from time to time.

(ii) Agent Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, upon the receipt of an Issuance Notice, the Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal sales and trading practices to place the Shares with respect to which the Agent has agreed to act as sales agent, subject to, and in accordance with the information specified in, the Issuance Notice, unless the sale of the Shares described therein has been suspended, cancelled or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement may modify an Issuance Notice at any time provided they both agree in writing to any such modification.

(iii) Method of Offer and Sale. The Shares may be offered and sold (A) in negotiated transactions with the consent of the Company or (B) by any other method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including block transactions, sales made directly on the Principal Market or sales made into any other existing trading market of the Common Shares. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require either party to agree to the method of offer and sale specified in the preceding sentence, and (except as specified in clause (A) above) the method of placement of any Shares by the Agent shall be at the Agent’s discretion.

 

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(iv) Confirmation to the Company. If acting as sales agent hereunder, the Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which it has placed Shares hereunder setting forth the number of shares sold on such Trading Day, the corresponding Sales Price and the Issuance Price payable to the Company in respect thereof.

(v) Settlement. Each issuance of Shares will be settled on the applicable Settlement Date for such issuance of Shares and, subject to the provisions of Section 5, on or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Shares being sold by crediting the Agent or its designee’s account at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (DWAC) System, or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and, upon receipt of such Shares, which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered shares in good deliverable form, the Agent will deliver, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the related Issuance Price in same day funds delivered to an account designated by the Company prior to the Settlement Date. The Company may sell Shares to the Agent as principal at a price agreed upon at each relevant time Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement (each, a “Time of Sale”).

(vi) Suspension or Termination of Sales. Consistent with standard market settlement practices, the Company or the Agent may, upon notice to any of the Agent persons set forth in Schedule A hereto in writing by e-mail or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable e-mail), suspend any sale of Shares, and the period set forth in an Issuance Notice shall immediately terminate; provided, however, that (A) such suspension and termination shall not affect or impair either party’s obligations with respect to any Shares placed or sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice; (B) if the Company suspends or terminates any sale of Shares after the Agent confirms such sale to the Company, the Company shall still be obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(v) with respect to such Shares; and (C) if the Company defaults in its obligation to deliver Shares on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that it will hold the Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage or expense (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, in performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Agent may borrow Common Shares from stock lenders in the event that the Company has not delivered Shares to settle sales as required by subsection (v) above, and may use the Shares to settle or close out such borrowings. The Company agrees that no such notice shall be effective against the Agent unless it is made to the persons identified in writing by the Agent pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).

(vii) No Guarantee of Placement, Etc. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in placing Shares; (B) the Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other Person if it does not sell Shares; and (C) the Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Agent and the Company.

 

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(viii) Material Non-Public Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company and the Agent agree that the Company shall not deliver any Issuance Notice to the Agent, and the Agent shall not be obligated to place any Shares, during any period in which the Company is in possession of material non-public information. If the Company becomes in possession of material non-public information following the delivery of an Issuance Notice, the Company shall immediately notify the Agent of a suspension and termination pursuant to Section 3(b)(vi). The Company shall not provide the Agent with any material non-public information without its consent.

(c) Fees. As compensation for services rendered, the Company shall pay to the Agent, on the applicable Settlement Date, the Selling Commission for the applicable Issuance Amount (including with respect to any suspended or terminated sale pursuant to Section 3(b)(vi)) by the Agent deducting the Selling Commission from the applicable Issuance Amount.

(d) Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Shares (including all printing and engraving costs); (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares; (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares; (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors; (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement; (vi) all reasonable and documented filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Agent in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Shares for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Agent, preparing and printing a “Blue Sky Survey” or memorandum and a “Canadian wrapper”, and any supplements thereto, advising the Agent of such qualifications, registrations, determinations and exemptions; (vii) the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of the Agent’s counsel, including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent in connection with, FINRA review, if any, and approval of the Agent’s participation in the offering and distribution of the Shares; (viii) the filing fees incident to FINRA review, if any; (ix) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives, employees and officers of the Company and of the Agent and any such consultants; and (x) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Shares on the Principal Market. The reimbursement obligations of the Company

 

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for the fees and disbursements of Agent’s counsel pursuant to subsections (vi) and (vii) above shall not exceed (A) $200,000 in connection with execution of this Agreement; (B) $25,000 in connection with each Triggering Event Date (as defined below) involving the filing of a Form 10-K on which the Company is required to provide a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o); and (C) $15,000 in connection with any other Triggering Event Date (as defined below) on which the Company is required to provide a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o).

Section 4. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

The Company covenants and agrees with the Agent as follows, in addition to any other covenants and agreements made elsewhere in this Agreement:

(a) Exchange Act Compliance. During the Agency Period, the Company shall (i) file, on a timely basis, with the Commission all reports and documents required to be filed under Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act; and (ii) either (A) include in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and its annual reports on Form 10-K, a summary detailing, for the relevant reporting period, (1) the number of Shares sold through the Agent pursuant to this Agreement and (2) the net proceeds received by the Company from such sales or (B) prepare a prospectus supplement containing, or include in such other filing permitted by the Securities Act or Exchange Act (each an “Interim Prospectus Supplement”), such summary information and, at least once a quarter and subject to this Section 4, file such Interim Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (and within the time periods required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B under the Securities Act)).

(b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise the Agent in writing (i) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission; (ii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus; (iii) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Common Shares from any securities exchange upon which they are listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes; and (v) of the Company losing its status as a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405) as of the time the Company files with the Commission an annual report on Form 10-K. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order as soon as practicable. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rule 424(b) and Rule 433, as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission. The Agent acknowledges that the Company has notified the Agent that the Company expects to lose its status as a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405) as of the time the Company files with the Commission its February 2023 10-K (or, if the Company has not filed the February 2023 10-K by the time that it is due, such time).

 

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(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters. If any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus so that the Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Agent or counsel for the Agent it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, including the Securities Act, the Company agrees (subject to Section 4(d) and Section 4(f)) to promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Agent, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law including the Securities Act. Neither the Agent’s consent to, or delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the Company’s obligations under Section 4(d) and Section 4(f).

(d) Agent’s Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements. Prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement (including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement through incorporation of any report filed under the Exchange Act), insofar as such proposed amendment or supplement relates to the Shares or the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file or use any such proposed amendment or supplement without the Agent’s prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.

(e) Use of Free Writing Prospectus. Neither the Company nor the Agent has prepared, used, referred to or distributed, or will prepare, use, refer to or distribute, without the other party’s prior written consent, any “written communication” that constitutes a “free writing prospectus” as such terms are defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement (any such free writing prospectus being referred to herein as a “Free Writing Prospectus”).

(f) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto without the Agent’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company shall furnish to the Agent, without charge, as many copies of any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used by the Company, as the Agent may reasonably

 

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request. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares (but in any event if at any time through and including the date of this Agreement) there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly amend or supplement such free writing prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict or so that the statements in such free writing prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at such subsequent time, not misleading, as the case may be; provided, however, that prior to amending or supplementing any such free writing prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Agent for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of such proposed amended or supplemented free writing prospectus and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any such amended or supplemented free writing prospectus without the Agent’s consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(g) Filing of Agent Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall not take any action that would result in the Agent or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Agent that the Agent otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(h) Copies of Registration Statement and Prospectus. After the date of this Agreement through the last time that a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares, the Company agrees to furnish the Agent with copies (which may be electronic copies) of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, and with copies of the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, both in such quantities as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required under the Securities Act or under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction at any time on or prior to the applicable Settlement Date for any period set forth in an Issuance Notice in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event has occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it is necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Agent and to request that the Agent suspend offers to sell Shares (and, if so notified, the Agent shall cease such offers as soon as practicable); and if the Company decides to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, to advise the Agent promptly by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and to prepare and cause to be filed promptly with the Commission an amendment or

 

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supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; provided, however, that if during such same period the Agent is required to deliver a prospectus in respect of transactions in the Shares, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission such an amendment or supplement.

(i) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the Agent and counsel for the Agent to qualify or register the Shares for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities laws of those jurisdictions designated by the Agent, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Shares. The Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation. The Company will advise the Agent promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof as soon as practicable.

(j) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Agent an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act.

(k) Listing; Reservation of Shares. During the Agency Period, (a) the Company will maintain the listing of the Shares on the Principal Market; and (b) the Company will reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, Shares for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement.

(l) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Shares.

(m) Due Diligence. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will reasonably cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by the Agent in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior corporate officers, during normal business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time.

(n) Representations and Warranties. The Company acknowledges that each delivery of an Issuance Notice and each delivery of Shares on a Settlement Date shall be deemed to be (i) an affirmation to the Agent that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such Issuance Notice or of such Settlement Date, as the case may be, as though made at and as of each such date, except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto); and (ii) an undertaking that the Company will advise the

 

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Agent if any of such representations and warranties will not be true and correct as of the Settlement Date for the Shares relating to such Issuance Notice, as though made at and as of each such date (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented relating to such Shares).

(o) Deliverables at Triggering Event Dates; Certificates. The Company agrees that on or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and, during the term of this Agreement after the date of the first Issuance Notice, upon:

(A) the filing of the Prospectus or the amendment or supplement of any Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Shares or a prospectus filed pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii)(B)), by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker or supplement, but not by means of incorporation of documents by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus;

(B) the filing with the Commission of an annual report on Form 10-K or a quarterly report on Form 10-Q (including any Form 10-K/A or Form 10-Q/A containing amended financial information or a material amendment to the previously filed annual report on Form 10-K or quarterly report on Form 10-Q), in each case, of the Company; or

(C) the filing with the Commission of a current report on Form 8-K of the Company containing amended financial information (other than information “furnished” pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K that is material to the offering of securities of the Company in the Agent’s reasonable discretion;

(any such event, a “Triggering Event Date”), the Company shall furnish the Agent (but in the case of clause (C) above only if the Agent reasonably determines that the information contained in such current report on Form 8-K of the Company is material) with a certificate as of the Triggering Event Date, in the form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, (A) confirming that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct, (B) confirming that the Company has performed all of its obligations hereunder to be performed on or prior to the date of such certificate and as to the matters set forth in Section 5(a)(iii) hereof, and (C) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 4(o) shall be automatically waived with no further action of the Agent or the Company for any Triggering Event Date occurring at a time when no Issuance Notice is pending or a suspension is in effect, which automatic waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers instructions for the sale of Shares hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Triggering Event Date) and the next occurring Triggering Event Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to sell Shares following a Triggering Event Date when a suspension was in effect and did not provide the Agent with a certificate under this Section 4(o), then before the Company delivers the instructions for the sale of Shares or the Agent sells any Shares pursuant to such instructions, the Company shall provide the Agent with a certificate in conformity with this Section 4(o) dated as of the date that the instructions for the sale of Shares are issued.

 

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(p) Legal Opinion. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Agent shall have received a negative assurances letter and the written legal opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented. In lieu of such opinions for subsequent periodic filings, in the discretion of the Agent, the Company may furnish a reliance letter from such counsel to the Agent, permitting the Agent to rely on a previously delivered opinion letter, modified as appropriate for any passage of time or Triggering Event Date (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented as of such Triggering Event Date).

(q) Comfort Letter. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who has audited the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or in the case of unaudited interim period financial statements, reviewed the financial statements, to furnish the Agent a comfort letter, dated the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel; provided, however, that any such comfort letter will only be required on the Triggering Event Date specified to the extent that the filing contains financial statements filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a Prospectus. If requested by the Agent, the Company shall also cause a comfort letter to be furnished to the Agent promptly after the occurrence of any material transaction or event requiring the filing of a current report on Form 8-K containing material amended financial information of the Company, including the restatement of the Company’s financial statements; provided, however, that, no sales of Shares shall occur until the delivery of such comfort letter. The Company shall be required to furnish no more than one comfort letter hereunder per each filing of an annual report on Form 10-K or a quarterly report on Form 10-Q; provided, however, the Company shall be required to deliver an additional comfort letter for each amendment to an annual report on Form 10-K or a quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

(r) Secretary’s Certificate. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish the Agent a certificate executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, signing in such capacity, dated the date of delivery (i) certifying that attached thereto are true and complete copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement

 

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and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement), which authorization shall be in full force and effect on and as of the date of such certificate, (ii) certifying and attesting to the office, incumbency, due authority and specimen signatures of each Person who executed this Agreement for or on behalf of the Company, and (iii) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request; provided, however, that if the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company is unavailable to execute such certificate, the General Counsel or another executive officer of the Company may deliver this certificate in such person’s capacity as an executive officer of the Company.

(s) Agent’s Own Account; Clients’ Account. The Company consents to the Agent trading, in compliance with applicable law, in the Common Shares for the Agent’s own account and for the account of its clients at the same time as sales of the Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement.

(t) Investment Limitation. The Company shall not invest, or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Shares in such a manner as would require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

(u) Market Activities. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares or any other reference security, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and the Company will, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, comply with all applicable provisions of Regulation M. If the limitations of Rule 102 of Regulation M (“Rule 102”) do not apply with respect to the Shares or any other reference security pursuant to any exception set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102, then promptly upon notice from the Agent (or, if later, at the time stated in the notice), the Company will, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, comply with Rule 102 as though such exception were not available but the other provisions of Rule 102 (as interpreted by the Commission) did apply. The Company shall promptly notify the Agent if it no longer meets the requirements set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102.

(v) Notice of Other Sale. Without the written consent of the Agent, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares (other than Shares hereunder), warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire Common Shares, or effect a reverse stock split, recapitalization, share consolidation, reclassification or similar transaction affecting the outstanding Common Shares, during the period beginning on the third Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which any Issuance Notice is delivered to the Agent hereunder and ending on the third Trading Day immediately following the earlier of (x) the Settlement Date with respect to Shares sold pursuant to such Issuance Notice and (y) the suspension by the Company of such Issuance Notice, provided that no sales of Shares were made under such Issuance Notice; and will not directly or indirectly enter into any other “at the market” or continuous equity transaction offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Shares (other than the Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, warrants or any

 

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rights to purchase or acquire, Common Shares prior to the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that such restrictions will not be required in connection with the Company’s (i) issuance or sale of Common Shares, options to purchase Common Shares or Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of options or other equity awards, or the vesting of any of the foregoing, pursuant to any employee or director share option, incentive or benefit plan, share purchase or ownership plan, long-term incentive plan, dividend reinvestment plan, inducement award under the rules of the Principal Market or other compensation plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, as in effect on the date of this Agreement or hereafter implemented, (ii) issuance or sale of Common Shares issuable upon exchange, conversion or redemption of securities or the exercise or vesting of warrants, options or other equity awards outstanding at the date of this Agreement, (iii) modification of any outstanding options, warrants of any rights to purchase or acquire Common Shares and (iv) Common Shares issued in connection with any joint venture, commercial or collaborative relationship or the acquisition or license by the Company of the securities, businesses, property or other assets of another person or entity or pursuant to any employee benefit plan as assumed by the Company in connection with any such acquisition, provided that the aggregate number of Common Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares issued or sold under this subsection (iv) shall not exceed 5% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to giving effect to such sale of issuance.

(w) Filing Fees. The Company will pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Shares within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) under the Securities Act without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act.

(x) CAO Certificate. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish the Agent a certificate executed by the Company’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer with respect to certain financial data contained in the Prospectus providing “management comfort” with respect to such information, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(y) Default. The Company will immediately notify the Agent if the Amended Credit Agreement is terminated for any reason or if there is a Default under the Amended Credit Agreement.

(z) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds.”

(aa) Other Obligations. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to do and perform all things required to be done or performed under this Agreement by the Company as of the date hereof and as of each Representation Date, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Shares to be delivered at each Time of Sale.

 

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(bb) Notification. The Company shall immediately notify the Agent of the receipt of any notification or letter from the staff of the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC concerning the delisting of the Shares on the Principal Market. On or before 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Trading Day immediately following such notification or letter from the Staff, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission describing the terms of such notification or letter.

Section 5. CONDITIONS TO DELIVERY OF ISSUANCE NOTICES AND TO SETTLEMENT

(a) Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Issuance Notice and the Obligation of the Agent to Sell Shares. The right of the Company to deliver an Issuance Notice hereunder is subject to the satisfaction, on the date of delivery of such Issuance Notice, and the obligation of the Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice is subject to the satisfaction, on each Trading Day during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice and on each Settlement Date, of each of the following conditions:

(i) Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties; Performance by the Company. The Company shall have delivered the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 4(o). The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to such date, including, but not limited to, the covenants contained in Section 4(p), Section 4(q), Section 4(r) and Sections 4(x)-(aa).

(ii) No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby that prohibits or directly and materially adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no proceeding shall have been commenced that may have the effect of prohibiting or materially adversely affecting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(iii) Material Adverse Changes. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, (a) in the judgment of the Agent there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change; and (b) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act.

(iv) No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Common Shares; Other Events. The trading of the Common Shares (including without limitation the Shares) shall not have been suspended by the Commission, the Principal Market or FINRA and the Common Shares (including without limitation the Shares) shall have been approved for listing or quotation on and shall not have been delisted from the Principal Market or any of their constituent markets. There shall not have occurred (and be continuing in the case of occurrences under clauses (i) and (ii) below) any of the following: (i) trading or quotation in any of the Company’s securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the Principal Market or trading in securities generally on the Principal Market shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal or New York, authorities; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of

 

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national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States’ or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Agent is material and adverse and makes it impracticable to market the Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities.

(b) Documents Required to be Delivered on each Issuance Notice Date. The Agent’s obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares hereunder shall additionally be conditioned upon the delivery to the Agent on or before the Issuance Notice Date of a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, executed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that all conditions to the delivery of such Issuance Notice shall have been satisfied as at the date of such certificate (which certificate shall not be required if the foregoing representations shall be set forth in the Issuance Notice).

(c) No Misstatement or Material Omission. Agent shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Time of Sale Information, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in the Agent’s reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in the Agent’s reasonable opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

(d) Agent Counsel Legal Opinion. Agent shall have received from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, counsel for Agent, such opinion or opinions, on or before the date on which the delivery of the Company counsel legal opinion is required pursuant to Section 4(p), with respect to such matters as Agent may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(e) Amended Credit Agreement. The Company and each of the other parties thereto shall have executed and delivered the Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver, by and among the Company, certain of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as FILO agent, and the lenders party thereto (as amended by the Fourth Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”), and such Amended Credit Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

(f) Sufficiently Authorized Shares. The Company shall have available, free of preemptive rights, Shares reserved for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy its obligations under the Issuance Notice, including the sale of the specified Issuance Amount.

(g) Form S-3 Eligibility. The Company shall be eligible to use Form S-3 through the selling period set forth on the delivered Issuance Notice, and shall satisfy the issuer and transaction requirements set forth in General Instructions 1.A., 1.B.1 and 1.D. of such form.

(h) Listing Compliance. The Company is and during the selling period set forth on the delivered Issuance Notice will be in compliance in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares in all material respects with all applicable listing requirements of the Principal Market.

 

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Section 6. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

(a) Indemnification of the Agent. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Agent or such officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and to reimburse the Agent and each such officer, employee and controlling person for any and all documented expenses (including the fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the Agent (together with one local counsel)) as such expenses are documented and reasonably incurred by the Agent or such officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any such Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information described in subsection (b) below. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.

(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. The Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company

 

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has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; but, for each of (i) and (ii) above, only to the extent arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any such Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of the information set forth in the first sentence of the ninth paragraph under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus, and to reimburse the Company and each such director, officer and controlling person for any and all documented expenses (including the fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the Company (together with one local counsel)) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company or such officer, director or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Agent or the Company may otherwise have.

(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6 or to the extent it is not prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the reasonable and

 

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documented fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), which counsel (together with any local counsel) for the indemnified parties shall be selected by the indemnified party (in the case of counsel for the indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) and Section 6(b) above), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party, in each of which cases the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party and shall be paid as they are incurred.

(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 6 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 6(a), Section 6(b) or Section 6(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request; and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding.

(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total commissions received by the Agent. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the

 

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Agent, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Agent, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(c), any legal or other fees or documented expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 6(c) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 6(e); provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 6(c) for purposes of indemnification.

The Company and the Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(e).

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(e), the Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the Selling Commission received by the Agent in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6(e), each officer and employee of the Agent and each person, if any, who controls the Agent within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Agent, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

Section 7. TERMINATION & SURVIVAL

(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7, the term of this Agreement shall continue from the date of this Agreement until the end of the Agency Period, unless earlier terminated by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.

(b) Termination; Survival Following Termination.

(i) Either party may terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Agency Period, by giving written notice as required by this Agreement, upon ten (10) Trading Days’ notice to the other party; provided that, (A) if the Company terminates this Agreement after the Agent confirms to the Company any sale of Shares, the Company shall remain obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(v) with respect to such Shares and (B) Section 2, Section 3(d), Section 6, Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive termination of this Agreement. If termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Shares, such sale shall nevertheless settle in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(ii) In addition to the survival provision of Section 7(b)(i), the respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers and of the Agent set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

Section 8. MISCELLANEOUS

(a) Press Releases and Disclosure. The Company may issue a press release describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby as soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, and may file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K, with this Agreement attached as an exhibit thereto, describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company shall consult with the Agent prior to making such disclosures, and the parties hereto shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosures that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto. No party hereto shall issue thereafter any press release or like public statement (including, without limitation, any disclosure required in reports filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act) related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the other party hereto, except as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the party seeking to make disclosure to comply with the requirements of applicable law or stock exchange rules. If any such press release or like public statement is so required and to the extent reasonably practicable in the circumstances, the party making such disclosure shall consult with the other party prior to making such disclosure, and the parties shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosure that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be required to consult with or seek prior consent of the Agent to make (i) any public statements made by the Company (including, without limitation, any statement included in reports filed with the Commission) that are consistent with the statements set forth in the press release and Current Report on Form 8-K described above, (ii) make any public statements that are consistent with statements previously discussed with or consented to by the Agent or (iii) the public disclosure by the Company of the number of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the determination of any fees, are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Company and the Agent, (ii) when acting as a principal under this Agreement, the Agent is and has been acting solely as a principal is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, or its stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) the Agent has not assumed nor will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Agent has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and the Agent does not have any obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Agent and its Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (v) the Agent has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

 

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(c) Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the Agent’s research analysts and research departments are required to and should be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and as such the Agent’s research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company understands that the Agent is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(d) Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, sent via electronic mail (if applicable) or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

If to the Agent:

299 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10171

Attention: General Counsel

E-mail: Atmdesk@brileyfin.com

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

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

7 Times Square Tower

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Jeeho Lee

E-mail: jeeholee@omm.com

If to the Company:

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

650 Liberty Avenue

Union, New Jersey 07083

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

E-mail: david.kastin@bedbath.com

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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Christian Nagler; Tamar Donikyan

E-mail: cnagler@kirkland.com; tamar.donikyan@kirkland.com

 

37


Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 8(d).

(e) Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 6, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term “successors” shall not include any purchaser of the Shares as such from the Agent merely by reason of such purchase.

(f) Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Article, Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

(g) Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(h) General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument, and may be delivered by facsimile transmission or by electronic delivery of a portable document format (PDF) file (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com). This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Article and Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Immediately Follow]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms

 

Very truly yours,
BED BATH & BEYOND INC.
By:   /s/ Sue Grove
Name:   Sue Grove
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Agent in New York, New York as of the date first above written.

 

B. RILEY SECURITIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Patrice McNicoll
Name:   Patrice McNicoll
Title:   Co-Head of Investment Banking


EXHIBIT A

ISSUANCE NOTICE

[Date]

B. Riley Securities, Inc.

299 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10171

Attn: [    ]

Reference is made to the Sales Agreement between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (the “Company”) and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (the “Agent”) dated as of March 30, 2023. The Company confirms that all conditions to the delivery of this Issuance Notice are satisfied as of the date hereof.

Date of Delivery of Issuance Notice (determined pursuant to Section 3(b)(i)):

 

 

Issuance Amount (equal to the total Sales Price for such Shares):

 

     $
  

Number of days in selling period:

  
  

 

First date of selling period:

  
  

 

Last date of selling period:

  
  

 

Settlement Date(s) if other than standard T+2 settlement:

  
  

Floor Price Limitation: $ per share

  
  

 

Comments:

  
  

 

 

By:

   

Name:

Title:


Schedule A

Notice Parties

 

The Company

Sue Gove

Email: Sue.Gove@bedbath.com

Holly Etlin

Email: hetlin@alixpartners.com

David Kastin

Email: david.kastin@bedbath.com

The Agent

B Riley ATM Desk

Email: Atmdesk@brileyfin.com

Patrice McNicoll

Email: pmcnicoll@brileyfin.com

Exhibit 10.5

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This Exchange Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of March 30, 2023 (“Effective Date”), by and between Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), and HBC Investments LLC (the “Holder”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Preferred Stock Warrant (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, pursuant to (i) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (File number 333-267173) (the “Registration Statement”) and (ii) that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2023 (the “Subscription Date”), by and among the Company and B. Riley Securities, Inc. (the “Underwriter”), as amended from time to time (the “Underwriting Agreement”, and such public offering, the “Offering”), the Company issued to the Underwriter, Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Shares”), a warrant to purchase shares of common stock, par value $01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock Warrants”) and a warrant to purchase Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (“Series A Preferred Stock”), which was thereafter acquired by the Holder and certificated as No. PW-001 (the “Preferred Stock Warrant”).

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Holder holds (i) certain shares of Series A Preferred Stock either acquired from the Underwriter in the Offering and/or upon exercise of the Preferred Stock Warrant prior to the date hereof (collectively, the “Holder Preferred Shares”) and the Preferred Stock Warrant exercisable into an additional 70,004 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Holder Warrant”)

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company and the Holder desire to cancel and retire the Preferred Stock Warrant in exchange for (i) such aggregate number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as set forth on the signature page of the Holder attached hereto (the “Exchange Shares”) and a right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, from time to time (such right of the Holder “Right”), such aggregate number of additional shares of Common Stock as set forth on the signature page of the Holder attached hereto (the “Rights Shares”, and together with the Exchange Shares, the “Underlying Shares”), in each case, in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

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


AGREEMENT

1. EXCHANGE.

On the date hereof, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Holder shall, and the Company shall, pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the 1933 Act, exchange the Holder Warrant for the Exchange Shares and the Rights. On the date hereof, the following transactions shall occur (such transactions in this Section 1, the “Exchange”):

1.1 Upon delivery of irrevocable instructions to the transfer agent of the Company to issue to Holder the Exchange Shares in accordance with Section 1.2 and the creation of the Rights hereunder (the “Delivery Time”), all of the Holder’s rights under the Holder Warrant shall be extinguished.

1.2 On the date hereof, the Company shall credit the Exchange Shares to the Holder or its designee’s balance account with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) in accordance with the DTC instructions set forth on the signature page of the Holder attached hereto (or otherwise delivered by the Holder in writing to the Company on or prior to the date hereof). On the date hereof, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Exchange Shares and the Rights, irrespective of the date such Exchange Shares are credited to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC in accordance herewith.

1.3 The Company and the Holder shall execute and/or deliver such other documents and agreements as are customary and reasonably necessary to effectuate the Exchange.

1.4 As soon as commercially practicable following the date hereof, the Holder shall deliver the certificate evidencing the Holder Warrant to the Company (or a lost warrant affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company with respect thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the Delivery Time, the Holder Preferred Warrant shall be deemed cancelled regardless as to date the certificate evidencing the Holder Preferred Warrant is delivered to the Company.

2. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

The Company hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof to, and covenants with, the Holder as follows:

2.1 Organization and Standing. The Company is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of New York, has full corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it makes qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). As used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, operations, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”), if any, individually or taken as a whole, or on the transactions contemplated hereby or by the agreements and instruments to be entered into (or entered into) in connection herewith or therewith, or on the authority or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement.


2.2 Authorization; Corporate Power. This Agreement has been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) equitable principles generally, including any specific performance), and the Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance of all obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder, and the authorization (or reservation for issuance), the Exchange, and the issuance of the Exchange Shares, the Rights and, upon exercise of the Rights, the Rights Shares (collectively, the “Securities”) have been taken on or prior to the date hereof.

2.3 Valid Issuance and Delivery of Securities. The Exchange Shares and Rights Shares when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, mortgages, defects, claims, liens, pledges, charges, taxes, rights of first refusal, encumbrances, security interests and other encumbrances (collectively “Liens”) with respect to the issuance thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock. The Rights when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued. The Exchange Shares and, upon exercise of the Rights, the Rights Shares are freely tradeable and shall not be required to bear any Securities Act or other restrictive legend. The Company agrees to take all actions, including, without limitation, the issuance by its legal counsel of any necessary legal opinions, necessary to issue unrestricted Exchange Shares and Rights Shares, if any, that are freely tradable on the principal Eligible Market on which the Common Stock then trades without restriction and shall not be required to bear, and shall not bear, any Securities Act or other restrictive legend. The offer and issuance by the Company of the Securities is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

2.4 Consents. No consent, waiver, approval or authorization of or designation, declaration or filing with any Person (as defined below) on the part of the Company is required in connection with the valid execution and delivery of this Agreement or the offer, sale or issuance of the Exchange Shares or the Rights or the issuance or the reservation for issuance of the Rights Shares or the consummation of any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, except for such consent as have been obtained by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and any Governmental Entity or any department or agency thereof; and (ii) “Governmental Entity” means any nation, state, county, city, town, village, district, or other political jurisdiction of any nature, federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or other government, governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any


nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or other tribunal), multi-national organization or body; or body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or power of any nature or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, including any entity or enterprise owned or controlled by a government or a public international organization or any of the foregoing.

2.5 No Default or Violation. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the Exchange by the Company will not (i) result in a breach of or a default under any of the terms or provisions of (A) the Company’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or (B) any material provision of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it or any of its material properties or assets is bound or (ii) result in a violation of any provision of any law, statute, rule, regulation, or any existing applicable decree, judgment or order by any court, Federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency, or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, or any of its material properties or assets except in the case of clauses (i)(B) or (ii) for any such breaches, defaults or violations which would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not violated any law or any governmental regulation or requirement which violation has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company has not received written notice of any such violation.

2.6 Offering; No Consideration. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities. The Company represents and warrants that neither it nor any Person acting on its behalf, has directly or indirectly paid or given any commission or other remuneration for soliciting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The offer, exchange and issuance, as applicable, of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and the qualification or registration requirements of state securities laws or other applicable blue sky laws. Neither the Company nor any authorized agent acting on its behalf will take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemptions.

2.7 Absence of Litigation. Except as set forth in the reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, the Common Stock, any securities of the Company or any of the Company’s officers or directors in their capacities as such, which would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

2.8 No Group, Underwriter, Agent, Broker or Dealer. The Company acknowledges that, to the Company’s knowledge, the Holder is acting independently in connection with this Agreement and the Exchange, and is not acting as part of a “group” as such term is defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The Company acknowledges that the Holder acquired Series A Preferred Stock and the Preferred Stock Warrant from the Underwriter and the Holder has not, directly or indirectly, acted as an underwriter, agent, broker or dealer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, in connection with the Exchange and any subsequent sale of the Securities is not acting, directly or indirectly, as an underwriter, agent, broker or dealer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.


2.9 Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement have been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies.

2.10 Disclosure of Agreement. On or before 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on March 30, 2023, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC (the “8-K Filing”), disclosing all material terms of the Exchange and any other material, nonpublic information provided to the Holder from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents, including by attaching the form of this Agreement as an exhibit thereto. From and after the time the 8-K Filing has been filed with the SEC (the “Cleansing Time”), the Holder shall not be in possession of any material, nonpublic information received from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents, that has not been publicly disclosed. The Company shall not, and shall cause its officers, directors, employees, affiliates and agents, not to, provide the Holder with any material, nonpublic information regarding the Company from and after the Cleansing Time without the express written consent of the Holder. To the extent that the Company delivers any material, non-public information to the Holder after the Cleansing Time without the Holder’s express prior written consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Holder shall not have any duty of confidentiality to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents with respect to, or a duty to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates or agents not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information. The Company shall not disclose the name of the Holder in any filing, announcement, release or otherwise, unless such disclosure is required by law or regulation. In addition, effective upon the Cleansing Time, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, affiliates, employees or agents, on the one hand, and the Holder or any of its affiliates, on the other hand, shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. The Company understands and confirms that the Holder will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.

2.11 Blue Sky. The Company shall make all filings and reports relating to the Exchange required under applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the states of the United States following the date hereof, if any.

2.12 No Integration. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries, any of their affiliates, or any Person acting on their behalf shall, directly or indirectly, make any offers or sales of any security (as defined in the Securities Act) or solicit any offers to buy any security or take any other actions, under circumstances that would require registration of any of the Securities under the Securities Act or cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with such offering or any prior offerings by the Company for purposes of Regulation D under the Securities Act.


2.13 Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of the Underlying Shares upon The Nasdaq Stock Market (subject to official notice of issuance). The Company shall maintain the Common Stock’s authorization for quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action which would be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock from The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 2.14.

2.14 Outstanding Shares; Reservation of Shares. As of the date hereof, the Company has 428,119,580 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. So long as any of the Holder Preferred Shares or Rights remain outstanding, the Company shall take all action necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, or treasury shares available for reissuance, no less than the 100% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of all the Holder Preferred Shares then outstanding (assuming for purposes hereof that (x) the Holder Preferred Shares are convertible at the Floor Price (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) then in effect, and (y) any such conversion shall not take into account any limitations on the conversion of the Holder Preferred Shares set forth in the Certificate of Amendment), (collectively, the “Required Reserve Amount”); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything in the Certificate of Amendment to the contrary, the Holder and the Company hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section 2.14 or the Certificate of Amendment for the benefit of the Holder (or issuable upon conversion of the Holder Preferred Shares, in the aggregate, without regard to any limitations on conversion with respect thereto) exceed 139,930,168 shares (the “Common Stock Issuance Limit”) of Common Stock (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations and similar events) or (ii) be reduced other than proportionally in connection with any conversion and/or redemption, as applicable of Holder Preferred Shares. If at any time the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance, or treasury shares of Common Stock available for reissuance, is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount, the Company will promptly take all corporate action necessary to authorize and reserve a sufficient number of shares, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of shareholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company’s obligations pursuant to the Required Reserve Amount, in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain shareholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Holder may allocate its allocation of the Required Reserve Amount to any other of the Securities held by the Holder (or any of its designees) by delivery of a written notice to the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the Certificate of Amendment, in no event will the Holder (or any transferee of any Holder Preferred Shares) be entitled to receive upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock, any shares of Common Stock in an amount exceeding the Common Stock Issuance Limit and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to the Common Stock Issuance Limit shall extinguish all rights of the Holder (and/or any such transferee, as applicable) pursuant to the Certificate of Amendment and, thereafter, the Holder (and/or any such transferee, as applicable) shall deliver any certificate evidencing such Holder Preferred Shares to the Company for cancellation without requiring the payment of any additional consideration with respect thereto.


3. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE HOLDER.

The Holder represents and warrants to and covenants with the Company that:

3.1 Valid Existence; Good Standing. Holder is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.

3.2 Authority; Authorization. The Holder has full right, power, authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement and the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. Upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Holder, this Agreement shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Holder, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by equitable principles generally, including any specific performance).

3.3 Title. The Holder owns and holds the entire right, title and interest in and to, and is the record and beneficial owner of, the Holder Warrant and the Holder owns the Holder Warrant free and clear of all Liens. The Holder has the full power and authority to vote, transfer and dispose of the Holder Warrant free and clear of any right or Liens. There is no restriction affecting the ability of the Holder to transfer the legal and beneficial title and ownership of the Holder Warrant to the Company and, as of the Delivery Time, the Company will acquire legal and valid title to the Holder Warrant, free and clear of all Liens. Other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, there is no outstanding vote, plan, pending proposal, or other right of any person to acquire all or any of the Holder Warrant.

3.4 Securities Act Exemption. The Holder understands that the transaction contemplated hereby is intended to be exempt from registration by virtue of Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. The Holder understands that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Holder set forth herein for purposes of qualifying for the exemption under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act as well as qualifying for exemptions under applicable state securities laws.

3.5 Non-Affiliate. The Holder is not an Affiliate (as defined below) of the Company and has not been an Affiliate during the three months prior to the date hereof. “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

3.6 Information. The Holder has, in connection with its decision to acquire the Securities, relied with respect to the Company and its affairs solely upon the Company’s filings with the SEC and the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein.


3.7 Advisors. The Holder understands that nothing in this Agreement or any other materials presented to the Holder in connection with the exchange of the Holder Warrants and execution and acquisition of the Securities constitutes legal, tax or investment advice. The Holder has consulted such legal, tax and investment advisors as it, in its sole discretion, has deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with its acquisition of the Securities. With respect to such matters, the Holder relies solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral. The Holder understands that it (and not the Company) shall be responsible for its own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.


4. RIGHTS TO ISSUE SHARES.

4.1 General. In the Exchange, the Company shall issue the Holder the Rights to receive the Rights Shares, which Rights shall have such terms and conditions as set forth in this Section 4. The Company and the Holder hereby agree that no additional consideration is payable in connection with the issuance of the Rights or the exercise of the Rights.

4.2 Exercise of Right of Issuance of Shares. Subject to the terms hereof, the exercise of the Rights may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Company shall have either (x) completed a reverse stock split or (y) increased the authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Trigger Date”) by delivery to the Company (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the registered Holder at the address of the Holder appearing on the books of the Company) of a duly executed PDF copy of the Notice of Issuance Form annexed hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Notice of Issuance”, and the corresponding date thereof, the “Exercise Date”). Partial exercises of the Rights resulting in issuances of a portion of the total number of Rights Shares available thereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Rights Shares purchasable thereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Rights Shares issued. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Rights Shares issued and the date of such issuances. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Issuance Form within one (1) Trading Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder acknowledges and agrees that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following each exercise of the Rights issued hereunder and the issuance of a portion of the Rights Shares pursuant thereto, the number of Rights Shares available for issuance pursuant to the Rights issued hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated in the recitals hereof.

4.3 Delivery of Rights Shares. The Rights Shares issued hereunder shall be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s prime broker with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system (unless requested by the Holder to be delivered by physical delivery to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Issuance) by the date that is one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Issuance (such date, the “Share Delivery Deadline”). The Rights Shares shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Rights have been exercised.

4.4 Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Rights Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name of the Holder. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Issuance.


4.5 Authorized Shares. The Company covenants that, from and after the Trigger Date, as long as any Rights remain outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of all of the Rights Shares issuable hereunder upon the exercise of the Rights (without regard to any limitations on exercise set forth in Section 4.8 below). The Company further covenants that its issuance of the Rights shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Rights Shares upon the due exercise of the Rights. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Rights Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Principal Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Rights Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the Rights represented by this Agreement, the Rights, will, upon exercise of the Rights be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all taxes, Liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

4.6 Impairment. Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Agreement, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of the Holder as set forth in this Agreement against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Rights Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable Rights Shares upon the exercise of the Rights and (iii) use reasonable best efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

4.7 Authorizations. Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Rights Shares for which the Rights provides for, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

4.8 Limitations on Exercise. The Company shall not effect the exercise of any Rights, and the Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of any Rights pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any such exercise shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties (as defined below) collectively would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding


immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued hereunder with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of the Rights beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 4.8. For purposes of this Section 4.8 beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the exercise of the Rights without exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the SEC, as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (z) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent, if any, setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “Reported Outstanding Share Number”). If the Company receives a Notice of Issuance from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Notice of Issuance would otherwise cause the Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 4.8, to exceed the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to such Notice of Issuance. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including the Rights, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon exercise of the Rights results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Beneficial Ownership Limitation of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (the “Excess Shares”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to


any other holder of Rights that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Rights hereunder in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to exercise any Rights pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of exercisability. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4.8 to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph (or any portion of this paragraph) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 4.8 or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of Rights. For the purpose of this Agreement: (x) “Attribution Parties” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the date hereof, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, (y) “Group” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder and (z) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

4.9 Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of the Rights, pursuant to the terms hereof.

4.10 Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company on or after the Trigger Date, while the Rights exist: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the number of Rights Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights shall be proportionately adjusted. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 4.10 shall become effective immediately upon the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution (provided that if the declaration of such dividend or distribution is rescinded or otherwise cancelled, then such adjustment shall be reversed upon notice to the Holder of the termination of such proposed declaration or distribution as to any unexercised portion of the Rights at the time of such rescission or cancellation) and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

4.11 Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Rights Shares. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, either (x) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, (y) if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to credit the balance account of the Holder or the Holder’s designee with DTC for such number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of a Right (a “Delivery Failure”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, (X) the Company shall pay in cash to the Holder on each day after the Share Delivery Deadline that the issuance of such shares of Common Stock is not timely effected an amount equal to 1% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock not issued to the Holder on or prior to the Share Delivery Deadline and to which the Holder is entitled, multiplied by (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable Exercise Date and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Deadline, and (Y) the Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Notice of Issuance with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, all, or any portion, of such Rights that has not been exercised pursuant to such Notice of Issuance; provided that the voiding of a Notice of Issuance shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 4.11 or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, if a Delivery Failure occurs and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline the Holder acquires (in an open market transaction, stock loan or otherwise) shares of Common Stock corresponding to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise that the Holder is entitled to receive from the Company and has not received from the Company in connection with such Delivery Failure (a “Buy-In”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Company shall, within one (1) Business Day after receipt of the Holder’s request and in the Holder’s discretion, either: (I) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, stock loan costs and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so acquired (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of the Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of Rights hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (II) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the balance account of such Holder or such Holder’s designee, as applicable, with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of Rights hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (x) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (y) the lowest Closing Sale Price (as defined below) of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Notice of Issuance and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (II). Nothing shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) upon the exercise of the Rights as required pursuant to the terms hereof. “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 6:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, L.P., the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in The Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions during such period.

4.12 Subsequent Rights Offerings. Except with respect to any adjustments pursuant to Section 4.10 above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Convertible Securities, Options or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record Holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of the Rights (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record Holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).


4.13 Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while the Rights remain outstanding, a Fundamental Transaction occurs, then, upon any subsequent exercise of the Rights, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Rights Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 4.8 on the exercise of the Rights), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a Holder of one share of Common Stock. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Agreement referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.

4.14 No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise. Each Right does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof.

4.15 Transferability. Subject to compliance with any applicable securities laws, the Rights and all rights hereunder are transferable to any affiliate of the Holder or any other Person under common control with the Holder, as applicable, in whole or in part, upon written assignment substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer of this Agreement delivered to the principal office of the Company or its designated agent. Upon such assignment and, if required, such payment, the Company shall enter into a new agreement with the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and this Agreement shall promptly be cancelled. Any Rights, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the issue of Rights Shares without having a new agreement executed.

5. PARTICIPATION RIGHTS

Until the second anniversary of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (as defined below) shall, directly or indirectly, effect any Subsequent Placement (as defined below) unless the Company shall have first complied with this Section 5.

5.1 At least five (5) Trading Days (as defined in the Certificate of Amendment) prior to any proposed or intended Subsequent Placement, the Company shall deliver to the Holder a written notice (each such notice, a “Pre-Notice”), which Pre-Notice shall not contain any information (including, without limitation, material, non-public information) other than: (A) if the proposed Offer Notice (as defined below) constitutes or contains material, non-public information, a statement asking whether the Holder is willing to accept material non-public information or (B) if the proposed Offer Notice does not constitute or contain material, non-public information, (x) a statement that the Company proposes or intends to effect a Subsequent Placement, (y) a statement that the statement in clause (x) above does not constitute material, non-public information and (z) a statement informing the Holder that it is entitled to receive an Offer Notice (as defined below) with respect to such Subsequent Placement upon its written request. Upon the written request of the Holder within three (3) Trading Days after the Company’s delivery to the Holder of such Pre-Notice and only upon a written request by the Holder, the Company shall promptly, but no later than one (1) Trading Day after such request, deliver to the Holder an irrevocable written notice (the “Offer Notice”) of any proposed or intended issuance or sale or exchange (the “Offer”) of the securities being offered (the “Offered Securities”) in a Subsequent Placement, which Offer Notice shall (A) identify and describe the Offered Securities, (B) describe the price and other terms


upon which they are to be issued, sold or exchanged, and the number or amount of the Offered Securities to be issued, sold or exchanged, (C) identify the Persons (as defined below) (if known) to which or with which the Offered Securities are to be offered, issued, sold or exchanged and (D) offer to issue and sell to or exchange with the Holder in accordance with the terms of the Offer no less than 30% of the Offered Securities.

5.2 To accept an Offer, in whole or in part, the Holder must deliver a written notice to the Company prior to the end of the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Holder’s receipt of the Offer Notice (the “Offer Period”), setting forth the portion of the Offered Securities that the Holder elects to purchase (the “Notice of Acceptance”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company desires to modify or amend the terms and conditions of the Offer prior to the expiration of the Offer Period, the Company may deliver to the Holder a new Offer Notice and the Offer Period shall expire on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Holder’s receipt of such new Offer Notice.

5.3 The Company shall have five (5) Business Days from the expiration of the Offer Period above (A) to offer, issue, sell or exchange all or any part of such Offered Securities as to which a Notice of Acceptance has not been given by the Holder (the “Refused Securities”) pursuant to a definitive agreement(s) (the “Subsequent Placement Agreement”), but only to the offerees described in the Offer Notice (if so described therein) and only upon terms and conditions (including, without limitation, unit prices and interest rates) that are not more favorable to the acquiring Person or Persons or less favorable to the Company than those set forth in the Offer Notice and (B) to publicly announce (x) the execution of such Subsequent Placement Agreement, and (y) either (I) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such Subsequent Placement Agreement or (II) the termination of such Subsequent Placement Agreement, which shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on a Current Report on Form 8-K with such Subsequent Placement Agreement and any documents contemplated therein filed as exhibits thereto.

5.4 In the event the Company shall propose to sell less than all the Refused Securities (any such sale to be in the manner and on the terms specified in Section 5.3 above), then the Holder may, at its sole option and in its sole discretion, withdraw its Notice of Acceptance or reduce the number or amount of the Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance to an amount that shall be not less than the number or amount of the Offered Securities that the Holder elected to purchase pursuant to Section 5.3 above multiplied by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which shall be the number or amount of Offered Securities the Company actually proposes to issue, sell or exchange (including Offered Securities to be issued or sold to the Holder pursuant to this Section 7 prior to such reduction) and (B) the denominator of which shall be the original amount of the Offered Securities. In the event that the Holder so elects to reduce the number or amount of Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance, the Company may not issue, sell or exchange more than the reduced number or amount of the Offered Securities unless and until such securities have again been offered to the Holder in accordance with Section 5.1 above.

5.5 Upon the closing of the issuance, sale or exchange of all or less than all of the Refused Securities, the Holder shall acquire from the Company, and the Company shall issue to the Holder, the number or amount of Offered Securities specified in its Notice of Acceptance, as reduced pursuant to Section 5.4 above if the Holder has so elected, upon the terms and


conditions specified in the Offer. The purchase by the Holder of any Offered Securities is subject in all cases to the preparation, execution and delivery by the Company and the Holder of a separate purchase agreement relating to such Offered Securities reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder and its counsel.

5.6 Any Offered Securities not acquired by the Holder or other Persons in accordance with this Section 7 may not be issued, sold or exchanged until they are again offered to the Holder under the procedures specified in this Agreement.

5.7 The Company and the Holder agree that if the Holder elects to participate in the Offer, neither the Subsequent Placement Agreement with respect to such Offer nor any other transaction documents related thereto (collectively, the “Subsequent Placement Documents”) shall include any term or provision whereby the Holder shall be required to agree to any disproportionate restrictions on trading as to any securities of the Company then held (as measured on the basis of each investor’s ownership, if any, of any securities of the Company) or be required to consent to any amendment to or termination of, or grant any waiver, release or the like under or in connection with, any agreement previously entered into with the Company or any instrument received from the Company.

5.8 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7 and unless otherwise agreed to by the Holder, the Company shall either confirm in writing to the Holder that the transaction with respect to the Subsequent Placement has been abandoned or shall publicly disclose its intention to issue the Offered Securities, in either case, in such a manner such that the Holder will not be in possession of any material, non-public information, by the tenth (10th) Business Day following delivery of the Offer Notice. If by such tenth (10th) Business Day, no public disclosure regarding a transaction with respect to the Offered Securities has been made, and no notice regarding the abandonment of such transaction has been received by the Holder, such transaction shall be deemed to have been abandoned and the Holder shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Should the Company decide to pursue such transaction with respect to the Offered Securities, the Company shall provide the Holder with another Offer Notice and the Holder will again have the right of participation set forth in this Section 5. The Company shall not be permitted to deliver more than one such Offer Notice to the Holder in any ten (10) day period, except as expressly contemplated by the last sentence of Section 5.2.

5.9 The restrictions contained in this Section 7 shall not apply in connection with the issuance of any Excluded Securities (as defined below). For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder may transfer its rights in this Section 7 to any of the Holder’s affiliates (and/or allocate any allocations of Offered Securities granted to the Holder (or any of its affiliates) pursuant to this Section 7) at any time by delivering written notice to the Company with respect thereto.

5.10 For the purpose of this Agreement:

(i) “Approved Stock Plan” means (i) any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the board of directors of the Company prior to or subsequent to the date hereof pursuant to which shares of Common Stock and options, warrants and other rights to purchase Common Stock may be issued to any employee, officer or director or consultants or advisors for services provided to the Company in their capacity as such or (ii) any inducement grant issued by the Company to a new director, officer, or employee as permitted by the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

(ii) “Convertible Securities” means any capital stock or other security of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is at any time and under any circumstances directly or indirectly convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any equity security of the Company (including, without limitation, Common Stock) or any of its Subsidiaries.

(iii) “Excluded Securities” means (A) options, warrants or other Common Stock purchase rights and the Common Stock issued pursuant to such options, warrants or other rights (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like) issued or to be issued after the date of this Agreement to


employees, officers or directors of, or consultants or advisors to the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to the Approved Stock Plan; (B) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities (other than pursuant to an Approved Stock Plan that are covered by clause (A) above) issued prior to the date hereof, ); (C) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and Common Stock Warrants issued in the Offering, (D) the Securities and (E) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an at-the-market offering (or other committed equity agreement with sales of Common Stock) with a bone-fide broker-dealer; (F) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten offering; (G) any equity securities issued pursuant to any equipment leasing, real property leasing or loan arrangement, or debt financing or refinancing, in each case, from a bank or similar financial or lending institution approved by the Board of Directors and (I) any securities or shares of Common Stock issued or issuable, as applicable, in connection with any bona fide strategic or commercial arrangements, acquisitions, mergers, business combinations, licensing arrangements, joint ventures, marketing or distribution arrangements or strategic partnerships, provided, that in the case of a securities issuance, (x) the primary purpose of such issuance is not to raise capital as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors, and (y) the purchaser or acquirer or recipient of the securities in such issuance solely consists of either (I) the actual participants in such strategic or commercial arrangements, acquisitions, mergers, business combinations, licensing arrangements, joint ventures, marketing or distribution arrangements or strategic partnerships, (II) the stockholders, partners, employees, consultants, officers, directors or members of the foregoing Persons, or (IV) any Person that provided services to the Company in connection with such transaction.

(iv) “Subsequent Placement” means the issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase, or otherwise dispose of (or announcement any issuance, offer, sale, grant of any option or right to purchase or other disposition of) for capital raising purposes any equity security or any equity-linked security (including, without limitation, any “equity security” (as that term is defined under Rule 405 promulgated under the 1933 Act)), any Convertible Securities (as defined below), any preferred stock or any purchase rights for equity or equity-linked securities.

6. NOTICES.

All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be sent by confirmed electronic mail, or mailed by first-class registered or certified airmail, or nationally recognized overnight express courier, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so sent in the case of electronic mail transmission, or when so received in the case of mail or courier, and addressed as follows:

If to the Company:

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

650 Liberty Avenue

Union, New Jersey 07083

Telephone: (908) 688-0888

Attention: Sue Gove, Chief Executive Officer

E-Mail: Sue.Gove@bedbath.com


With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Telephone: 212-446-4800-

Attention: Christian Nagler, P.C.

E-Mail: christian.nagler@kirkland.com

If to the Investor

Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd

c/o Hudson Bay Capital Management LP

28 Havemeyer Place

Greenwich, CT 06830

Attn: Direct Investments Team

E-mail: investments@hudsonbaycapital.com

with a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

3 World Trade Center

175 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10007

Telephone: (212) 808-7540

Attention: Michael A. Adelstein, Esq.

E-mail: madelstein@kelleydrye.com

7. MISCELLANEOUS.

7.1 Headings. The headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be part of this Agreement.

7.2 Severability. In case any provision contained in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

7.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of New York without regard to the choice of law principles thereof. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the State of New York located in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives any objection that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.


7.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one instrument, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each party hereto and delivered to the other parties. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail which contains an electronic file of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or electronic file signature page (as the case may be) were an original thereof.

7.5 Fees and Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Holder for its legal fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and transactions contemplated thereby, a non-accountable amount of $15,000 (the “Holder Counsel Expense”). The Holder Counsel Expense shall be paid by the Company whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated. Except as otherwise set forth above, each party to this Agreement shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

7.6 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.

7.7 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement and other documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by all parties, or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. Except as expressly stated herein, no delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

7.8 Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.9 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

[signature pages follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Holder and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

By:

 

/s/ Sue Gove

 

Name: Sue Gove

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Holder and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

           HOLDER:
  HBC INVESTMENTS LLC
  By:   /s/ Richard Allison
    Name: Richard Allison
    Title: Authorized Signatory*
    *Authorized Signatory Hudson Bay Capital Management LP not individually, but solely as Investment Advisor to HBC Investments LLC.
Exchange Shares: 10,000,000
Rights Shares issuable upon exercise of Rights (without regard to any limitations on exercise): 5,000,000
DWAC INSTRUCTIONS:
Broker Name and DTC Number:
 
 
 
Account Number at DTC Participant
(if applicable):                                                                          
 


EXHIBIT A

NOTICE OF ISSUANCE

The undersigned holder hereby exercises the rights (the “Rights”) to receive _________________ of the shares of Common Stock (the “Rights Shares”) of Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), established pursuant to that certain Exchange Agreement, dated March __, 2023, by and between the Company and the investors signatory thereto (the “Exchange Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Exchange Agreement.

The Company shall deliver to Holder, or its designee or agent as specified below, __________ Rights Shares in accordance with the terms of the Rights. Delivery shall be made to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:

☐ Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:

   
   
   

☐ Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows:

 

DTC Participant:

   

DTC Number:

   

Account Number:

   

Date: _________________ __,____________

_____________________________________

Name of Registered Holder


By:    
  Name:
 

Title:

 

Tax ID:__________________________________

        

Facsimile:________________________________

 

E-mail Address:___________________________

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Launches New $300 Million At-the-Market Offering Program

UNION, N.J., March 30, 2023 — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBY) (the “Company”) announced today that it filed a prospectus supplement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under which it may offer and sell up to $300 million of shares of its common stock from time to time through an “at-the-market” offering program (“ATM Program”) with a maximum aggregate offering amount of up to $300 million. The timing and amount of any sales will be determined by a variety of factors considered by the Company.

Common Stock will be offered through B. Riley Securities Inc. (“B. Riley”), which is serving as the sales agent. B. Riley may sell Common Stock by any lawful method deemed to be an “at-the-market offering” defined by Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including without limitation, sales on any existing trading market. Sales may be made at market prices prevailing at the time of a sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices. As a result, sales prices may vary.

The Company’s prospectus supplement filed today supplements information contained in the accompanying prospectus contained in the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-267173) for the offering of Common Stock. Potential investors should review the prospectus, the prospectus supplement and all other related documents that the Company has filed with the SEC for complete corporate information, including information pertaining to the ATM Program and the risks associated with investing in the Company. Investors can obtain copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, potential investors may contact B. Riley, who will arrange to provide them these documents, by telephone at (703)-312-9580 or by email at prospectuses@brileyfin.com.

Please note that this press release is for informational purposes only and it does not represent an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company’s Common Stock. In no event will the Company sell more than $300 million of shares of Common Stock under the ATM Program. There will be no sale of Common Stock in any jurisdiction in which one would be unlawful.

About the Company

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is an omnichannel retailer that makes it easy for our customers to feel at home. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise primarily in the Home and Baby markets. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “will,” “working,” “plan” and variations of such words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, ATM Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom; the price of our Common Stock at any given time; risks related to the failure to receive the full amount of gross proceeds from the Company’s


financing transactions; the Company’s ability to maintain access to its credit agreement; the Company’s ability to deliver and execute on its turnaround plans; the Company’s potential need to seek additional strategic alternatives, including restructuring or refinancing of its debt, seeking additional debt or equity capital, reducing or delaying its business activities and strategic initiatives, or selling assets, other strategic transactions and/or other measures, including obtaining relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and the terms, value and timing of any transaction resulting from that process; the Company’s ability to finalize or fully execute actions and steps that would be probable of mitigating the existence of “substantial doubt” regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; and the Company’s ability to increase cash flow to support the Company’s operating activities and fund its obligations and working capital needs, and the other risk factors described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the factors set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 26, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 27, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 26, 2022, Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2023 and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2023. The Company disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

CONTACTS:

INVESTORS: Susie A. Kim, IR@bedbath.com

MEDIA: Julie Strider, Media@bedbath.com

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Enters into Committed Equity Facility for Additional Funding

Builds on Recent Launch of New At-the-Market Offering

Terminates Previously Issued Warrants for Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

Provides Business Update

UNION, N.J., March 30, 2023 — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBY) (the “Company”) announced today that concurrent with a new, At-The-Market offering program (“ATM Program”) launched earlier today, the Company has also entered into a common stock purchase agreement and a registration rights agreement (collectively, “Committed Equity Facility”) with B. Riley Principal Capital II, LLC to provide additional capital to the Company. Simultaneously, the Company is terminating its previous public equity offering and all outstanding warrants for Series A Convertible Preferred Stock associated with that offering. The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-1 with respect to the Committed Equity Facility, upon the effectiveness of which the Company would be permitted to begin selling additional securities pursuant to its terms.

The potential net proceeds from these financing transactions will be used immediately to fulfill conditions set forth in an amendment to the Company’s credit facility filed earlier today. The Company expects to utilize its amended credit facility to enable its strategic initiatives in fiscal 2023, such as investing in merchandise inventory, which will be further supported by a realigned store footprint and cost structure.

Sue Gove, President & CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. said, “The actions we’ve taken have enabled us to create the necessary financial runway to begin restoring our iconic Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY businesses. We have raised $360 million of equity capital since the beginning of February, cured our default under our credit agreement, repaid material amounts of our ABL facility, completed our interest payment for our Senior Notes, all while jumpstarting our turnaround plans.”

Ms. Gove continued, “The customer experience remains our top priority and we are making meaningful progress to improve our business and calibrate to customer demand. In addition to leveraging our recent capital to reinvest in high demand inventory, we are also developing a third-party consignment program that will allow us to fortify our product assortments by expanding merchandise availability from key supplier partners. We are on pace to achieve our target of 360 top-performing Bed Bath & Beyond stores by the end of April, in addition to our existing 120 buybuy BABY stores. In conjunction with our online business, these productive stores are pivotal to our omni-channel strategy and future profitability.”

Ms. Gove concluded, “As demonstrated by our plans for additional equity capital, our work remains focused on creating operational and financial avenues for further progress. We believe today’s launch of the ATM Program will expand the reach of our equity program, and accelerate the return of our nationally recognized Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY brands back to prominence.”

As of March 27, 2023, the Company had a total of approximately 435 million shares of common stock issued, and approximately 295 million shares of common stock available for issuance.

In conjunction with today’s business update, the Company is providing the following preliminary financial results for the fiscal 2022 fourth quarter (ended February 25, 2023):


   

Net Sales of approximately $1.2 billion

 

   

Comparable Sales decline in the 40% to 50% range1

 

   

Continuation of negative operating losses

 

   

Modest free cash flow usage

The Company has not yet completed its fiscal year 2022 fourth quarter and full year financial close and plans to provide its full financial results for the fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and full year at the end of April 2023. Until that time, the preliminary results described in this press release are estimates only and remain subject to change and finalization.

 

About the Company

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is an omnichannel retailer that makes it easy for our customers to feel at home. The Company sells a wide assortment of merchandise primarily in the Home and Baby markets. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Company operates websites at bedbathandbeyond.com and buybuybaby.com.

Non-GAAP Information

This release contains certain non-GAAP information, including Free Cash Flow. Non-GAAP information is intended to provide visibility into the Company’s core operations and excludes special items, including non-cash impairment charges related to certain store-level assets and tradenames, loss on sale of businesses, loss on the extinguishment of debt, charges recorded in connection with the restructuring and transformation initiatives, which includes accelerated markdowns and inventory reserves related to the planned assortment transition to Owned Brands and costs associated with store closures related to the Company’s fleet optimization and the income tax impact of these items. The Company’s definition and calculation of non-GAAP measures may differ from that of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported GAAP financial results. The Company is not providing a reconciliation of its forward looking quarter ended February 25, 2023 non-GAAP preliminary expected results or its fiscal year 2023 guidance with respect to Free Cash Flow because it does not currently have sufficient information to accurately estimate all of the variables and individual adjustments for such reconciliation. As such, the Company cannot estimate on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort the impact these variables and individual adjustments will have on its reported results.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “will,” “working,” “plan” and variations of such words and similar future or conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control.

 

(1) Comparable Sales reflects the year-over-year change in sales from the Company’s retail channels, including stores and digital, that have been operating for twelve full months following the opening period (typically six to eight weeks). Comparable Sales excludes the impact of the Company’s store network optimization program.


Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability to obtain shareholder approval of a reverse split proposal, which is required to enable the Company to make full use of the ATM Program and any of the Committed Equity Facility; ATM Program and the Committed Equity Facility and the use of proceeds therefrom; the price of our Common Stock at any given time; risks related to the failure to receive the full amount of gross proceeds from the Company’s financing transactions; the Company’s ability to maintain access to its credit agreement; the Company’s ability to deliver and execute on its turnaround plans; the Company’s potential need to seek additional strategic alternatives, including restructuring or refinancing of its debt, seeking additional debt or equity capital, reducing or delaying its business activities and strategic initiatives, or selling assets, other strategic transactions and/or other measures, including obtaining relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and the terms, value and timing of any transaction resulting from that process; the Company’s ability to finalize or fully execute actions and steps that would be probable of mitigating the existence of “substantial doubt” regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; and the Company’s ability to increase cash flow to support the Company’s operating activities and fund its obligations and working capital needs, and the other risk factors described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the factors set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 26, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 27, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 26, 2022, Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2023 and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2023. The Company disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

CONTACTS:

INVESTORS: Susie A. Kim, IR@bedbath.com

MEDIA: Julie Strider, Media@bedbath.com